Railings are elements of the fencing structure on the stairs. Handrails ensure safe movement when going up or down the stairs. Railings come in a variety of shapes and materials. Some designs are simple in appearance, safe and convenient. Some can become the real thing designer decoration, especially if the stairs are located indoors.

You can make railings for stairs from various materials: metal, wood, concrete, plastic. The easiest way to make barrier structures with your own hands is from metal and wood. In the article you can find detailed information on how to choose the right material, process it and make beautiful and reliable railings for the stairs.

The height of the fencing structure must be at least 90 cm.

Handrails should be smooth and not too wide.

On narrow stairs, one side adjacent to the wall, one span of fencing is installed. If the flight of stairs is wide, it is recommended to install two fencing structures.

If a steep or high staircase is installed in a house where there are small children, it is preferable to install an additional low fence that will be comfortable for the child to hold on to.

The distance between the balusters should be such that a child cannot crawl through the opening. Optimally -15-20 cm.

Handrails. This is the top bar located above the railing structure. It is the handrails that people hold on to when going down. Handrails should be smooth, monolithic, so that they are comfortable to hold on to.

Balusters. These are racks that are attached to steps or strings ( load-bearing element at an angle, located at the edge of the stairs). Balusters are attached to the structure at a certain length.

Cabinet. This is a powerful end post located at the end of the stairs. Handrails are attached to the cabinet.

Material selection

Aluminum. It is quite difficult to make a structure from this metal with your own hands. Most often, various fasteners and fencing elements are sold in finished form. Assembling a railing with your own hands from a set of parts is quite simple; the main thing is to choose a design and calculate the number of parts required. The material itself does not have high performance properties; it bends when impacted, gets scratched, becomes dull, and becomes covered with corrosion spots.

Chrome fencing They are also sold ready-made, the main thing is to correctly calculate and purchase all the necessary elements. The disadvantage of chrome parts is the rapid abrasion of the coating, especially if the stairs are located in crowded places.

Forged fences. Hot forging is primarily a factory job to produce fencing elements from hot forging at home it is very difficult. Cold forging - more doable job, if you have special tools, you can make railings with your own hands. Pros - versatility in fencing design, cons - fairly high cost of material, special tool, complexity of the technical process.

Stainless steel. The metal has a shine that does not fade. Stainless steel stair railings are strong and reliable, but to build them yourself requires the skills of a welder and a metal carver.

Video - Installation of stainless steel fencing

Set of tools and materials

Welding machine, pack of electrodes, access to electricity, protective suit and mask.

Angle grinder with wheels for cutting and polishing metal.

1. Place for welding work.

   Metal profile and rolled metal. It is desirable that the profile has a small cross-section, so it is easier to cut.

Work order

First of all, the height of the railing and the distance between the balusters are determined. On the topmost step, as well as on the bottom, pedestals are installed - elements that fix the entire structure of the fence. The cabinets should be thicker in diameter than the balusters.

The height of the fence is calculated. The standard is 95 cm. But the railing frame should be raised above the steps by 10 cm. It is also worth considering 5 cm for the handrail. In total, 15 cm is subtracted from 95 cm and the result is 80 cm. This is the size to which the metal profile is cut for cabinets and balusters.

If the length of the frame is 3 meters, then the transverse upper and lower profile, to which the balusters between the pedestals are attached, should also be cut into 3 meter elements.

Frame welding. A frame is laid out from the cut profile and lightly tacked by welding. There is no need to immediately tightly weld the elements; in case of defects or misalignment, you will have to do extra work. The welded frame is reinforced: balusters are welded after 10 cm. It is worth considering that the outer pedestals must be at least twice as thick as the internal metal vertical lintels.

If the design fully complies with the standard and has no distortions, you can begin the final welding of all elements. It is recommended to weld the seams on both sides to make the fence as strong as possible.

After the frame is ready, pillars with round or square plates 10 cm high need to be welded to the lower profile. Holes are drilled in the plates for fastening to the steps.

Improvement of the appearance of the structure

For this purpose, you need an angle grinder with a grinding wheel. It is necessary to carefully polish all welding residues: drops, build-ups.

