In two-story private houses, dachas and other two-level or more dwellings, it is impossible to do without a staircase. At the same time, it is very important to take care not only of the appearance, but also of the safety of the staircase structure. For these purposes, it is necessary to install high-quality and reliable fencing of the system.
Fencing with balusters looks very beautiful and harmonious in a wooden staircase structure in private houses and country housesHow to attach balusters to the stairs and correctly install the supports yourself according to the instructions will be discussed in this article.
How to install a fence - instructions
In order for your staircase to have not only a beautiful appearance, but was also comfortable and safe for movement, the stair railing must be installed with special care.
Balusters are a special type of railing supports that are attached to the stairs in certain ways - using special grooves, using bolts, and so on. In this article, in a separate paragraph, we will consider instructions on how to properly attach balusters to the stairs.
You can make balusters yourself if you have enough skills, knowledge and abilities to do so.
When constructing a railing for the stairs, strictly follow the instructions given and everything will work out for you Let's look at the instructions on how to properly install the supports yourself:
- We choose balusters, railings and decorative filling.
- We install balusters to the staircase structure.
- We attach handrails to the balusters.
- We install decorative elements.
- We carry out decorative painting works.
Even a novice craftsman can install a staircase support on his own if he puts maximum effort and effort into the process Choosing a fence
In order for the fence to be beautiful and reliable, its main elements can either be made independently or purchased ready-made in a specialized construction supermarket.
When choosing fencing elements in the construction market, you can give preference to parts with ready-made fastenings For a novice developer, it is better to choose the second option. Parts for a staircase balustrade can be made from the following materials:
- metal;
- tree;
- concrete;
- plastic and so on.
Balusters can be very diverse, including combined ones, as shown in the figure There are also combined systems - for example, when the balusters are made of wood, and the railings are plastic or the balusters are concrete, the handrails are wooden, and so on.
But, as experts advise, for making a support railing for a staircase with your own hands, balusters and handrails made of natural wood are most suitable.
Balusters made from natural wood are very beautiful and elegant We install balusters
Before you begin attaching balusters to the system, you should familiarize yourself with general requirements, which are presented to fencing in accordance with current GOSTs:
- support height – at least 0.9 meters;
- the gap between the balusters is at least 10 cm.
Before installing the fence, evaluate the scope of the upcoming work Three mounting methods
Balusters can be installed in three ways:
- To the bowstring using pins.
- For special dowels.
- Using self-tapping screws.
When installing a stair railing, you can use one of three fastening methods stiletto heels
Drill a hole with a diameter of 12 mm and a depth of 80 mm in the center of the lower end of the baluster. Next, cut the top and bottom edges at 90 degrees to the bowstring.
Glue M6 threaded rods into the holes. Also make indentations in the bowstring with a diameter of 14 mm and about 80 mm.
When using the stud fastening method, you must adhere to the recommended measurements - the depth and width of the holes must comply with generally accepted standards Mount the parts by inserting balusters with installed pins into the recesses in the bowstring. First, the last two racks are installed, and then all the rest.
On the dowels
A dowel is a special spike that is coated with glue and placed on a baluster. Next, this spike is driven into the bowstring. A detailed schematic of fastening using this method is shown in the figure below.
The diagram shows in detail another method of installing the support. Self-tapping
This is the easiest way to attach balusters to stringers. First, the screws are attached to the steps with the tips protruding halfway. Then the support is carefully screwed onto the self-tapping screw.
This schematic image shows the principle of installing balusters using self-tapping screws We fasten the handrails
We mount the handrails to the installed balusters using self-tapping screws or bolts Setting the padding
We install decorative elements according to our taste, using the most suitable fastening - screws, glue, bolts, welding, and so on.
The filling between the balusters can be very different - it all depends on your taste and the style of the entire structure Finishing work
The final stage is to process the installed fence:
- grind the support;
- treat with stain (if the fence is wooden);
- varnish in several layers.
Balusters must be carefully processed - sand the surface, cover with a protective compound and paint Buy a ready-made staircase in our online store
You can order a ready-made staircase structure with high-quality and reliable fencing in our company’s specialized online store.
