Archive for the 'Stairs' Category

You Build That Spiral Staircase

Some home renovations are relatively simple, so that nearly anyone with a little bit of time could do the remodeling themselves. Like an easy closet system. Other projects wouldn’t be undertaken by anyone less than a licensed contractor. Like digging a pool in the backyard. There are, however, renovations that fall in between. Believe it or not, with spiral staircase kits, spiral staircases are a fairly simple DIY project. With some basic tools and the right kit, any DIY enthusiast could take this one on.

A proper stair kit should include landing, railings, balusters, and treads, as well as easy to follow spiral staircase plans. Many manufacturers have a demonstration DVD or video, as well. With these things and the basic home shop tools, you should be good to go. It’s not a joke. The only question is, what is the spiral staircase design for you? Indoor, outdoor, spacious rooms, tight spaces, wood finish or metal…?

For the contemporary home, a metal spiral staircase with steel treads and clean lines is a perfect choice. The classic black and white contrast is a common buy. PVC hand railing to match the risers (or, steps) complete the look. You can find them in varying stair widths for different sized rooms.

A more classic look, of course, lies in the wooden spiral staircase. Solid Beach wood treads with black balusters or cherry wood with white balusters, oak on oak…don’t feel limited here. The wooden staircase you dream of has to be available somewhere.

From the patio to the second floor, you’ll want materials that are made to guard against rust and weather. An outdoor spiral staircase is constructed specifically to manage rough elements while still complementing the garden design in place. Subtle colors are the key here.

For stairs leading to attics and lofts, remember that you don’t have a lot of room to play with, especially as you reach the upper landing. Buy a kit with spiral staircase dimensions that will comfortably suit your needs. Slim treads and single side railings are common features. In awkward spaces or more complex designs, you can also buy stair kits that have a certain amount of flexibility. Both in stair height and rotation. This is more than do it yourself. It’s design it yourself.

Whatever the case, the DIY renovator ought to be thrilled with the prospects of a stair kit. All in one packages that can be completed in less than a day, and last a lifetime. This is productive creativity.

An Outdoor Spiral Staircase Is A Versatile Choice

An outdoor spiral staircase is a versatile and functional way to save space and add beauty to your home.

Outdoor spiral staircases can connect your deck to your patio below or provide an outside entrance to a finished attic or apartment space. In difficult layout situations, they are space efficient and add a dramatic impact. An outdoor metal spiral staircase can withstand weather and the environment while offering a lifetime of use.

Graceful and versatile, an exterior spiral staircase makes the maximum use of space available. The steps will be steeper and climb in a circular movement. When deciding whether to include one in your home, consider who will be using it and for what purpose. Large people and the elderly, or people with balance problems, will have difficulty negotiating the steep, narrow treads. The more narrow width means fewer items can be carried up and down on a regular basis.

outdoor spiral staircaseConsider the style, height, diameter, space available, materials and cost before choosing. Also, check local building codes. Some do not allow a spiral outdoor staircase to be installed for certain uses or structures. Make sure it is legal and then explore all your options before selecting your design.

Metal and wood are used in staircase construction. Metal can easily be custom formed into a variety of designs. Metals include galvanized steel, aluminum, iron and bronze. Iron, steel and bronze will last a lifetime. Aluminum comes in a wide variety of colors. A metal spiral staircase withstands tremors in areas that experience earthquakes. Galvanized steel is the best choice in coastal areas where salt water erodes other materials.

Oak, mahogany, cherry and maple all make a wooden spiral staircase with a warm, welcoming appearance. All woods should be treated for pest resistance and are affected by changes in moisture and humidity. Wood absorbs sound and is quieter than metal. Metal costs more than wood, but wood takes longer to install.

Outdoor spiral staircase kits are available for home installation. They are easier to put together than standard stairs, are often less expensive, and can usually be done in one day. Measure carefully for the correct floor to floor height and diameter you prefer. Make sure the open is the right size so the stairs will fit properly. If another person is not available to help, it is best to hire a professional. The final result will provide years of beauty and function.

An Exterior Spiral Staircase Is A Straight-Up Solution

When looking for practical solutions for access to multi-level structures, a homeowner may want to consider the addition of an exterior spiral staircase. In locations where space is limited or an attractive design element would enhance structural beauty, exterior spiral stairs can be an ideal choice for providing function with visual appeal.

In use for centuries in tight quarters where the use of large, straight staircase units was impossible, the spiral staircase has found new life for such purposes as balcony, deck and rooftop access. The wide variety of building materials available in today’s market offer additional interest in terms of strength, versatility and decoration. Exterior spiral staircases are available in wood, steel, aluminum, forged iron, simulated wood and composite, or a multitude of combinations. A huge selection of tread styles and materials provide for safety, durability and beauty.

exterior spiral staircaseIn considering the addition of an outdoor spiral staircase, homeowners have a number of options when it comes to construction. There are myriad companies all across the country who offer both custom built units and exterior spiral staircase kits, or the savvy do-it-yourself builder can avail himself of a good quality “how-to” book and tackle this challenging project from start to finish. In all cases, it is advisable to investigate building codes and have the prospective location checked by a building inspector prior to beginning any work. To ensure safety, many companies require the approval of a building inspector before they will ship their products.

