Installation of railings and railings on a wooden staircase. How to install balusters on a wooden staircase with your own hands in detail. Handrail finishing

Balusters - vertical supports under handrails and railings fixed at the bottom of the steps or on the side of the ladder frame. They are designed to create a safe stair railing and provide the necessary rigidity for the railings attached to them. An additional but no less important feature is decorative ornament and creating a certain style of the entire staircase structure.

Proper fastening of balusters and stair pillars ensures the safety of people when moving. Railings must be strong and stable. Therefore, the issue of choosing a technology for fastening support elements is very important in the construction of stairs.

Types of balusters

Support posts for installing railings are made of wood, metal, natural and artificial stone, gypsum and concrete mixtures, plastic and even glass. They are chosen depending on the design and materials of the flight of stairs itself.

Agree that wooden balusters on a stone staircase look ridiculous, and stone supports with their weight can simply break through wooden steps. Therefore, in most cases, the material of the posts matches the surface finish of the steps.

Methods for fixing wooden balusters

Fastening of balusters and railings made of wood is carried out different ways, but the following three are the most common:

• metal threaded studs;
• steel screws for wood.

The thread on the studs is the same along the entire length or is divided into two parts: on the one hand, an ordinary metric one, and on the other, resembling a long screw of large diameter. With a large length of such products, the thread is cut only to a certain length on each side. The middle remains smooth.

Dowels, or wooden nails, are the oldest and most reliable type of fastener. They are round wooden studs with a length of 50 mm and a diameter of 8-12 mm.

Wood screws used to fix balusters are a special type of screws with a wider thread pitch. The diameter of these hardware products is 5-6 mm with a length of 50-80 mm. Hat for a cross bit or socket wrench. The head of a screwed-in screw is usually covered with a plastic decorative overlay.

Threaded rod fixing

Installation of balusters on wooden stairs do-it-yourself with the help of studs is carried out only if the mounted parts are located at an angle of 90 degrees. In the case of fixing the structure on the bowstring, studs are not used. The length of the hairpin is at least 80 mm. There are 3 ways to fix balusters on metal threaded studs.

In one of the options, a hole is drilled at the end of a wooden post 10-15 mm deeper than part of the stud with a metric thread. Its diameter must exactly match the size of the fastener.

Pour a small amount of glue into the hole. After that, the metric thread of the stud is also lubricated adhesive composition, sprinkled with small sawdust and twisted into a baluster. Excess glue that has come out is immediately removed.

On the plane of each step, markings are made for the installation site of the mounted column. A hole is drilled along it, the diameter of which is 1.0-1.5 mm less than the size of the conical thread of the stud. Lubricate all contact surfaces with glue and install by twisting the baluster with the inserted pin.

Tightening pin.

In another case, the fastener element is screwed into the end of the column from the side of the tapered thread, leaving no metric surface. A corresponding hole is drilled in the steps and one or two metal nuts are glued inside it. After that, a baluster is installed. The main advantage of this method is the ability to disassemble the structure if necessary.

The following method of attaching balusters to the stairs with your own hands can be used with a small thickness of the steps and the possibility of access from below to their reverse side. In this case, the hairpin is fixed in the baluster in the same way as the previous version, but it is drilled in the step through hole. The elements are coupled by installing the washer and screwing the nut on the underside of the step.

Installation on wooden dowels

The technology of mounting balusters on dowels is fundamentally very similar to the use of metal studs. At the end of each column, a hole is drilled with a diameter of 0.5 mm less than the size of the connecting part. A small amount of glue is poured into it and a dowel of the required length lubricated with adhesive is driven in.

A hole is prepared in the surface of the step. The end of the baluster and the protruding part of the dowel are lubricated with glue. After that, the column is set in place under light blows of a rubber hammer or mallet.

The length of the dowel, providing a reliable connection, is 100-120 mm. Connecting part diameter 8-12 mm. Moreover, the softer the wood of the baluster and dowel, the larger the diameter used. Ideally, the connecting stud wood should be of the same density or species as the bollard being installed.

Drilling the end hole must be done in 2 stages. First, a drill with a diameter of 5 mm is used, and then reaming is performed to the required size. This method will ensure good accuracy and prevent possible cracking of products.

Using screws or self-tapping screws

Using wide pitch tapered screws is the easiest way to install balusters on steps or slanted bowstrings. The disadvantage of this technology is the need to install decorative caps in order to hide the hats of hardware elements visible on the surface. However, with a small step thickness, it can be drilled through, and the self-tapping screw is screwed in from the bottom invisible side.

Another option provides for the upper inclined screwing of self-cutting hardware through the body of the baluster into a step, string or baluster. Twisting is done with an electric screwdriver until the hat is slightly recessed into the wood.

The screw cap will still be visible and decorative caps are inserted or glued to hide it.

The length of fasteners is 50-70 mm with a diameter of 5-6 mm. To strengthen the strength of the joints, a steel round washer can be placed under the head of the self-tapping screw.

