We offer a huge range of balustrades for staircase renovations, but sometimes nothing beats the beautiful simplicity of a square oak balustrade. The vast majority of our work currently is light oak merged with glass balustrades, but we love the opportunity to show more natural timbers in our designs and nothing beats the clean finish of our Stratford spindle range.
This case study shows the journey that the Holmes family took with First Step Designs to create their dream staircase renovation.
Oak Spindle Staircase
Mrs Holmes used our request a quote service on our website to send images of the staircase and to request quotations for both a glass and timber staircase. We always advise what we feel will work best for each staircase, not only from an aesthetic point of view, but functionality too.
Since we use our specifalised CAD system to calulcate our quotations they are always right! Following the quotations, our designer went to visit the family to discuss ideas further and present the images below of both glass and timber spindles!
Mrs Holmes was keen to keep the sides of the staircase (known as the strings) white as per the original staircase. Many of our clients prefer to clad the strings of the staircase so that once the carpet has been refitted, it looks like a brand new solid oak staircase, but Mrs Holmes had a different idea.
When using solid oak, newels, handrails, base rails and spindles there is a lot of timber in one area. It is important to break this up from time to time as to not overdo the final finish of the wood. Remember this is a luxorious timber that should not be overused, as it will lose its aura.
Alternatively if we were to use a glass balustrade, this would actually break up the finish itself and string cladding could offer that extra design edge to the staircase. So upon the consultation, we shared both of these styles in order for the family to choose what was perfect for them, before committing to any type of purchase.
We show all aspects of the staircase throughout our visuals to ensure all details are agreed and our clients fully understand the ins and outs of the staircase. Once we have an agreed design, the same designer conducts a full survey of the staircase and we move to production of components! The next people you see will be our installation teams, no middle men means competitive prices and nothing lost in translation.
Staircase Renovation Installation
At no point during the staircase renovation process can you not use your staircase. If there are structural posts, we prop the staircase to ensure that it does not move at all during the installation process. During the first day of the installation, we always aim to get all the newel posts on the staircase installed to perfection. This is the most important part of the staircase as these are all the structural members of the flight, all the treads and risers are blocked and wedged inside the strings of the staircase (sides) so these can remain self-supporting to a certain extent.
Following the newel posts we tend to install the cladding throughout the staircase. Mr and Mrs Holmes only wanted to have their apron to be finished in oak. This is the vertical section between the ceiling and the first floor level. We use 6mm wood for our cladding, this is the only timber component that is not a solid hardwood, as it is only a fascia and not structural to the staircase or balustrade.
The chosen style of balustrade and rails are the last section of the staircase to be installed. We boast a huge range of designer spindles in all types of timber and also offer a huge variety of glass products and styles. Whatever your taste, First Step Designs has you covered.
To finish the installation, we replaced the understair cupboard doors to match the staircase. All our products are finished with a matte 5% natural lacquer, to preserve the natural timber finish as much as possible. This goes through all of our products, but if you wish to change this just let your designer know and they will accommodate your taste accordingly.
Following the installations there is very minimal redecoration required, we take care of our clients home throughout the installation and keep disruption to a minimum at all times. This installation was complete with no making good necessary!
This large staircase installation was complete in under three days and the client was thrilled with the final finish from First Step Designs!
We follow the same process for all of our inquiries and orders:
- Free online quotation
- Design consultation and presentation of drawings
- Survey the same day as the consultation (if the order is placed)
- Drawings and installation plans sent to clients
- Installation Date confirmed
- Complete installation usually complete within 48 hours
- 10 year warranty on completion.
This particular project was priced at
£5,525 +VAT
Why not give us a call today for your own no obligation quotation and take the First Step to a new designer staircase.
01782 959300
We would love to hear from you.