Material choices.
You have many choices when deciding on the type of material you should use for your staircase and balustrade. Contemporary designs tend to incorporate a more diverse range such as glass, stainless steel and of course timber, whereas more traditional staircases tend more to timber and decorative steel or iron.
Carpet or not
The finished surface of a staircase will most likely be dictated by the finishes of the floor surfaces on both the lower and upper floor levels. Generally if the lower floor level has a polished timber finish, the stair would be of a similar finish. If the upper floor is a carpet finish then you may wish to carpet the stair. Carpet has many advantages. For one, it deadens noise. It is also an excellent non-slip surface; There is a down side to carpet however which is that it will wear faster than in the rest of the house because traffic on a staircase tends to be concentrated near the centre of the staircase, but the same applies to a polished finish as well.
Non slip treads
It is compulsory to have a non slip surface to steps or a non slip leading edge. If you intend carpeting then it is not required. But if you intend to have timber treads there are several ways you can achieve this. Inlay aluminium or stainless steel strips that protrude from the surface or simply run two or three grooves in the surface of the tread.
French Polishing
Traditionally a very strong and distinctive way of applying a high sheen polish. It uses a product known as a shellac which is a naturally occurring product from beetles. A high degree of skill is involved in the application but the results are impressive and easy to clean (even reduces the amount of dust a stair collects).
Glass Balustrading
Contemporary staircase design challenges the designer and stair builder on different levels altogether and takes commitment from both parties. Contemporary or modern stair design lets the mind run free to create something that is different and original, or at least it should. These designs can be gloriously simple using clean lines and unusual materials. They can also be curved, straight or just about anything you want.
Stainless steel, timber and particularly glass can be combined with a staircase to bring together and complement other materials or features of the home. The Centre Carriage Glass is a prefect example of this design philosophy. This stylish stair has an open riser construction with a central carriage stringer Contemporary 50mm stainless steel stanchions with glass clamps holding the glass panels in place are used on the stair and first floor areas. The glass panels are available in either clear or frosted finish.
Glass balustrading can simply complement the design of the staircase, not taking away from its glory. However, it can also bring to life a simple staircase because glass is a modern turn on the classic timber balustrades. Glass is simple, adding a smooth and elegant finish to any stair. Glass is used to complement timbers, create clean shadows and brighten up open spaces on either side of the staircase.