Experts recommend giving your homemade product a beautiful and unusual look using purchased forged elements. Specialized stores offer a variety of forged accessories that can be welded to the frame sheathing: climbing vines with leaves, flowers, ornaments.

You also need to consider the type of handrails. Most often they are made from wood. Wooden blanks are rounded on three sides and thoroughly polished.

The first layer is a primer that will protect against corrosion. Then you need metal paint. Color depends on individual preference, but black is most often used. Designers recommend adding chic to your homemade fencing. For this purpose, patina is used - a material that gives the metal an old and noble appearance. DIY metal railings are ready.

Choosing wood for construction

Pine. This material is quite affordable and is very often used in construction. Pine is soft, its wood has an uneven structure, due to which, when painting, the covering material is absorbed with different intensity. It is easy to process and can withstand changes in temperature and humidity.

Birch. Dense and durable material, having practically no bitches. Well processed and polished. But wood has whole line Disadvantages: susceptible to rotting, cracking when temperature and humidity change.

Beech. In terms of physical characteristics, this wood is in no way inferior to oak. But it is not recommended to overdry the beech. At low humidity, a layer of wood breaks along the fibers, which leads to damage to the elements.

As in metal structures, wooden structures include handrails, balusters and cabinets. But, in wood products, balusters are not only a supporting element, but also a decoration of the structure. Most often, they are made from laminated veneer lumber and are machined into columns of various shapes.

Milling of balusters involves cutting screw patterns on the surface of the elements.

When turning on elements you can see several combined geometric shapes: balls, squares, rectangles, etc.

Video - DIY stair railings. Installation of figured balusters and installation of handrails

Hand-cutting balusters is a real work of art. Patterns, ornaments and much more are cut out on the surface of the parts. Some wood carvers create these elements in the form of animal figures.

Flat balusters are boards on which patterns are cut. This is the easiest way to decorate a staircase with your own hands.

As described above, the standard and safe height of the structure must be at least 95 cm. The width of the handrail is 5 cm, the distance between the steps and the fence is 10 cm. As a result, the height of the balusters is 80 cm. For these elements, wooden planks are needed, 10 cm wide. 15 cm, thickness 30-35 mm.

To create carved and beautiful fencing, the planks need to be shaped. Specialists who have mastered lathe, can cut carvings on the ends of the board using equipment. If the machine is not available, then a hand-held power tool, for example, a jigsaw, is used.

To do this, you need to draw a template on paper or cardboard that has real dimensions. Then, using a pencil, trace the template on each board and cut out the shape according to the marks. After all the balusters have acquired the desired shape, you need to carefully process the ends, clean them with fine-grained sandpaper and polish them to a shine.

Flat balusters, unlike wooden figured posts, are not recommended to be attached to steps. The fence will be unreliable and shaky. The elements must be mounted on a transverse beam, which is located 10 cm above the bowstring. It turns out that the handrail, the lower beam and the upper and lower pedestals form a frame into which flat balusters need to be inserted.

The crossbars need to be fastened every 15 cm, but no more. You can use two types of connections - in grooves and on metal studs. If the balusters will be inserted into the grooves, then grooves must be machined 2 cm deep on the lower part of the handrail and on the upper end of the cross beam. The length of the recess should be equal to the width of the baluster.

Don't forget about the slope of the stairs. It is worth knowing that the lower ends of the balusters should be smooth, but the upper ends should be cut to the angle of inclination of the stairs. It is on the cut ends that the handrail will be attached.

Balusters are attached to metal studs if it is not possible to mount a cross beam. In this case, there will be no gap of 10 cm between the cross beam and the steps. The height of the balusters in this case should be 90 cm. The baluster is attached to the step with one pin; during the work it is important to attach the element evenly, without distortions. For these purposes, you can use an angle.

After all the protective elements are attached to the steps, you can install the handrail. It uses timber, which is rounded on three sides and carefully polished.

The last stage of creating wooden railings for the stairs is finishing. For this you can use acrylic paints, varnish, stain.

A beautiful DIY staircase is ready.