Features of fastening wooden balusters to surfaces

Anchoring stair railings should be reliable and as durable as possible. The safety of people who will use the stairs depends on this. At the bottom of the balusters can be attached to the floor, steps or bowstring.

Floor fixing

Floor installation of pillars is provided for the lower and upper supporting elements, on which the rail of the handrail subsequently rests. To fix their position, a hole is drilled in the floor and can be installed:

• expansion anchors for concrete floors and monoliths with reverse taper thread;
• embedded elements for reinforced concrete monoliths;
• steel studs with a metric thread on one side and a conical thread, like on screws, on the other, for wooden floors.

IN first case, before attaching the balusters to the floor, a hole is drilled in the concrete corresponding to the diameter of the anchor. When screwing in a metric thread, the stud expands and firmly fixes the fastener. After that, the wooden support post is screwed onto a cone-shaped thread protruding from the floor, previously lubricated with glue.

In second option a recess of at least 80 mm is knocked out in the concrete monolith and an embedded element with a conical or metric thread in the upper part is installed in it. Embedded part is poured cement mortar and after it hardens, a baluster is wound onto a vertical pin.

At wooden floors you can install a hairpin in the floorboards and then wind the post or do the opposite. A baluster with a hairpin is screwed into a hole drilled in the floor.

Both options are equally reliable. The use of self-tapping screws in this case is not recommended, as they will not be able to provide a sufficient level of reliability for the extreme support pillars.

Installation on the plane of steps

Mounting on horizontal wooden surfaces can be made with studs, dowels or self-tapping screws. The technology describing how to fix balusters on a wooden staircase along the steps was discussed in sufficient detail above.

Mounting with dowels.

Installation on an inclined bowstring

The presence of an inclined plane does not allow turning the balusters during installation. Therefore, wooden dowels or self-tapping screws are used to fix them. The bottom of the balusters must be cut to match the existing mounting foot angle.

Installation can be greatly simplified if you use a baluster - a longitudinal rail of a certain section. It is temporarily fixed on the surface of the bowstring, markings are made for the installation sites of the elements and removed.

After that, the balusters are screwed on and the already assembled structure is returned to the surface of the strings. Further, the baluster itself is fixed with self-tapping screws in open areas between the pillars.

Attaching railings to balusters

A feature of the installation of the railing is the need for the same bevel at the ends of the balusters, corresponding to the angle of inclination of the stairs. It is best done in advance, immediately after the installation of the flight of stairs.

To do this, they take one column, put it on the side of the stairs and draw a line on it parallel to a string or a flat rail laid on the steps. All other columns will be cut according to this pattern.

Fastening the railing can be done using:

• wooden dowels;
• self-tapping screws screwed in at an angle;
• flat longitudinal wooden slats.

The length of the screws should be such that, after screwing in, the sharp edge of the hardware does not come out to the surface of the railing. You can install a handrail with a rail in the same way as using a baluster when mounting poles on a bowstring.

Features of fastening of enclosing supports made of metal

The design of metal balusters should provide for the presence of fasteners. To install metal parts on wooden stairs with your own hands, side mounting plates with holes are welded at the top and bottom of the pillars and ordinary self-tapping screws are used. Fastening to concrete surfaces is carried out using expansion anchors or dowels.

Related videos

The question of how to attach balusters to steps and railings is primarily related to the safety of the operation of the stairs, and therefore the attitude towards it should be the most serious. In addition to the protective functions, the aesthetic appearance also largely depends on the fence. The correct approach to install this important element will create the attractiveness of the whole structure.

The essence of the problem

In the general case, 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 safety and ease of movement depend. The installation of balusters and pillars ensures the strength of the protective structure.

The considered ladder element solves the following tasks:

• reliable connection of handrails (railings) with steps, i.e. the combination of all elements into a single solid system;
• exception of falling of the person when moving on a ladder;
• assistance to a person when climbing a span;
• providing a decorative look.

Taking into account the tasks at hand, the installation of balusters must meet the following requirements:

• sufficient mechanical strength of the element itself and fastening;
• optimal and safe dimensions, first of all - the height and distance between the supports;
• attractive appearance, since it is the balusters that are most noticeable in the staircase structure.

Install balusters on a flight of stairs and platforms (intermediate and upper). The main strength and stability of the stairs is provided by the supporting pillars, but between them the reliability of the railing attachment depends on the balusters. They can be made from various materials and have different shape, but their basic essence remains unchanged. It should be remembered that in the pursuit of decorativeness and sophistication, one should not neglect their reliability and safety.

Mounting principles

When deciding how to install balusters, first of all, the material from which they are made is taken into account, as well as railings and steps, the design, height and steepness of the stairs, the shape of the elements and their dimensions. The height of the installation of the railing, respectively, and the balusters, is dictated by two conditions: on the one hand, it must prevent a person from falling, and on the other hand, it must provide the possibility of convenient support on them when moving. The height of the order of 90-120 cm is recognized as optimal. The distance between the balusters should exclude even a small child from slipping between the posts. With this in mind, it is set within 15-20 cm.

