Relatively recently, new options for garden fences made of polycarbonate have appeared. The well-proven material is now used in the production of fencing. This fence has a very simple installation and a number of advantageous advantages compared to standard fences.
Example of a polycarbonate fence
Thanks to its excellent operational characteristics the use of such a fence is quite relevant both for urban development conditions and as a country fence.
There are two types of polycarbonate: cellular and monolithic. Each of them has its own strength characteristics:
- Cellular is characterized by its relatively light weight and special structure, which allows the use of polycarbonate for the manufacture of lightweight fences;
- Monolithic, in turn, has greater thickness and, accordingly, has a heavier weight. However, this type can withstand high wind loads well, which makes it preferable in regions with difficult weather conditions.
Like the construction of any other fence, the installation of a polycarbonate fence with your own hands begins with the installation of supports.
![](https://i2.wp.com/proekt-sam.ru/wp-content/uploads/shema213.jpg)
As a rule, concrete or metal are chosen profile pipes, which are installed in pre-drilled wells.
- If manufactured concrete pillar, special formwork is made for it, or asbestos or plastic pipe, which is carefully removed after the concrete has set;
- Metal supports in mandatory are pre-treated with an anti-corrosion solution, and a crushed stone cushion is poured into the wells.
The next step should be the manufacture of a frame, which is impossible to do without. Otherwise, there is a high probability that the sheets will move or simply be torn off by gusts of wind.
The fact is that polycarbonate does not have sufficient rigidity, which is why additional reinforcement with a metal profile or corner is required.
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As a rule, the design is made in the form of three guides, the distance between which should be about 0.5–1.0 m. In some cases metal profile run on the sides of each polycarbonate sheet. This not only gives extra strength to the fence, but also provides a more attractive appearance.
The polycarbonate itself is already mounted on the frame, and there are some installation nuances that must be taken into account when carrying out work.
Features of installation and fastening
Even a beginner in construction can install a polycarbonate fence with his own hands, however, during installation it is necessary to take into account some factors due to the characteristics of the material.
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The last stage of working with polycarbonate is removing the protective film and decorating the material. additional elements. For these purposes, you can use decorative elements made of stone or install additional lighting. Looks particularly advantageous.
Types of polycarbonate fences
Polycarbonate goes well with almost any type of material, with the possible exception of wood. This is due to the peculiarity of the characteristics: both are distinguished by their ability to expand under the influence environment.
Therefore, this combination can lead to bending of the polycarbonate and loss of appearance of the entire fence. However, there are many other poles that are quite suitable for installation.
![](https://i2.wp.com/proekt-sam.ru/wp-content/uploads/betonie6.jpg)
Which option to choose directly depends on the size of your budget, since the cost of materials varies quite a lot. Most budget options pillars are made of metal and concrete, brick and stone will cost a little more.
![](https://i1.wp.com/proekt-sam.ru/wp-content/uploads/metalich7.jpg)
Why choose polycarbonate for fencing?
It’s worth mentioning right away that a polycarbonate fence is not shock-resistant enough, but the quality is quite acceptable.
If such a fence is installed in compliance with the technology and heavy stones are not deliberately thrown at it, then it will stand for quite a long time.
![](https://i1.wp.com/proekt-sam.ru/wp-content/uploads/shema84.jpg)
Polycarbonate is available in transparent and translucent versions, which makes this material extremely convenient for use in the country.
- The material allows passage without hindrance sunlight, while filtering out ultraviolet radiation that is harmful to plants;
- Transparent polycarbonate is used if plants need a lot of light, translucent - to create partial shade;
- Another option for using transparent material is when required good review territory located behind a fence, for example, when fencing car parks;
- A translucent fence, on the contrary, will hide your area from prying eyes.
The following advantage of polycarbonate is especially relevant for summer cottages: this material absorbs sound waves due to its cellular structure, providing reliable sound insulation of the area behind the fence. No less effectively, such a fence protects the area from dust. In accordance with its manufacturing technology, polycarbonate is produced in various color scheme and does not require additional processing. In addition, plastic plugs, corners and other elements produced for this fence also have a wide variety of colors.
