Remove And Replace Damaged Stairs

Interior stairs hold up pretty good over the years. Being inside the house these stairs are not exposed to the weather as much as the outside stairs. The interior stairs could suffer some damage if they are exposed to water some how. A roof leak, bathroom leak or a leaking water pipe near the stairs can lead to wood rot. One of the other causes of stair damage is abuse. The handrails suffer the most here as people push and pull their way up and down the stairs. The handrailing over time will loosen up, needing to be repaired eventually.
Removing and replacing stairs on the inside of the home is a little more difficult than on the outside of the house.
Removing and replacing stairs on the outside of the house seems to be what we do the most of. These stairs have all the elements against them. Wind , rain, snow, heat and pests like termites. I have even had to replace stairs because of animals scratching and chewing on the stair stringers and handrailing.
We can repair or replace damaged stairs on your property. Most stairs don't need to be replaced completely but parts of the stairway will have to go. Make your stair look new with a little tender love and repair.
If you need a in home estimate contact us or go to online estimates to find how you can email us some information about your home improvement projects.
Back To Stairs

Stairways Working with Your Contractor

By: Shawn Capell




Your home beautiful is just around the corner. You've selected your architect and your general contractor, and soon tradespeople will be appearing at your doorstep to put in those much-needed renovations. Now, it's about speaking their language so you can answer questions intelligently and get the results you want.

One key area that takes special crafting is your stairway. You can keep an eye on how things are progressing if you know the basics of stairway construction.

Learning the Lingo

Like any craft, building stairways has its own jargon. Learn the most common terms here.

Tread: The part of the step that is stepped on.

Riser: The vertical portion of the step between steps.

Balustrade: Refers to the collection of newels, balusters and handrail on a staircase.

Handrail: The horizontal member of a balustrade system that sits on top of the balusters and is supported by newel posts.

Balusters: Vertical posts which help support the handrail and comprise an integral design element in the formation of the balustrade.

Newel Posts: Located at the bottom and top of a staircase, and positioned at turns and support positions for the balcony rail, these posts form the major support of the balustrade system.

Nosing: The portion of a tread or landing tread which protrudes beyond the face of the riser.

Bullnose: The wider, rounded portion of a first step of a stairway that is open on one or both sides.

Run: The horizontal distance measured by the entire stairway.

Stringers: A supporting structure which runs the length of the stairway and supports the treads, risers, and balustrade system.

Staying in Step with the Workers

Now that you know what the workers are talking about, you can also know what they're doing with the tips below.

1. Make sure the contractor has checked the local building codes. Building code requirements for stairs vary from town to town, and you want to be sure you're in compliance.

2. Confirm correct stairwell dimensions. You may see measurements on a blueprint, but it wouldn't hurt to check the numbers again when the workers aren't around. You don't have to say anything if they're right; if they need correcting, you've just saved yourself some money.

3. Follow standard rules of thumb: Check the charts as well for stair parameters. Stair rise should be no higher than 7-5/8 inches, and the stair tread no more narrow than 10 inches. You'll ensure there's no stumbling when guests are over.

4. Choosing the material: Use specially crafted parts, especially for the weight bearing parts such as stair treads. If any wood will be exposed, you'll want to find a grain that harmonizes with your taste and décor.

5. Fasteners and adhesives: Ask your contractor if they intend to "glue and screw," and not just provide one or the other. This extra connecting power will help keep the stairway from creaking.

6. Strength and noise: Once the stairway is built, take a few moments to run up and down it before any carpeting or staining takes place. Be sensitive to bounciness or squeaks. This is the one and only time they can be dealt with affordably.

It's your house, and your involvement helps ensure things are done right. And, you'll enjoy your new stairway all the more knowing what's gone into it.


About The Author

Shawn Capell is the cofounder of Stair Warehouse. Stair Warehouse specializes in beautiful American Cherry stair parts, ornamental contemporary and iron balusters and Newel Posts. Visit them today at http://stairwarehouse.com/ to find Stair Treads at warehouse pricing!

Home Improvement Ideas

Home Improvements For Value Articles

Home Improvements Ideas

We are going to continue to update this area of the web site to bring you up to date new and creative building ideas. The home improvement ideas area is designed to give you as many remodeling ideas as possible for your house.

There is also a home remodeling pictures area and building library you can use to get home improvement ideas from.

