Mandatory element of two-, three-storey country houses and cottages is, of course, a staircase. Of course, it is necessary to assemble lifting structures of this variety in such a way that they are as safe as possible for the movement of people living in the house. First of all, any interfloor staircase must have a solid foundation.
Benefits of wood finishes
Kosoura, bowstrings and steps of stairs are most often made of timber and boards. But, of course, metal can also be used for this purpose. The advantages of steel stairs are many. Structures of this type are distinguished by increased strength and the longest possible service life. But with many advantages, metal stairs have one rather serious drawback. Unfortunately, they don't look very attractive.
You can fix the situation in this case simply by finishing the metal staircase with wood. Iron marches and railings sheathed in this way, with the right approach to business, turn out to be very stylish and presentable. Also, the wood sheathing of the stairs has andanother important advantage. The metal parts of the march and railings covered with boards will not rust in the future.
Most often, lumber is finished with lifting home structures welded from corners and channels. But if you wish, today you can also purchase ready-made factory metal frames for stairs with wood finish. In any case, such products are inexpensive and are mounted using a very simple technology.
Material selection
Staircase on a metal frame with wooden steps, thus, it will look spectacular and will be durable. But of course, such a design will not require repair for a long time only if the right choice of materials for sheathing.
Wood for finishing marches and railings can be purchased in almost any species. But it is still considered that hardwood of this type is better suited for such work. The load on the stairs during the operation of the house is usually serious. Therefore, softwood sheathing, most likely, will soon become unusable in the future. Such boards will simply begin to wear out over time.
The most suitable lumber for finishing stairs are oak, beech, ash, larch. Such wood is, of course, quite expensive. Therefore, as an alternative for a metal staircase, you can use a combined wooden sheathing. Treads and interfloor platforms in this case are finished with solid lumber. The ends and risers are sheathed with soft wood - pine or, for example, spruce.
Of course, it is allowed to use exotic wood for finishing metal stairs. It can be, for example, wenge, teak, etc. Finishing in this case will be very expensive. But the staircase sheathed with such boards will also look as solid and presentable as possible.
What should be the quality of the boards
Sheathe metal stairs, of course, you need only well-dried lumber. The humidity of the boards chosen for this purpose should not exceed 12-18%. Of course, it is worth buying wood without cracks, a large number of knots and rotten areas for finishing the metal frame of the stairs. In addition, before proceeding with the sheathing, purchased boards must be treated with an antiseptic.
Before cutting the purchased lumber, even if their moisture content does not exceed 18%, you need to additionally dry it in a dark place for a couple of months. Otherwise, after sheathing the structures of the stairs, the boards may twist. This will lead to their cracking, creaking, deterioration of the appearance of the march and railings.
Design
Wood trim on a metal staircase will look attractive in any case. You can sheathe this way:
- steps;
- risers;
- platforms;
- railing;
- support pillars.
But of course, the lumber will first need to be properly cut. To make thiswork as carefully as possible, first you need to make templates with exact observance of the dimensions of the sheathed elements of the stairs.
Cutting should be done in such a way that all the wooden parts of the sheathing subsequently adjoin each other as tightly as possible. Only in this case, the wooden staircase will look attractive and neat.
What tools will be required
Sawing wood when cutting is done, of course, usually using a hacksaw. Also, this work can be done with an electric saw. You will need for sheathing a metal staircase with boards and tools such as:
- hammer;
- screwdriver;
- level;
- ruler, square and tape measure;
- bolts, keys.
It is advisable to treat the metal frame of the stairs under the lining with wood beforehand with an anti-corrosion agent. The easiest way is, of course, to paint the steel with enamel using a regular brush.
Step-by-step sheathing of the metal frame of the stairs with wood
Finish such lifting home structures in a few steps. First, the treads and risers are sheathed. Then the supports are trimmed - bowstrings and stringers. At the final stage, the railing and handrail are lined.
Important
The ladder on a metal frame with wooden steps is very durable and easy to use. However, when performing boarding in this caseThere is one very important rule to follow. On critical sections of the stairs - steps, railings and platforms - it is best to use bolts as fasteners for lumber. Such elements form strong durable connections. When using them, the boards are guaranteed not to come loose in the future.
Self-tapping screws when finishing a metal staircase with wood should only be used to secure the elements at the ends. That is, where the boards will not be subjected to stress.