Such a variety of tinted solutions allows us to produce original fence, which will carry not only a functional load, but will also become decorative element surrounding landscape. In addition, there is a significant saving of both money and time, since the material does not require additional painting.
![](https://i1.wp.com/proekt-sam.ru/wp-content/uploads/zabor101.jpg)
Polycarbonate is practically not exposed to the environment, the material is not afraid of moisture, does not mold and does not corrode.
Tolerates temperature changes well (at correct installation), excellent resistance to wind loads and long-term exposure to sunlight.
In addition, the material is absolutely not subject to negative impacts insects These properties of polycarbonate distinguish it from other types of fencing.
Polycarbonate is also quite flexible and can bend in the desired direction, which allows you to install fences of various shapes. For example, if the fence is planned to be made in the form of a semicircle, it is not at all difficult to make the necessary structure from polycarbonate.
Stair railings are not at all that part of the interior that is determined solely by aesthetic or design requirements. On the contrary, it is this design detail that must meet very specific requirements and is clearly regulated by SNiP and GOST 25772-83.
Railing design
Not only stairs need it, but also a porch, balcony, roof, platform, and so on, and in all cases the requirements for railings are different. This is due to the fact that different heights and at in different ways operation, the design must be designed for varying degrees loads. At the same time, under different conditions operation involves many different factors: sloped or flat roof, building height, number of residents, number of users, weather conditions, purpose, and so on. All possible cases are regulated by GOST 257672-83.
The fences themselves differ in their design. There are:
- lattice filling of railings, where the space from the stairs to the handrail is filled with metal rods;
- screen - the area is occupied by sheet or slab material;
- combined - lattice and screen filling are combined.
Solutions can have very high aesthetics if desired. However, the type of filling is not chosen arbitrarily: the instructions for fencing stairs GOST 25772-83 indicate exactly which structures can be used and where.
Fence sizes
There is quite large number various staircase structures, as well as platforms and balconies. It is not surprising that there are quite a lot of railings. Moreover, the standard offers not only restrictions, but also design drawings of all types. Steel fencing for balconies and roofs in accordance with GOST 25772-83 should be as follows.
- The internal staircase structure in a residential or non-residential building is fenced with railings 90 cm high. Various fillings are allowed - lattice, screen, but the choice here depends on the purpose of the building. Yes, in residential apartment building the filling is usually lattice. But in shopping center, where it is necessary to protect not only the stairs, but also the observation deck, screen filling is required. The photo shows the internal staircase structure.
- The exception is the staircase structure in schools and boarding schools: the height of the railing here is in any case at least 120 cm. The filling is allowed with a lattice of vertical balusters, but with a small gap between them - 10 cm.
- Railing in preschool institution always 120 cm. Filling only with vertical balusters, since horizontal rods easily turn into steps for children. The distance between the vertical rods is no more than 10 cm, as otherwise there is a high risk of getting stuck. In preschool and school institutions for mentally handicapped children, the height of the railings increases to 180 cm. Horizontal rods, as well as screen filling, are excluded.
External staircases must have railings. Best made of metal at a height of 120 cm.
Landings are fenced according to the same classification:
- internal – the height of the railing reaches 90 cm;
- external – height is 120 cm;
- in preschool exercises, the railings are also located at a height of 120 cm.
Perhaps any staircase is impossible without a reliable, functional and beautiful fencing. Thanks to its presence, ordinary steps acquire an attractive aesthetic appearance and fit harmoniously into any interior.
To such important details, How stair railings and railings, there are almost more requirements than for the stairs themselves. After all, here a thoughtful design must be combined with strength and reliability. But let's talk about everything in order.
Useful information
It is believed that stair railings are mandatory if the structure has more than three steps. This is necessary for comfortable movement and safety. If the staircase is built close to the wall, then you can use so-called wall handrails.
Please note! Wall handrails should be located 5-7 cm from the wall for free movement of the hand.
Important rules for installing railings according to SNiP
We will not consider all the existing rules regulated by SNiP, but will present only the most basic of them.
So here you go brief instructions which must be observed when constructing stairs and:
- According to standards, any stair railing must withstand a minimum load 0.3 kN/m.
- If the width of the staircase exceeds 1200 cm, then the presence of railings on both sides is mandatory. And if the width of the structure is over 2500 cm, then additional dividing railings must be installed in the center.