Balusters are necessarily attached at 2 points: at the top - on the railing, at the bottom - on the element of the flight of stairs (kosour, bowstring or steps) or to the floor of the landing. Strength characteristics are set 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. Installation of supports from different materials has certain specifics that should be taken into account when doing work with your own hands. Naturally, the installation technology also depends on the material of the ladder elements.

Installation of balusters is carried out after the completion of the installation of load-bearing pillars, flights of stairs, steps and platforms. The stair railing is the final stage of its construction. Installation work begins with marking the area between the pillars with drawing points where the axis of the balusters will be located. The distance between the marked points must be exactly the same. The center is also marked on the elements themselves. A strong twine is stretched between the posts, marking the height of the installation of the supports.

When constructing a fence, an important condition must be met: the fastening of the balusters is carried out strictly vertically, but at the same time the handrail makes 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.

Fastening of balusters at the lowest point is carried out depending on the design of the stairs. In the presence of a stringer or a monolithic span, the support is attached to the steps. In the case of using a bowstring, attach the bottom of the baluster to this element. The question of how to fix the balusters to the floor is decided when fencing horizontal areas, including balconies.

Required Tools

When installing balusters on your own, 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, building plumb line;
• when working with concrete: puncher, electric drill, grinder, spatula, trowel, wrenches;
• when arranging metal stairs: a welding machine, a chisel, a hacksaw for metal, a file.

Wooden structures

How to install balusters on a wooden staircase with your own hands? The question is quite relevant, because such designs continue to be popular in country houses. Most often, in this case, balusters are made of wood. Basically, the connection wooden parts it is possible to secure it firmly enough with nails, but such a system loosens over time, reducing the safety of movement.

For reliable fastening, as a rule, the following fastening technologies are used:

1. With 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 nest and secured with glue.
2. Use of dowels. This method does not differ from the previous technology, but instead of a metal rod, a wooden cylinder with a diameter of 20-25 mm (dowel) is used. As an adhesive composition, you can use PVA or wood glue.
3. self-tapping screws. To prevent corrosion, stainless or galvanized screws should be selected. The screws are screwed in at an angle, and the cap must be sunk into the tree. Upon completion of the work, this place is primed and puttied.
4. Fastening through the balustrade. If the staircase is mounted with a bowstring, then often the balusters are 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 fastening of the handrail is most often provided as follows. A groove is formed in the wooden handrail. Then, a bar is attached to the upper end of the baluster with screws, corresponding in size to the groove in the railing. The bar has a slope corresponding to the slope of the flight of stairs. The support and handrail are joined and fastened with screws. It is desirable to additionally treat the joint with an adhesive composition.

Other stairs

When fencing concrete stairs and platforms, as a rule, plaster or concrete balusters are used. In the center of such elements is a reinforcing rod. For reliable fastening of supports in concrete steps, a hole is made using a perforator, into which the output end of a metal rod is placed. The adhesion of the elements is provided by a cement-sand mortar.

The connection with the railing depends on the material from which they are made. With wooden handrails, the fastening technology differs little from the above case. At the top end of the baluster is attached wooden block to which the handrail is attached. Another option involves the use of 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 the balusters using a welding machine or bolts. The most difficult to mount forged supports. These products are purchased in finished form, and fasteners are included in their kit. The work process itself is standardized by the instruction.

Recently, high-strength glass balusters have been used. For fastening, they have a metal edging on the lower and upper ends. When using glass sheets, this technique is sometimes used: a groove is made in the floor or steps, as well as on the railing, into which the sheet is inserted. The main fastening of the supports is provided on the bearing pillars.

Balusters are an important protective element of the stairs. Their installation can be done on their own, but the work must be approached very responsibly. Only reliable fastening will ensure the safety of using the stairs.

Staircase is an integral part country house, the safety and appearance of which is largely determined by the installation of balusters. When arranging a ladder structure, you need to carefully consider securing all the details, otherwise there is a high probability of accidents. The reliability of the stairs depends on how well the railing is fixed, what material they are made of, and what the wooden support posts are attached to. In this article, we will look at several ways to attach balusters and pillars to stairs, their advantages and disadvantages.

Installation of fences and balusters

The ladder structure consists of several elements, each of which performs its function. So, railings provide safety and ease of movement between floors. As for the number of main details of the stairs, they depend on the length of the flight and the dimensions of the flight of stairs as a whole.

These include the following elements:

• steps - consist of treads and risers, serve to climb stairs;
• railings or handrails- in order to hold on when moving from floor to floor;
• balusters - special support pillars on which railings are attached (the so-called fence or stair balustrade);
• bowstrings or stringers- support beams on which the elements of the steps are attached;
• supporting pillars - act as an additional element for fixing the entire structure.