Methods of sheathing steps
When finishing a flight of stairs, the boards are first attached to the treads. At the same time, they try to make as strong connections as possible. Next, proceed to the sheathing of the risers. They also try to press them to the frame as tightly as possible. In some cases, risers in metal stairs are not sewn on. Marches in this case look less solid and safe. However, in the absence of risers, stair sheathing is, of course, cheaper.
If there are no risers, the finishing elements for the treads must be cut in such a way that its metal parts are not visible from the outside of the march.
Options for sheathing supports
If the march of a metal staircase is assembled on bowstrings, it will not be difficult to complete its end finish. Such supporting structures are usually simply sheathed on the outside with a board of the appropriate width. Cutting lumber in this case will only need to be done in order to close the pieces of the bowstring betweensteps from the side of the march.
Laying stringers, of course, will become more difficult. In this case, cutting will also need to be performed for the outer skin. To fasten the details of the wooden cladding from the end of the stairs, as already mentioned, you can simply use self-tapping screws using a screwdriver.
Railing
Such structural elements of a metal staircase can be made on steel vertical balusters or horizontal crossbars. The same applies to the parapet of interfloor platforms. In stairs of this design, only the handrail will have to be sheathed with wood. Usually, a bar with a section of 40 x 40 cm is chosen for this purpose. In most cases, a material of this size fits very comfortably in the palm of a person. It is best to fasten the handrail to the metal of the parapet, as already mentioned, with bolts.
Balusters and crossbars
In some cases, metal stair railings may not have steel balusters or crossbars. These elements for such a design, of course, if desired, can be made of wood. The railing for the stairs of this variety will also turn out to be quite reliable. Balusters and crossbars are usually made from a beam of not too large a section. When choosing a material in this case, you should be guided primarily by the design features of the stairs and its dimensions.
Balusters when finishing a metal staircase with wood are fixed on the steps strictly vertically using a level. Crossbars are most often attached to the supporting pillars of the railings themselves and the parapets of the interfloor platforms, as well as to the propshandrail.
Fix balusters and crossbars in the railings of metal stairs, usually on special pins. Sometimes such elements can also be fastened with bolts, followed by masking of the latter. Wooden balusters for stairs should be installed along the march at a not too great distance from each other. They are mounted in such a way that subsequently between them, when moving up or down, adults and children cannot fall.
The most beautiful railing finish
If desired, ready-made carved balusters can also be purchased for a metal staircase. Such elements are produced today by many workshops. They are quite expensive. But when using a handrail made of carved wood for stairs, it will, of course, be as effective as possible in the future.
Of course, figured balusters with a certain skill in working with wood can be made independently. But unfortunately, such work will usually take a lot of time (unless, of course, there is a lathe in the house). In any case, it will be easiest to cut curly balusters from pine or other softwood for stairs. Carved, if desired, of course, you can make the end trim of the stringers, and the bowstring of the metal staircase.
Masking fasteners
To connect the elements of the sheathing of a metal staircase, of course, it is necessary in such a way that the bolts and self-tapping screws are as invisible as possible. Fit the trim pieces as closely as possible. Fasteners, if possible, should be installed in those places that are least conspicuous.
The heads of bolts and self-tapping screws, unless they are decorative, should be sunk a few millimeters into the wood. The nests remaining above the fasteners will subsequently need to be sealed with putty on wood and sanded. You can buy a putty agent ready-made, matching the color to the wood, or you can make it yourself. In the latter case, for the manufacture of putty, you need to use small sawdust and wood glue in equal parts.
How to process lumber at the final stage
Pine balusters, beech or oak steps and any other elements of a lumber-clad staircase at the final stage can be:
- color;
- varnish;
- Finish with wax or oil.
Paint for decorating elements of stairs is rarely used these days. After all, the tree itself has a pleasant aesthetic texture. Marches and railings are usually painted only when the interior design requires it. For example, in rooms decorated in Provence or Scandinavian style, white stairs look very nice.
Varnish wooden elements of such structures are also not finished too often. Of course, such a tool can significantly extend the life of the skin. But, according to many homeowners, metal stairs with wooden handrails and lacquered steps look too budget and cheap.
Most oftentherefore, marches and railings of lifting structures in country houses are covered with wax or oil. Such a design is not too expensive. At the same time, stairs finished in this way look very stylish and quite presentable.
