We install balusters for wooden stairs ourselves

A beautiful staircase is the main component in the design of a multi-storey building. Each structural element must coincide with the chosen direction. Balusters and railings must be made of high-quality materials that not only give a decorative appearance, but will also perform a protective function.

Today in specialized departments you can find a huge selection of components for durable stairs. They differ in their shape, size and method of attachment.

Which balusters for stairs are best to choose? What should you consider when purchasing products? The answers to these common questions are provided in our detailed guide.

Models of modern balusters

Before purchasing a product, you need to familiarize yourself with the structure and purpose of these parts in the design.

The following types of products are available for sale.

How to install a baluster for stairs (video)

The baluster is the most important element of the stair railing. Made from metal using different processing methods, this part will make the structure durable and safe. However, you should not think only about performance: you should also take care of the appearance of the balusters. Correctly selected dimensions and design of the part will help the supporting element fit harmoniously into the interior of the house. A simple design of railings and balusters can be made independently, using forging or ready-made metal elements.

Wooden balusters

They are considered a classic option, which is used in most cases. As a rule, they are made from dense wood species: pine, maple, oak.

The finished products are durable and distinguished by their reliability. This type of wood allows you to create beautiful balusters for stairs.

Balustrade installation methods

Balustrade elements can be installed on steps in different ways. Most often used:

• Anchor fastening (single). This is the simplest mounting option: the stand is fixed with an anchor bolt. This method is only suitable for structures with low weight.

• Flange mounting. Balusters are installed using a flange, which is secured with self-tapping screws.

• Concreting. This is an option for securely fastening heavy structures, such as cast iron.

• Anti-vandal fixation. Used when installing external stairs.

  The process of installing wrought iron railings

Plaster and stone parts

They are used for large stairs. As a rule, they connect between 2 and 4 floors.

For small buildings, it is customary to choose forged or wooden balusters. These elements add a bit of coziness and warmth to the interior space. Chiseled details make the design laconic, but at the same time stylish. These combinations can be found in Provence and country styles.

Wooden material lends itself perfectly to any mechanical processing. As a result, it can be given straight, streamlined or sinuous shapes that fit into modern designs.

The surface is covered with protective paint and varnish compounds that prevent the destruction of the material inside and out. In addition, chemical compounds repel harmful insects.

Forged products for stairs: advantages

Balusters are made of wood, stone, metal, marble. Forged elements are very popular in modern architectural design. Balustrades are made from steel, high-quality cast iron, copper and bronze. Steel and cast iron are malleable iron-carbon alloys with high strength and reliability. They are susceptible to corrosion, but modern anti-corrosion coatings easily eliminate this drawback. Forged copper elements are particularly beautiful and elegant, but their cost is very high. Forged products are formed using the following technology:

1. hot forging;
2. cold forging;
3. stamping.

Important! Cold forging is used only to create simple parts.

Manufacturing of forged balusters
The advantages of forging include:

• Forged products are real works of art that bring a sense of nobility to any interior.

• The high strength of the material (steel, cast iron) makes it possible to make sophisticated structures, while ensuring reliability and durability.

• Artistic forging allows you to implement any design solutions and give metal complex and unusual shapes.

• Balusters and other details made using the forging method easily fit into any architectural style.

• A wrought-iron balustrade does not require special care, maintaining a presentable appearance for decades.

Installation of balusters

Detailed instructions for installing balusters will help you perform high-quality work. It consists of two important stages:

• fastening the lower part to the ladder structure;
• fixation to the top.

First of all, it is recommended to fix the wooden baluster element in the area of ​​the lower steps. To do this, make a support with places for fastenings. Each part is installed in grooves. Next, tap the top of the product with a rubber hammer.

The upper parts of the baluster are installed in the same way. To do this, grooves are made in the inner part to tightly fix each element. It is important to maintain particular precision during the assembly process. This will allow you to make a high-quality structure that will last a long time.

Experienced professionals do not recommend using a large number of fasteners. They can provoke the appearance of cracks in areas of increased load. It is enough to use up to 10 pcs for the entire structure. metal compounds.

When all the details are fixed, we move on to painting the stair balusters. To do this, we use a primer. When it dries, it can be coated with protective varnish or paint for wooden surfaces. The photo of balusters for stairs shows popular models of products for arranging interior space.

Forged balustrades: protection and beauty

Stairs with wrought iron elements emphasize the style and personality of a home and are often the main component of the decor.

When constructing stairs, forging is used for individual parts: support posts, railings. Stair steps with forged elements are made of wood, stone, and marble. Beautiful spiral staircases are sometimes created entirely from metal.

Forging is an ancient craft. The use of traditional and modern technologies in blacksmithing allows you to create real masterpieces. Decorative forging has a special magic: skillfully executed intricate patterns attract the eye, their openwork weaves can be looked at for hours. Forged balusters for stairs must meet the following requirements:

• Safety. Open openings on staircase elements can lead to accidents, and children, elderly people and people with disabilities are at risk.