Balusters are support posts that are fixed on the steps under the railing. This is a kind of support for handrails, and the whole structure can be used as a fence.

According to safety regulations, stairs with five or more steps must be equipped with columns in the form of columns supporting the railing. The material for the manufacture of such elements is selected, depending on the general style of the interior and the features of the product. Balusters not only ensure the safety of the operation of the structure, but also perform an aesthetic function. As a graft, the rack consists of a support, a central part and a base.

The center deserves special attention - it is designed in the form of a curl or in another intricate form.

Such a decorative elementt is able to turn any, even the most boring staircase into a work of art. The support and bases are needed to secure the column to the handrail and the floor. Now the market offers a wide selection of a wide variety of products from simple wooden to glass, metal and weightless.

What are balusters?

There are a large number of types of balusters, they are made of wood, glass, stone, metal and concrete. However, the most popular are wooden models, and the main part of the parts is made of either oak or pine. Combined products (metal and wood) look interesting.

To date, there are three types of wooden balusters:

• Turned. The simplest option, which has a classic shape (body of rotation) and easy installation. For the manufacture of such parts, lathes are used. They look great as elements of two-flight stairs.

• Carved. You can do it yourself or with a special multi-axis machine. One of the most popular types of balusters, as carved models look spectacular and fit perfectly into any interior.

• Milling. A feature of such products is a large number of decorative elements, carved parts are made using longitudinal, helical and oblique cutting. Favorably different from other types interesting design and a wide range of models.

Recently, the use of concrete balusters in the form of low columns has become increasingly popular. Such columns can also be flat, sculpted and round.

Why is it worth choosing and fixing balusters carefully?

Properly selected balusters can become a full-fledged element of the interior, adding a unique charm to the staircase structure and ensuring the safety of movement between floors. If there are children or elderly people in the house, special attention should be paid to choosing a quality product. It must be reliable and durable, and this, in turn, depends on the competent fastening of parts.

Whatever type of baluster you choose for your stairs, remember to simple rules security:

• Balusters must have a solid foundation, they must not have any defects.
• The elements should be installed so that the head of the child could not crawl between them.
• The distance between adjacent parts should not be more than 15 cm, and the height of the columns should not be less than 90 cm.
• The method of fastening the balusters primarily depends on the material of manufacture and the place of fastening on the ladder structure.

Other aspects are individual and may vary, depending on the model of the stairs and the wishes of the residents. However, special attention should be paid to how the column is attached to one or another part of the ladder structure and with what fasteners. Next, we will look at ways that will help you properly install balusters with your own hands.

Places on the ladder structure for attaching balusters

The ladder consists of several parts, each of which performs its role. Experts distinguish two types of balusters - decorative and supporting elements (these can be poles at the ends of the railing or a bolt for hanging steps). Thus, these details of the stairs perform both decorative and protective functions at the same time.

How to fix balusters depends on the design model, on its location and parameters. You can install support poles in several ways (to the floor, on a bowstring, on a step or to the side of a carrier beam), but the technology itself will be, if not identical, then similar.

On steps or stairs

If the ladder structure has a stringer, the balusters are fastened on the steps, which allows the installation to be completed much faster and without the use of additional fasteners. In the same way, the balusters are fastened in the case of working with a landing (only if the flooring is located on the lower beams). It is up to you to decide how to properly install balusters on the stairs, but remember that no matter what method you choose, always follow the safety rules.

The advantage of this method is that there is no need to make cuts in the bowstring and cut part of the baluster at an angle.

On a bowstring (side beam)

Compared with the previous version, fastening balusters to the string of a mid-flight staircase is a complex and time-consuming process that requires special knowledge and skills. There are situations when it is necessary to use special elements, such as balustrades and railings (they make the structure more durable and reliable). However, most often, support poles are attached to a bowstring or to wide handrails.

Please note that when working with a narrow beam, the use of balusters is mandatory.

Now balusters are increasingly fixed according to the designer's idea and taking into account the features of the future staircase, its location and style. If you plan to install supports on a bowstring, then you do not need to thoroughly calculate the distance between the posts, regardless of the width of the steps.

On the video: the nuances of installing balusters on a bowstring.

Mounting methods

It is possible to attach the support poles to the ladder structure (to the bowstring or to the corner of the steps) using screws, self-tapping screws, metal strips or studs with a diameter of up to 8 mm. Also a great way is to use wooden dowels and wood glue (having firmly fixed the nails, it will not be difficult for you to install other parts of the stairs on the support). In the case of side mounting of round side columns, experts recommend using a bracket.

If you are going to install balusters with your own hands, then remember that nails are not suitable as the main fasteners for this part of the stairs.

Using dowels

The railings and handrails of the wooden stairs are fixed on the support pillars (section seven centimeters, in the upper part of the tip in the form of a ball), and it is on them that the entire load goes. Thus, in order to attach balusters, they must be as level as possible on the surface, directly in relation to other parts of the stairs. The method of attaching balusters by means of dowels is the simplest, as it involves the use of wood glue.

