Staircase is a major architectural feature of the
house. Staircase can add considerable grace and elegance to your entry.
The design of the staircase is complex. Choosing right staircase parts
is extremely important. Stair-parts have to be well proportioned to the
overall staircase dimensions. The staircase's height, width,
and depth must be precisely connected and compatible with the space it
occupies. The vertical measurement of each stair step should be compatible
with the horizontal space of the stair where the foot rests. Staircase appears more
graceful if the horizontal plane is deep and wide.
Staircase can be bold
and dramatic or simply functional. Often staircase acts as a focal
point an can be aesthetically stimulating as well as serviceable. Today a lot of decorative staircase
parts are available on the market. Most of the stair parts caring
a dual value - they are decorative and functional at the same time. The
staircase consist of the horizontal parts, called the tread, and the
vertical parts, called the riser. Decorative parts of the
staircase are stair brackets, newel finials, stair rods, paneling, and
other trim embellishments.
Ideal staircase should be beautiful and safe at the
same time. In many old houses the staircase is two steep, it has risers
(the vertical part of the stairs) are more then 9 inches high. Most of
the times during renovation such staircase has to be reconfigured. The
staircase is one of the most regulated elements of the house, and any
changes you make to the staircase or its parts must be conform to the local building
code. Everything from the steps and stairwell width to the size of the
railing must meet strict specifications.
Most cosmetic changes of the staircase won't require a permit, but it's a good idea to start
your staircase planning process by getting a copy of the staircase code
from the local building department.
Ideally, the depth of the
tread parts should accommodate the entire length of the foot (11 inches are
generally used). Staircase riser parts should be no higher then 7 inches.
Staircase steps should be consistent in size.
A person expects and needs
each stair step of the staircase to be the same height and depth. Headroom
clearance should be planned for the top and bottom of the staircase
(6'8" is considered a minimum clearance).
The staircase treads and risers may be the most practical parts of a
staircase, but they also have a significant impact on the staircase
appearance. Traditional staircases usually have polished hardwood treads
and hardwood or paint-grade risers. If not left bare, they usually
receive a carpet runner, leaving the attractive finished edges of the
treads exposed.
The steepness of indoor staircase can vary by several inches, but six
inches is is average and comfortable stair height. Six inch stair
riser works well with a 12 inch deep stair tread (where your foot
rests). Most people appreciate generous stair treads that not only look
more graceful, but allow foot to rest fully.
If you live in an original eighteen-century house with a staircase that has narrow treads, you
might want to refrain from altering it. After all this staircase is an
inherent part of historical period. You can renew the old staircase by
adding runner and refinishing the ends of the steps. Carpet staircase
runners essentially offer the best of both worlds: the quiet, comfort,
and sure footing of carpet stairs and natural wood beauty of finish
stairs.
Runners are traditional staircase accents that add warmth
and a finishing touch to bare wooden staircase. Installing a runner is
not difficult with most staircases but does require carpet-laying tools.
Stair rods are popular traditional decorative parts for the staircase.
They are available in variety of styles and materials. Stair rod fits
over the crease were each stair tread meets the bottom of the stair
riser and are secured at the ands by decorative brackets.
In the past,
stair rods were functional staircase parts, they were used to hold stair
runners in place. Today they are purely decorative parts of the
staircase.
As to the modern carpeted staircases, one of the most dramatic and easy staircase
makeovers is turning a carpeted staircase version into a beautiful
finish staircase by removing the carpet and adding new hardwood
treads and riser panels. Replacing unfinished constriction grade steps
with hardwood is a good do-it-yourself project, but it is not for all
staircase types. It does not work with housed stringers, where the end
of the treads are seated in grooves and are too difficult to remove.
Also, if the balusters rest on the treads, replacing the treads involves
replacing the balusters.
Staircase unit that includes balusters,
newels and banister called balustrade. Balustrade is the most decorative
part of the staircase. The prominent post on the bottom of the staircase
is called the starting newel.
Newel usually set on the firs or second
step of the staircase, generally wider than the other steps. Beautiful
newels and balusters
are important staircase parts, they add substance and elegance to the
staircase and surrounding space. When the staircase banister curves
outward, or curls around, at its base to conform to widening, curving
steps (professional cal this section curtail), the starting newel is
referred to as an angular newel. Landing parts of the staircase also
have newels.
Today, safety codes dictate how close together the spindles
(balusters) holding up the handrail of a staircase (banister) must be.
Check the code before you fabricate a new balustrade and choose your
staircase parts accordingly. A staircase handrail (or banister) usually
mounted at 34" above the steps. Staircase balusters provide an upright
support for the handrail. Balusters should be placed close enough to
prevent toddlers from falling through the supports.
Often as you walk in the house the side of the
staircase is one of the firs things you see. A wonderful way to
embellished the sides of the staircase is to use a decorative
stair brackets.
Paneling is a popular way to dress up the staircase.
A novel variation of the paneling staircase treatment involves using
chair-rail to create a "shadow railing" on the staircase wall and panel
molding to create panels below it.
A shadow railing is not a functional
staircase railing, but merely projected trim-work that mirrors the lines
of the staircase balustrade. To see an example of staircase makeover
with us of molding and stair brackets click on following link -
staircase
with stair brackets. Next link will bring you to the page that
features architectural products needed to complete this staircase project -
staircase update.
With some staircase configurations you can also
add a hardwood starting step to enhance the foot of the staircase. When
added as an accent to the staircase, a starting step is a finished
hardwood step that replaces the first riser and tread of a
mitered-stringer staircase. Starting steps are wider than regular (48
inches or more wide). They create a kind of decorative platform
suggestive of grand staircase that widen toward the bottom. Often they
are rounded on their exposed end. When the staircase has a newel, it is
typically installed in the center of the starting step's bulldoze end.
The tread of most staircase steps has a projection called nosing, a
curved molding that overhangs the riser and overlaps the tread.
One of the most elegant uses of a starting step is as a base for a
newel.
