Stairs consist of several main elements, one of these is balustrades. They can have different designs and come in several types. Therefore, it makes sense to consider them in more detail, providing photos and descriptions.
Peculiarities
Balustrades are very relevant in the architectural implementation of country real estate. They are low fences made of posts. They decorate not only stairs. Balustrades can complement balconies and other structures, improving their appearance and increasing safety of use.
The staircase balustrade has been known since the Middle Ages. However, modern designs are characterized by a more harmonious combination of both practicality and aesthetics. Therefore, it is worth learning more about the varieties of these elements that currently exist.
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Species
The balustrade in the photo is a fence made of vertical elements that serve to support the handrail. Can be installed on cabinets. Such designs make the staircase more attractive and can improve the impression of the interior. In addition, they can decorate a balcony, terrace and other spaces.
And we need to say something about safety. After all, it is thanks to such a fence that the possibility of falling from a balcony, staircase or other structure is prevented. Therefore, the elements must be made not only beautifully, but also from high-quality materials that will ensure the strength of the structure.
Now there are several types of balustrades, which we will consider further.
Polyurethane
Manufacturers began to use this material for the manufacture of balustrades relatively recently. Its important advantage is the absence of traditional disadvantages inherent in other options. For example, the material does not crack or rot over time, while polyurethane is lightweight, especially when compared to traditional wood.
This balustrade is suitable for the kitchen. The material does not absorb the soot that is present in this room, while making cleaning much easier: it does not require special care.
Plaster
Such designs have been used for a long time. They are very attractive. Thanks to the plasticity of gypsum, it is possible to produce elements of various, even ornate, shapes with maximum detail of the components of the decorations.
However, gypsum has one drawback - fragility. This deficiency necessitates periodic repairs. As a rule, after 5 years service may be required. It should be noted that gypsum has a strength worse than that of stone or wood, so it should be used only as a decorative, and not a protective element.
Stone
Elements made from natural material look beautiful and have high quality. They are able to decorate any country home, providing it with an improved appearance and excellent strength capabilities of the fence.
However, you need to take into account that the stone has certain qualities that complicate its installation as a balustrade, so the procedure will be much more expensive than, for example, wooden elements. It should be taken into account that the stone weighs quite a lot, which means there is a risk of collapse. Therefore, it is recommended to perform calculations first.
Wooden
Wood has excellent plastic capabilities and is characterized by strength, which makes it possible to use it as a material for the manufacture of balustrades of various shapes and sizes. And to make the structure durable, you need to cover the surface with paints and varnishes; they will not only extend the service life of the material, but will also give it the necessary appearance. In order not to lose the special attractiveness of the tree, it can be opened with transparent varnish.
In addition, it is not recommended to use wooden structures outdoors, since the negative influence of weather conditions will quickly deteriorate their appearance, even if paintwork was used. Therefore, the best option is a wooden staircase or kitchen balustrade located indoors.
Design
A traditional balustrade consists of the following components:
- cabinets are the main components that can withstand the greatest load;
- balusters - shaped supports that support the railing and are installed on the pedestal;
- base – the lower beam located between the pedestals;
- railings - perform a fixing function for balusters.
Installation
Let's look at an example of how a wooden balustrade can be installed. This type of structure is the most common. The recommendations are:
- first, the step of placing the baluster is determined, you need to make marks (preferably no more than 2 m);
- It is worth noting the center of the pedestals;
- The flange is secured with screws;
- its holes must be aligned with the holes on the base, after which you can use anchors, drive and tighten them;
- Markings are applied to the cabinet and holes are made;
- grooves up to 3 m deep are made at their level; they must correspond to the dimensions of the bracket;
- it is fixed with bolts;
- cabinets are being installed;
- you need to measure the distance between them in order to prepare handrails and bases of similar length;
- the latter are attached with screws to the brackets;
- based on the future location of the balusters, holes are marked and made in the base and railings;
- the place of contact of the bases and handrails with the balusters must be treated and lubricated with glue;
- the structure is assembled and installed.