To attach the supports with wooden dowels, you first need to mark the holes, the depth of which should be about half the length of the tenon used. After that, the grooves are smeared with glue and the dowels are installed at the place where the balusters are attached.

If you use this mounting technology, then the balusters can be fixed on the steps (or on the bowstring) both from above and from below. The advantage of this method is the absence of metal stains.

With pins

Installation of supports with studs requires holes required dimensions(under a hairpin ten centimeters long). One end of the stud is screwed into the tree, and the other end into a special thread. However, the screwing of fasteners is most often carried out at the end or on the bowstring of the ladder structure.

Self-tapping mounting

One of the most common ways to install balusters on stairs is to use galvanized self-tapping screws. This method allows you to complete all stages of work in less than a day. Take note of this technology for attaching balusters, especially if you plan independent production and installation of all structural components.

The disadvantage of using self-tapping screws, many consider the presence of hats even after screwing in the fasteners.

Features and rules for mounting balusters

To be sure of the quality of the staircase, we recommend that you install the balusters yourself (if you have basic skills and knowledge in the construction industry). But first, you should familiarize yourself with the basic rules for attaching balusters to a wooden staircase. The figure below summarizes the key requirements and the step-by-step installation process.

On the video: installation of wooden balusters (marking places and fixing).

Installation of metal balusters

A staircase with metal balusters looks truly magnificent, forged products make any design luxurious. Such decorative elements will perfectly fit into both classical and modern interior, which is characterized by the presence of a large number of metal, stone and plastic parts.

Usually, metal balusters are installed using hidden screws, which will be decorated to match the general style of the products - then the attachment points will be almost invisible. However, it is worth noting that it is better to entrust the installation of the finished product to specialists, primarily because of the severity of the material itself.

To date, there are several technologies for attaching balusters to a ladder structure, depending on the installation location and the fasteners used. Each of the methods has both advantages and disadvantages. However, they are all quite simple to implement and suitable even for beginners.

If you do not have experience in the construction industry, but you want to do the installation of supports with your own hands, then we recommend that you pay attention to the training videos. And remember that you can always contact a company that builds modular stairs for country houses.

An easy way to install wrought iron railings (1 video)

The railing on the stairs not only provides convenient movement along it, but also serves as a safe fence that prevents a person from falling. According to the regulatory documents in force on the territory of the Russian Federation, any stair structure consisting of three steps and above should be equipped with a railing.

Collect good ladder not easy, but to make a strong fence is even more difficult. Today we will talk about how the pillars and balusters of the stairs are fastened - the elements that form the basis of the railing.

Classic railings include balusters and handrails, but such filling is not always used. In many ways, the structure of the structure depends on the purpose of the stairs, for example, it is intended for use in a children's room. preschool, its dimensions and stylistic orientation in which the room is finished.

The presented photo gallery shows some filling options that are most often:

• through- such railings are also called open, without internal filling.
• Ornamental- refers more often to forging and wood. Various patterns and shapes are created from these materials, with which the railings are filled from the inside.
• latticed- the fence is filled with gratings with different mesh sizes.
• solid- perhaps the safest type, since a child, for example, will not be able to climb through it or climb up. Such solutions are very popular in modern styles high-tech type, and they are made of glass or plastic.
• With horizontal filling- vertical balusters are replaced or supplemented with horizontal lintels.

Advice! The latter option is unacceptable to use in rooms where small children live, since the child can freely climb up the rungs and fall over the handrail.

If we are talking about the classic version with balusters, which we are actually talking about today, then the support pillars form the basis of the whole structure. It is they who hold the handrail and carry the bulk of the horizontal load. Balusters, in fact, are decorative element, only further strengthening the railing.

• Posts for the stairs are installed at the beginning and end of the ascent, as well as at all places of turns - the first are called the pillars for the ladders, and the second are rotary.

• They can also be installed in the middle of a long span of railings or balustrades to strengthen the entire structure.
• The height of the fence is on average 90 centimeters, while the length of the pole for the stairs can vary from 100 to 130 centimeters, with a diameter of up to 15 centimeters. On top of them, a pommel is usually set in the form of a ball or other geometric or artistic figure.
• If balusters are often used typical, having the same shape, then the pillars themselves can be real works of art.

Take a look at these:

• however, due to the fact that they do not perform load-bearing functions, they usually have much more modest dimensions than the supporting pillars for the stairs. The diameter of these elements can be both 3 centimeters and 8, so that the whole structure looks lighter, or, conversely, more massive.

