Rails play an important role in the arrangement of stairs. They allow you to further strengthen the structure. Also, railings and balusters increase the safety of the operation of the stairs. They may have a different appearance. Railings should fit into the overall style of the design.
Some owners of private real estate independently install the presented structural elements. How the installation of the railing is carried out, the advice of experienced builders will help you figure it out. There are many varieties of such structures. Before starting installation, it is necessary to consider their main features.
Handrail requirements
The most important stage of work in the arrangement of stairs is the installation of railings. The price for installation varies according to the chosen design, material. The average cost of a running meter of railings is 700-2500 rubles. The high cost of construction forces many private home owners to do the work themselves.
In order for the railing to be aesthetic and functional, you should take the advice of experienced builders. They stipulate a number of requirements, whichare 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 types of materials from which steps can be made. Also, the railing should be comfortable and durable. They should strengthen the stairs, increase the safety of its operation.
Selection of materials
Do-it-yourself railing installation can be done quickly and efficiently if this work is done in accordance with building codes. There are many design options available. Various materials are used to make them.
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, stairs and railings made of the same material will look appropriate. The classic interior will be harmoniously complemented by a metal structure. New design styles can be enhanced with glass and plastic railings.
Metal structures are in high demand. They are practical and beautiful. There are railings made of stainless steel, aluminum, chrome-plated metal. Forged railing elements look interesting. The choice depends on the features of the installation, the skills of the master, the taste preferences of the owners of the house.
Design elements
The installation of railings made of stainless steel, wood or glass can be done by hand. To do this, it is necessary to consider the main elementsdesigns. These include support bollards, balusters and handrails. They are most often present in all varieties of stairs.
Support pedestals are installed at the end and beginning of a flight of steps. They will be the main load during operation. Sometimes supports are installed on special platforms. This makes the construction strong.
Balusters are called vertical posts that support the railing along its entire length. They can be made from different materials. Their configuration may vary significantly.
Handrails match the length of the railing. They can be round, square or other shape. The surface of the handrails should be smooth and well finished.
Tools and materials
Before starting installation, it is necessary to consider how the installation of balusters and railings takes place step by step. 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 on his own. This will require an appropriate set of tools that allows you to process natural material.
If the master does not own the technique of creating wood products, he can order ready-made structural elements. In this case, metal varieties of structures are very popular. Most often, stainless steel is used in this case.
To install the railing yourself, you need to preparechisel, 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 a craftsman wishes to install wooden railings, he must pay great attention to the choice of material. In this case, a specific list of breeds applies. One of the best choices is oak. In this case, the supports will be strong enough, the handrails will not wear out.
If you plan to create complex structural elements, it is better to choose beech. It is also durable, but more flexible material. It will be easier to handle.
Ash in its structure resembles oak. However, it is inferior in strength. But the cost of ash will be somewhat less than that of oak. It is a durable material that will last for many years if properly processed.
Also, birch, pine, larch can be used for the presented purposes. Wood will need to be treated with special compounds. This will prevent rotting. The material should not have cracks, defects.
Installation of wooden railings
Do-it-yourself installation of balusters and railings is carried out using a special technology. First you need to install the support pedestals. They must be the same height. They are fixed in fixed places (on platforms). It is unacceptable to stagger support pillars.
Next, you should install the lower bar, which is called the bowstring. This element is found on stairs thatadhere to the wall. It is mounted with screws to the cabinets and steps.
In the handrail it is necessary to drill holes for the balusters at the same distance. The top edge of the uprights must be sawn at the same angle as the slope of the stairs. The bottom of the balusters remains flat. These elements are installed with 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, antiseptic. Next, the surface is varnished.
Metal railings
Installing railings on stairs can be easier. In this case, not wood, but metal is used. Existing varieties have certain merits.
Aluminum is a lightweight material. It has a relatively low cost. Aluminum railings of various designs are on sale. Their disadvantage is their low strength.
The more popular material is stainless steel. This is a stylish, durable design. This material is quite expensive. It is also possible to order railings in painted steel. They are cheaper than the previous variety.
Nickel-plated railings are rarely used. This material is susceptible to corrosion.
Assembly Type
Stainless steel, aluminum and other metal railings can be installed in a variety of ways. There are prefabricated, welded structures. Cast and forged railings are also common.
Teamsstructures are easiest to mount with your own hands. The package includes all necessary elements. They are assembled like a designer. This is a simple, secure installation. However, in this case, all metal elements will need to be covered with paint.
If the railings have a complex configuration, they are most often assembled by welding. This work can also be done independently. To do this, you will need to purchase a welding machine and practice using it for some time. In this case, it is better to use the argon technique. In this case, the seams are more accurate.
Casting and forging
Cast and forged railings are the most decorative among metal varieties of structures. In the first case, the metal is poured in production into prepared molds. Further, the blanks are processed in a special way. Graceful elements are obtained, which are assembled into a single system.
Forged railings are made according to an individual pattern. These are the most original forms. The blacksmith creates each element of the stairs manually. Installing a railing of this variety will add aristocracy to the stairs. The cost of forged railings is quite high. This is due to the fact that all items are created manually.
Finishing of cast and forged structural elements may vary. Today, special paints are used to carry out such work. The surface of the metal can be artificially aged. Some metal curls are covered with gold or silver paint. The choice of finishes in thiscase big.
Preparation for installation of metal railings
Stairs can be made of concrete, metal or wood. Railings are most often installed precisely from metal. In this case, several nuances should be taken into account.
Installation of railings on a metal staircase is done 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 wooden steps. With their help, the metal railings will be installed in their designated places.
Installation process
To install metal railings to steps of the same material, it is necessary to make markings at the base. Balusters will be installed here. Next, holes are drilled along the markup. They are well cleaned. Pour glue inside and insert the studs. When the composition hardens, you can continue to work.
Balusters are installed on the prepared pins using bolts or welding. They must have a clear vertical orientation. This is controlled by the level.
A handrail must be attached to the supports. Welding in this case is used extremely rarely. In this case, the master must have not only the initial skills in working with this tool. This is a complex technology. All seams are cleaned, treated with protective compounds.
Having considered the features of the installation of the railing, you can choose the optimal type of material for assembling the structure,install it on the stairs yourself. With a clear implementation of the recommendations of professionals, you can create a strong, durable support. This will make the ladder safe to use.