And finally, here are some recommendations for caring for furniture balustrades. If wood is used, it is worth using special compounds to protect them. Artificial stone can be opened with a water-repellent solution, for which a sprayer is used. Polyurethane or stone elements of stairs do not require special preparatory conditions.
), connected at the top by railings or horizontal beams; railings made of figured posts. The enclosing structures of an escalator are also called a balustrade, although they do not have a number of shaped columns. This is the result of a rethinking (de-etymologization) of the term (compare “shoot” - literally shoot arrows). Before the advent of the Otis L type (in the 1920s), escalators were enclosed by a real balustrade, without any moving handrails. Such an escalator can be seen in the movie “Department Store Controller”.
The invention of the balustrade is attributed to the Assyrians, who used them in the facade decoration of palaces as enclosures for window openings.
The balustrade is mentioned in the Old Testament when describing the accident with the Samarian king Ahaziah: “And Ahaziah fell through the grate from his upper room, which is in Samaria, and fell ill” (4th book of Kings 1, 2). That is, the king leaned too far over the balustrade (it really resembles a lattice in its appearance) on the second floor of the palace, lost his balance and fell down.
In Europe, balustrade systems began to be actively used from the end of the 15th century as an alternative to miniature arcades with balusters in the form of small columns. Subsequently, the usual types of balusters were proposed - with a ring in the middle and a classic form in the form of a flowerpot.
The balustrade is also used in furniture design as an element of the back of a chair, footboard or head of a bed.
Construction and materials
Main design elements of balustrades:
- Curly posts (balusters) - mounted on a pedestal and support the railing;
- Bollards are the main element of the balustrade, which bears the main load;
- The base is the lower beam, which is placed between the pedestals;
- Handrails or railings - fix balusters together.
Traditional materials for making systems are wood, gypsum, stone and concrete. With the development of new technologies and materials in the 1970s, high-density injection molded polyurethane balustrades began to be used.
Quite often, the columns between the balustrades were topped with obelisks and vases, creating an organic transition to the wall or roof. Typically balustrades are made of stone, wood or metal.
The dimensions of balustrades are closely related to the physical dimensions of a person and, unlike most order forms, do not increase or decrease depending on the scale and parameters of the structure. The balustrade also has a symbolic meaning - the inviolability of the enclosed space.
In the Pyongyang metro, balustrades are used for lighting. The inclined course of the station is illuminated not by chandeliers, but by the luminous parts of the balustrades. This is recognized as a feature of the metro in the capital of the DPRK.
Gallery of balustrades
Balustrad med dockor 1700-talet, Nordisk familjebok.png
Baluster, Nordisk familjebok.png
Balustrad, gotisk, från Notre Dame i Paris, Nordisk familjebok.png
Balustrad, gotisk, från katedralen i Carcassone 1300-talet, Nordisk familjebok.png
Balustrad från slottet St Germain 1500-talet, Nordisk familjebok.png
Balustrad från slottet Maison sur Seine 1600-talet, Nordisk familjebok.png
Balustrad från Sofiakyrkan i Konstantinopel 2, Nordisk familjebok.png
Balustrad från Sofiakyrkan i Konstantinopel 1, Nordisk familjebok.png
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Literature
- // Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg. , 1890-1907.
- Grube G., Kuchmar A. Guide to Architectural Forms. M.: Stroyizdat, 2001.
Excerpt characterizing the Balustrade
- What? - he told Denisov, - it won’t come to a fight. You'll see, we'll go back.“Who knows what they’re doing,” Denisov grumbled. “Ah! G” skeleton! - he shouted to the cadet, noticing his cheerful face. - Well, I waited.
And he smiled approvingly, apparently rejoicing at the cadet.
Rostov felt completely happy. At this time the chief appeared on the bridge. Denisov galloped towards him.