Often acts as a business card of a private home. beautiful staircase, an integral part of which is the railing. It is worth noting that the main functional purpose This design is the ability to conveniently move between floors. But handrails and railings are responsible for the reliability and safety of the stairs. Among other things, the overall attractiveness of the staircase structure largely depends on them. In this article we will tell you how to make a staircase railing with your own hands from wood and metal.

In the process of making railings, you should follow high accuracy, because the components for them are located at different levels.

You will have to make various attractive elements, perhaps make patterns, etc. But don’t be afraid of making railings, because most often “the eyes are afraid, but the hands do the work.” Get to work!

How to choose source material

Before you begin assembling the railing, you need to decide what type of material will be most suitable for the interior of the house.

• For many generations, natural wood has been used to produce stairs and railings. Today, railings are made from different types of wood. And each type of wood saturates the interior special aroma. Wooden railings will fit even into the most cutting-edge room design.
• Metal railings are also very popular. Bent and forged railings look noble and elegant. They are very versatile and will fit into every interior. You just have to take a responsible approach to choosing a patterned design for the railings.
• Railings made of plastic and glass. Glass panels replace balusters, and handrails in this case are made of plastic. However, in this case, the railings can only be used with a certain interior solution. In combination with retro and classic styles, such railings will look out of place.

Important points to consider when making railings

Here we should pay attention Special attention form. If you have children, then there's a good chance that railings can take a lot of abuse. The child will most likely test the strength of the railing repeatedly, for example by swinging on it or simply sliding down it. It is also worth noting that the lower part of the railing should be made so that your child cannot slip between the elements. As for height, this is worth thinking about separately. Minimum height railings - 900 mm. The best height for a person 1.80 m tall is 1200 mm.

As for the surface of the railing, it must be perfectly smooth. If the staircase structure is narrow, then it is allowed to install railings on only one side. However, if its width exceeds 1250 mm, then both sides should be equipped with railings. Please also note that the distance between the balusters in the case of small residents cannot exceed 150 mm.

The tool is an important part of the preparatory process

Before making the railing, prepare all the tools. Everything here, of course, depends on the source material you choose for making the railings. If the railings are metal, then you will need welding machine with the necessary additional materials. If you are equipping a staircase with wooden railings, then first prepare the following tool:

• two hammers - light and medium weight,
• chisels,
• wood hacksaw,
• screwdrivers,
• bit,
• electric drill,
• skin,
• jigsaw,
• metal construction square, plumb line or level,
• screwdriver

The master's work is scary! Making stair railings

First of all, collect all the elements necessary to complete the work. The railing assembly kit includes:

1. Handrails are that part of the railing that a person holds on to with his hand.
2. Balusters are vertical posts that hold handrails.
3. Rotary and end pedestals are more durable than balusters, racks installed vertically. They are placed at the beginning and at the end, as well as at the turning points of the staircase structure.

When making railing elements with your own hands, keep in mind that some of the finished parts will end up in waste during the assembly process. This may be due to errors during the work process. Experts say that 10% of the elements will be defective. Therefore, make more elements than actually required.

The assembly process depends on the source material. If we are talking about assembling metal railings, then the main action is to connect the parts into one whole using a welding machine. If you do not know how to handle it, then it is better to call a specialist to your home. You can connect metal parts with rivets, however, such a connection is not very reliable.

To make wooden handrails, balusters and turning tables you will need wooden blocks different sections. To process them you will need a jigsaw. With its help you will give the details shape. After this, you should carefully sand the surface of all elements for the railing. And already on next stage You can start the installation process.

Installation of wooden railings. Let's learn to do it right!

The installation of railings should begin with the installation of end bollards. These are the points from which you need to start in the process of performing work. They should be installed at the beginning and end of the stairs, as well as at its turns.

Attach a string to one of the pedestals and stretch it between all the pedestals. So, you will determine the location of the handrail, which will allow you to secure it correctly and securely.

Then mark the locations for attaching the balusters. The distance between them is determined individually, however, it is not recommended to place them further than 20 cm from each other. Their complete installation is only welcome. These elements can be attached both to the steps and to the strings on which the steps are attached. If you decide to fasten the balusters to the bowstrings, then you need to first cut them at a given angle. Accordingly, the balusters are mounted horizontally to the steps.

