

Stair balusters: wood or metal?

 Balusters as an ornamental and functional element of the stairs nowadays are made of different materials, such as wood, plaster, concrete, various alloys, and even glass. However, the most popular materials are natural wood and metals. In this article we discuss the features of every material and what material is the best in use for making of stair balusters.


Wooden balusters

 Natural wood is being used for making of various architectural elements since long ago. Definitely, it will never lose its relevance, that is why “eco” style admirers and people who gravitate toward the masterpieces of Russian wooden architecture often purchase balusters made of wood. However, despite all its beauty and ecological qualities, wood has a list of disadvantages.
 Wooden stair balusters have an average service factor. Constructions with such elements have a high risk of deformation and balusters often turn black (in a process of decay), have splits and lose their form.
 They are not appropriate for use in buildings with high humidity and for use as facade elements. To compensate these shortcomings, wooden balusters require a special paintwork composition, which often contains harmful chemical components. Here, the question of ecological property comes up: natural wood products become harmful to health.
 Moreover, the price of balusters made of wood adds no advantage, they are quite expensive.


Balusters made of cast iron, bronze, brass

 Speaking about metals, we mean the most common materials used for forging and casting. They are: noncompetitive cast iron with its superb quality and price and non-ferrous alloys, such as brass and bronze. In opposition to wooden balusters, metal ones have a number of advantages:
• easy servicing (for example, there’s no need to renew paintwork);
• easy installation of balusters, that may be realized by different ways;
• service capability: either in the street or in the house;
• impressive longevity: cast iron, brass and bronze balusters are in use during decades and they do not lose their form, they are not affected by weather environment, and never go out of fashion.


Thus, what kind of balusters to purchase?

 In order to make the correct choice, it is enough to realize the features of the objects thrown into scales. Giving you a broad brush picture, we let you get to choose and wish you good shopping!


28.08.2015, 507 просмотров.