To create a vintage staircase with your own hands, you must, first of all, understand the meaning of this name and know how these items differ from the rest. By definition, vintage is a photograph that was printed immediately after the appearance of the negative. In relation to other objects, this name is used in the case when an interpretation is made for objects of samples from the past. Thus, vintage stairs are also antique products.
Forged stairs
One of the most attractive types of stairs, emphasizing their relationship to antique items, are forged. A variety of patterns created from ornamental elements or an incredible view of plants and animals look quite impressive and always attract people's attention.
In ancient times, when artart forging was just in its infancy, not everyone could afford such products. They took a lot of time to make and required a lot of money. Today, this is a completely solvable question for everyone who has such a desire. After all, having drawn up a personal project, you can equip your building with a vintage staircase, the photo of which can be seen below.
Characteristics of forged products
The basic technology invented by the blacksmiths of the past is practically the same today, with the exception of some tools and devices that were not available to craftsmen from ancient times. Experts passed on their ability to process metals by inheritance to their descendants. However, even today this process is carried out manually, without becoming an object of automated lines.
To give the patterns bizarre shapes, the same hammer, hammer, blacksmith tongs and anvils of various shapes and sizes are used. In the process of heat treatment, iron acquires ductility, which allows you to change its shape. Thus, it becomes possible to create the most incredible elements in form, which only the imagination of the master can create to decorate a vintage staircase.
Any products created using artistic forging, including stairs, always make a vivid impression and do not go unnoticed. Such a design without hesitation can be called a work of art, not only because of its originality and attractiveness, but also thanks to the efforts and creative thinking of the master who creates such views. In addition, the vintage staircase onthe second floor can be tied to motifs of almost any style, such as:
oriental;
classic;
Gothic;
Empire;
modern;
vanguard;
rococo;
- baroque.
And these are just the main directions in the style of such products, the list of which is not limited at all. The possibilities of this method are most widely revealed when designing the railings of vintage stairs. Such fences serve as an object of close attention and are able to give the appearance of a product of lightness and independence. However, with external airiness, such supports have significant strength and are able to serve for a long time.
Varieties of forged stairs
Choosing the type of vintage stairs made using artistic forging depends not only on belonging to a particular style. Here it is necessary to take into account the shape of such an interior element, its dimensions, functional role, as well as the financial capabilities of the customer. After all, complex structures can have a very considerable cost.
According to their purpose, such products can be divided into:
- The main ones, which are designed to become a vintage staircase to the second floor.
- Auxiliary, allowing you to go down to the basement or climb up to the attic.
- Front doors, serving to enter the building. Also, forged stairs are able to take many different forms, allowing products to fit ergonomically into any interior.
Marching
This is the most popular type of vintage stairs to the second floor, a photo of which can be seen in the above article. However, such structures are poorly suited to small spaces due to their massiveness. Among the advantages - the relative ease of manufacture. They are comfortable and allow you to move as safely as possible. Such designs are used both in residential buildings and in various institutions or in production workshops.
For convenience, each march is divided into an equal number of steps, the number of which should not exceed 15. This arrangement allows you to move comfortably, rationally distributing forces. When the staircase becomes longer, for convenience it is separated by marching platforms that allow you to take a breath. The designs of such products can have a direct direction, or they can make turns to the side. The design that turns after the plane of the wall is called a turning vintage staircase, the photos of which are impressive.
Screw
This kind of stairs has the most attractive appearance. However, its location also requires a significant area. In addition, moving along such a ladder is not very convenient, because the deployed steps have a changing size, at the beginning of which the leg does not fit. Such designs have the shape of a spiral and, compared with marching samples, can take up less space, saving usable space. Spiral designs of vintage stairs are designed as decorative elements of the interior, emphasizing its individuality.
L-shaped
Such stairs are often installed in rooms with limited space. They are distinguished by the running shape of the steps and the requirements of professionalism to the performer. It is easy to recognize such a staircase by its characteristic turn at an angle of 90 degrees and a structure that repeats the outline of the wall. These stairs can fit any rectangular room. Apparently, for this reason, they are found in homes more often than others.
U-shaped
Such ladders are also well suited for installation in small spaces, without requiring large areas. Here, as a rule, the traditional form of steps is used, which makes it possible to move comfortably. To turn such a ladder at an angle of 180 degrees, a rotary march or a rotary march platform is used. In the latter case, the staircase becomes less convenient, but requires less space for its location.
