Such protruding structures can be made in different shapes, directions, patterns and styles. They are very reliable and resistant to temperature changes, mechanical stress, wear and ultraviolet radiation. Wrought iron railings for the balcony are original, look good, elegant and aesthetically pleasing. Strong, versatile and durable.
Metal does not require special care. It is enough to wipe it with a soft, lint-free cloth or napkin. Forged railings can be combined with other materials and are universal. Metal parts look beautiful together with glass or wooden inserts.
Suitable for almost any building style. You can choose any exclusive design of such barrier elements. The decor differs in modifications, shapes, ornaments, and designs.
Forged balcony: design flaws
Caring for wrought iron railings is not very difficult. But washing small curls and curly patterns is quite labor-intensive.
Such fences have other disadvantages:
- heavy weight;
- price;
- duration of the project;
- the complexity of installation on the second and subsequent floors;
- cannot be used in cold weather due to the open top;
- High quality paint must be used.
Forged metal products look best against the background of stone or brickwork. Such a balcony looks no less beautiful near walls lined with facade tiles, treated with plaster or facade paint. Railings are not suitable for frame or timber buildings. This combination looks artsy.
Criteria for choosing balcony railings
Among the existing variety of possible materials that are used to create a balcony parapet, metal products occupy a special place. They are reliable and affordable, have a simple installation process and a long service life.
Among the disadvantages is the susceptibility to corrosion in conditions of high humidity, but on the balcony they will be regularly exposed to precipitation. Stainless steel fencing does not have this disadvantage, so it is increasingly used to decorate the façade of buildings.
Characteristics of forged elements
Forged fence structures are made from a vertical flat profile. It looks good as a standard grille and a complex concave element. The design of balconies of office buildings and city apartments is done with an even profile without bends. Owners of country cottages and private houses will like bent elements.
They are made of titanium, brass, bronze and aluminum alloys.
Photo examples of balcony railings made of various materials
Wooden railings can be found on the balconies of private houses and cottages only. Wooden fences look very beautiful, regardless of whether they are carved or ordinary, but they require annual treatment with special means that protect the wood from the negative effects of the environment.
Large open terrace with wooden fencing Source ipport.org
Simple but reliable wooden fencing Source pinterest.com
Carved wooden balcony railings go well with a wooden house Source balconyplus.ru
Wood and forged steel look impressive.
Forged balcony railings with wooden posts Source yavarmetal.com
Wooden balcony railings with forged steel elements Source www.zaggo.ru
Forged balcony railings, used separately, look no less impressive than together with wood. They look rich and elegant.
Forged railings on a round balcony Source wroughtironart.ca
Wrought iron fences look good on the balcony of a brick house Source obustroeno.com
Types of forging
There are two known variants of metalworking technology. Hot is obtained by heating the metal. It becomes plastic and takes on the shape desired by the blacksmith. The metal is not subject to corrosion and is very durable. Disadvantages include production time and price. The craftsman who forges fencing elements must have extensive experience and high qualifications.
The cold processing method involves the use of special equipment. Fence parts are produced on machines and then assembled by welding. The advantages of this method include low price and quick completion of the project. There are also disadvantages. This is the possible appearance of defects and non-uniqueness.
Wrought iron balconies
The most common options for wrought iron balconies are:
- Designs with projections. This part is quite narrow, so it will not be possible to arrange a flower garden or put storage equipment on such a fence.
- False balconies without a projection. The design has a flat shape and does not extend beyond the building.
- False balconies with glazing. It can be closed from all sides or only from the roof. The designs are used in the high-tech and modern directions. False balconies with glazing are suitable for city apartments. Glass should not be heavy.
- Cantilever type fencing. Such barriers still exist in old housing stock in many cities. They are a structure standing on cantilever metal or reinforced concrete beams.
- Balcony standing on the bay window of the floor below it. This design solution is more difficult to implement. The advantages of this option will be to withstand a lot of weight. Most often, the structure on the bay window is decorated with heavy glass inserts. This design is used in large country houses.
The architectural features of the fence and the type of house on which the balcony will be installed affect its height. If the building is no more than 25 meters, the size of the fencing structure is chosen to be 0.8-1 meter. If the house is higher than this value, a balcony with wrought iron railings is made approximately 1.2-1.3 m.
Requirements
The main requirements that loggia railings must meet are safety and attractive decorativeness (so that the facade sparkles with new colors).
There are many materials from which parapets are made, as well as original decorative options for their creation and design. For example, steel fences for simple stairs and roofs, made in a single stylistic tandem, look gorgeous.
At the neighbors
All designs must meet the parameters and have a state standard:
- In the first place - safety, reliability, strength; on the second - decor.
- The height of the balcony fencing is from 1 to 1.2 m (GOST 25772-83, SNiP).
- A meter (linear) of handrails must be durable and easily withstand loads of 100 kg. This is especially true if external parapets made of plastic or glass are installed.