- Your Excellency! Let me attack! I will kill them.
“What kind of attacks are there,” said the chief in a bored voice, wincing as if from a bothersome fly. - And why are you standing here? You see, the flankers are retreating. Lead the squadron back.
The squadron crossed the bridge and escaped the gunfire without losing a single man. Following him, the second squadron, which was in the chain, crossed over, and the last Cossacks cleared that side.
Two squadrons of Pavlograd residents, having crossed the bridge, one after the other, went back to the mountain. Regimental commander Karl Bogdanovich Schubert drove up to Denisov's squadron and rode at a pace not far from Rostov, not paying any attention to him, despite the fact that after the previous clash over Telyanin, they now saw each other for the first time. Rostov, feeling himself at the front in the power of a man before whom he now considered himself guilty, did not take his eyes off the athletic back, blond nape and red neck of the regimental commander. It seemed to Rostov that Bogdanich was only pretending to be inattentive, and that his whole goal now was to test the cadet’s courage, and he straightened up and looked around cheerfully; then it seemed to him that Bogdanich was deliberately riding close to show Rostov his courage. Then he thought that his enemy would now deliberately send a squadron on a desperate attack to punish him, Rostov. It was thought that after the attack he would come up to him and generously extend the hand of reconciliation to him, the wounded man.
Familiar to the people of Pavlograd, with his shoulders raised high, the figure of Zherkov (he had recently left their regiment) approached the regimental commander. Zherkov, after his expulsion from the main headquarters, did not remain in the regiment, saying that he was not a fool to pull the strap at the front, when he was at headquarters, without doing anything, he would receive more awards, and he knew how to find a job as an orderly with Prince Bagration. He came to his former boss with orders from the commander of the rearguard.
“Colonel,” he said with his gloomy seriousness, turning to Rostov’s enemy and looking around at his comrades, “it was ordered to stop and light the bridge.”
- Who ordered? – the colonel asked gloomily.
“I don’t know, colonel, who ordered it,” the cornet answered seriously, “but the prince ordered me: “Go and tell the colonel so that the hussars come back quickly and light the bridge.”
Following Zherkov, a retinue officer drove up to the hussar colonel with the same order. Following the retinue officer, fat Nesvitsky rode up on a Cossack horse, which was forcibly carrying him at a gallop.
“Well, Colonel,” he shouted while still driving, “I told you to light the bridge, but now someone has misinterpreted it; Everyone there is going crazy, you can’t understand anything.
The colonel slowly stopped the regiment and turned to Nesvitsky:
“You told me about flammable substances,” he said, “but you didn’t tell me anything about lighting things.”
“Why, father,” Nesvitsky said, stopping, taking off his cap and straightening his sweat-wet hair with his plump hand, “how come you didn’t say to light the bridge when the flammable substances were put in?”
“I’m not your “father,” Mr. Staff Officer, and you didn’t tell me to light the bridge! I know the service, and it’s my habit to strictly carry out orders. You said the bridge will be lit, but who will light it, I cannot know with the Holy Spirit...
Actively used in both external and internal design of private properties and public spaces. New materials make it possible to create a beautiful and reliable fence that will effectively highlight your advantages and carefully help to disguise individual defects.
When and where did it appear
Researchers claim that the balustrade is an invention of the ancient Assyrians, who used it to enclose window openings in the process of decorating palace facades. Europeans became acquainted with balustrade systems only at the end of the 15th century, when they began to be actively used in Italy. At that time, the balustrade, the photo of which you see, was installed in Verona and Venice and served as an alternative to small arcades.
The balustrade as we know it today was proposed by the Italian architect Giuliano di Sangalo. He used this element as an external decoration during the construction of the terrace at the Villa Medici, and subsequently during the construction of palaces in the ancient style. Initially, balusters in balustrades copied classical columns, but over time, figured columns of various shapes appeared, creating more expressive silhouettes and a pattern of through holes in the gap.