- It is better to make handrails continuous, without protrusions or gaps. The beginning and end of the handrail should preferably be rounded, protruding 30 cm beyond the steps.
- The height of the staircase railings according to SNiP for different categories of people varies from 700 to 900 cm. But for children, the railings should be no more than 50 cm in height.
What does a stair railing consist of?
Such structures, regardless of the material from which they are made, have the following basic components:
- frame racks;
- filling (balusters), performing protective and decorative functions;
- handrails necessary to provide hand support.
For each type staircase design you need to carefully and rationally select railings and stair railings. Therefore, let's look at the currently popular types of stairs themselves and railings for them.
Types of stairs
- Traditional marching. In this case, stair railings and railings consist primarily of straight structural sections corresponding to the length of one flight. March buildings are usually made where there is enough free space.
- With curved marches. It should be noted that the fashion for such stairs is growing and growing every year, thanks to their exclusive characteristics. True, the complexity of manufacturing and, accordingly, high price prevents their widespread spread.
- Screw. They allow you to significantly save space, and at the same time become an original component. general interior. The main load here falls on a special central post and railings.
Attention! Manufacturing of railings for screw structures associated with certain technological difficulties. And truly high-quality railings can only be made in a specialized workshop or a well-equipped workshop.
Types of stair railings
By section stair railings and fences are:
- round;
- rectangular;
- square.
And if we talk about the materials used for manufacturing, then there is much more types and their features:
- Without any doubt, the leading position is occupied by stainless steel. It has excellent performance and aesthetic characteristics:
- With all the visual lightness and elegance, stainless steel stair railings are very strong and durable (their average term service is 30 years - all these years they will retain their original appearance and functionality).
- The high strength of steel railings is achieved due to a unique alloy: its composition includes iron, chromium, nickel, molybdenum and nitrogen. Thanks to this combination, steel products acquire amazing resistance to time, temperature changes, precipitation and mechanical damage.
- Steel railings do not need to be periodically cleaned or painted. It is enough just to wipe them occasionally with a damp cloth.
- In addition, the surface of stainless steel fences is covered with a special film, which gives it anti-corrosion properties.
- In case of fire, explosion or attempts to break it, steel fencing will continue to stand firmly in its place.
- The cost of these designs is low and will appeal to even the most economical people.
- Steel fencing opens up wide scope for implementation design ideas! With their help, you can create absolutely any style both outside and inside the building. They blend in perfectly with everyone building materials, from wood to granite, and with any decorative elements.
- The areas of application of these products are limitless: entrance and internal stairs, swimming pools, ramps, balconies, terraces...
- Glass fencing can rightfully be considered one of the most beautiful options staircase design! There are two interesting solutions here:
- Order a stair railing with a metal frame and decorative glass inserts.
- Or make a choice in favor of a self-supporting glass fencing made of solid, tempered glass increased strength, without balusters. It is mounted using stainless steel point fasteners into the end of a concrete or wooden floor.
Advice! Experts recommend choosing a self-supporting glass fence 17 mm thick, which consists of two tempered triplex glasses (each 8 mm thick), glued together with a polymer plastic mass or film.
- Wooden stair railings. Wood itself is a noble material. And therefore, products from it always come out as if “alive”! Especially if it's handmade(that is, the master cut and processed every detail with his own hands). True, such beauty is quite expensive.
Wooden railings are most often used for stairs inside buildings, since this natural material in poor conditions it quickly loses its strength and decorative properties. However, for the interior of a room, wood is one of the most suitable, reliable and durable materials.
To create stair railings they are most often used conifers(larch, pine, cedar), as well as walnut, cherry, oak, mahogany. The palette of wood materials is very extensive and amazes with its natural shades.
- Fascinating forged fences– an excellent solution for buildings decorated in an aristocratic style classic style! And, it should be noted, this is not only a tribute to fashion and aesthetics, but also reliability, proven over centuries. Protective coating from corrosion and special forge paint will protect the forged fence from its only enemy - moisture.
Forged products go well with stairs made of concrete, wood, marble, metal frame, as well as with any other structures finished with modern materials.
