STAIRS

The options for modernising your stairs are more wide and varied than you may realise. Fortunately there are a number of companies possessing the skills to turn your existing staircase into a feature of your home. Coincidentally, the popularity of modern contemporary living has assisted the development of many new designs, meaning any home with a staircase can benefit from a design that adds character and value.

If removing your existing staircase is a daunting prospect, or outside of your available budget, its best to focus on what can be done to change the appearance of what you already have. Almost any staircase can be remodelled with a little creativity, vision and the right professionals to carry out the work. Initial makeovers of existing stairs were, and still are undertaken by cutting and drilling the newel posts, then inserting turned newels, new spindles and handrails. Although, there is much more that you can do besides. Your existing stairs can be totally covered so that they look brand new, including your steps and strings (side of stairs). Glass, chrome, stainless steel, and even stone can be incorporated for homeowners that want a modern or contemporary staircase that flows with their overall design concept. The key is to make sure you employ the right people with relevant experience to carry out such an overhaul. There are plenty of highly skilled people who can do this sort of work, but ensure you ask to see examples of their previous workmanship before making a decision.

If your existing stairs are beyond improvement, or the cost of a full overhaul is becoming overly expensive, then it may be time to consider a complete replacement. Once you reach a certain point in overhauling an existing flight of stairs, the labour costs of covering everything can easily exceed what you will pay for a totally new staircase. Although some companies can provide both services, make sure that you directly employ experienced staircase manufacturers when choosing the completely new option. There are many considerations when totally replacing stairs, and the most experienced manufacturers may be able to greatly improve upon the existing configuration. Obviously when you completely replace, your design options increase significantly. You may want to create more light and space by having an open rise, incorporate different materials for specific parts of the flight, create your own unique design, or prefer a certain species or mixture of solid timbers. All are possible with a brand new staircase.

Besides being well constructed in your preferred style and materials, the best stair configurations have a pitch that affords a pleasant journey travelling both up and down, minimal angled steps in it's landings (Known as kite steps), plenty of headroom, and a generous overall width that dosen't encroach or become overbearing to the occupied area.

Although it’s important to have the design that most appeals to you, it’s also advisable to ensure that any new staircase fits with the character of a property, and is able to accommodate decorative changes. While it’s fine to change your wallpaper, furniture and colour scheme on a fairly regular basis, doing the same with your stairs is an expense you cannot recoup. So be careful of “FAD” designs that change like the wind, especially if you don’t plan on staying in the property for the next 5-10 years.

 For too long a staircase had been seen as simply a means of getting from floor A to floor B, unless you owned a large house with main hall area. The layout of most older properties  incorporated a steep staircase being thrown between walls or in a corner, insinuating the item is some kind of inconvenience. Homeowners of today are focusing far more attention onto their staircase and many are being installed as the main feature of a property. It’s not uncommon to hear a staircase now being referred to as a showpiece, or piece of furniture. 

Semi-detached houses from the 1930’s onwards afforded larger hallways and subsequently more space for the stairs, but the majority were characterless with boarded balustrades. It’s a similar story for the larger houses built in the 60’s and 70’s, although it did open the space somewhat, the “Ranch style” design was also devoid of any real character. From around the mid 80’s this began to change. 

Turned spindles and newel posts have since become commonplace in the majority of houses, and there are literally hundreds of designs to choose from. Even if you don’t find a style to your liking, absolutely any type of turning you can think of can be produced on a lathe. There are still a few people able to do this in the traditional way by hand and eye, but newel posts and spindles are now manufactured en masse by computerised or manually operated copy lathes. 

The modern staircase can be constructed from a full range of materials or even a combination of them, such as timber, glass and steel being used in one single staircase. Although distinct materials and all manner of elaborate designs are fully available, the classic styles or slightly more modern versions are still the most popular. A staircase should flow with the rest of the environment it occupies and be in-keeping with colour scheme and décor. There’s no point placing a retro styled glass and steel staircase in an Edwardian mansion steeped with traditional features, it simply won’t work. If your concept is open plan with clean straight lines then look for a stair design that compliments the rest of the house. For example; square rather than turned spindles and newel posts, or maybe glass panelling secured on steel clamps if everything else is very modern and minimalist. 

Whoever you employ to construct your new staircase should be looking at what fits best with your property and your personal design preferences. The difference of cost in specific materials can be vast so always ask for alternatives that may give the same effect at a fraction of the cost. Using a timber like American White Ash and having it coloured to your taste rather than paying for Oak or American Black Walnut can afford a huge saving with little or no loss of effect. Similarly replacing glass for Perspex or chrome for stainless steel will also be beneficial when working within a budget. If using alternatives doesn’t satisfy you and your budget is being compromised then the slightest change in design can sometimes have the biggest financial effect.

If you have an existing staircase, explore the possibility of having it modernised with new stair parts which will likely cost a fraction of complete replacing it. Finally, there’s a minefield of regulations surrounding stairs so be sure to have a reputable and experienced company measure and construct it for you.  

BASIC STAIR REGULATIONS FOR A PRIVATE DWELLING:

1)Maximum pitch = 42 degrees 2)Maximum rise per step = 220mm 3)Minimum tread per step = 220mm 4)Minimum handrail height = 900mm from tread pitch line 5)Maximum space between spindles = 100mm at optimum point 6)Minimum allowable width = 600mm 7)Any glass incorporated must be toughened and polished edge  

Always consult your building inspector if you have any doubts or concerns.