19 October 2018
So, you’ve decided to look at buying new stairs for your home. Maybe you’ve bought a new home and are looking to transform it into something unique, or perhaps you’ve had enough of staring at the mundane staircase that you’ve lived with for years. Either way, congratulations! Stairs are an important part of any home and can transform your living space into something special, something you maybe didn’t believe was possible.
However, getting a new set of stairs is not as simple as changing the wallpaper in the front room. There’s a lot of things to consider, and with stairs that could last a lifetime, it’s vital that you take everything into account to make sure you get exactly what you need and desire.
If you’re starting on the journey to a new staircase, take a look at this list of things to remember when buying new stairs for your home.
This is often something that is completely forgotten at first, but if you are thinking of replacing the stairs currently in your home, there is an opportunity to change the entire outlook of the property by moving the location of the staircase.
The traditional idea of having stairs in the area by the entrance to the property often causes an awkward flow of traffic, while also taking up space that could be used alternatively. While this classic look can suit some homes, many more people are placing stairs deeper in their house, in more central spaces such as the living room. If you have an open-planned space, a spiral staircase in the centre of the home could make a fantastic focal-point for the property.
This is a much more frequent question for modern homeowners looking for a more exciting stair arrangement. A lot of people see the charming, modern style of floating zigzag staircases and immediately set their hearts upon that design, but it’s important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of both sides first.
Straight staircases are the easiest for all types of people to navigate, and when done right can be just as appealing as the other styles. However, they can take up more space than a spiral staircase. The opposite goes for spiral staircase styles – while they can be visually exciting, especially in open-planned homes, the limited walking space can make it especially difficult to move furniture to upper floors. Both spiral and straight staircases can be made in various styles and designs; starting from traditional to super-modern or to unique Art-décor style. Let’s not forget even the straight staircases can have an added element of curve, usually achieved by adding curved handrails or curved inner stringers.
Thankfully, there’s a style that works perfectly for every home and for every space, whether it’s straight, spiral, helical, floating, or the many variations in between. Our bespoke wooden staircases are designed with your home at the heart, so that you can be guaranteed the perfect form for your space.
It is crucial to consider what material the stairs should be made of prior to purchasing the stairs. Remember that stairs are not designed just to look fashionable in your home, they perform a key task in the property and will be in near constant use by different people. The material used for stairs must be safe and suitable to perform this function, moreover, the material should be resilient and long-lasting.
Glass staircases are popular with modern decors and can be very effective, but they can easily scratch over time and it is more likely they will crack if something’s dropped on them. Glass staircases are also usually see-through, which needs to be taken into account when deciding on the stair location. Stone and concrete can create a striking effect but can sometimes lack the comfort required in a home. Recent stair trends indicate the concrete is often cladded, for example with a decorative stone, which usually only works for very large properties and extra-grand staircases. While metal staircases are becoming increasingly unattractive in modern properties, it can be very effective to combine the steel elements with different components, i.e. glass or timber. A hint of metal goes a long way and, particularly for unusual stair constructions, steel can provide a much-needed support.
By far the most popular material for stairs is, still, wood. Extraordinarily versatile and with excellent longevity, it is the most effective way of creating a staircase designed perfectly for your home. With our vast range of Grade-A timbers you will be spoilt for choice when deciding the perfect wood species for your stairs.
Hopefully, this list of questions has sparked your mind into imagining your dream set of stairs. The staircase is one of the most important parts of the home, and when done right it can truly transform a property. Get in contact with us today for a free quote or request a call-back from our designers.