What is it
As already mentioned, a balustrade is an architectural element consisting of balusters and pedestals - supporting vertical elements that support a horizontal handrail. Balusters are installed on the cabinets and secured with a handrail on top, as a result of which you can get not only a reliable protective fence that protects against falling from a height or limiting the space, but also an exquisite and unique decorative element that favorably emphasizes the individual style of your home or apartment.
Balustrade complexes are actively used by modern designers for landscape decoration. Concrete balustrades are most often installed outdoors, as they are most resistant to various adverse environmental influences and do not require special care.
Today, depending on the material from which they are made, several types of balustrades are distinguished; let's look at them in more detail.
What are they made of?
The most modern material used to create balustrades is polyurethane. It is light, durable, and not subject to rotting or cracking.
Professionals say that the most aesthetically attractive material is gypsum, since it produces the most delicate structures with the possibility of high detail. The disadvantage of gypsum balustrades is their fragility, which is why they have to be repaired every 5-6 years.
The stone balustrade, the photo of which is located below, is beautiful and will perfectly complement the decor of a large country residence in a classic style.
But the installation of such a structure will cost several times more than its cost, which is quite high. In addition, due to the large mass of stone fences, the risk of their collapse is always quite high.
Balustrades are made of stone and, in addition, can be reinforced with reinforcement. They are strong, durable and can be painted and decorated at the request of the customer.
The most flexible and lightest material used for making fences is wood. It allows you to create very light and openwork balustrade elements. However, it has one significant drawback - when constantly exposed to various environmental factors, the tree loses its shape, darkens and collapses. That is why a wooden balustrade is subject to annual repair and painting.
What are they made of?
Despite the fact that balustrades are very different in their appearance, the main elements of their design are the same:
- The base is a lower beam placed between the pedestals.
- The cabinets are the main element that bears the main load.
- Balusters (curly posts) - are installed on the pedestal and serve to support the railing.
- Handrails (railings) - serve to secure balusters together.
It should be noted that balusters can not only be round, but also have a rectangular, square, triangular cross-section and can even be flat. Today they are recognized as classic examples of Roman balustrades. In them, the spaces between the columns are designed so that the areas of the balusters themselves and the cutouts are almost equal, and this allows them to harmoniously coordinate their designs.
Why is she in the kitchen
Why you need a fence in a garden or park is clear.
But what is a kitchen balustrade for? This is a decorative element designed to decorate open shelves or the top of sections, and also serve as an obstacle to the fall of various objects. A kitchen decorated with such an element looks stylish and elegant.
Such decorative furniture railings are made from various types of wood, such as oak, alder and ash. They can be painted immediately after production - they do not require sanding.
One of the excellent ways to decorate and provide additional security to your home is a baluster. It is a collection of figured columns in the form of decorative columns. However, their functions are not limited to decoration. By supporting the railings of stairs and balconies, balusters minimize the possibility of falling. These products are made from different materials and can have completely unique designs.
Purpose of balusters
They have several functions. One of them is the formation of the barrier itself - they are intermediate elements of the staircase fence. Being something like a support, these posts prevent the entire structure of the railing from being flimsy, and thus they additionally insure people from falling down. The distance between such supports is usually 10−20 centimeters, and the height of each of them is 80−100 centimeters.
Other role of these columns is reduced to decoration. Balusters carry a significant aesthetic load, contributing to the perception of both stairs and balconies, and the home as a whole. With the help of such elements, a special decorative composition is created, in which there is both sophistication and the spirit of something aristocratic. The presence of balusters perfectly complements the entire staircase, giving it a solemn look.
Variety of fencing
Not to mention external forms, staircase and balcony railing posts come in a wide variety, even in terms of the materials from which they are made. For example, among such materials included:
- tree;
- concrete;
- stone;
- metal;
- glass.