- Fence elements must have distances between each other not exceeding 12 cm (GOST 25772-83 “Fences”). If the gap is larger, then, for example, a child may get stuck in it or a pet may fall out.
- All parts must be in perfect condition (no cracks) and not subject to corrosion.
- Smoothness of parts, absence of sharp elements (art forging).
- Balcony railings are attached to the base of the floor and the wall.
In front of the house
Popular destinations
Wrought iron railings can vary in style:
- Rococo . It is distinguished by the inclusion of a large number of artistic elements. These include birds, flowers, leaves on lace made of cast iron curls. An additional element will be smooth curves.
- Modern . They are characterized by a simple form without unnecessary decoration. They are able to make the design of the house laconic and strict.
- Baroque . The decor of this style intertwines tetrahedral and round rods. All details must be strictly symmetrical. Metal is often complemented with wood inserts.
- Russian-Byzantine style . Characterized by the use of many small parts with repeating symmetrical patterns.
- Loft . Straight-shaped elements have the simplest pattern. This style is now at the peak of popularity.
Modern design
Gothic is no less popular. This style is distinguished by a large number of volumetric iron patterns. It has a precise geometric composition.
Special offers for work on stair railings
| Name of works | Unit change | Cost, rub. |
| Departure for measurements (Moscow and Moscow Region) | 1 | from 3.500 rub. |
| 3D visualization | 1 | from 5,000 rub. |
| Geometric project | 1 | from 5,000 rub. |
| Production | m2 | from 3.500 rub. |
| Installation | m2 | from 1.700 rub. |
| Fare | for the service | from 3.500 rub. |
| Additional services | m2 | by agreement. |
Elements used
To diversify the decor, designers use ready-made forged inserts:
- Balusters . They act as a decorative and supporting element.
- Rings . They act as a separate design or part of a complex composition.
- Volutes . Characterized by an S-shaped or spiral shape.
- Cones . Used in Baroque style. They add sophistication and elegance to the railings.
- Profiles . They consist of thin ribbons with a square or round cross-section.
Drawings of grapevines are used as additional decoration. This floral motif is as popular as miniature flower baskets. In order to place real plants on the balcony, forged semicircular inserts are made on the outside. Pots with fresh flowers are placed in them.
A stained glass balcony is popular among many homeowners. It looks like a structure where transparent glass inserts are installed between metal parts.
Decoration options for forged fences
In the photo, forged balconies amaze with their beauty and abundance of details, which are used in different styles.
Decorative elements used in forging:
- Openwork patterns are present in almost all directions; these can be complex and intricate curves or simple and laconic curls.
- Particular attention is paid to floral arrangements in the form of bouquets of voluminous roses and peonies or tulip buds; daffodils and daisies look great in forging. Framed by oak, maple, birch and grape leaves, any flower will look perfect.
- The vine is used in many directions; it can be a composition in combination with flowers and natural ornaments.
- A variety of balls and garlands that stand out with other colors in the composition look great in forging; they can be complemented by chains with different weaves.
- Round details with ornaments along the edges in the middle of the composition, from which intricate patterns with flowers radiate.
- A small bird or butterfly, dragonfly or bumblebee can complement the composition.
Examples of decorative elements:
The pattern on the railings can be a continuous canvas or diverge from the center of the composition; this is especially successful in combination with semicircular and curved fences.
Pay attention to the connecting elements and rivets, which in a pompous and fancy pattern should correspond to the overall style. Rivet heads are often made in the form of small curls or leaves, which ensure continuity of the pattern and are completely invisible.
Forging masters provide a huge selection of compositions that you can choose to decorate your balcony. And lovers of the exclusive are given the opportunity to draw a sketch themselves, which will be executed exactly.
Types of construction
There are several options for railings:
- Angular _ They look unobtrusive and elegant. Suitable for corners of buildings.
- Semicircular . Made in the form of a hemisphere. They usually decorate the facades of houses in a restrained, strict style.
- Curved . They are used to improve buildings with an unusual design.
- Direct . Owners of buildings with columns will like it. Suitable for houses in a classic style.
The most common form of balcony railings is curved. This type includes radius and blown railings. Forged fences under a roof made of tiles, ondulin, polycarbonate or corrugated sheets are popular.
Radial balcony
Many homeowners prefer to install a vertical profile. This option does not have any frills in the form of internal or external bends. When selecting welded railings, the general architectural style of the building is taken into account. Remember that conventional multi-story buildings can support a certain amount of weight. Therefore, these parameters cannot be exceeded.
What should you consider before starting work?
Year after year, the demand for balcony railings made using forging is growing. The metal obtained in this way is not subject to corrosion and is very durable. When ordering such fencing from craftsmen or companies, be guided by the general style of the building. Then the facade will look harmonious.
First of all, you need to choose a manufacturer. Check all the details of the future project before it starts. Then find out how decorative and structural elements will be attached and installation.
Important parameters are the qualifications of the blacksmith. To develop a design sketch, you will need the help of a designer. He will help bring the homeowner's ideas to life. Equally important is taking into account the structural features. This parameter affects how the forged balcony will look. For example, angular, straight, etc.