• Sustainability. The forged element can be of any shape, the main thing is that it has sufficient rigidity and strength to withstand the load created by a person leaning on the railing.
• Durability. Balusters are an important part of structures that are designed for a very long service life (stairs, balconies, verandas, parapets). Therefore, they must comply with technological standards for many years.

• Ease of installation. Forged posts must be easily and reliably connected to all elements of the structure, providing it with the required stability and strength.

Important details about wrought iron railings

Which wooden balusters to buy

In order for the staircase to serve its owners for a very long time, all its elements must be created from the same material. Moreover, you need to give preference to the same type of wood.

When choosing balusters, you should focus not only on the shape and appearance, but also on the type of wood from which they are made

Helpful advice! It is best to choose the hardest types of wood. Oak definitely belongs to them. This tree is famous for its strength and nobility. Any products made from it will be able to retain their original appearance and natural characteristics for a very long time.

The most common types of wood:

• oak;
• ash;
• beech;
• pine;
• larch;
• birch.

If you want to buy wooden balusters, then oak models will immediately attract attention due to their unique dark shade. Oak tolerates temperature changes and active exposure to moisture without problems. Over time, products made from this type of wood will not experience rotting and cracking. An important advantage is that oak easily lends itself to various types of processing.

Carved balusters made of solid oak look presentable

Despite the fact that oak balusters have a number of positive qualities, this type of wood is far from the only one. Ash is also an attractive option. In terms of texture, this tree resembles valuable species. Increased resistance to rot and moisture is an advantageous feature of ash. The structure of this tree is dense and elastic, thanks to which it is able to easily bear even the heaviest loads. The price of the balusters included, depending on their quantity and technical features, ranges from 5 to 12 thousand rubles.

In terms of processing, beech is very convenient; it is also characterized by attractive external parameters. In terms of durability and strength, this option is in no way inferior even to oak. Thanks to the use of beech, you can actually make your own stairs from the highest quality wood. Among the negative characteristics of the corresponding material, one can note only susceptibility to deformation in a too humid environment, as well as a high probability of subsequent rotting. To extend the life of the ladder, it is necessary to choose carefully dried wood.

Birch is used much less frequently for the manufacture of these products. Among the main disadvantages of this tree are the tendency to rot, severe shrinkage and the formation of cracks. On the other hand, this material is easy to process and has excellent strength parameters. In the future, birch can be painted and sanded without any problems. The technology for installing balusters and railings when using this type of wood does not face even minimal adjustments.

To create a staircase, you should use elements from the same type of wood. This technique will not only allow the design to maintain the same style, but will also ensure uniform performance characteristics.

A very common type of tree is larch. The peculiarity of this type of wood is that products made from it become more durable over time. High humidity and warping cannot become a problem for this type of wood.

The most budget option is pine. Today you can buy balusters for stairs from this type of wood at affordable prices. For one pine baluster, on average, you will have to pay about 100 rubles on the market. Flat products are somewhat cheaper. Although it is quite possible to make racks yourself. Moreover, using cutting mechanisms, pine is very easy to process.

Helpful advice! To make stands, you need to carefully select the wood. These must be bars without knots, cracks or other defects. In addition, they should not be characterized by high humidity. Wood that is too dry, regardless of its species, will be quite fragile and will lose its natural advantages.

For DIY production and installation, especially if you don’t have much woodworking skills, you should give preference to soft types of wood

Another tip is that it is much easier for beginners to work with inexpensive types of wood. The easiest to process are birch and pine. Walnut and oak are very expensive, which is why not everyone can afford this luxury. In addition, only experienced professionals can process them correctly.

What are balusters: classification of products

Balusters serve as racks for stairs. As for the types of relevant products, they differ in production technology. Photos of wooden balusters available to consumers allow us to determine the most attractive types of products.

Types of products according to manufacturing method:

• milling;
• turned;
• with carving elements.

Each option has characteristic features. Certain types of devices are used to produce balusters. This is the main difference.

The use of various wood processing techniques allows you to create a wide variety of baluster designs

The main difference between milled balusters is the presence of original decorations. We are talking about longitudinal or helical cuts. Such products have a very attractive appearance. Thanks to this, they are in high demand among consumers. If you have a milling machine and certain skills, you can produce such products yourself.

To make turned balusters, a conventional lathe is used. Many people have such a device at their disposal. In most cases, turned products have the shape of rotating bodies. Elegant appearance and ease of manufacture are the main positive aspects of this type of balusters.

Products with carved elements are much more expensive than the two previous options. They are characterized by a more complex manufacturing process. As a result, they look as solid and original as possible. Carved balusters can only be produced on specialized machines. Such multi-axis devices require special skills and at least a little experience from the master.

The combination of carved elements and expensive wood allows you to create luxurious stairs

Types of thread:

• sculptural;
• deaf;
• openwork.

With the help of sculptural carvings, real pictures can be carved on wood products. Such balusters look very bright and unusual. When making blind carvings, the background is very important. It is present in any images and patterns. Openwork carving is mainly used for flat workpieces. More often, such products are used as decoration for various overhead elements.