One of the main elements of a staircase structure is its railing. It performs two functions: protective and decorative, and consists of balusters, main support and intermediate posts, protective screens and handrails. Railings ensure the safe movement of a person along a flight of stairs, give him support when walking and prevent him from falling beyond the perimeter of the stairs. To properly install the fence, you need to know how to attach balusters and railings, depending on their type and material of manufacture. Let's try to understand this issue.
Balusters are an important element of the stair railing
Balusters are vertical supports on which the handrail is placed. They are installed directly on the steps, or attached to bowstrings or stringers. The shape of the balusters can be different and depends on the interior of the room, design features stairs and design ideas. They are able to decorate even the most inconspicuous flight of stairs, and they make balusters from:
- wood;
- metal;
- natural or artificial stone;
- concrete;
- gypsum;
- glass, etc.
Often there are stair railings in which there is a combination of two or three types of materials that harmonize with each other. It largely depends on them how to attach the balusters to the stairs and which installation option is best to choose.
Necessary Requirements
In order for the stair railing to be reliable and safe, when constructing it, it is necessary to ensure compliance with certain mandatory rules and conditions:
- the clear distance between the balusters must be at least 150 mm;
- the safe height of the railing can be at least 900 mm;
- the supports must be fastened at two points - to the handrails and the staircase structure (steps, bowstrings, stringers);
- handrails should be as comfortable and smooth as possible, but not slippery. Near the wall, they can be attached directly to it without installing balusters.
The main protective function of the railings is performed by the support posts - lower and upper, so their fastening must be approached more responsibly. Although the installation of intermediate balusters should be treated no less carefully. It is necessary that the fence can support a person weighing 100 kg leaning on it.
The railing installation process consists of the following steps:
- installation of the outermost (upper and lower) support pillars;
- marking the locations of balusters. To do this, you can use a thin but strong cord, or a laser level. Do not forget that the accuracy of marking is extremely important and allows you to avoid unnecessary problems;
- drawing center lines in the center of the balusters using a pencil or marker;
- preparing the upper ends of the balusters. They must be sawed off according to the slope flight of stairs. The lower ends are filed only if the vertical supports are installed on top of the bowstring or the fastening of the railing to the stairs has an individual design.
Wooden stair railing
The main load-bearing elements of the fences can be attached to the steps with ordinary nails, but such a structure will very quickly begin to loosen and after a short period of time will become unusable. There are three main ways to make a more reliable fastening of handrails; handrails are mounted identically to balusters. Fastenings are carried out:
- on stiletto heels;
- on dowels;
- on self-tapping screws.
When installing the railing on metal studs, drill a hole no more than 80 mm deep in the middle of the lower end of the wooden baluster. Its diameter is usually 12 mm.
Please note that the studs must be galvanized to avoid rust. A pin is inserted into the hole so that it protrudes beyond the surface by 5-7 cm. Using special glue, they are fixed in the desired position and await its final setting.
Installation of balusters on dowels, which are round wooden spikes, is carried out as follows:
- at the lower ends of the balusters and on the bowstring or steps, larger holes are drilled than for metal pins;
- Dowels are inserted into the finished recesses using glue identical to PVA for fastening;
- a baluster is placed on the dowels, filling the pre-prepared holes with glue;
- check the verticality of the racks using a level or plumb line and leave them for 2-3 hours until the glue has completely set;
- start installing handrails.
The easiest way is to install wooden balusters on self-tapping screws, which must be made of stainless steel. A self-tapping screw is screwed into the vertical support at an angle so that its tip protrudes slightly beyond the end of the baluster. Next, it is installed in the desired position, and the self-tapping screw is screwed into the ladder structure until the end so that its head is slightly recessed. In the future, it will not be difficult to seal the recess with putty or wax.
Features of fastening metal railings
Metal fencing can be combined with almost any material from which the staircase is made. It can give it rigor, make it elegant or massive, add a touch of mystery or super technology. Forged fences are exquisite and expensive, so the question of how to attach balusters and railings will be taken care of by specialists.
A simpler option is vertical supports made of stainless steel or with a special protective coating. They are supplied with universal fasteners suitable for wood, glass and metal. These can be hidden screws or fastenings with protruding, eye-catching elements.
