The balustrade that appeared in Europe in the Middle Ages today is an architectural element that is actively used both in the exterior and interior design of private estates and public spaces. New materials allow you to create a beautiful and reliable fence, which effectively emphasizes the advantages and gently helps to mask individual defects.
When and where did it appear
Researchers claim that the balustrade is an invention of the ancient Assyrians who used it to enclose window openings in the process of decorating palace facades. Europeans became acquainted with balustrade systems only at the end of the 15th century, when they began to be actively used in Italy. At that time, the balustrade, the photo of which you see, was installed in Verona and Venice and served as an alternative to small arcades.
As we know it today, the balustrade was proposed by Italian architect Giuliano di Sangalo. He used this element as an external decor in the construction of the terrace at the Villa Medici, and later in the construction of palaces in the antique style. Initially, balusters in balustrades copied classical columns, but over time, curly columns of various shapes appeared, creating more expressive silhouettes and a picture of the through hole of the gap.
What it is
As already mentioned, a balustrade is an architectural element consisting of balusters and pedestals - supporting vertical elements that support a horizontal handrail. Balusters are installed on the curbstones and secured on top with a handrail, as a result of which you can get not only a reliable protective fence that prevents falling from a height or restricting space, but also a refined and unique decor element that favorably emphasizes the individuality of the style of your home or apartment.
Balustrade complexes are actively used by modern designers for landscape decoration. Most often, concrete balustrades are installed on the street, as they are most resistant to various adverse environmental influences and do not require special care.
Today, depending on the material from which they are made, several types of balustrades are distinguished, let's look at them in more detail.
What are they made of?
The most modern material used to create balustrades is polyurethane. It is lightweight, durable, not susceptible to decay and cracking.
Professionals argue that the most aesthetically attractive material is gypsum, since the most delicate structures with the possibility of high detail are obtained from it. The disadvantage of gypsum balustrades is their fragility, which is why they have to be repaired every 5-6 years.
The stone balustrade, the photo of which is located below, is beautiful and perfectly complements the decor of a large country residence in a classic style.
That's just the installation of such a design will cost several times more expensive than its cost, quite high. In addition, because of the large mass of stone fences, the risk of their collapse is always quite high.
Balustrades made of concrete are lighter than stone and, in addition, can be reinforced with reinforcement. They are strong, durable and can be painted and decorated at the request of the customer.
The most plastic and lightweight material used to make fencing is wood. It allows you to create very light and delicate elements of the balustrade. However, it has one significant drawback - when it is constantly under the influence of various environmental factors, the tree loses its shape, darkens and collapses. That is why a wooden balustrade is an object of annual repair and painting.
What are they made of?
Despite the fact that the balustrades are very different in their appearance, the main elements of their design are the same:
- The base is the lower beam, laid between the pedestals.
- Curbstones - the main element on which the main burden falls.
- Balusters (curly columns) - are installed on the pedestal and serve to support the railing.
- Handrails (railings) - are used to fix balusters with each other.
It should be noted that balusters can be not only round, but also have a rectangular, square, triangular section and even are flat. Today recognized as classic examples of the balustrades of the Roman
Sistine Chapel. In them, the gaps between the columns are calculated so that the areas of the balusters and cuts themselves are almost equal, and this allows harmonious harmonization of their drawings.
Why is she in the kitchen
Why you need a fence in the garden or park - is understandable.
But why do you need a kitchen balustrade? This is a decorative element designed to decorate open shelves or the top of sections, as well as serve as an obstacle to the fall of various objects. A kitchen decorated with such an element looks stylish and elegant.
Such decorative furniture fences are made from various types of wood, such as oak, alder and ash. They can be painted immediately after manufacture - they do not require grinding.