Self-supporting
The steps of such a ladder are designed in such a way as to be mounted on load-bearing beams located on both sides of the structure. In the second embodiment, one load-bearing beam is provided, which is installed in the center of the structure. Such a beam has a toothed shape with platforms for placing steps. This design has a very light appearance, and it seems that the ladder is suspended in the air. Decorative railings from various combinations of ornaments do not make the overall look of the element heavier, however, they securely fix the edges of the steps
Curvilinear
Such designs are distinguished by the highest complexity of manufacturing, with whichcan only be handled by specialists with sufficient experience in performing such work. Such a staircase is represented by semicircular shapes, made up of a number of winder steps and having an upper platform necessary for the full docking of the constituent elements. This option will be an indispensable element in a house with a vintage staircase.
Nature of application
In the planning of private buildings, vintage spiral staircases are often preferred, the design of which allows them to fit ergonomically into the interior design, while saving usable space in comparison with mid-flight structures.
Despite the complexity of manufacturing such design elements, the overall assembly of the structure does not cause any particular difficulties, taking not very much time. In the case when the room has a limited area, all fastenings are made directly to the wall.
An important component is the ability of this type of stairs to combine design. Thus, most often wooden steps are attached to the base with metal limiters and railings.
Vintage staircase DIY: features
It is quite possible to make such a design with your own hands. Having chosen the size of the stairs to the second floor in a private house using a sketch or a successful photograph that allows you to realize the wishes of the customer as much as possible, you can proceed to the calculations and methods for designing the appearance of the proposed structure.
The complexity of the planned product can be regulated solely by the professional capabilities of the performer. For the manufacture of some components, it is necessary to have sophisticated equipment available exclusively in specialized workshops. A vintage wine cellar staircase is the perfect addition to this space.
Material selection principles
Having made all the accompanying calculations, the specialist will be able to compile a list of the required materials. It is usually worth using the services of a professional who can calculate for a vintage staircase created by oneself. Then you should give importance to the material from which the railing is supposed to be made. This is necessary to ensure plastic structures that repeat the configuration of the interior.
As a consumable, it is allowed to use various rolled metal products, including steel profiles with different sections. However, the most acceptable material is considered to be a cross-sectional thickness of which does not exceed two millimeters. As an additional insurance, the railings and steps of such a staircase are tied to the plane of the wall using special brackets. The choice of the latter is carried out taking into account the total weight of the structure. The staircase in the house to the second floor, the dimensions of which have already been accurately calculated, will not require a large supply of starting material.
Required tool
Before you start implementing the desired project, you should prepare the necessary tool base. After all, the specifics of suchproduct involves the implementation of several mandatory steps. Be sure to have a gas welding machine on hand, as well as a grinder, fixing elements and personal protective equipment.
After the material has been purchased and the entire list of necessary tools, including protective equipment, has been prepared, a working platform of the appropriate size, located in one flat plane, should be prepared.
Among the measuring instruments, it is worth arming yourself with a building corner, two water levels, one of which will have a length of 40 centimeters, and the other will exceed 1 meter in length. In addition, it is necessary to keep a journal to record readings and prepare a protractor capable of measuring the angles of long segments. And finally, it is important to remember that a tape measure is best for taking readings from the current dimensions.
Production of construction
First of all, it should be remembered that all current dimensions must be recorded in the work log. First of all, this list includes all the initial indicators of the room in which the product is supposed to be installed. Then the whole structure is divided into basic components, which are divided into smaller elements, from which the overall structure is modeled.
When obtaining the shape and dimensions of each element, it is necessary to manufacture all blanks with maximum accuracy, which will subsequently form the overall structure. This is a rather difficult task, and its implementation should be approached with maximumaccuracy. In the process of forming the structural components, it may be necessary to adjust with impact tools.
Forged connections are certainly best done with a forge capable of heating the surface to a temperature of 1400 degrees. However, a positive effect can be achieved in another way, using the metal's ability to deform.
For this, an element that has lost a straight line in the axis is clamped in a vice and bent to the desired configuration using levers or gas wrenches. After all the elements have been tested for evenness, they should be compared with each other and, in case of inconsistencies, finalized with a sledgehammer.