Glass balusters
Glass fencing elements in modern interiors quite popular. Despite their apparent fragility, they have sufficient strength and reliability. The glass is attached to any base using metal hinges or attachments. Protective glass screens are installed in certain profiles.
There are many more different materials, from which the railings are made, but we discussed the main options for their fastening above. And nuances appear, develop and are resolved in each case individually.
Making markings for posts and balusters
We make markings for installing balusters as follows.
To avoid any deviations, I set aside 60 mm from the side edge of the upper step.
I set aside the same 60 mm from the edge of the bottom step.
I make marks and place a guide rail along them.
Using a corner, I place marks at the beginning and end of each step.
This way the deviations will be minimal and all the balusters will stand straight.The next step will be marking the distances between the balusters.
We install a pillar at the top of the stairs on the second floor.
To do this, take a 10 x 100 mm bolt and weld it to a metal embedded plate.
While the post is not connected with railings and balusters, it wobbles, but when the entire structure is assembled, it will stand firmly.
Now we install the lower pillar, on the platform between the upper and lower flights of the stairs. Set aside 55 mm from the overhang point of the step and drill a hole for the bolt on which the post will be attached.
The width of the pillar is 100 mm, but we set aside a little more than half of this value - 55 mm, so that there is a gap of 5 mm between the pillar and the step. This way the pole will not rub against the step and creak.
Let's move on to how to arrange balusters. We take the corner again and make a mark on the second step.
We mark the end of the overhang of the upper step and set aside 1 cm from this point.
We use small scraps of the base of the baluster as a projection.
The distance from the step board to the baluster is 4.5 cm.
We set aside the same 4.5 cm from each riser board on each step.
We measure the distance from the outer baluster on the top step to the post - it turns out to be 8 cm.
The width of the tread on our steps is 26 cm, so the distance between the balusters should be 13 cm (exactly half).
The second baluster on the step will stand at a distance of 7 cm from the edge of the step and at a distance of 8 cm from the next lower baluster, taking into account the 1 cm indentation.
Taking into account that the gap between the post on the platform and the step is 0.5 cm, the distance to the baluster there will be slightly less - 7.5 cm.
Main! The following sequence must be observed: first the pillars are placed, and then the balusters are placed in such a way that between the upper and lower pillars and the balusters closest to them there are approximately equal distances, with an error within 1-1.5 cm.
How to secure balusters on stairs evenly and firmly
When installing balusters, we see that the base of two adjacent balusters is not the same. The one that stands at the riser has a higher base than the outer one.
The tops are all the same. Initially, all balusters were the same size.
How much does the base of the baluster need to be trimmed? The baluster leg has a height of 19 cm.
Since the outer baluster stands exactly in the middle, we reduce it by half - by 9.5 cm.
We attach the balusters to the steps using a self-tapping screw with a hex head.
Be sure to use a washer.
Using a ratchet, screw the baluster to the step.
Using a guide and clamps, we secure and tie together all the installed balusters. We check their position using a level and compare it with the position of the pillars.
Each baluster is marked with its own number, corresponding to the number of the step.
Also, on each baluster along the installed guide, a mark is made indicating the cutting line for the installed handrail.
On the reverse side, to make it easier to assemble the entire railing structure later, marks are also made on the guide itself indicating the position of the balusters.
The position of each baluster on the guide is also numbered.
After the balusters have been cut, they are installed again according to the numbering, and only after that the railing strip is attached to them.
You can see how this whole process looks in real life in the video:
How to install a stair handrail on the second floor of a house
We start by measuring the angle of the handrail in relation to the post.
In accordance with this, we adjust the angle of inclination circular saw, which we will use to cut the handrail of the stairs.
After this, we saw off the edge of the handrail.
We weren’t able to cut through to the end; we only had to finish cutting just 0.5 cm.
We do this with a regular hacksaw.
We sand the edges with sandpaper.
We repeat the same operation on the other side of the handrail.
We install the handrail and check how it fits against the posts. Everything fits perfectly on the bottom, no gaps.
At the top we see a small gap and correction is required.