Each of them has its own advantages, decorative qualities and performance characteristics. They also differ from each other in the complexity of installation and in the requirements for the home itself.
Wooden products
The most common are wooden balusters. The use of this material in their production is considered inexpensive, and the installation of wooden structures is much simpler than, for example, heavy products made of stone or metal. In addition, wooden products can be used without problems in a wide range of residential and even industrial premises, as they are environmentally friendly and light in weight.
Due to their low weight, they do not place a large load on the areas in which they are installed, and any wooden surface can withstand them without deformation. As a result, wooden posts do not increase the load on the foundation of the entire building.
Included classic wooden baluster The following 3 parts are always highlighted:
- base;
- central part;
- thickening.
Wooden poles are presented in a fairly wide variety, so finding a suitable appearance for these products is not difficult. But you especially need to pay attention to the features of their carving. For example, spiral balusters with an internal cutout are considered the most spectacular and elegant. Such products are highly expensive due to the complexity of their manufacture.
A significant disadvantage of wooden balusters compared to other similar products is their vulnerability in the event of a fire. They are also demanding of care - from time to time it is necessary to apply protective coatings, for example, varnish, to wooden products.
Metal support posts
Hardware have greater variety, since the differences in their shapes are much more significant - from rectangular to openwork. They are widespread not only in private homes, but also in large industrial premises. In all kinds of factories, metal stair posts are valued for their wear resistance and reliability, as well as ease of maintenance. However, all this will be useful in the interiors of private houses.
Tubular structures made of stainless steel have gained great popularity, which have many advantages: practicality, relatively low weight, durability and cost-effectiveness. All this allows you to use tubular products on light surfaces without fear of their deformation.
Glass balusters
Popular for installation in modern interiors glass products. Their smooth surfaces are durable, resistant to chemicals, moisture, mildew and mold. All this, combined with their beauty, does not require special measures to care for them. There is also no need for glass products to have additional protective or decorative layers, such as wax or paint. Their use is justified both indoors and on street staircase structures. Glass balusters can be of two types:
- Separate vertical supports for handrails. Such products have more decorative qualities.
- Wide solid and flat surfaces. They serve as a fence, but many of these elements of balconies and stairs also have a pleasant appearance.
Despite the fact that many people associate glass with fragility, there is no need to worry about this with glass balusters. Most of them are produced using special technologies, and they are not so easy to destroy. Among the disadvantages, one can highlight the considerable weight of the supports, due to which not every staircase structure will be able to withstand them for many years without gradual deformation.
Concrete stairs
In the case of concrete, you should only deal with a complete structure made of this material - both the balusters and the stairs themselves. Unless the railings can be made of another material, for example, metal. This is due to two factors: firstly, concrete is quite heavy, and secondly, only in a complete structure does each concrete detail ensure overall harmony and integrity of aesthetic perception. Moreover, basically all these structures are street stairs, which is fully justified by the properties of the material. Concrete is durable and perfectly resists the negative effects of moisture, as well as other environmental factors.
Stone products
Marble, granite, onyx and travertine are natural materials, the use of which in the manufacture of stone stair railings is widespread. Stone staircases look grander than others, and the durability of natural stone in the construction industry is unmatched.
As in the case of concrete, stone, as a rule, is not combined with other materials, since most often it looks pretentious. Only a complete stone structure combines a unique style and high performance potential. Stone stairs are resistant to any aggressive influences of nature and are environmentally friendly. They can be installed indoors or outdoors, but in the first case you need to be sure of the reliable foundation of the building. One of the disadvantages is that balusters, like any decorative elements made of stone, are very expensive.
First of all, the choice of balusters should be based on what kind of material underlies the manufacture of the staircase itself. For a wooden staircase, it is advisable to give preference to supports made of an identical type of wood or at least choose a similar shade.
But if the goal is to create a non-standard design, you can combine light and dark shades. Another good thing about wooden posts is that they can be matched to almost any design style. For rustic home decoration styles, such as country and Provence, they are ideal. Wood is also suitable for interiors in a classic style.