Securing balusters with nails is not very effective. Practice shows that during use, nail fastenings quickly become loose. It is better to use self-tapping screws and glue specially designed for this.

Now the balusters should be attached to the handrail. If you make special grooves in the handrail for the entry of balusters, then the process of installing handrails for stairs will be simplified. In those places where the staircase turns, to install the balusters to the handrail, you need to make a special transition element, which is filed at a certain angle.

Once the balusters are installed, fill any gaps. Clean the surface of the finished railing from dirt and dust. Sand all defects. Now leave the structure so that it can dry completely. Then proceed to finishing, which includes coating the surface of the railing with varnish or paint.

If you want to wooden surface If the railing has retained the beauty of its natural pattern, you can use parquet varnish to process it.

At this point, the installation of wooden railings will be completely completed.

We purchase material for forged railings

Forged stair railings are much more difficult to make than their wooden counterparts. However, the effort is worth it! Initially, you should purchase the starting material and assemble the tool:

• Level, grinder with attachments, cleaning wheel.
• Welding machine with electrodes, mask.
• Rolled metal and metal profiles of different sections. It is better to use a profile with a small cross-section, because it is easier to cut and shape it.

Before starting work, it is very important to think through a sketch of the railing. It is important to take into account that the finished railings must correspond to all the interior features of the house.

You are unlikely to be able to implement a very complex project at home. Because this requires a forge and a pneumatic hammer. Choose a more modest, but no less attractive design.

Pre-prepare the assembly area. The site should have a special coating on which you can draw steps on a 1:1 scale. To do this, you need to take measurements. Measure the height and depth of all steps. Now draw the silhouette of the stairs on the prepared area. Then outline the outline of the railing.

The pillars should be spaced 10 cm from the first and last steps. This is necessary for reliable and durable fastening of the railing posts.

We come up with a pattern and implement the idea

After you've drawn the frame, think about the pattern. For example, these could be balusters that resemble grapevine. It can be decorated metal sheets, sold in specialized stores. Use easily erasable chalk for drawing.

When you have made the pattern, take a string and use it to determine the length of each individual curl. To do this, attach the lace and measure the length. Cut the profile according to the measurements. Moreover, the profile should have a slightly longer length. Such a reserve will help you make less mistakes. If it is unnecessary, you can always cut it off.

Let's start forging and welding the frame with a pattern

You need to give each prepared segment a shape that is designed according to the pattern. Using a forge at home is impossible, so you will have to bend the profile cold. To do this, of course, you should be patient.

Use a hammer and vice for this. Insert a section of profile into them and try to bend it with a gas wrench. A few tries and you'll get the hang of it! Then, if necessary, you should trim off all the extra centimeters from the pattern elements. The resulting forged elements must match the pattern with maximum accuracy.

Now you need a welding machine. First, connect the fence frame. Lay out the required shape from the profiles and weld them together. It is better to make the seam temporary, so that in case of an error, it can be corrected without unnecessary labor costs. Now fill the frame with forging elements that create a pattern. Fit piece by piece, locking them in place. Apply spot sutures that can be separated in case of urgent need. If at the end of the work no errors are identified, turn the railing over to the other side and weld all the seams properly. Return the structure to its original position and weld on the opposite side. Now weld forged decorations that will enrich the structure. The finished section should be installed without any deviations.

Clean all seams so that they are aesthetically attractive. This process is carried out using a grinder with a grinding wheel. Pre-protect your eyes from sparks by wearing special glasses. Then attach a metal brush to the unit and thoroughly clean the surface of the railing. This will remove defects, rust and unevenness.

The final stage of production - painting

You can paint the railings with a brush or spray. Don't forget to prime the metal before doing this. Interestingly, only white soil will hide small irregularities, which will allow you to paintwork smoother. When choosing paint and primer, pay attention to the composition, because they must be compatible. Each layer must dry well.

If you want your wrought iron railings to look chic, you should apply a wrought iron patina. So, you can decorate some forging elements. The manufacturing process is now complete. All you need is to install the fence in a permanent place.

Do you already have experience in manufacturing and installing railings? Then write us comments. Your experience will be useful to us!