We trim the edge of the handrail a little and remove the interfering protrusion-bump. After eliminating this shortcoming, the handrail fits snugly to the upper post. When tightened with fasteners, the structural elements will fit together even more tightly.
One more point needs to be noted. The railing is initially a regular beam and we need to make a groove on the reverse side for the railing strip.
To do this I use the following device. Using a clamp, I attach a piece of wooden beam to the router at a distance of 15 mm from the router.
This will be the indentation from the sides of the handrail.
The groove itself will be 50 mm wide and 5 mm deep - exactly the thickness of the underrail strip.
You can also watch how to make handrails in this video:
How to bend a handrail at the bottom of a staircase
The end of the handrail at the bottom of the stairs should be rounded. In this part I will tell you how to do this.
As a blank for the handrail, we use ordinary timber 80 x 55 mm.
A 40 x 100 mm board is glued to this beam.
I glued three of these additional elements one by one.
I ended up with a build-up to the handrail, on which I previously drew how the end of the handrail would go.
I started cutting off the excess with a saw.
Then we begin to process the end of the railing with a hand cutter with a diameter of 8 mm, removing unsawed remains.
Movements must be performed vertically, since the railing will be twisted with a screw and smoothed out.
We cut the handrail almost along the line that was originally drawn.
Now take a belt sander and smooth out the sides of the handrail.
We outline with a small margin the cutting line from the bottom of the handrail.
We also cut off the excess part at the end of the handrail.
The thickness of the handrail at the attachment point with the bottom post should correspond to the thickness of the handrail at the baluster. We draw a vertical line and measure, we get 72 mm.
Thus, we made the blank of the curved handrail using only three tools: a hacksaw, a grinder and a turbo machine with a cutter.
After processing the handrail we get this option.
It remains to install two more missing balusters.
As a result, we get the following construction.
For a better understanding of the material presented, you can also watch the video:
The question of how to attach balusters to steps and railings is connected, first of all, with the safety of using the stairs, and therefore it should be taken very seriously. In addition to its protective functions, the aesthetic appearance largely depends on the fence. The correct approach to installing this important element will create the attractiveness of the entire structure.
The essence of the problem
In general, balusters are supports for a stair handrail in the form of vertical posts. In general, balusters and railings are the enclosing elements of stairs, on which the safety and ease of movement along them depends. The installation of balusters and pillars ensures the strength of the protective structure.
The stair element under consideration solves the following problems:
- reliable connection of handrails (railings) with steps, i.e. combining all elements into a single durable system;
- preventing a person from falling when moving up stairs;
- helping a person climb a flight of stairs;
- providing a decorative appearance.
Taking into account the tasks at hand, the installation of balusters must satisfy the following requirements:
- sufficient mechanical strength of the element itself and the fastening;
- optimal and safe dimensions, primarily the height and distance between supports;
- attractive appearance, because it is the balusters that are most noticeable in the staircase structure.
Balusters are installed on the flight of stairs and landings (intermediate and upper). The main strength and stability of the staircase is provided by the supporting pillars, but between them, the reliability of fastening the railings depends on the balusters. They can be made from various materials and have different forms, but their basic essence remains the same. It should be remembered that in pursuit of decorativeness and sophistication, their reliability and safety cannot be neglected.
Installation principles
When deciding how to install balusters, first of all, the material from which they are made is taken into account, as well as the railings and steps, the design, the height and steepness of the stairs, the shape of the elements and their sizes. The height of the installation of the railings, respectively, and the balusters, is dictated by two conditions: on the one hand, it should prevent a person from falling, and on the other, provide the possibility of comfortable support on them when moving. The optimal height is about 90-120 cm. The distance between the balusters should prevent even a small child from slipping between the posts. Taking this into account, it is set within 15-20 cm.
Balusters must be attached at 2 points: at the top - on the railing, at the bottom - on an element of the staircase (stringer, bowstring or steps) or to the floor of the landing. Strength characteristics are installed on the basis that a person weighing more than 100 kg can lean on the fence.
The fastening of balusters must take into account the material of their manufacture. In principle, they can be formed from wood, plaster, concrete, plastic, stone (natural or artificial), metal, glass. Combinations of various materials are also used. The installation of supports made of different materials has certain specifics that should be taken into account when doing the work yourself. Naturally, the installation technology also depends on the material of the staircase elements.