A custom made metal spiral staircase is shipped fully assembled, complete with welding, which can be a big advantage in terms of quality and strength of the finished product, but can be a disadvantage to the pocketbook. Freight costs associated with large and heavy pre-assembled metal or wood stairs can be prohibitively high. Most manufacturers now offer a more cost-effective alternative in the way of spiral staircase kits, which can save the consumer in both product price and shipping costs. Additionally, ordering from a vendor in close proximity to your location can account for big savings, and as most reputable companies will provide free quotes, a little advance investigation can make the exterior spiral stair project simpler and more affordable.

Whether by installing a metal or wooden spiral staircase, or a combination of both, you can achieve a more efficient use of space, heighten a building’s curb appeal, and provide increased functionality with the addition of an exterior spiral staircase.

Make It A Metal Spiral Staircase

Looking for a change in a current staircase? Or is a new building project in order and you’re wondering about different staircase makes? A metal spiral staircase could be just what you’re looking for.

Spiral staircases are an architectural beauty, and they can enhance a home’s value. They are also great if you’re looking for a type of staircase that can save space. For an interior staircase, consider your choices of materials. While a wooden spiral staircase is the classic look, opting for a spiral metal staircase will give you a sleek, modern look, which can be very appealing.

metal spiral staircaseIf an exterior spiral staircase is needed, it is wise to choose a galvanized model. These do not easily rust (aluminum models do not rust at all), thus eliminating the need to constantly repaint the stair. They can be painted to any color later on, as long as there is a proper primer involved. Use an outdoor metal spiral staircase to add easy access from a patio to a second story balcony or from a second floor to a roof top view. Or use a metal made model to spruce up a condo.

Metal spiral staircases can be self installed or installed by a staircase provider. There are metal spiral staircase kits that come with detailed easy-install instructions. Using a kit is cheaper than paying for manual labor charges that come with having a staircase installed. But, if in doubt, it is worth it to pay a little extra for a reassurance of perfection. The staircases can be installed in as little as one day. There are many staircase manufacturers around the country. The shipping however, is not exactly low cost, and the staircases can run anywhere from $1,500 to $2,200, or even more, depending on your specifications.

There are some aspects to be considered before purchasing a spiral staircase. If older people or small children will be using the future staircase, it may be wiser to consider traditional staircases. If the staircase is going to be the main or only way to access a frequently used level, these type of staircases may not be best. Carefully consider other options if any doubts occur about the suitability of spiral staircases in your situation.

Many people all over the world are enjoying the beauty and architectural wonder of a spiral staircase. Whether an interior or outdoor spiral staircase, they both offer a wonderful design and function. A metal spiral staircase is a choice that will not be regretted.

The Wonderous Wooden Spiral Staircase

Nothing adds a touch of elegance to a house like a a wooden spiral staircase. A slip of pine connecting one floor to the next or the solid tornado of oak of an outdoor spiral staircase; either way, knowing how to build a wooden spiral staircase can help enhance the appearance of your house. Not only does it an extra degree of functionality, but it can also add a certain element of style.

Most wooden spiral staircase plans can be found online, and are easily followed by anyone with the requisite skills. If that was not easy enough for you, you can also find spiral staircase kits that already have all of the parts needed for your very own spiral staircase. It’s only a matter of following the instructions as given and you will have a beautiful piece of architecture that adds to the pleasure of your home.

wooden spiral staircaseOf course it needs to be noted that this is not going to be as simple as a metal spiral staircase. Wooden spiral staircases will need to be replaced sooner, even though their lifespan is still measured in decades. They will also require a little more maintenance, especially if you have an exterior spiral staircase; for that one, you need to add protection against sun and rain, which will need to be replaced every few years. You will need to make sure that the spiral wooden staircase remains smooth, as splinters are always a possible issue. But, a little maintenance goes a long way, and with a little care wooden spiral staircases can outlast their metal counterpart.

With an emphasis on ecological issues it is hardly a surprise that home owners are looking for more organic solutions to decorating a house, and wood, which can help warm up an otherwise cold environment. Wood also has a more tactile-friendly feel to it; metal tends to be cold and alien compared to the warmth and earthiness of wood, as well as lacking the smell of wood. It also shows more of an DIY spirit than metal, which is usually just bought and placed.

A wooden spiral staircase may not solve all of your decorating problems but will make your house more of a home. There is just something about a functional piece of wood in your house that makes it seem that much more friendly than a piece of metal, no matter how pretty the metal looks. It’s just something that looks and feels like part of a home.