Stairway Tips

When thinking of building or remodeling your stairway, do visions of geometry class come rushing to mind? Are you so intimidated by the math that you just want to install an elevator? Maybe you understand the math, but have exactly zero ideas for the perfect spiral design? Read on for some tips and suggestions that are guaranteed to help.

Get a copy of the building codes for your area and study the stairway section. There are industry standards, but the local building codes in your area may differ slightly, and you don’t want to rip out a lovely oak stairway because of a technicality.

What kind of material will be used? Is the stairway a central focal point of the room, or is it just a functional way to move from floor to floor? There are many, many materials that are suitable for stairway construction. Steel, Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Brass, Bronze, Oak, Pine, Walnut, Teak, Cherry, Glass, Acrylic, and Rustic Logs are all readily available.

Are your stairs going to be carpeted? Is there a need for a non-slip coating of any sort? Visualize how the covering will look on the completed stairway. Make your material choice with this combination in mind.