Use these areas to find ideas and then send me the links so I can get a idea of what home remodeling projects you are looking for when you send me a email for a home remodeling estimate. I can look at the pictures on this web site along with some pictures of your home or the area in your home to complete a online home remodeling estimate.

This part of the web site is under construction.

The Framing Square

What Do We Do with the Stair Gauges

We use the framing square to layout the stair stringers. The length of the tread is on the right side of this picture which we'll set up at 10 inches on the framing square. The riser is on the left-hand side which we will set up at 7 15/16 inches. As you can see on the right next to the 10 inch we have already drawn our first step. In the picture below we are using stair guides to help us with accurate tread and riser layout.

Add a Dynamic Design Accent to Your Home with the Right Staircase

by: Aldene Fredenburg

Stairways are a wonderful thing. They suggest a path to things unseen, hidden destinations, secret lives. If you have a multistory home or are planning to build one, take a few minutes to think about the stairs. By choosing to include a beautiful stairway instead of a mundane one, you can change your home atmosphere from ordinary to extraordinary. Whether you choose filigreed iron, steel, glass, or traditional hardwood, the right stairway for your home can serve as a compelling design accent, the focal point of a room, at once utilitarian and beautiful.
If you have an urban industrial loft, you may be thinking of taking one large, high-ceiling room and creating a number of living environments on different levels. If so, you'll be incorporating a bunch of staircases. You may even be lucky enough to have an existing industrial staircase made of rugged steel. If so, you have a decision to make. Are you aiming for a high-tech industrial look, with stainless steel commercial kitchen appliances and exposed electrical and plumbing elements on the ceiling? Then your steel staircase fits right in. If you're looking to emphasis natural colors and textures, however, a sort of Zen retreat, you might want to incorporate the natural beauty of hardwood stairs into your design. A straight, sturdy staircase leading to the upper levels can make a powerful statement; a curving stairway winding around the center of your loft adds elegance and a feeling of flow to your environment.
Historical homes, particularly in the eastern U.S., almost demand the inclusion of hardwood stairs. Your antique home may have a staircase in need of repair, or the existing staircase may need replacing. Either way, you'll need the services of a company specializing in custom-designed staircases. In fact, whether you're creating your own unique home or restoring an antique home, custom designed and built staircases are a must because of the exacting nature of the measurements required.

When you go looking for a company to build your staircase for you, make sure you choose a firm with an experienced staff of designers. A designer should be willing to visit the site, take the appropriate measurements, and present you with design suggestions and advice on materials and costs, as well as troubleshoot the site and the design for possible problems.
They also should be willing to supply you with detailed photographs of their work for other clients. Who knows? You may find inspiration in these photos and use them as a jumping off point for your own creative ideas.

About The Author
Aldene Fredenburg is a freelance writer living in southwestern New Hampshire and frequently contributes to Tips and Topics. She has published numerous articles in local and regional publications on a wide range of topics, including business, education, the arts, and local events. Her feature articles include an interview with independent documentary filmmaker Ken Burns and a feature on prisoners at the New Hampshire State Prison in Concord. She may be reached at amfredenburg@yahoo.com.

Building Pernits

Permits, When Do You Need Them For A Remodel?

If you are doing a remodel or an addition to your home, you will want to check with your city to find out what type of permits you will need. Each city will have different codes so you will need to check with your specific municipality before you begin your project. By complying with your local building codes you should be able to maintain the integrity of your home, meet building codes, and preserve resale value.

To get you started, here's a basic list of projects that usually require building permits.
 Adding a room.
 Building, tearing down, or moving a garage, shed, carport.
 Cutting new windows or door openings, or widening existing openings.
 Adding, moving, or taking out walls.
 Building retaining walls.
 Remodeling that requires moving existing plumbing.
 Re-roofing when a complete tear off and re-sheathing is required.
 Adding stairways.
 Building raised decks.
 Installing fans, exhausts, vents, or appliances that must be vented.
 Installing wood stoves, fireplace inserts, pellet stoves, and any required venting.
 Installing or changing any permanent electrical device or wiring, including conversion from fuse box to circuit breakers.
 Installing low voltage systems such as security systems or computer networks.
 Replacing water heaters or changing plumbing as well as any new plumbing installations.