Any design inevitably involves the need to select suitable railings. This one is important structural element influences not only the level of safety of the entire structure, but also shapes the appearance and design of the staircase. There are many ways to make railings. They may differ in material, shape, size, level of filling, design and presence of decor. In order for the entire staircase design to be safe, practical, aesthetically pleasing and fit harmoniously into the interior of the home, the choice of railings must be approached with special care. We invite you to be inspired by the design options for handrails for the most popular staircases. various designs and execution materials using the example of our large-scale photo selection.

Types of railings based on material used

Railings are called fences flights of stairs. Often they are necessary not only to create protection against a possible fall of a person walking along the steps and to support him, but also to support the entire structure of the staircase and its elements. Depending on the functions assigned to the railing, the material of the entire staircase, its size and type of modification, interior design and financial capabilities of the owners, he selects the material for the execution of the railing. Most often used for the manufacture of railings:

• tree;
• metal;
• glass;
• polyurethane;
• acrylic;
• combined designs.

Currently metal railings can be safely called the most popular way to execute this element of the staircase design. Advantages metal products obvious;

• strength;
• durability;
• reliability;
• high wear resistance;
• resistance to moisture and temperature fluctuations;
• high fire safety;
• ease of care;
• wide range of design possibilities;
• wide range of pricing policies (depending on the selected material).

An owner with any wallet size can find his own version of a metal fence. Aluminum and stainless steel will cost several times less than forging or railings made of brass and copper. Steel products for this moment are the most popular (cost plays an important role in this case), but manufacturers also offer structures made of iron and even cast iron. But when choosing a material for making railings, much depends on the design of the staircase itself, its weight, dimensions and method of fastening the steps in particular and flights in general.

Aluminum railings have the following list of advantages:

• ease of installation;
• resistance to corrosion;
• light weight, sleek appearance;
• affordable price;
• railings with a natural aluminum sheen will look great in interior design styles such as high-tech, minimalism, modern, and varieties of modern styles;
• Possibility of tinting the shiny surface in any color.

The main disadvantage of aluminum products is low strength. They can only be used indoors and in a gentle manner. But for many staircase customers, such conditions are more than acceptable.

Stainless steel railings differ from aluminum structures in the absence of fragility in the structure of the material. Stainless steel is most often combined with other materials, so it can effectively fit into any interior design style. Usually “stainless steel” is combined with wooden handrails. The combination of stainless steel stands with glass screens is also popular. Such railings can be used both indoors and for the exterior of homes.

According to the type of execution, all metal railings can be divided into 4 groups:

prefabricated– can be installed very quickly, are distinguished by high technology, low weight and affordable cost;

welded– such railings are made from steel or ferrous metals using the cold bending method. The products are distinguished by sufficient strength, durability, and wear resistance. Weakness such railings are welded seams. To prevent corrosion, products must be periodically painted. Only stainless steel is free from this drawback;

casting– products are obtained by pouring molten metal into molds. The cooled pieces are removed and processed. In this way, you can make railings of amazing beauty, with a wide variety of designs, exquisite decorative elements;

forging– in this way you can create railings with truly unique design. Forging masters are able to create real masterpieces using special devices or manually. Finished products can be treated “to look like gold or silver” and apply a patina (it all depends on the style of the interior in which the staircase will be located). The high cost of forged products is justified not only handmade, but also originality of design, strength and reliability of structures.

Natural wood railings

Even if your staircase is not made of wood, the railings are made of this natural, universal material will be more than appropriate. Wood products will never go out of style. High environmental friendliness natural material, excellent aesthetic qualities, and simply pleasant sensations from touching warm wood are relevant at all times. There is an opinion that stairs or their components from natural wood– not a pleasure for everyone. But for the manufacture of railings, you can choose so-called “budget” types of wood, affordable for many Russians.

The only disadvantages of railings made from natural wood include the influence of moisture and temperature changes on the structure of the material. Wooden structures without additional processing(varnish and impregnation coatings special compounds) should not be used outdoors.

