Staircase Remodeling Ideas and Tips!

A staircase can be quite a focal point for anyone entering your house. As a homeowner, you need to be very careful when deciding to remodel your staircase. There are several possibilities, but you want to find the right for you. Staircases like many other home projects have designs that reflect the time period in which the house was built. Remodeling a staircase the right way can make your current staircase sturdier and far more attractive.

Here are some useful tips for homeowners looking to remodel their staircase:

Take some time to figure out what areas will be painted and what areas will be covered with wood.

When remodeling a staircase, always follow the rules and stay within the appropriate building codes. Depending on how you want your stairs built, building codes can cover numerous aspects of your home. In general, the codes are very easy to follow.

Begin your staircase remodeling project by selecting the type of stairs you want to build. You can choose from spiral, straight, winding L , double L, or U shaped stairs. Space is always the biggest consideration while making your choice. Remember that it is much easier to maintain or be creative with the same type of stair that is already present.

You can also get plenty of information from the websites on the internet that list building code models for cities and counties. Just note that your city or county may not be listed, and you might have to do a little more searching.

Furthermore, your local city or country building department can provide helpful information on the codes you’re looking for and can help point you in the right direction.

Another source of information can be from people you know who have successfully remodeled or built new staircases in their own homes. Always double check though to make sure the information is reliable.

Encinitas Stair Builder | Stair Contractor in Encinitas

Remodeling a new staircase can be difficult task. Before you meet with your stair contractor for staircase remodeling ideas you should familiarize yourself with the different parts in a custom staircase remodel. These parts will help you come up with a finalized staircase design.

Baluster: A vertical member used between railing and tread or floor. Balusters provide support, safety and stability to the balustrade.

Balustrade: The name for a complete assembled rail system.

Bow newel: A large square newel that is hollow inside, used at starting steps or in post to post balustrades.

Box stair: A stair where the stringers house the treads and risers, forming a box like unit.

Bracket: Generally referred to as a tread or stringer bracket; this is a scroll shaped ornament fastened to an open stringer.

Cap: The round portion of a fitting which flares, permitting the fitting to set onto the top of a newel post. Cap fittings are used in an over the post balustrade system.

Cove molding: A trim molding used to finish the joint where the face of the riser and the underside of the tread join.

Easing: That portion of a fitting which curves upward or downward, permitting the handrail to deviate from the rake of the staircase. Easing create a smooth transition, so that the hand can glide across the rail as it changes direction.

Fillet: A thin molding that is fitted into plowed handrail and shoe rail between balusters.

Gooseneck: A fitting used where the rake rail must rise vertically to meet a balcony or landing. Goosenecks can also facilitate directional changes.

Hand rail: The rail used as a hand hold or support in balustrade systems.

Landing newel: The longer newel post used at landing and balconies where the rake rail changes direction or pitch and then continues on. The length of the newel is governed by the number of risers at the point of vertical transition.

Landing tread: A nosed and rabbeted tread like molding used to form a finished surface at landing and balconies.

Level quarter turn: A fitting that permits level handrail to turn 90 or 135 degrees, available with or without cap.

Level rail: Handrail used on the level portion of a balustrade.

Newel: A vertical post used to start a post to post balustrade, also used at points of vertical and directional change. Newel posts provide the majority of the structural rigidity of a balustrade system.

Open stair: A staircase where the stringer has been cut out so that the stair treads are exposed on one or both sides of the staircase.

Over the post: A balustrade system which uses fittings on top of newel posts, creating an uninterrupted handrail.

Contact one of our experienced stair builders today for any questions you may have!

Staircase Foundations - Custom Stair builder

Stairways are more than just a way for us to get from one floor to the other. The right foundation can enhance the overall look of your stairway. Here are the various types of staircase foundations used by a stair builder:

Wood Stairs
Wood foundations are simpler, quicker and cheaper to construct than many other foundations. Wood stairs are perfect for both indoors and outdoors. It has a very traditional look to it.

Glass Stairs
A glass foundation is a great piece in anyone’s home. It’s very unique because glass has a modern feel to it and it fits perfectly into new homes. It’s also versatile enough to work in existing structures. A glass foundation can enhance the feel of the room by making look a lot bigger.

Metal and Steel Stairs
This is a good alternative to wooden staircases. These types of staircases add a certain style and elegance to indoor settings. If durability and longevity is a priority for you, then metal and steel foundations rate highly.

Concrete Stairs
A concrete foundation is a good option for your interior and exterior. This type of staircase can be made to resemble marble, granite and other fancy floors. The concrete stairway is considered to be the most durable foundation.

Carpet Stairs
Homeowners find carpet stairs to be very beneficial. This is because the carpeting on the stairs provides better footing, especially for younger children and older adults. A carpet foundation is also a noise insulator, it reduces the loud clomping as people go up and down the stairs. Last but not least, carpeting also provides a warm and inviting appearance  to the décor of the home.

Tile Stairs
A staircase with a tile foundation is generally built using either marble tiles, ceramic tiles or terrazzo tiles. A tile foundation offers durability for the long term, and most importantly, it provides you with an endless variety of design options.

In many homes stairs are a focal point in the entryway. The choice of your staircase foundation depends on your personal situation and preference. Take into account the style of your home and your family members, as well as their needs. You have several options to choose from when dealing with a stair contractor, every foundation offers an elegant design.