Among the range of forged railings you can find both budget models from standard sections and exclusive models hand forged. But no matter what your choice falls on, you will in any case receive a product of excellent quality that will last you a very, very long time!
- Combined stair railings. If you don’t like standard products made from any one material (steel, wood, glass, forging) or don’t suit your interior, then you can always order custom fencing. In this case, you can combine several materials in one product (for example, glass with metal, or forging with wood) and achieve the desired effect.
For your information! Today you can find whatever your heart desires in stores. In particular, railings for stairs with lighting. LED elements built into the railings are very stylish and unusual.
about the features of roof fencing).
Railings are an important part of the stairs, providing safety. On the other hand, they decorate the structure and make it complete and harmonious. You can make wooden railings for the stairs yourself. For this you will need a basic wood material, fasteners, several important tools, as well as knowledge.
What wood is suitable for construction
By building regulations safety stair railings must withstand a load of 100 kg/m. p. This means that all parts must be securely fastened, and the material must be durable.
The railings are made from hard rocks deciduous trees– beech, ash, oak. Spruce, pine, and larch are also used. It is permissible to use other soft wood, but it must be taken into account that it will shrink more and wear out faster. It is advisable to make all parts from the same type of wood.
Pay attention! The humidity of the wood should not be more than 18% so that the railing parts do not subsequently become deformed.
Appearance wooden railings can be different. But since we are talking about making it yourself, you need to choose a design that you can make.
Design elements and requirements
To do something, you need to imagine in detail what it looks like. The main parts of the railing are:
- balusters. These are durable racks fixed to the steps. They are installed on equal distance from each other;
- handrails They consist of top element, which is held by hand, and includes a support rail, which is installed on top of the supports;
- a cabinet or pillar is a massive stand to which handrails are attached.
The height of wooden railings, like any other, should be 90–100 cm. It is recommended to keep the distance between supports in the range of 14–21 cm. The exact distance can be calculated based on the width of the steps. If there are small children in the house, then the distance should be chosen smaller so that no one can stick their head between the balusters and fall down or get stuck.
There are also requirements for handrails for wooden stairs. They should be smooth so that no one hurts their hand. The thickness of the railing should be comfortable to hold on to.
Pay attention! The simplest option for making wooden railings is with flat balusters 100 x 30 mm. They are easy to process; you can cut out a pattern, chamfer, or sand them.
If you have experience working on a lathe, you can turn beautiful round balusters. If the lathe is not available, then there is an option - order individual elements from a carpenter, and then assembled into a single structure.
What tool will you need?
Preparation of the tool will depend on which parts of the wooden railings will be made by hand. If you order all the parts from specialists, providing them with drawings, this will significantly speed up and simplify the work. All you need is a screwdriver, self-tapping screws, bolts, wood glue, clamps, and a hacksaw. And, of course, a pencil, ruler, corner or level.
It is more convenient to use a modern power tool, which allows you to cut or sand something as quickly as possible. But sometimes it becomes useful hand tools. So, the edges of the cuts are often polished sandpaper. Correct the shape of the parts with a chisel or cutter.
If you want to make all the details with your own hands, then you need a surface planer and a jointer to trim the bars, slats, and boards. You will need a miter saw, router and lathe woodworking tool or jigsaw (if balusters are cut from thin boards), sanding machine.
General procedure
To make smooth and durable railings with your own hands, you need to draw a drawing with dimensions and calculate the required amount of material. We need to think about how the balusters will be installed. If you are planning a tenon connection, then to grind it you will need to increase the size of the baluster board.
If there are two balusters on one step, then the length of one of them will have to be reduced (since the staircase rises continuously). Exactly how many centimeters the support needs to be reduced depends on the inclination of the stairs.
The manufacturing process can be divided into the following stages:
- taking measurements on the stairs, measuring the width of the tread of the steps (where the foot steps), calculating the number of balusters and the distance between them, the length of the railing;
- drawing up a sketch. On it, each part is numbered and the dimensions of all the main elements are indicated;
- sawing bars to fit balusters;
- turning parts manually and on a machine to give them the desired shape, polish them;
- production of handrails;
- production of pedestals (support pillars);
- installation of parts on the stairs.
