5 Important Things to Consider When Purchasing Stairs and Railings

When building or renovating a home or commercial property, the stairs and railings are often the last thing on one’s mind.  There are many other design features that get more attention in the media.  However, if you are building or renovating any building with more than one story, it is important to give some thought to the stairs that you will install.

It is vital that stairs both function properly and fit in with the design of the building.  In order to ensure that you are satisfied with your choice of stairs and railings, consider the following factors:

1. Price

Your budget will affect the options that are available to you when shopping for stairs and railings for your home or business.  Depending on the amount of money you want to spend, you may have to compromise on some aspects of the stair’s design or the materials used.

2. Custom vs. Pre-made

Simple stairs are often built in place during building construction.  It may be possible, however, to save money on a simple staircase by purchasing pre-made stairs from a retailer.

If your space or requirements are not standard, you will need to order a custom-made staircase.  Custom stairs and railings enable you to encorporate a high-quality custom look into your building without the necessity of having a specialized tradesperson on site.

3. Safety

Safety is one aspect of your stair and railing system on which you should never compromise. Poor design or construction, and improperly installed or missing handrails can make your new staircase unsafe for you and your family to use.

Particularly if you have children in the house, you may consider installing a return stair instead of a straight stair, to prevent anyone falling down an entire flight of stairs.  It is also important to ensure that rails on railings are the proper distance apart, which will ensure that children aren’t able to slip through and fall.

4. Material

Stairs and railings are typically made of wood, particularly in residential buildings.  However, metal is also used, especially in more modern homes and commercial buildings.  Other materials can also be used or incorporated into your stair or railing design, but would likely require a custom order.

5. Aesthetics and design elements

Stairs and Railings can contribute to the aesthetics of your building.  They offer an important architectural feature that runs between floors.  It is possible for stairs to be a focal point, particularly outdoors stairs and those in a front entry or foyer. It is important that the style of your stair and railing blends with the rest of the building or room to avoid a disjointed look.