A stairway adds a nice touch to any home. Whether your stairs only have three steps or you have a long flight of stairs in your home, one thing is evident. The structure helps family members ascend and descend comfortably and safely.
Stairs, regardless of their shape and size, need to be properly constructed to make it safe to use by people. The right measurements have to be taken before installing the vital parts. Carpenters are skilled in this task and if you’re not knowledgeable on this aspect of home construction, it would be best to get the help of qualified carpenters to assist you. If you’ll be ordering your stair railing, you will have to provide the company with the precise measurements.
To get the measurements, you will need to get the average rise and run of steps or the height and width, the number of stairs or treads, measurement from tip to tip as well as from the house to the tip of front steps and the angle of the staircase.
The shapes of stairs have evolved since the olden times. Some people know this structure to be just the straight one. Today, however, there are different shapes of staircase such as the round and spiral apart from the straight type.
A flight of stairs is composed of different parts. The tread is what people usually step on and this requires a certain thickness. The riser is the vertical part between each tread while the nosing is the edge portion of the treat that protrudes over the riser. A major component is the balustrade system which includes the balusters, handrail and the railing. The stair railing is the one that prevents people from falling over the edge of the structure. The part where the railing is attached is called the newel or a large baluster.
Railings need to be sturdy and firm to ensure the safety of those who use the staircase. Depending on the choice of material, they have to be built in a way that will not allow any adult or child to get through it. A very common type of stair railing makes use of vertical posts or balusters made of wood. Two of these posts, also referred to as spindles or guards, are normally required for each tread.
But with the entry of various materials, different designs can be used for the railing posts notably for the open styles. Homeowners with small children who want to provide a safe environment for their kids can choose a close type of railing for their stairway.
If you’re living in a home that’s been existing for quite some time, ensure that your stair railing is intact with its posts, balusters and handrails not loose. Should you observe some loose parts, act right away to have it fastened by an experienced carpenter. Doing it yourself especially without proper background may be difficult as the balustrade system normally involves long bolts and pins.
If the stair railing, however, is quite old for you, you can always have it changed. There are companies that build and assemble precut railings and get rid of your old one.