The cabinets are cut from thick bars. They are often decorated with balls at the end or decorative carvings. A regular pole with a cap on top will also look good. They are secured to the floor with thick screws.
Installation of balusters
When constructing a wooden staircase railing, the pedestals are installed first and the balusters are already aligned along them, on top of which the railings are attached.
Bolt-on mounting
The issue of securing balusters on steps deserves special attention. It is best to use bolts for this. First, a hole is drilled in the step and a bolt is screwed in from below.
Balusters are installed along a guide that connects the pillars at the beginning and end of the stairs (as the railings go). You can take a board as a guide and attach supports to it with clamps to make it easier to mark for drilling holes for bolts. For leveling, stretched string or a metal profile is also used.
Each support is numbered, a line for the passage of the railing is drawn on it, and the place where it will stand is marked with a pencil. What is this for? The fact is that after preliminary installation, the balusters will need to be removed and cut at an angle, just like the railings. After this, they are installed in accordance with the numbering. The installation is perfectly smooth and correct.
Advice! All parts can additionally be glued with glue so that the stairs do not creak.
Mounting on chopsticks
Another way to install balusters is using wooden choppers. They are installed in holes drilled in the steps and glued. Holes are drilled in the balusters in accordance with the size of the chop and placed on top, coated with glue. In this case, exclusively wooden fasteners are used.
If there are no strict requirements for appearance, for example, the staircase is located on the street, in the country, then you can use open fasteners - metal corners.
Through the bar
You can make flat balusters from boards 100 mm wide and 30 mm thick. A pattern is cut out on them using a cutter or jigsaw, sanded, the sections are cleaned with sandpaper, and polished. It is recommended to attach thin flat balusters not directly to the step, but through a block. This will give the structure greater strength.
A railing strip is installed on top of the balusters and the railings are secured. All fastenings can be made with self-tapping screws, tightening them with a screwdriver. If marked correctly, this method will take a minimum of time.
Handrails
The handrail can be made from one board if its length does not exceed 1.5 m. Otherwise, you will need to join the parts. This is due to the fact that the structure must be rigid.
To make wooden railings, use a block with a cross-section of at least 60 mm. Its upper part must be rounded. The section itself after processing can have any shape.
Wider railings are made of three parts - a central bar and side slats, which are glued together and clamped with clamps. The resulting box is planed with a plane and milled into shape.
Handmade wooden staircase railings are varnished or treated with stain. You can paint them, but in this case the wood texture will not be visible.
Advice! If wooden staircase street, then the railings can be made in an antique style. To do this they are burned blowtorch, pass a layer of stain on top.
There is also the option of curved handrails. The result is more elegant railings, but the work of making them is very difficult. They make bent handrails from sectors, folding them into an arc, carefully adjusting them and connecting them with dowels.
Variety of railings
Stair railings can be combined with other materials, and they are made by ourselves different configurations. Wooden handrails look especially beautiful in combination with forged metal fencing. Perhaps someone will come up with their own railings that best suit the layout of the existing room.
If the staircase is adjacent to the wall, then the railing is usually made on one side, but sometimes a double-sided design is used. In this case, it is better not to glue the balusters, but only screw them in so that you can remove them and wash the wall or carry out any repair work.
In the very simple version The railings are posts on which a level handrail is placed on top. Perhaps this is where we need to start mastering the manufacturing process. If you manage to make a small, narrow railing for the porch garden house, then you can confidently begin building a wooden fence in a cottage or apartment.
Fences for balconies and terraces are not always provided during their construction. Sometimes, the need for a fence on the terrace arises later.
For example, you have small children, you need to protect open terrace from the wind or you just decided to change the color of the recreation area and area near the house or in the country.
Terrace fencing options
To begin with, you should understand what types of fencing are available for terraces and balconies in general and for wooden terraces in particular:
1. By appearance
- closed, designed to protect the veranda from the wind or prying eyes.
- open - bearing a decorative rather than functional load.
2. By material
The choice of material depends on the overall design of the estate.
Synthetic materials
Valued for their ability to withstand temperature changes. They have increased strength and also require minimal maintenance requirements.