• Last on the list of parts, but by no means least, is the handrail. Its shape can be any, but always in the production of quality products, ergonomics and anthropomorphic features of an adult of average height are taken into account. All this is aimed at the convenience of using the stairs, and at maximum safety.
• The recommended handrail height (in section) is 5.5 centimeters, while the width is usually chosen between 5 and 7.5 centimeters.
• The parameters of the mounting groove, which is located on the underside of the element, are selected depending on the size of the head of the balusters, and also whether there will be a balustrade in the composition. We will talk about this in more detail a little later.

From additional elements, which can be found in the design of fences, it can be noted, in addition to the rail under the handrail, the baluster. Both of these elements change the design and require a special approach when installing balusters - they do not have any effect on the installation of pillars, since they themselves are tied to it.

Ways of fastening balusters and racks

We have already figured out that balusters and racks perform different functions, which means that the requirements for their fixation will be somewhat different, although fasteners are often chosen the same. Naturally, in the end, we need to get a solid fence, which is what we need to focus on in the first place.

Assembling a wooden fence

So, the fastening of balusters and stair pillars is carried out in the following sequence.

• First things first, an accurate markup is made that will show the center points of all the vertical elements of the fence. It is very important that the step between them is strictly verified, otherwise the overall picture will look deplorable.
• Further, invitation poles are mounted strictly according to the level, after which the procedure proceeds depending on the structure of the fence.
• If the railing does not have a baluster, then one or two balusters are attached to each step, depending on the intended design.
• If this element is planned, then it and the handrail are mounted first, and only then the balusters.
• Using a rail for attaching a handrail means gluing it. A very convenient technique when you do not want traces of fasteners to remain in sight.

How to fix the ladder post to the floor with your own hands so that it stands straight and does not stagger?

For this, several types of ligaments have been developed:

• Mounting on metal studs. For these purposes, different companies have developed their own fastener designs. In general, we can say that such a solution is the most reliable and fast enough to install - we will analyze it in more detail a little later.

• Mounting on wooden dowels. This method is the oldest and is used today mainly for fastening balusters, because it is equally good for both smooth and inclined joints.
• For poles, it is preferable to use studs, but if you have good powerful dowels made of hardwood, you can also connect with them.
• In addition to these elements, you will need wood glue or PVA, which will not only strengthen the connection, but also get rid of possible squeaks.

• If we are talking about a rather rough staircase, for which it is not particularly important whether the fasteners are visible, you can fix the posts and balusters on ordinary self-tapping screws. Of course, only if the floor is also made of wood.

Advice! Fasteners often leave behind untidy marks that can be hidden by either installing a wooden or plastic plug, or using wood putty.

Stud installation

So, now in more detail about fixing the pillars.

• Studs are used only when connecting parts perpendicularly, that is, only when connecting parts to the floor and steps.
• The mounting procedure depends on the design of the stud itself. Let's look at two options.

• As an example, let's take a fastener model from the ZipBolt company. Its design is such that on the one hand it has a threaded head - this part will be hidden in the baluster, and on the other there is a screw that is screwed into the base like a self-tapping screw.
• So, the first step is marking on the floor - there will be a hole corresponding to the center point of the pillar.

• According to the drawing attached to the stud, the rack is also marked, after which holes of the desired diameter are drilled in it.

• A hole is also made in the floor, which should be smaller than the diameter of the screw. The stud is tightened with a 10 mm open-end wrench.

Advice! It is not easy to tighten the hairpin, so you can pre-lubricate the screw part with wax or paraffin.

• If the floor is not wooden, but concrete, then a chemical anchor is used to strengthen the element.

• The gearbox head is inserted into the side hole on the pole. This element is designed in such a way that when it is tightened from the end with a hexagon by 6 mm, it goes down, simultaneously attracting and lowering the post.

• The final chord will be the installation of a wooden plug, which can then be sanded and painted along with the post.

A very simple and convenient method of fastening, but what if you don’t want at least some traces of installation to remain visible? You can use another type of fastener - consider the option with a spacer metal platform

• The installation instructions for this fastener are also simple, but require more operations performed.
• The photo above shows the base of the stud, which with reverse side has a bevelled surface like a wedge.
• We begin the installation by determining the position of the platform, which should be exactly in the middle of the column, and draw its contours with a pencil.

• Now, in the thickness of the floor, it is necessary to select a groove in which our platform will fit flush. Use the wood pen first to select the main part of the wood (we got six small holes).

• Then, using a small hand-held router, select the rest of the array. If there is no router, then you can use the classic chisel, but it takes longer and is not so neat. We carefully monitor so as not to get out of the markup.

• We lay the platform in place and circle all the mounting holes, including the central one, in the form of a lock cylinder.
• Corner holes, as you probably guessed, are designed for self-tapping screws - there we just drill holes of a slightly smaller diameter. The bolt head will be fixed in the central one, so you will also need to select a groove under it.

• We use the same pen drill for this, after which we return the platform to its place and check how the head passes in the groove - it should move freely.

• Next, the platform is rigidly attached to 4 self-tapping screws, after which we proceed to work with the rack.