This is just a short list of the various types of permits your city may require. Remember, each municipality has different requirements for distance, heights, sizes, and so forth. For example, the building code in one town may mandate a permit for any deck more than 30 inches above grade while another may say 36 inches. The exact specifications could be very important and have safety factors involved while others are just arbitrary.

Some areas will require that you get the work inspected before you cover the work. For instance, if you are doing electrical work in a wall, you will need to have it inspected before the drywall is put in place. Plumbing is very similar. Make sure you get the permit required and have the proper inspections done during and after the project.

Additionally, you will want to put the building permits in your name. If you allow the contractor to pull all of the building permits, you could have problems later if you have to fire the contractor or he is unable to complete the project. A building permit is often issued in a person's name and if your contractor leaves before the project is done, you may be required to get a new building permit.

Many cities allow homeowners to do the work themselves without necessarily getting permits. Keep in mind though that it's vital for you to adhere to city codes anyway. Too often a homeowner makes changes without the required permits. Later when they go to sell, they are unpleasantly surprised that the sale can't proceed until the work is brought up to code. Fixing the work or bringing it up to code can cost thousands of additional dollars that could have been avoided at a significantly cheaper cost.

For specific information, contact your local building department for details that pertain to your area and project. You can usually find the right department by calling your local city government.

In summary, permits are not always required, but when you do a remodel, you will want to check with your local municipality to find out what permits are required. It is suggested that you keep the permits in your name and make sure that all of the work has the proper inspections before completion. Failure to properly adhere to building codes can be costly to correct.

HomeBuildingRemodeling.com is your source for top quality home building, remodeling and home decorating information.

For free articles delivered daily by email, visit HomeBuildingRemodeling.com and enter your name and email under the Free Home Building and Remodeling Updates section.

Stair Railings Styles

The stair railing at home is more than a simple way to get from a floor to another. You can create an extension of your personal likes in decoration, with ornamental parts of wood, iron and other material easy to install that will increase the value of your home at the same time. If you think that the stair railing is one of the first tings that people see when they come in, you should think as well that, for building a new staircase or just a new remodelling, ask always for the advice and good service of a qualified person who will give you some good ideas for.

When something never goes out of style is unique. Choose wood stairs.

Nowadays there a wide variety of materials to build a stair railing. Long time ago and still today….houses had stairs wood railings, as wood is a nice material to work with. Especially beautiful are which are made of oak wood… with wonderful red colour and knocks that are unmistakable. The star of the house will be an oak wood balustrade, without any doubt. If we try to match the colour of the stairs with the wood flooring it will give beauty elegance to our homes. Although it can be a difficult task due to the many stair parts that we need to have in account to choose…like balusters, handrails, treads, and ornamental trim pieces.

On a staircase the first part we notice is the railing. It has its important use, one is to provide security for going up and down the stairs, and the other is to hold up the balustrade of the staircase. These elements must be kept in mind when the staircase is going to have a railing design. Unique, are wood railings. They are charm, grace, and soft, the perfect end for your house, improving the look of it and of course increasing the value of it. They are durable and strong. Wood is the choice that never goes out of style.

Oak wood, elegance and charm to your home.

The oak wood is generally used to build the stairs traditional commercial buildings such as libraries, office buildings and houses. It gives charm and elegance to any room whit its unmistakeable smooth and warm colour. If you think that metal railings can improve and give more style to your staircase, use it. They have many decorative options and display themselves beautifully. Lots luxury and high homes are decorated with iron railings. They display grace, elegance and a special luxury. A style that nowadays is being used in most of the modern buildings all around the world. Iron railings are used for many residential and commercial staircases. They offer as which are made of wood, safety and functionality. Iron decorates your home. They have a wide variety of design, assuring that you will find a special one for display at home. The metal stair railing fit in any environment. What you need is just the good advice and work of a qualified person.

Is not an easy task but the results will give you satisfaction.

Making stairs can be very complicated. First priority in this type of project is to make it safe and functional. After it comes style. A few things, the rise between treads, the number of treads and the total run of the steps, the horizontal distance between bottom and the top of the stairs. Following these steps will assist you in creating a successful staircase. Be creative. Your inner spirit will help you on the creation of your stairs. Lots of styles, modern, traditional or contemporary. Spirit and design to have a work of art at home.

Andrew used to publish decorating tips and reviews at his site, where you can find articles on railing styles including further information regarding stair railings.

http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com
Home decorating reviews for your interior design projects