Stairways and landings are an integral part of the structure of almost any building. Moreover, they not only perform their direct functions, but are also one of the main elements of the interior. In their manufacture, special attention should be paid to such details as railings and railings for stairs, since they are responsible for the safety and appearance of the product.
Types of fences
Currently, there are a huge number of varieties of these elements, which differ from each other in the material of manufacture, design, technical parameters and purpose. Moreover, all these parameters can overlap, which greatly complicates the classification.
Manufacturing material
- The most common are stair railings and timber railings. They are used mainly indoors and, in addition to their functional properties, can become a beautiful element of staircase decor. The cost of such products depends on the type of wood and subsequent processing.
- Forged designs are also popular. Unlike wooden railings, they can also be used outdoors, but a protective coating must be applied. This material has a high price, but at the same time it has an excellent appearance and gives the structure additional stability.
- Standard stair railings, which are made of steel, are usually used in high-tech style. They are combined with glass and concrete to create unique and stunning designs. Also, this type of material is used in industrial products and security systems, but the span itself is also made of metal.
- Stairs made of natural stone, for example, marble, can be considered exclusive, since they are practically not used in private buildings. The price of such stairs is quite high, and their installation requires a lot of effort and certain skills from the performers.
Advice! The choice of a specific material directly depends on the personal preferences of the customer or on the requirements of safety standards.
Design
Currently, there are many styles and design trends that are used to make stairs. Some of them are versatile and can fit perfectly into any interior, but there are some that require a specific setting. It should be noted, however, that stair railings and railings play one of the main roles in creating a certain style, since they are the main elements of the entire structure.
Usually, these elements are decorated with carvings, ornaments, or made in a certain shape. Also, glass or other types of materials can be used to create these structures. Combined decorative elements deserve special attention, since it is they that immediately catch the eye and attract attention.
It is worth remembering that a certain design style presupposes a specific material of manufacture. You also need to comply with the necessary forms and principles of placement.
Advice! When choosing a certain style for a staircase, you should not limit yourself to certain rules. The main thing is that the structure is strong, reliable, safe and fits into the interior of the room.
Installation types
Depending on the design and material of manufacture, the stair railings can be fixed in different ways.
- In concrete spans, reinforcement is usually installed when pouring, which goes beyond the dimensions of the product. Forged railings can be welded to it or fittings for steel or glass structures can be mounted on them.
- If the steps are made of natural stone, then special grooves are made in them or fasteners are installed using impact dowels into the holes made in advance.
- Wooden stairs are assembled using special cotter pins or self-tapping screws. You can also use pre-made grooves and special glue for them.
- When staircases are fenced with handrails and it is necessary to combine different types of materials, their expansion coefficient should be taken into account or special gaskets should be installed at the joints.
- Also, during installation, you need to remember that fixing elements of this type must be done in two planes. Therefore, the railing is attached not only to the steps from above, but also from the side. It is also recommended to use such types of structures that are mounted to the wall at the end of the span.
- When making the installation, you must follow all the recommendations that the instruction or project gives. Otherwise, the finished product may become unsafe.
Advice! If you have to work with expensive materials, then it is worth inviting a specialist for installation. Mistakes due to incorrect installation can be much more costly.
Security systems
Special attention should be paid to staircases for special purposes. These include fire structures, industrial facilities and roof structures. The fact is that they must be made taking into account certain rules and safety measures.
This is especially true for fire escapes and fences used for roof cleaning. They must have strictly defined dimensions and technical characteristics, since human life can depend on them. That is why, before installing stair railings for such structures, you need to familiarize yourself in detail with the rules for their installation.
Advice! Currently, in building materials stores, you can buy finished products for this purpose, which fully comply with safety requirements. Therefore, such a purchase can save a lot of money and effort.
Main criteria
When choosing a specific type of product, you should take into account a lot of parameters, thanks to which the operation will not cause any problems.
- First of all, it should be remembered that the railings must be comfortable. Therefore, their selection must be made, guided by the preferences of all family members.
- They must be free from sharp corners and cutting edges.
- All decorative elements on them need reliable fasteners.
- Typically standard railings for stair railings or other structures are made with the safety of all family members in mind, including children in mind. However, it is worth checking additionally that children will not be able to crawl into too large gaps between supports or patterns.
- The support part of the handrail should not be too slippery or rough. This will impede operation and, under certain circumstances, may result in injury.
Advice! Appearance and design should play the last role when choosing a structure, since functionality should be the main thing in this product.
Do it yourself or buy
Today the building materials market can offer a huge selection of these products. Moreover, their price is regulated by the quality of the material and the complexity of manufacturing. Therefore, it is enough to choose the required product and install it on the flight of stairs.
However, a typical handrail may not always meet all the needs of the user. This especially applies to appearance and dimensions. That is why many people prefer to make them with their own hands or order in special companies. In this case, you can be guided by standard projects, photographs or visual aids.
A staircase made by yourself or made to order is especially good in that it fits perfectly in size to a particular room and fits perfectly into the interior. At the same time, you can install a railing on it, which was created according to an individual sample, which means that the final design can be called exclusive.
Advice! It is best to have a pre-prepared drawing on hand, both when making it yourself and when buying it. This will help to avoid inaccuracies in dimensions and installation problems.
It is worth noting that such products are very multifaceted, they have a lot of additional elements and areas of application. That is why, before making your choice, you need to study this issue in detail (also learn how to make a metal frame for a staircase).