Carved flat balusters bring a feeling of lightness and airiness to the interior

Wooden balusters: types of products

The main feature of balusters is that they can transform any staircase with their appearance. The most inconspicuous designs are also no exception. A significant variety of sections and shapes of such products allows you to choose the optimal design.

The shapes of balusters are:

• flat;
• round;
• carved.

Popular are flat balusters, which are made from plywood or boards. You can choose between a solid structure or individual products. Various ornaments and patterns can be used to decorate racks. Even beginners can easily cope with this task.

Wooden balusters lend themselves well to painting, which not only allows them to be used to create various decorative effects, but also significantly extends their service life

Helpful advice! For classic stairs, it is recommended to select square-shaped products. Strict forms will give the structure and the entire house greater solidity. Original decorative recesses are applied to the side parts of such racks.

The simplest option is do-it-yourself round balusters, which have a strict cylindrical shape. The cross-section parameters of the products vary from 2.5 to 4 cm. For the manufacture of balusters, it is better to select solid wood. As a result, they will be very durable and will serve their owners for a long time. Such racks can even be combined with metal tubes.

Carved types of balusters are stylish and impressive. They are often called sculptural. Mostly they are made by hand. Expensive wood is used as the basis. Therefore, the high price of such products should not surprise consumers.

To decorate stairs in a classic style, you should give preference to simple shapes and natural shades

Today it is possible to purchase ready-made products and select fastenings for balusters and staircase posts that are designed in the same style. They combine perfectly with each other and create a unique appearance of the staircase. Finding the best option for balusters is simplified due to the fact that they are available in different types of coating and color shades.

Combined balusters: characteristic features

This type of product consists of vertically located constituent elements. Their task is to support the railings, as well as to provide additional rigidity to existing fences. Such balusters perform not only a decorative function. They also make the stairs safer.

Combined models include not only wood, but also metal sections in their design. At the same time, they do not look too bulky. The appearance of such supports is very attractive.

The combination of wood and metal elements creates an interesting decorative effect

Manufacturers can reasonably explain reliability, accessibility, functionality and aesthetic appeal of what combined balusters are, and also highlight a lot of positive qualities of this type of product. It's about reliability, affordability, functionality and aesthetic appeal.

They can be based on a chrome or stainless steel pipe. Its diameter can be 2.5 or 5 cm. Before use, wooden elements must undergo a drying process in a special condensation chamber. The choice of paint and method of application is based on the wishes of the consumer.

Related article:

How to calculate the stairs to the second floor: basic calculation parameters.

Types of stairs and their components. How to calculate the stairs to the second floor: the main stages of calculation. Calculation of turning and spiral staircases.

Dimensions

In order to choose the right option for decorating stair railings with balusters, at the design stage you should carry out measurements and calculations of the staircase structure. The general appearance of the stairs and the room, the number, length and width of flights, and the position of the tread are taken into account. The number of balusters depends on the length of the structure.

Since the supports are primarily intended for fencing, the distance between the posts must be maintained. The dimensions of the balusters depend on the configuration and dimensions of the staircase; a standard post has a size of 50x50 mm.

The starting posts, columns and main supports are not the same size. The dimensions of the most popular products are presented in the table.

Related article: Cladding concrete stairs with wood: finishing features and technology

For individual projects, it is worth contacting the craftsmen with questions, from whom you can order the production of custom-made balusters. When making dimensional calculations, experts take into account the strength of materials and the load that different types of wood can withstand. Therefore, the sizes of balusters may vary, depending on the material of manufacture. When the project is ready, we begin turning, milling or cutting out the balusters.

Height

Depending on the shape and design of the staircase, the height of the balusters ranges from 650 to 1000 mm. To obtain a reliable and durable fence, balusters are attached to strings or steps. The standard height of support pillars is 900 mm. If products are made to order, the height of the balusters can be increased at the client’s request.

The height of the balusters can be calculated using the formula: the difference between the height of the railing and the thickness of the handrail, taking into account the width of the step covering.

Dimensions of stair railings according to GOST
At the beginning and end of the steps (if winders, then on each side), at the corners of the flights, high and more massive entry pillars or columns with a thickened section are installed, which give the structure a finished look.

Distance between balusters

The purpose of the balusters is to create a strong fence and increase the rigidity of the stairs. Therefore, when installing poles, a certain pitch of the support posts must be observed. The requirements are regulated by GOST 25772-83.

The distance between the staircase balusters is:

• home wooden stairs – up to 150 mm;
• combined, screen railings – 300 mm;
• flights of stairs in children's institutions - 100 mm.

In cases where there are children in the house, for safety reasons you can install balusters in 10 cm increments. When using flat balusters for fencing, they are installed often and close to each other to get an interesting pattern.

Support posts decorate the staircase and make it safe for use. In order for the structure to look aesthetically attractive, the balusters must match the style and direction of the interior or exterior. An interfloor or street structure can effectively unite the architectural ensemble of a building into a single whole.

Balusters for stairs without a machine - quick and easy (3 videos)

Stairs with beautiful railings (56 photos)