The baluster is a decorative column that serves as a support under the handrail of the stairs. Almost all modern railings are made using this element. In addition to the aesthetic function, the balusters also carry out a purely practical one - they make moving along the steps safe. They can decorate the railing of not only stairs, but also parapets of terraces, verandas , balconies and arbors. We will talk further about what they are and how they are mounted.
Varieties of balusters according to the material of manufacture
Balusters of modern stairs can be made of a variety of materials:
- Of stone. This is the most expensive and yet durable type of baluster. Such elements look simply gorgeous and are used in rich interiors in combination with stone stairs.
- Metal. In most cases, this is also an expensive form of stair balusters. In this case, they can be made of steel (chrome or painted), bronze, cast iron.
- Wooden baluster is the most common and inexpensive type of enclosing staircase to date. Despite the cost is not too high compared to stone and bronze options, it has an unusually aesthetic appearance. Wooden balusters are usually made from birch, oak or pine.
Baluster as a safety element
The baluster is, first of all, the element of the fence, which ensures the safety of movement on the stairs. Therefore, the installation of these columns should be performed in compliance with the standards prescribed by SNiP. So, the distance between individual balusters according to the rules should not exceed 15 cm. It is especially important to observe this recommendation in those houses in which children live. With this step, they will never fall from the stairs and will not be able to stick their head between the supports of the handrail.
The railing height according to SNiP should not be less than 90 cm. This must be taken into account when choosing the length of elements such as balusters for stairs. If the house is inhabited by people of large stature, the staircase railing can be higher.
The benefits of using wooden balusters
Wood - an environmentally friendly material. Therefore, balusters from it can be used on stairs installed in residential buildings, without any restrictions. In addition to environmental cleanliness, wooden fences are sufficiently strong and durable. Of course, like bronze, cast-iron or stone, they will not last, but with the correct processing of wood, their life can last for decades. The only thing that should be trimmed should be handrails and balusters made of wood is necessarily environmentally friendly material. It can be water or oil based varnishes or various kinds of waxes and mastics.
In the case of using wooden balusters on the street (on porches, terraces or verandas), the material must be treated with antiseptic compounds.
What can be the shape of wooden balusters
Wooden baluster is a very important element of the interior of the house. Sometimes it even happens that the whole design project of a room is built around this element. In most cases, the balusters of the stairs have a complex figured shape. Moreover, they can be cylindrical, rectangular in cross-section or flat. In the first two cases, the emphasis is on the shape of the baluster. The individual parts of the support column may have a spherical, volumetric teardrop, cone-shaped and other configuration. Flat balusters are often decorated with carvings. In any case, they look very aesthetically pleasing.
Dressing support columns
Nowadays, handrails and balusters for stairs are covered with protective equipment that leaves the natural wood texture in sight. Moreover, their shade depends on this particular breed. In this regard, they provide the designer with a wide field for the manifestation of creative abilities. As for combinations of materials, beautifully wooden balusters are combined only with wooden steps and handrails. If the stairs are made of concrete or metal, risers and treads in this case are usually lined with boards.
However, there are exceptions to any rule. Nowadays, sometimes original designs are also developed using a combination of wooden balusters with other materials.
Wooden balusters in the exterior of the building
In the exterior of buildings, wooden balusters can look no less impressive than in the interior. Of course, in this case they usually have a simpler form, but still often become a real “highlight” of the design of the building and yard. A terrace, porch or porch, decorated with beautiful balusters, will inevitably attract attention and delight the guests and the owners of the house.
Baluster Cost
How much can a wooden baluster cost? The price of this element of the staircase depends primarily on its design. Support columns of complex shape are more expensive, simple - cheaper. In general, the price of wooden balusters can range from an average of 100 to 500 rubles apiece. Bronze, stone and even cast-iron versions of the supporting columns of the railing, of course, are much more expensive.
A very simple way to add variety to the interior of a house or its exterior is to use an element such as a beautiful railing. Wooden balusters, among other things, are also not too expensive. To use such an element in the design of the interior or in the yard is certainly worth it.