A Few Simple But Important Reminders When Choosing New Stairs for Your Home
If you are having a new home built or are putting your current home through some major remodelling, you may need to choose the type of staircase you want installed. Don't assume that standard wood steps and a bland railing are your only option, as an open or overly large staircase can be a focal point of the home; investing in a unique material for stairs and balustrades can ensure the staircase looks its best and reflects your personality. At the same time, you don't want to sacrifice safety for style. Note a few important reminders to consider when choosing new stairs for your home, and this will ensure you make the right choice.
Slope
Fitting stairs into a cramped space can be a challenge, but you don't want to have an overly steep staircase or simply opt for rounded stairs. These can both be very difficult to manage, especially if you're carrying laundry baskets or anything else up and down the stairs. Consider adding a landing and turning the staircase instead, so they're not as steep and are much safer to use.
Railing
If the staircase is enclosed, you may not think of adding a railing, assuming that you have no risk of falling, or that you can simply hold the wall for balance. This can be a mistake, as holding the walls for balance will mean grubby handprints that look very unsightly! Always consider some type of railing on at least one side of a residential staircase, for safety. This railing doesn't need to be bland wood; opt for a stainless steel railing for a modern look, or a twisted and fabricated aluminium in a matte black to offset a traditional look in the home. A wood railing painted in a bright colour can also be a very unique touch.
Surface material
The surface material of the risers or stairs should have some traction so they're safe for walking. At the same time, this material should match or complement the style of the home. If you want timber risers to match timber floors, consider a carpeting runner that goes up the middle of the stairs. If the home's flooring is carpeted, you might consider a different material to offset the look of that material; opt for a complementary tile with pits and grooves that add traction, as an example, or timber stairs that are painted with a textured paint that is also safe for walking, but which doesn't exactly match the rest of the home's flooring.
Share