Installation of balusters is carried out after completion of installation of load-bearing pillars, flights of stairs, steps and platforms. The fencing of the staircase is the final stage of its construction. Installation work begins with marking the area between the pillars, marking the points where the axis of the balusters will be located. The distance between the marked points must be strictly the same. The center is also marked on the elements themselves. A strong twine is stretched between the pillars, marking the height of the supports.
When constructing a fence, an important condition must be met: the balusters are fastened strictly vertically, but the handrail is a straight line without any steps. To ensure the straightness of the handrail, the upper end of the balusters is processed by sawing or grinding.
The fastening of the balusters at the lowest point depends on the design of the staircase. If there is a stringer or a monolithic span, the support is attached to the steps. If you use a bowstring, attach the bottom of the baluster to this element. The question of how to attach balusters to the floor is solved when fencing horizontal areas, including balconies.
Required Tools
When installing balusters yourself, you will need the following tool:
- for wooden structures: electric drill, grinder, screwdriver, hacksaw, file, knife, hammer, mallet, chisel, paint brush, screwdriver, tape measure, metal ruler, plumb line;
- when working with concrete: hammer drill, electric drill, grinder, spatula, trowel, wrenches;
- when arranging metal stairs: welding machine, chisel, hacksaw, file.
Wooden structures
How to install balusters on wooden stairs with your own hands? The question is quite relevant, since such designs continue to be popular in country houses. Most often, in this case, the balusters are made of wood. In principle, the connection of wooden parts can be secured quite firmly with nails, but such a system becomes loose over time, reducing the safety of movement.
For reliable fastening, the following fastening technologies are usually used:
- Using metal pins. The work is carried out in this order. A hole with a diameter of 10-12 mm and a depth of up to 7.5-8 cm is drilled in the center of the lower end of the support. A pin of the appropriate diameter with an overhang of 6-8 cm is inserted into the prepared hole. It is fixed using a special adhesive composition. Stainless steel or galvanized steel should be used as a stud. A similar hole is drilled in the stair element or in the floor. The baluster pin is inserted into this socket and secured with glue.
- Using dowels. This method is no different from the previous technology, but instead of a metal rod, a wooden cylinder with a diameter of 20-25 mm (dowel) is used. PVA or wood glue can be used as an adhesive.
- Self-tapping screws. To avoid corrosion, you should choose stainless or galvanized screws. The screws are screwed in at an angle, and the head must be recessed into the wood. Upon completion of the work, this place is primed and puttied.
- Fastening through a baluster. If the staircase is mounted using a bowstring, then the balusters are often attached to an additional rail - a baluster. A groove is made in this rail into which the lower end of the support is installed. Self-tapping screws are used for fastening.
The handrail is most often secured as follows. A groove is formed in the wooden handrail. Then a block corresponding in size to the groove in the railing is attached to the upper end of the baluster with screws. The block has a slope corresponding to the slope of the flight of stairs. The support and handrail are joined and secured with screws. It is advisable to additionally treat the joint with an adhesive composition.
Other stairs
When fencing concrete stairs and platforms, balusters made of gypsum or concrete are usually used. In the center of such elements there is a reinforcing rod. To securely fasten the supports in concrete steps, use a hammer drill to make a hole into which the output end of the metal rod is placed. The adhesion of the elements is ensured by cement-sand mortar.
The connection to the railing depends on the material from which it is made. With wooden handrails, the fastening technology differs little from the case discussed above. A wooden block is attached to the upper end of the baluster, to which the handrail is attached. Another option involves using a metal plate with holes. It is installed in the groove of the handrail, and fastening is carried out using bolts.
Metal stairs and handrails are connected to balusters using a welding machine or bolts. Forged supports are the most difficult to install. These products are purchased ready-made and include fasteners. The work process itself is standardized by instructions.
Recently, balusters made of high-strength glass have been used. For fastening, they have a metal edging on the lower and upper ends. When using glass sheets, the following technique is sometimes used: a groove is made in the floor or steps, as well as on the railings, into which the sheet is inserted. The main fastening of the supports is provided on the supporting pillars.
