Replacing or renovating a staircase on your property is a big job.
From the moment you decide that a change is needed, to the moment you are stepping foot on your new steps, it is a long process.
One of the stages that occurs near the beginning of the process, but is of huge importance, is staircase design.
This shapes the entire project, and if done well, can be a big boost in ensuring everything runs on time and to plan and there are minimal repairs further down the line.
So, how can you make sure you’re getting your staircase design just right for you?
Well, County Stairs have created this step-by-step guide to help you do just that.
Let’s take a look.
Key Factors of Staircase Design
There are many things to consider when it comes to picking your staircase design, including:
- The Type of Staircase: Not all staircases are straight, you can have L shaped ones that go round corners as well as spiral ones. You can also have floating stairs if it will suit your property interior.
- The Materials: While most staircases in domestic properties are made from wood, this doesn’t have to be the case. Metal staircases are also very popular, as are glass ones which can add a really lovely design feature.
- Treads & Risers: Your staircase is made up of treads (the horizontal steps) and risers (the vertical bits that connect them) so choosing the right size and material for these to make sure your staircase looks great and works well is vital (any issues here can lead to squeaking which is never good).
- Handrails & Balustrades: Most staircases have handrails and balustrades (posts and panels etc.) for safety measures, but they are also a great design feature and you must take care that they work well with the rest of the staircase.
- Accessories: Once you have the main elements of your staircase decided on, it’s time to add smaller design features such as lighting if you’re adding it to the stairs, carving, finials, and other smaller decorative items.
These are the main things to consider when designing your staircase, but there are other things as well, so take some time making your choice to get the final product just right.
And when it comes to getting it just right, we’re here to help, with our seven-step guide to doing just that.
How to Pick the Right Staircase Design for You
Step 1: Work Out What You Need
The first step is to assess what you need from your staircase.
What kind of property is it being used for? How big does it need to be, and how much footfall will it be taking?
You also need to consider if it is for substance or style. Are you looking for something simple that will do it’s job, or something much more illustrious that will add a whole new design element to your home?
Right down the key things you are looking for and make sure your final design incorporates them.
Step 2: Assess Your Space
A huge factor on what you can achieve with your new staircase is the space provided to install it in.
You must measure the dimensions of the space accurately, and make sure you note down anything that could cause an issue, such as walls, corners, existing structures, and more.
Answering this question will point you towards the perfect style, as it may help cross some off that won’t work in your available space.
Step 3: Work Out Your Budget
The next step is to work out how much you can afford.
If you are looking to get something for a lower cost, then you can opt for a simple design, but if you have a large amount of money to spend, then you can opt for something a bit more extravagant.
Budget is important when it comes to staircases and many different materials and styles don’t come cheap, so spend a good bit of time working out what you can afford and be certain that you’re not going to run out of money halfway through the project as this could be disastrous.
Step 4: Pick Your Style
Next up, it’s time to decide how you would you like your staircase to look.
It’s vital that you think about the design of the property that it will be situated in, as you don’t want something that will stand out for the wrong reasons.
There are many different styles, as mentioned above, so try and picture them in your head and imagine how each will look and go for the one that offers the best visual and functional effects.
Step 5: Choose Your Materials
As part of the style choice, you will need to select some materials.
Do you want glass panels in your staircase to give it a modern feel, or do you want a rustic wooden staircase that will add a traditional touch to your décor?
The choice of material will not just alter how your final product looks, but also how much it costs, so make sure you’re working with your budget in mind when choosing.
Step 6: Consider Safety Regulations
There are certain rules and regulations that a staircase must adhere to in order to be classed as safe for use.
When planning your staircase design, you must make sure that your final product will fall under the current guidelines.
There are many things that may need to be considered here, including whether or not a handrail is used, how light the staircase will be, and the height and number of steps.
Step 7: Consult a Professional
If you’ve reached this final step and you’re still not sure what you want, it is time to consult a professional staircase expert who will happily come and discuss all available choices with you.
If you know exactly what you want, it is always wise to get someone to check your design anyway, just to make sure it is safe and achievable in your budget and time-frame.
Choosing to work with a staircase carpenter, such as County Stairs, will allow you to benefit from their expertise and workmanship as they help you formulate the ideal staircase for you and bring your vision to life.
Staircase Design with County Stairs
Staircase design isn’t easy.
There are many things to consider and many different options to choose from.
If you need a hand, then get in touch with County Stairs today. And in the meantime, why not see what our previous customers have said on our reviews page.
If you’re based in Bournemouth or the surrounding area, I would love to discuss your plans with you and create the ideal staircase for your property.
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