Along with wooden ones, metal staircase posts have also become widespread in private homes. It is especially worth paying attention to forged balusters, which are the most beautiful of all metal ones (but at the same time expensive). The intricate shape, coupled with complex patterns, makes forged products real works of art, and their strength and wear resistance will allow you to enjoy their exquisite appearance for many years.
They can decorate any interior, but you should pay attention to adding other decorative details in the forged style to the room. If, apart from decorating the staircase, forging is not used anywhere in the house, then it will look inharmonious.
Chromed metal balusters are a fairly fashionable design option for stairs, with a touch of gloss and technology. Choosing these handrail supports is an excellent solution for modern interior styles such as high-tech. However, the railings themselves in this case should be the same. Chromed metal harmonizes perfectly with all the plastic and glass in the room, which are often even used in decorating stairs.
Like any other metal products, chrome posts are durable and strong, but require periodic maintenance to maintain their proper appearance.
Standard and designer models
As for the aesthetic side of the issue, you need to decide which stair railing supports will meet your ideas about beauty and comfort. You can choose both standard and designer models. The first will be a good budget solution, suitable for classic-style homes without any extraordinary designs. If the goal is to bring something unique to your home, then it is better to give preference to more expensive, custom-made designer models.
Striving for beauty, one should not neglect the functionality of the supporting parts of the staircase railings. They must be durable and meet basic safety requirements, acting as reliable elements of the entire fence. When choosing a design for balusters, it is better to ask the craftsman how practical they are, so that the craving for beauty does not result in a contradiction between beauty and reliability. The combination of the first and second is what should be taken into account both when ordering according to an individual drawing and when choosing standard models of balusters.
The ideal combination of beauty and high performance parameters can be considered custom-made stone structures, which are full of sophistication and at the same time possess all the qualities inherent in stone. But using separate stone supports is impractical, and in combination with a staircase made of suitable material, they are very expensive. In addition, given that such heavy structures place a large load on the foundation, they cannot be used everywhere.
That is why the ideal is a concept that also depends on the context. Therefore, we must proceed, first of all, from our own context (housing), and not from stereotyped “ideals.” Only an individual approach and an adequate perception of your home will help you make the right choice.
(French balustrade) a fence (usually low) of stairs, terraces, balconies, etc., consisting of a number of figured posts (balusters) connected at the top by a horizontal beam or railing. * * * row of balusters. (Architecture: an illustrated reference book, 2005) * * * End-to-end fencing made of rhythmically arranged figured posts supporting a handrail. (Terms of Russian architectural heritage. Pluzhnikov V.I., 1995) * * * (French balustrade - railing) - end-to-end fencing of balconies, terraces, galleries, stairs, roofs in the form of railings with low figured posts - BALOPERS. A balustrade encloses the terrace of the Pavilion of the Three Graces by Charles Cameron in Pavlovsk. (Dictionary of architectural terms. Yusupov E.S., 1994)
View value Balustrade in other dictionaries
Balustrade- and. French handrails, railings, railing, fence, baluster.
Dahl's Explanatory Dictionary
Balustrade- balustrades, f. (French balustrade) (architect.). Railings made of a series of figured columns decorating external and internal balconies and terraces.
Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary
Balustrade J.— 1. Fencing for stairs, terraces, balconies, etc., consisting of a number of figured posts - balusters, connected at the top by a horizontal beam or railings.
Explanatory Dictionary by Efremova
Balustrade— -s; and. [French balustrade from balustre - baluster]. A fence made of balusters connected at the top by railings. B. stairs, balcony. Stone b. piers
◁ Balustrade, -aya, -oh. Bth railings, posts.
Kuznetsov's Explanatory Dictionary
Balustrade— Fencing of roofs, stairs, galleries, balconies in the form of railings with low figured posts (balusters).
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