Railings play an important role in arranging stairs. They allow you to further strengthen the design. Also, railings and balusters increase the safety of operation of the stairs. They may have a different appearance. Railing should fit into the overall design style.
Some owners of private real estate independently install the presented structural elements. How to install the railing will help sort out the advice of experienced builders. There are many varieties of such designs. Before starting installation, it is necessary to consider their main features.
Railing Requirements
The crucial step in the arrangement of the stairs is the installation of railings. The price for installation varies in accordance with the chosen design, material. The average cost of a running meter of railings leaves 700-2500 rubles. The high cost of construction makes many owners of private houses do the work on their own.
To make the railing aesthetic and functional, you should use the advice of experienced builders. They stipulate a number of requirements that are put forward to the presented designs.
The railing should have an aesthetic appearance. To do this, they are correlated with the overall design of the object. There are many varieties of materials from which you can make fencing steps. Also, the railing should be comfortable and durable. They should strengthen the ladder, increase the safety of its operation.
Material selection
Do-it- yourself railing installation can be carried out quickly and efficiently if this work is carried out in accordance with building codes. There are many options for the designs. Various materials are used for their manufacture.
Railings made of metal, wood, glass and plastic are in great demand. They differ in the features of installation, strength, durability. In a wooden house, a staircase and railings from the same material will look appropriate. The classic interior is harmoniously complemented by a metal construction. New design styles can be decorated with glass and plastic railings.
Metal structures are in high demand. They are practical and beautiful. There are railings made of stainless steel, aluminum, chromed metal. The forged elements of the railings look interesting. The choice depends on the features of installation, the skills of the master, the taste preferences of the owners of the house.
Structural elements
Installation of handrails made of stainless varieties of steel, wood or glass can be done by yourself. For this, it is necessary to consider the main structural elements. These include supporting tables, balusters and handrails. They are present most often in all varieties of stairs.
Supporting stands are installed at the end and beginning of the flight of steps. They will be the main burden during operation. Sometimes supports are installed on special platforms. This allows you to make the structure durable.
Balusters are called vertical columns that support the railing along the entire length. They can be made of different materials. Their configuration may vary significantly.
Handrails correspond to the length of the railing. They can be round, square or other shape. The surface of the handrails should be smooth, well processed.
Tools and materials
Before starting the installation, it is necessary to consider how step-by-step installation of balusters and railings takes place . First you need to choose the material from which the structure will be made. If the master knows how to work with wood, he can make all the elements of the railing independently. To do this, you need an appropriate set of tools to process natural material.
If the master does not know the technique of creating wood products, he can order ready-made structural elements. In this case, metallic varieties of designs are very popular. Most often in this case, stainless steel is used.
To install the railing yourself, you need to prepare a chisel, hacksaw, chisel. You will also need a screwdriver, screwdriver, puncher, jigsaw, building level. Marking is done with a pencil and tape measure. In some cases, a welding machine may be required.
Wood selection
If the master wants to install the wooden railing, he must pay great attention to the choice of material. In this case, a specific list of breeds is applied. One of the best options is oak. In this case, the supports will be strong enough, the handrails will not be erased.
If you plan to create complex structural elements, it is better to choose a beech. It is also durable, but more flexible material. It will be easier to handle.
Ash in its structure resembles an oak. However, it is inferior in strength. But the cost of ash will be slightly less than that of oak. It is a durable material that, if properly processed, will last for many years.
Also for the presented purposes, birch, pine, larch can be used. Wood will need to be treated with special compounds. This will prevent the appearance of rot. There should be no cracks or defects on the material.
Installation of wooden railing
Do-it-yourself installation of balusters and railings is carried out according to a special technology. First you need to install the support pedestals. They should be the same height. They are fixed in fixed places (on platforms). The staggering of support pillars is not permitted.
Next, set the lower bar, which is called a bowstring. This element is in the stairs that are adjacent to the wall. It is mounted with screws to the pedestals and steps.
In the handrail, it is necessary to drill holes for balusters at the same distance. The upper edge of the racks must be filed at the same angle as the slope of the stairs. The bottom of the balusters remains level. These elements are installed using studs. They are first installed in the base and tightened with nuts. Next, railings are installed on the balusters.
After installation, the wood is treated with a special primer, an antiseptic. Next, the surface is opened with varnish.
Metal railing
Installing the railing on the stairs can be simpler. In this case, it is not wood that is used, but metal. Existing varieties are distinguished by certain advantages.
Aluminum is a lightweight material. It has a relatively low cost. On sale are aluminum railings of various designs. Their disadvantage is low strength.
More popular material is stainless steel. This is a stylish, durable design. This material is quite expensive. You can also order painted steel railings. They are cheaper than the previous variety.
Nickel-plated railings are rarely used. This material is subject to corrosion.
Assembly type
The installation of handrails made of stainless steel, aluminum and other metals can be performed in different ways. There are prefabricated, welded structures. Cast and forged railings are also common.
Prefabricated structures are easiest to mount with your own hands. The package includes all the necessary elements. They are assembled as a constructor. This is a simple, reliable installation. However, all metal elements in this case will need to be coated with paint.
If the railing has a complex configuration, they are collected most often by welding. This work can also be done independently. To do this, you need to purchase a welding machine and some time to practice its use. It is better in this case to apply the argon technique. In this case, the seams are more accurate.
Casting and forging
The most decorative among metal varieties of designs are cast and forged railings. In the first case, the metal is poured into the prepared molds at the production site. Next, the workpieces are processed in a special way. It turns out elegant elements that are assembled into a single system.
Forged railings are made according to an individual pattern. These are the most original forms. Each element of the staircase is created by a blacksmith manually. The installation of the railing of this variety will add to the staircase of aristocracy. The cost of forged railings is quite high. This is due to the fact that all elements are created manually.
Finishing cast and forged structural elements may be different. Today, special paints are used to carry out such work. The metal surface can be artificially aged. Some metallic curls are coated with gold or silver paint. The choice of finishes in this case is large.
Preparing for the installation of metal railings
The staircase can be made of concrete, metal or wood. The railing is most often installed precisely from metal. In this case, several nuances should be taken into account.
Railing is installed on a metal ladder by welding or bolting. In concrete structures, special plates must be mounted. With their help, metal railings will be attached to the steps. If there are no plates, you can use special anchors.
Bolts should be attached to the wooden steps. With their help, metal railings will be installed in their intended places.
Installation process
To install metal railings to steps of the same material, you need to make markings in the base. Balusters will be installed here. Further, holes are drilled according to the marking. They are well cleaned. Inside, pour glue and insert the studs. When the composition hardens, you can continue to work.
On the prepared pins, balusters are installed using bolts or welding. They should have a clear vertical orientation. This is controlled by level.
A handrail must be attached to the supports. Welding in this case is used extremely rarely. In this case, the master should have not only initial skills in working with this tool. This is a sophisticated technology. All seams are cleaned, treated with protective compounds.
Having considered the features of the railing installation , you can choose the optimal type of material for assembling the structure, independently install it on the stairs. With the strict implementation of the recommendations of professionals, you can create a strong, durable support. This will make the operation of the stairs safe.