Balusters are an important fencing element of the staircase. You can install them yourself, but you must approach the work very responsibly. Only reliable fastening will ensure the safety of using the ladder.
The word "baluster" comes from the ancient Greek expression - pomegranate flower. This is the name given in Ancient Greece to low fencing posts that support railings in the fencing of stairs, balconies, mezzanines and various balustrades.
Pillars are made from completely different materials such as wood, marble, granite, metal and even glass. They can be of different shapes: round, flat, carved, etc.
Supports are used to decorate fences both indoors (stairs, mezzanines) and in the formation of outdoor architectural structures. In this article we will focus Special attention topic on how to attach balusters to the floor indoors.
Posts for supporting railings in fences inside houses are made mainly of wood and natural stone. Recently, with the advent of new artificial materials, it has become possible to industrially produce balusters from composite materials. 
Wood – natural natural material, which is easy to process, which is why wooden supports are very popular in the building materials market.
You can make simple supports yourself Wood support structures are made mainly in three ways:
- turned supports; they are made even at home, if you have a simple lathe;
- milled posts; the production of such parts involves the use of more complex equipment; balusters are produced in special workshops; the machines allow for various cutting of wooden blanks (longitudinal, screw and oblique cutting);
- pillars with complex relief patterns; they are produced on computer numerical control (CNC) machines; Industrial enterprises are equipped with such equipment.
Composite structures imitate natural materials The construction market offers a large selection of staircase support pillars of various shapes.
They often imitate valuable types of wood, granite, marble and other materials.
Particularly impressive are the supports made of silicate glass.
The production of balusters of this type is possible not only in industrial production.
If you have experience in the construction business, you can cast balusters in special molds in your homestead.
As a rule, stone is used to decorate luxury homes The architectural details made of chiseled marble, granite and malachite are very beautiful. Racks of this class are designed to form the interiors of expensive houses. The cost of such architectural forms is quite high.
The production of balusters from natural stone is organized at special industrial enterprises engaged in processing natural stone. Technological process Manufacturing is quite complex and is carried out by CNC machines.
Balusters made of natural stone are rarely installed in the interior of homes; they are mainly used to decorate balustrades of open areas and fencing of staircases in the local area.
Attaching balusters to the floor and stairs
The supports are secured in different ways. For wooden posts, fastening can be done using tie rods, bolts and dowels.
The design of the stairs consists of steps, a supporting string, a transition platform and railings made of balusters.
Let's consider several options for attaching support posts to the floor and stair treads.
Stud fastenings
Tension pin The tension pin is a double-sided steel rod. One side looks like a self-tapping screw, and the other half of the stud is the threaded part of the bolt. The middle of the rod is made in the form of a nut for gripping with a wrench. For attachment to wooden floor Studs with self-tapping screw ends are used.
The post fence includes two outer support posts, which take on the main load-bearing load of the entire structure. Supporting balusters, as a rule, are much larger and more powerful than intermediate posts. Installation of racks consists of several operations:
Bolt fastening
Metal sockets are used for bolting:
- a hole is drilled in the floor for a metal insert with an internal thread; the nest is inserted into the hole, pressing sharp spikes into the surface of the wooden flooring;
- the threaded part of the stud is lowered into the hole of the insert; slowly rotating the column, screw it in until it stops.
The dowel is a wooden double-sided dowel. To attach balusters, perform the following steps:
After the glue has hardened, the protruding part of the dowel is covered with glue and a baluster with a drilled hole is put on it. For more information on how to attach balusters, watch this video:
This method of fastening is used for intermediate racks. Supporting balusters are installed on studs or bolted fastenings.
All of the above can be expressed in the corresponding table:
Features of fastening balusters made of other materials - Posts made of composite materials are made with a built-in threaded rod. Installing such racks on a wooden floor is similar to installing wooden balusters. To secure the composite supports, it is enough to install metal sockets with internal threads.
- Natural stone supports are usually installed on a concrete base. In the factory, holes are made in the base of the supports in order to attach the mounting rod. A baluster rod is then inserted into a drilled hole in concrete, which is filled with a special adhesive mixture.