• We find the center of its end along the intersecting diagonals, and drill a hole of sufficient depth in it, after which, using wrench a hairpin is twisted into the pole.

• The screw is not fully tightened so that you can thread its head into the mounting hole.

• Thanks to lower form the platform, which, as we remember, is sloping, when the column shifts, it begins to wedged. In practice, we install the pole, check that it does not play, and knock it in the right direction with a wooden spacer so as not to damage the pole material.
• If you feel that the post is not very secure, just knock it back gently, tighten the screw a little and repeat the installation procedure.

Such fastening will be very reliable, especially after the final fixation of the handrail.

For fastening balusters, there is another type of stud, which has a screw part on both sides. This fastener is first twisted into a baluster, after which it is screwed onto the steps together in it.

We will apply this method only on stairs with stringers, but if you have bowstrings installed, then read on.

Mounting on dowels and screws

We have found that studs are not suitable for installation on sloped surfaces. Dowels and self-tapping screws are suitable here as fasteners. Again, the difference between the two will be whether the fasteners remain visible.

• Dowels are very easy to install and hold quite securely, but they are very difficult to use to fix the handrail, so they are used only at the bottom of the balusters. They can be installed equally effectively both on open steps and on beveled bowstrings and balustrades.
• In other cases, the use of screws and self-tapping screws is indispensable. They are usually screwed in at some angle to the baluster (depending on the steepness of the rise), but perpendicular to the base (steps, string, handrail).
• Visible holes and caps are masked or left as is, especially in inconspicuous places, for example, under a handrail.
• It is especially easy to mount balusters on steps if you have free access from below - a rare option, but having the right to exist.

After the posts and handrail are fixed, proceed to the installation of the handrail. To do this, you will need to cut the handrail support on each baluster at the angle of the stairs.

• You will need a flat guide: a rule or a rail.
• With the help of clamps, it is fixed at the desired height.
• Each baluster is leveled and is also attracted to the rail with clamps.
• As a rule, carefully, with a hacksaw, cuts are made on a tree.
• Now you can install either the handrail immediately, or the rail under it.

A baluster rail is, in fact, an insert that is one with the handrail after installation. The use of this element allows you to pull off the balusters with self-tapping screws without damaging them, after which the handrail is carefully glued on top and fixed with clamps until dry.

Installation of metal balusters

Everything is much easier if your balusters are metal. For them, you do not have to invent complex fasteners, and all connections are made either by welding or using special fittings.

There are also screw options (pictured, top right), which are convenient to use when accessing the space under the stairs.

Options with mounting pads for self-tapping screws are also very convenient, and the installation task comes down to clearly setting and fixing with a screwdriver.

Interesting to know! Unlike wooden balusters, many metal balusters (for example, forged ones) are not cut, so the dimensions of the elements of the entire fence are known in advance and are made to order.

Installation of balusters and pillars made of concrete

So far, we have mainly talked about the stairs installed in the house. For outdoors, the same materials are applicable, but there are others, such as balusters and pillars for stairs made of concrete, artificial and natural stone.

Of course, the price of such a solution is rather big, and those who can afford it will not look on the Internet for information on how to produce self-installation, but since we touched on the topic, let's analyze all the options.

Structurally, such elements can be divided into two types:

1. The first type has a rod embedded inside, which is both a reinforcement and a fastener. Products are solid and are made in vertical forms. In appearance, they are quite rude, which is why they cost less.

1. The second type does not have a rod, although there is also a reinforcing frame inside. In addition, it is equipped with separate mounting cups (upper and lower), due to which the fastening takes place. Such balusters are much stronger and look richer due to the almost polished, pore-free surface from the factory.

Installation, respectively, they will also be different. In the first case, it is enough to drill a hole in concrete steps, filled with glue, after which a baluster is placed. Formwork is mounted on top and a handrail is poured.

In the second, everything is a little more complicated.

• First, a hole is drilled into which a piece of reinforcement is hammered, acting as an anchor.
• Next, the bottom glass is placed, in the center of which a hole is made.
• A layer of glue is laid out under the glass and inside it, after which the baluster itself is placed.
• The top glass is glued, as shown in the photo below.

• By the way, the upper glass is pre-cut at the right angle, similar to how we did it with wooden balusters, but here it’s not a hacksaw, but a grinder that is used.
• Lastly, an already cast handrail is placed, which, in addition to bonding with glue with balusters, must have an anchor connection with support pillars.

Let's finish with this. We have analyzed how the stair posts are attached to the floor and the handrail, mentioning all the basic materials. Of course, this work requires some experience and skill, not to mention the tool, but if you wish, you can master everything - the main thing is to have the opportunity to practice. In addition, take a look at the video in this article, where the installation is carried out by a wizard.