The designer must:
- Calculate the reliability of a concrete slab for installation. The safety of all residents of the house will depend on this.
- Check the base of the balcony. There should be no cracks on it.
- Suggest the most successful types of barriers.
Most companies engaged in the production of handrails using the forging method have catalogs of ready-made options. A representative of the company can adjust the design project in accordance with the client’s wishes. For example, change some of the intricate inserts to simpler ones.
Stages of work
Before starting the process, you need to familiarize yourself with the approximate sequence of work.
- First of all, you must prepare your workplace. All objects interfering with installation are removed from the room, and if necessary, the power supply is turned off.
- At the second stage, all hidden communications are checked. When performing this step, be sure to ensure that there is access to the risers.
- At the third stage, delivery and unloading of installation structures and installation equipment.
- The next step is installation.
- At the fifth stage, all defects that arose during installation are eliminated.
- The final stage is checking all nodes, connections, signing the Acceptance Certificate.
In our company, you can order staircase cladding, with a choice of final design. For our part, we promise that the work will be completed strictly on time and with high quality.
Popular colors
The owner of the building must choose the desired shade of the balcony. Before painting, the surface must be thoroughly treated. The owner of the house is unlikely to cope with such labor-intensive work. He will clean the metal and treat it with a primer.
This substance will hide existing imperfections and create a smooth surface. At the last stage, the metal is coated with a heat-resistant substance. It fixes the paint and prevents it from fading in the sun.
Subtle colors are preferable for decorating balconies. You can give the railings a shimmer of precious metals (paint them like copper, bronze, silver or gold). All shades of gray, black and white look beautiful. Monochrome is used in standard versions. They are suitable for designing a structure in a classic style, as well as modern or high-tech.
Artificial aging of a metal base is very popular. This gives authenticity and nobility to the elements of the fence. To highlight individual places, they are painted with a different color (flowers, curls, etc.). The shade should be a tone darker or lighter than the main palette. It can be artificial bronze, gold or silver. The color is applied only to certain places.
Coloring rules
Alkyd and water-dispersion paints are most often used. The first ones give a rich color. They are resistant to adverse weather conditions. When using them, you must be careful because this dye is toxic.
It is necessary to carry out staining in a respirator or mask.
The downside is also the drying time. It must take at least 2 days for the alkyd paint to dry completely.
The water-dispersed variety has excellent adhesion to the metal surface, is quickly applied and is non-toxic. Due to exposure to ultraviolet rays, it may fade in the sun. Therefore, re-treatment will be required after a year.
It is necessary to carry out primary painting when there is no wind and strong humidity. The paint temperature should be from 15 degrees, and the air temperature from 19 to 35. Humidity should be at 50%. It is recommended to protect the slightly dried coating from exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Particular care must be taken when painting edges, ornaments, corners, lines and patterns.
Preferred Styles
The most attractive result will be achieved by decorating the balcony and the building in the same style. Consider the façade design and interior decoration. Just by changing the fences, it is easy to change the appearance of the building as a whole. After the structure of forged elements is ready, it is necessary to carefully inspect it.
Baroque style
There should be no chips, sharp edges or burrs. If there are wooden parts, they should be well sanded.
You also need to look at how the railings are attached. The fasteners must be screwed not only to the balcony itself, but also to the wall. All of the above affects not only comfortable use in the future, but also whether the fence will be safe for those living in the house.
DIY fencing
If you don’t want to contact a company or a craftsman, make such a design yourself. Safety will be guaranteed by competent installation, high-quality manufacturing and correct design. When developing a design sketch and choosing ornaments, you need to calculate how much the finished fence will weigh.
If this parameter is not taken into account, the site may collapse and cause harm to health. All workpieces must be well fastened together, and each element must be worked out with care.
Before installation, consider the installation rules:
- if the technical condition of the suspended structure is not in order, it needs to be strengthened and restored;
- large fencing is fastened section by section;
- the small fence is mounted entirely.
The project must include the development of a sketch and calculation of the price of consumables. To pour molds using the hot method, you will need a forge and other complex technical components. To create parts using the cold forging method, torsions and purchased or homemade bending mechanisms are required.
The resulting workpieces are completed by welding. Electric arc welding is used. You will need special clothing, an electrical holder, electrodes, a mask and a welding machine. After the fence with railings is ready, the welding joints are treated with a wire brush. The finishing touch will be degreasing the surface with a solvent, priming and painting.
Forged-welded fencing
This metal fencing for balconies combines the advantages of forged and welded fencing (see photo). Forged-welded structures have quite affordable prices, but they are more expensive than welded ones. And they also have a more diverse selection of decorative patterns. After all, forged decorative elements are welded to the main welded frame.
There is only one drawback. Although a forged-welded fence is almost as strong as a solid forged one, you still have to take care of its welding seams. Don't forget to prime them every 3-5 years.
Forged-welded fencing looks more like forged than welded
The fence design matches the house perfectly
