Transform your staircase in 5 simple steps

Don’t leave it up to the experts to decide what you want to do with your staircase. With some careful thought and consideration you can find the perfect staircase to suit your home. What’s more, it’s a lot easier than you think, which is why id modern stairparts has put together this handy checklist to create a beautiful new staircase in 5 simple steps:

1. Choose a style

Take time to decide on the style and material of staircase you want. There are many options available from ornate traditional stairparts, to plain and simple styles, right through to cutting edge designs for a sleek, contemporary look.

Choose from classic timber, which is seeing a huge increase in popularity and range this year, from the timeless appeal of modern oak to the ultra modern look of American Black Walnut. Alternatively select a more contemporary material such as glass or metal. Match your stairparts to the style of the interior design in your home, or go for a bold contrast – there are no rules, the choice is up to you!

2. Find a supplier

Don’t base your supplier choice purely on price, as quality can vary greatly from company to company. Choose a reputable stairparts manufacturer. Remember, you might only renovate your stairs once in a lifetime, so it’s important to ensure your stairparts will be able to stand the test of time.

*Top Tip – Ask a professional – A joiner who has experience of staircase renovations will be able to recommend a reliable supplier of quality stairparts and may also be able to get a better deal for you!

3. Draw a sketch

If you’re fitting your staircase yourself, a quick plan view sketch will make it much easier to calculate your quantities and explain the layout to a stairparts supplier and therefore get an accurate quote.

4. Select quantities           

Have a rough idea of the quantity of stairparts you will need at the outset. Consider:

How many treads does your staircase have? Treads are the flat top surface of each step. A standard staircase has 13 but this does vary.

How many spindles do you need? A good guide is to calculate that you will need two spindles per tread.

What length of handrail do you need? Most stairparts suppliers produce standard sizes – 1.8m, 2.4m, 3.6m, 4.2m so you may have to round your measurement up and adjust accordingly.
How many newels do you need? A standard staircase will require one newel at the bottom and one at the top. You will also need a newel post if your staircase turns a corner, and you are likely to need a half newel post on your landing where the landing handrail meets a wall. This will vary for different stair layouts, and don’t forget you will need newel caps for the top of your newel posts.

Is your staircase non standard? Quantities will vary for dog leg staircases or those with a landing, so make sure you account for this.

5. Arrange the fitting        

Fitting is a job for either a professional or somebody confident and competent at DIY, as parts will need to be cut accurately and neatly. If you’re not confident in your own capabilities, be sure to find a reliable joiner or carpenter with experience of staircase renovation.

*Top Tip – Stick to your style.
If you are enlisting the help of a professional, make sure you stick to the style you want. A joiner may not necessarily recommend stairparts based on their aesthetic qualities or suitability for your home.