How to fasten balusters and stair pillars

Fastening balusters and stair pillars can be done with your own hands, the main thing is to act consistently and accurately Many home craftsmen tend to make repairs or build houses with their own hands. This is not only profitable, from an economic point of view, but also a very interesting activity. Because a person will try to make a convenient, beautiful and safe structure for himself and his family. For example, an ornate and artsy wooden staircase will become a real decoration of a cottage or a country house. All stages of design and construction can be done by yourself. The fastening of balusters and stair pillars can also be mastered on your own if you carefully study all the instructions and recommendations of experienced craftsmen.

What are balusters for stairs

Balusters are special supports mounted vertically on which handrails are attached. They perform not only a protective function, but are also an element of decor. In order for the staircase to last as long as possible and be safe in operation, you need to properly install and secure the balusters.

Depending on the design solution, balusters can be made from:

• Tree;
• metal;
• Building plaster;
• Concrete;
• Stone;
• Glass.

Balusters for stairs can be made of different materials, but most often they are made of wood.

Preference is mainly given to wood products. They are strong, reliable, durable, have a relatively low price and go well with the interior in any style.

When choosing balusters, you need to pay attention to their shape, because when installing several elements in a row, the gap between them should have an attractive shape.

Tips on how to put balusters on the stairs with your own hands correctly

There are two structural types of stairs: on stringers and on a bowstring. The baluster is attached directly to the steps if the supporting structure is made on stringers. If it is made on a bowstring, then the balusters are attached directly to it.

I mainly install support posts at the beginning and end of the stairs, as well as in those places where the railing makes a turn. They help make the stair railing stronger and safer. If the staircase is made on a skew, then the support pillars can be attached both to the floor and to the steps.

The process of installing a baluster on a staircase with your own hands

Important points to consider when installing balusters:

• According to safety rules, the height of the railing should be at least ninety centimeters;
• The recommended distance between the vertical supporting elements is fifteen centimeters (if there are small children in the house, the distance should be reduced to ten centimeters);
• The baluster must be securely fixed both above and below;
• Handrails must be installed taking into account the needs of the inhabitants of the house (they must be smooth, non-slip and comfortable).

It should be borne in mind that the railing must withstand the weight of an adult who is fully leaning on them.

Reliable fastening of balusters to the bowstring of the stairs independently

Balusters can be attached in three main ways: on studs, on self-tapping screws or on dowels. Each method has its own advantages, and which one to use is chosen by the master himself.

Installation procedure:

1. Fixing the upper and lower balusters;
2. Marking the location of the supports on the bowstring;
3. Marking the center of the balusters (it is better to do this with a carpenter's pencil or a waterproof marker);
4. Fitting supports under design features stairs (in some cases, an oblique cut is made both above and below the baluster).
5. Installation of balusters.

Balusters can simply be screwed onto the bowstring from the side or attached to its upper face. The first method looks less aesthetically pleasing, but it is very simple and perfect for beginners. In the second method, most often you first have to install a baluster on the bowstring (a special wide bar with a groove with which it is put on the bowstring). It is screwed with screws or put on glue. In some cases, you can do without a baluster.

The scheme of fastening balusters to the bowstring of the stairs

Fastening with pins. First, in the center of the baluster, on both sides, drill a hole for a pin eight centimeters deep (the standard diameter is from 0.8 to 1.2 centimeters). After that, the baluster is trimmed from the ends. Galvanized or coated anti-corrosion composition the hairpin is inserted into the support and filled with PVA wood glue. From above, the hairpin should protrude by 5 - 7 centimeters. A hole of the appropriate diameter is drilled in the bowstring, a baluster is screwed into it and fixed with glue. The upper part is attached to the railing or railing.

Fastening balusters to dowels. At the ends of the support and in the bowstring, holes are drilled for dowels (thick wooden rods). The dowels are fixed in the stairs and balusters with PVA glue. It is necessary to control that until the glue dries completely, the supports are strictly vertical position. The railing is attached in the same way, but after the glue has completely dried at the bottom of the baluster.

Fastening of supports with self-tapping screws. Fastening balusters with self-tapping screws is the most the easy way therefore suitable even for non-professionals. You can screw in the self-tapping screw at an angle so that it pierces through the baluster, screwing into the bolster. And you can pre-screw the screw into the bolus board at a right angle, and then carefully screw the support onto it. It must be remembered that the screws must be treated with an anti-corrosion coating.

How to attach a support pole to the floor

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes do not know how to properly attach a support post to the floor. It's pretty complicated operation, but knowing some secret, it can be done quickly and easily.

The process of fixing the support column to the floor

There are three simple and reliable ways:

1. A piece of wood is sawn out at the bottom of the post, so that a groove is obtained, into which a special fastener with a hexagonal head, called a "grouse". With it, the pole is attached to the floor.
2. The second method is similar to the first, but the groove is cut out quite small, and fastener secured with a bayonet nut.
3. In the third method, a very small technological hole is drilled in the support post and floor, and then the two elements are fastened with a zip bolt.

In hardware stores, you can purchase special decorative plugs, with the help of which the hole left after installation in the third way is easily closed.