- Fencing for terraces made of wood-polymer composite (WPC). This modern combined material is visually similar to painted white or brown tree. At the same time, it is more durable and is not subject to swelling and fading. This means it requires minimal maintenance. Today, WPC terrace fencing is gradually winning over its consumers.
- . Polyvinyl chloride has found its application here too. The main attractive feature of such fencing is its low cost. However, they are quite fragile, which prevents their widespread distribution.
Natural materials
- . Such fences must be very elegant so as not to overload the structure and not increase the load on the foundation. Example in the photo
- . Metal/steel is rarely used on its own, more often it acts integral part metal fencing. However, such options also exist.
- . Here the main element is tempered or laminated glass. Suitable for those who want to prevent dust from entering the terrace, protect themselves from the wind, and at the same time not limit their view.
- . It is not advisable to use such material for wooden terraces, because it puts a strong load on the foundation. However, it is quite suitable for balconies.
- Fences for terraces made of cellular or monolithic polycarbonate. Lightweight and transparent are becoming more common. This is facilitated by low weight, low cost and ease of manufacture.
- – a stainless steel cable or rope stretched along the perimeter of the terrace performs the function of a fence.
- - look beautiful and unusual.
- Wooden fences for terraces. Wooden fencing has not lost its popularity, despite the difficulty of maintenance. This was facilitated by several factors: accessibility, relative cheapness of the material, the ability to make it yourself, ease of installation and replacement of individual sections, the ability to give the fence any configuration. In addition, no species can compare in number of variations with wooden fences for terraces.
3. By type of execution
Each material has its own approach to execution.
A fencing for a wooden terrace can be made in one of three variations:
- Horizontal (i.e. horizontal arrangement of lintels, supports, balusters)
- Vertical (i.e. vertical arrangement of lintels, supports, balusters)
- Cross (i.e. cross/intersecting arrangement of lintels, supports, balusters)
Despite the wide variety of varieties, the photo of wooden terrace fencing shows that they all fit into these three types.
When choosing the type and materials for fencing, you should consider:
- material compatibility with overall design plot;
- weight future design;
- requirements for operation and maintenance;
- availability of material;
- material cost;
- the ability to replace damaged structural elements;
- the opportunity to carry out work on arranging and replacing the fence with your own hands.
How to make a wooden deck fencing
The device will require the following components:
- supports;
- balusters;
- railings for wooden terrace.
If supports and railings carry a functional load, then balusters, among other things, also serve as decorative decorations.
Balusters for the terrace - photos with varieties
If the terrace is located more than 30 cm above the ground surface, it is necessary to provide one or more steps.
If it is more than a meter, you will need railings for a wooden terrace made of wood.
DIY fencing for a wooden terrace
- The height of the fence is determined; for a terrace, the optimal size is about one meter.
- supports are installed. For horizontally located wooden elements, this is the place where they are fixed. The distance between the supports should not exceed 120 cm. The gap depends on the type of structure and the weight of the individual elements, as well as on the wind load in the region. The supports can protrude beyond the railing and act as elements that support the roof.
- install balusters. The frequency depends on the size of the baluster. It is generally accepted that the distance between balusters on a terrace should be no less than their width.
- install railings.
How to make a staircase to a terrace with railings and fencing
- Calculation of the angle of inclination of the stairs and the location of individual elements
If the angle is too large, the stairs will be inconvenient to use. If it’s small, it will take up a lot of space in front of the terrace. The optimal angle of inclination of the stairs is 45 degrees.
- Making a stringer - a base for attaching steps.
![](https://i1.wp.com/moydomik.net/uploads/posts/2014-12/1419204644_lestnica-dlja-terrasy-4.jpg)
- Installation of stringers. The stability of the entire structure depends on the reliability of the stringer fastening.
![](https://i1.wp.com/moydomik.net/uploads/posts/2014-12/1419204721_lestnica-dlja-terrasy-5.jpg)
- Installing steps for a terrace. The installation process is shown in the picture.
![](https://i1.wp.com/moydomik.net/uploads/posts/2014-12/1419204672_lestnica-dlja-terrasy-3.jpg)
- Finally, the installation of balusters and railings is carried out.
Fencing for the terrace - photo
Conclusion
We hope you learned from this article useful information about the construction of railings and fencing for wooden terraces.