If your interior is decorated in one of the country style styles, or in such styles as chalet, Provence, tropical, marine, wooden structures stairs in general and railings in particular will be more than appropriate. The beautiful natural pattern of wood not only brings a special atmosphere to the image of the room, but also emphasizes the originality of other interior items.

It happens that customers want to create wooden handrails on the railings spiral staircase. From natural material Such a design is not easy to obtain. An affordable alternative is to manufacture radial elements from polyvinyl chloride. Of course, it will not be possible to achieve complete resemblance to the aesthetic qualities of natural wood, but you can get a completely durable and reliable structure.

If the staircase is limited on both sides by walls, then there is no need for railings. But for comfortable and safe movement along the steps of the stairs, it must be equipped with a handrail that can be mounted directly to the wall. In most cases, such a handrail is made of wood (even if the staircase itself is made of a different material), because it is so pleasant to touch.

When creating an all-wooden staircase, you can use a combination of wood species with a contrasting combination of natural colors. But such designs can be expensive. It is much more practical and affordable to combine painted and unpainted wood. As a rule, if this technique is used for supports and handrails, then it is repeated in the steps of the stairs.

Glass railings for modern interiors

Most often, glass is used to create protective screens. For this purpose, panels made of tempered, laminated organic or silicate glass are used. This material is called triplex; in construction circles you can find the name “translucent structures”. Glass in the triplex system has the following advantageous qualities:

• aesthetic appearance;
• environmental friendliness of the material
• strength;
• heat resistance;
• there is no danger for a person to be cut by fragments when breaking a panel ( protective film prevents the formation of fragments);
• safe sanded edges;
• the ability to tint panels in any color if transparency of the structure is not required.

Another important advantage of glass railings that should be noted separately is the transparency of the structure. Sunlight penetrates almost unhindered through protective screens stairs, creating a light and bright image of the entire room, not cluttered with stairs.

As a rule, the size of triplex glass panels does not exceed 1.2 m. Glass railings are used both for equipping stairs in public buildings, and for private use in houses and apartments with several levels. Glass railings, consisting only of translucent panels without handrails, look luxurious, modern, and unique. But their level of safety and comfort in use is an order of magnitude lower than that of alternatives with comfortable handrails.

Combined railings

By combining various materials in the manufacture of handrails for stairs, it is possible not only to create an original design, but also to improve the strength, reliability and safety of structures. Most often, metal and wood are combined. Metal racks and a wooden handrail are an ideal alliance for creating reliable, durable, comfortable and pleasant stair railings.

While creating combined designs So-called metal strings are often used for staircase railings. The elements got their name from their small diameter, but high strength. Strings create reliable protection for everyone who moves along the stairs, but this practically does not block the spread of sunlight. For these qualities, designers recommend the use of metal strings (thin ropes) both in spacious rooms and in small spaces.

In some cases, a combination of the three main materials used to make railings - metal, wood and glass - is successful. Such structures will not be cheap, but they can become a practical and reliable decoration for the staircase. As a rule, protective screens are made of glass, which are attached to metal posts; the structure is completed with wooden railings.

And in conclusion

Summarizing all of the above, we can highlight several recommendations for choosing handrails for stairs used in a private home:

It is obvious that the appearance of the railing should not resonate with the overall design of the staircase; it is necessary that the entire structure looks organic. Texture, material and color solutions the main parts must match or be organically combined. Decorative elements (if any) should not “conflict” with the base of the structure;

for a completely wooden staircase, it is better to opt for railings made of a similar material (you can combine different types of wood with a variety of natural patterns and colors). But metal inserts can also decorate a wooden staircase, giving its structure additional strength;

if you need an affordable, reliable and easy-to-use solution for making stair railings, then choose the option using stainless steel (such structures do not need to be painted and are easy to transport and install);

The shiny surface of stainless steel will look organically in any of the directions of modern style, hi-tech or modern. If you need matte surfaces, then it makes sense to consider using black steel. Powder paint coating will help give the products any color scheme (at your discretion - to harmoniously fit into the overall picture or create contrast). With this choice and family budget will not be harmed;

while creating luxurious interior, in which the staircase design plays a key role, the best option will be used artistic forging– exclusive design and magnificent appearance of durable construction compensate for all costs.