17 August 2018
After investing in a set of new, bespoke wooden stairs, it is more than likely that they will become one of the most important features in your home. However, unlike traditional stairs, your new investment will require a little bit of TLC to keep it in its peak condition. Due to the differences in the wood that have been used to create your new staircase, including variations in the colour, natural grain, heat resistance and levels of moisture that it is likely to absorb, maintenance will need to be kept in mind. We’ve included a few areas below which require special attention to inform you of how best to undertake this.
Each of our sets of wooden stairs has been created from timber, and while we believe that this is the best material for us to use, it happens to be hygroscopic. What this means that immediately after the wood has been cut, it begins to absorb water. The amount of water absorbed by timbers depends on the environment - the air that it has been exposed to. Humidity is the most significant contributor to this change. The percentage of relative humidity in your home can vary throughout the year. When exposed to moisture or water the wood can change in size through contracting and expanding. Although it is unlikely that these changes will be noticeable, additional factors such as severe whether or excess water applied directly to the wood can make these changes noticeable and the results undesirable.
There are many different things that you can do to minimise timber fluctuations, but maintaining a similar climate year-round is the easiest. This will reduce the likelihood of any deformities appearing on the staircase and is the best way at keeping its appearance unchanged. Our recommended humidity levels are 40-55%. One of the best ways to monitor this is by creating a stable environment in the room, as this plays a large part in the relative humidity levels.
Another way to reduce the moisture levels is by making sure that the room is damp proofed. Any additional moisture that the floors or walls may still contain (which is often the case with new buildings) will have a negative impact on your staircase and can cause slits on the surface, as well as issues as a result of timber expansion. It is vital that you check for dampness because, in this instance, it can ruin the structural integrity of your staircase and may affect the stair stability.
To avoid any water damage when cleaning, we would suggest using a very slightly damp cloth. This will prevent any water residue from soaking into the timber structure and perhaps compromising it. The cloth should be slightly damp and should have no other cleaning substances on it, such as chemical cleaners or detergents. Furthermore, if you’re looking to polish the surface, you must ensure you only polish surfaces that are not being walked on, as the polished surfaces are usually highly slippery.
In many homes, the installation of underfloor heating is desirable. However, exposing your staircase to too much heat can be detrimental. We would recommend 19-21°C to be the optimal temperature of the environment, with anywhere between 15-25°C as a standard. One of the reasons that it is crucial for the temperature to be somewhere between this region is so that the stairs do not dry out and start creaking. If the heat exposure is severe and prolonged, cracks or slits may also appear on your timber staircase. Storage heaters and central heating can sometimes cause issues, if they are positioned directly next to or underneath the staircase. If you think your staircase might be experiencing side effects as a result of heat exposure, it is crucial to look out for slits or creaks on timber surface and contact your stair supplier immediately for assessment and advice.
Due to the nature of timber, any prolonged period of exposure to light can impact the appearance of the wood; this can result in discolouration, as well as in bleaching or darkening. This can vary with species of wood, but also as a result of the finishing coat that was used. One of the easiest ways to ensure that the colour doesn’t alter too much is by opting for window films to filter out the UV rays, as well as installing blinds on any large windows protecting your staircases from prolonged direct sunlight.
