· Question. How much does a stair cost? It's amazing how often we get asked this question given it's obvious answer.
· Answer. Depends on all sorts of things like how many risers the stair has, what type of material the stair is made of, what type of balustrading and all sorts of other variables. Think of a number between $1200 and $20,000 and 9 out of 10 stairs would fall somewhere in between that in terms of price. The average would probably be around $4000.00 +.
· Question. Will the stairs squeak?
· Answer. If stairs are built correctly they wont squeak. The traditional method of building stairs is using wedges and glue blocks.
The wedges hold the treads and risers tight into the housings and the glue blocks prevent movement between the treads and risers therefore preventing
the squeaks occurring. There's nothing worse than a stair that squeaks, it's like a tap that drips, always there,
getting more annoying every time you hear it.
Like having an itch you can't scratch.
· Question. What is the correct pitch (angle) for my stair in terms of walking comfort?
· Answer. There is no optimum angle as such but certain combinations of the going (width of tread) and the rise (riser height) perform much better than others. Generally the wider the going the smaller the rise is the rule of thumb. i.e. If the going is 300 mm the rise should be around 150 mm. As the going decreases in width so the rise should increase in height. So optimum combination with say a 250mm going would be a 175mm rise. If space is tight and the going needs to be 240mm the best rise is between 185mm and 190mm (190mm is maximum allowable rise in Australia and 240mm is the minimum allowable going).
Never get caught in the trap of allowing a combination of say 190mm rise and 280mm going. It will be extremely uncomfortable and so to would a 240mm going and a 165mm rise.
· Question. Why is a geometric or curved staircase so much more expensive to buy than a straight one?
· Answer. Because geometric stairs take up to three times as long to build.
· Question. How do I know that I'm comparing apples with apples when I get quotes for my staircase?
· Answer. This is a very good question deserving of a good answer. Firstly ask around for recommendations from friends or people involved in the building industry for the name of a reputable staircase builder. Go to them and spend the necessary time to understand some of the jargon associated with the industry. See what is available to fit the style of stair you want and your budget. Get that company to submit a written quote that is concise in its detail and clearly laid out so as you understand exactly what you're getting for your money. Take note of the professionalism (or otherwise) displayed by that company. Check that they have something to back up their claims when they say they are the 'best in the industry' (many will). Use that quotation as the benchmark and request quotes from other companies. Don't be afraid to ask questions. If you find that another company is much cheaper than the benchmark quote or all the others, BE SUSPICIOUS. Do not dismiss gut feel and first impressions, they can be good gauges. If one company talks you around to another style of stair or a different method of construction, give other companies the opportunity to requote the job because chances are that the company that made the suggestion is trying to gain unfair advantage over the rivals.
· Question. What is the most suitable timber to use for my staircase?
· Answer. This depends on many factors.
Available size.
For instance some timbers are only available in very small sizes, which means that a stair stringer or tread will be laminated in many small pieces rather than just one or two larger ones. This can result in a 'striped' effect, which is probably not ideal.
Stability.
Some timbers are very volatile and have a tendency to 'move'. This means that after installation of the stair the timber can split or warp. Brushbox is a good example and consequently we will not use it in the construction of our stairs. Nearly all timbers are prone to a certain degree of movement which makes it all the more important to either paint, stain or clear finish the stair and balustrading as soon as practical after the stairs' completion.
Matching other timbers.
One of the main considerations in choosing a timber for your stair is what other timbers are being used in the house or if in an existing home what timbers were originally used.
Timber flooring is in great demand these days and this directly affects the stairs in terms of the preferred choice of the stair timber.
If for instance you choose Brushbox for the floor, then a complimentry timber would be used in the stair but not Brushbox.
Sydney Bluegum on the other hand is good as is Jarrah, Victorian Ash, Tasmanian Oak, and many others.
Check with us or your local stairbuilder as to which timber will be best suited to your needs. Sometimes it's better to use a light coloured material such as Victorian Ash and stain it to match.
Timbers for painting or carpeting.
Clear Radiata Pine is an excellent timber for painting because of its closed grain requiring minimum filling. It is a softwood so can be damaged easier than a hardwood. It is important however that you make sure that the Pine used is of a top grade because having to fill knot holes defeats the purpose of choosing Pine in the first place.
Medium Density Fibreboard is an excellent choice not only for painting but also for treads and risers when the stair is going to be carpeted. MDF is comparatively cheap and very stable and is available in many thicknesses.
Exotic Timbers.
There are hundreds of imported timbers also available although we are very careful when it comes to their origin. Many species that land on our shores are from poorly managed forests where clear felling is rampant and the mighty dollar is the only consideration.
How much does a stair cost?
