Wooden balcony railing

Wooden balconies have been popular for a long time. He can still be found very often today. Such designs look attractive and immediately attract attention. In the article we will tell you about the features of wooden balcony railings.

It's no secret that the presence of a wooden fence makes the balcony much safer for the people who are on it. Such a structure can effectively decorate almost any type of building, regardless of their architectural features and purpose. A timber fence allows the owners and their guests to have a good rest and while away the time in the air without fear for their own lives.

The wood structures under consideration are not in vain in demand for many years. These fences have many advantages.

• The main advantage of wooden fences lies in their increased strength. Such structures are difficult to break or damage.

• By means of the fence in question, it will turn out to effectively decorate the building. The presence of such a component makes the facade of most buildings very attractive and stylish. Even the simplest dwelling begins to play with new colors when a wooden fence appears.

• By means of a wooden fence, it is possible to competently focus on certain architectural components of the main building.

• With the help of the structure under consideration, it is possible to combine the exterior and interior of the building as harmoniously as possible.

• With the help of a wooden fence, the owners can put the final touch in the design of the appearance of the suburban ensemble.

• Such designs can boast of complete environmental safety. There are no dangerous chemicals in the composition of wooden fences, so they cannot harm the health of households.

• With proper and regular maintenance, wooden fencing can last for many years.

• A huge number of fences of various types and shapes can be made from wood.

The designs under consideration have many advantages, but they are not devoid of disadvantages either. Let's find out what are the main disadvantages of wooden balcony railing.

• Wood is a material that needs proper and regular maintenance. We are talking about the application of special protective antiseptic compounds. Without them, the wooden structure can quickly dry out, start to rot due to rainfall on it. In addition, without additional protection, the tree can become a target for parasites.

• Even the best care will not provide the wooden structure with the longest possible service life. Sooner or later, natural material will still start to deteriorate and lose its former attractive appearance.

• The manufacture of such a structure can be quite costly. Caring for her will also require certain investments from the owners.

Wooden fences of any type must necessarily meet a number of important requirements. Let's take a look at some of them.

• A timber structure installed on buildings less than 30 m in height must be at least 1 m from the floor level.

• Horizontal loads on the fence should be no more than 80 kgf / m.

• If small children live in the house, then the gap between the vertical posts should not be more than 10 cm. If this requirement is not met, then the structure will be life-threatening for children.

• All fixing elements must be in the inner part of the wooden structure, not have sharp and protruding edges. For this reason, to deepen the heads of nails and self-tapping screws, it is advisable to use potatoes, which can then be covered with putty.

• The construction of a wooden fence must be as reliable and strong as possible.

Protective structures made of wood are different. They are classified according to various criteria. Basically, all designs of this type are divided into several types.

• The first type is more decorative than functional. Of course, users can lean on them, from this the railing will not break or collapse, but for something more, these options are not suitable. They can be made from a variety of materials. It can be not only wood, but even steel cables connected by supports.

• Enclosed balconies, terraces or verandas are specially designed to protect users, which are on them, from dust, wind, precipitation and unnecessary glances of strangers. For the manufacture of these structures, wood is used in combination with glass or polycarbonate sheets. Fences are reliable and functional, but they are much more expensive.

Balcony fences made of wood are divided based on their appearance, device. Such designs can be decorated in different ways:

• wooden fences can provide for the horizontal arrangement of jumpers and balusters;

• vertical placement is appropriate;

• the cruciform shape of the fence components;

• asymmetry.

It is possible to make and install such a protective structure for the balcony with your own hands. In this case, it is recommended to follow the detailed step-by-step instructions.

• The design of the protective structure must necessarily provide a high level of safety for both adults and children. This must be taken into account when independently installing a wooden structure.

• Before starting the installation work, you need to complete all work related to the equipment of the balcony floor.

• The prepared racks will need to be installed on the existing floor. They will need to be fixed as securely as possible by means of anchors with a threaded rod.

• The wooden fence will need to be attached to the main parts of the structure using specialized fasteners.

• In order for the fastening to be as reliable and durable as possible, it is advisable to resort to additional reinforcement of the structure by means of special metal corners. You can also use struts and brackets.

• Since the wooden fence for the balcony will be negatively affected by atmospheric precipitation, it will definitely need to be treated with special paint and varnish mixtures. Thanks to them, the structure will be able to last much longer, while maintaining its aesthetic appearance.

• For priming and impregnating natural materials, it makes sense to use paint and varnish products from the same major manufacturer. This will ensure the chemical compatibility of the solutions used.

Consider a few more useful tips regarding the selection and installation of wooden balconies.

• If you decide to make your own balcony fence, you need to purchase only high quality materials. The tree of the selected species should be free of rot, mold and other defects.

• The wooden parts that make up the fence must be well finished. The structure should have ideally smooth surfaces without protruding sharp elements, notches.

• When choosing a specific design of a wooden fence for a balcony, it is very important to build on the style of the main building. All elements must be in harmony with each other so that the appearance of the home is attractive and balanced.

• It is recommended to choose the most reliable types of wood for the manufacture of handrails. The best option is oak. It is high-strength, sturdy, durable and wear-resistant, but expensive. You can use softwood. It is not susceptible to the formation of fungi, attacks of insects and bacteria, but its durability and strength leaves much to be desired.

• The finished wooden structure is allowed to be painted. It is recommended to select paint and varnish coatings in such shades that will be in harmony with the facade of the house.

• It is recommended to buy protective antiseptic solutions for wood only in specialized stores. You should not save on the processing of natural material, otherwise it will have a bad effect on its quality and service life.

• It is not as difficult to make and install a balcony railing made of wood on your own as it might seem at first glance. If it is scary to undertake such work because of the possible admission of serious mistakes, then it is advisable to contact specialists who will do everything at a professional level. This will require extra spending, but the result will not disappoint the owners.

How to make a fence for a balcony made of wood in the "half-timbered" style, see the video below.