Stairway Joinery has been designing and installing bespoke staircases since 1983 and in that time, the team have worked on a number of loft conversion staircases. Our experience has taught us that several important considerations will impact the look and style of your bespoke wooden staircase.
In this blog, we run through what you need to think about when designing a custom wooden staircase for your loft conversion.
Materials
The type of wood you choose will dictate several elements of the design, such as colouring and natural patterns, as grains and knots will vary depending on the wood type.
There are thousands of wood species that are broadly classified into two categories: hardwood and softwood. Staircases can be constructed using either type, with each having its own set of pros and cons.
Hardwood, such as ash, oak, maple, cherry, mahogany, and walnut, have rich, attractive appearances with distinct grain patterns. They are durable woods and can be less prone to warping or shrinking. Because of this, hardwoods can come at a premium cost and therfore more time and care needs to be taken when installing.
Meanwhile, softwoods such as pine, spruce, fir, cedar, and redwood don’t have the same distinct grains. These wood types are often lightweight and easier to work with, often making their installation simpler. However, they are softer, making them more prone to dents or scratches. These types of softwoods tent to be painted in many cases.
Customisation Options
Despite which wood type you choose, your options for customising your staircases are wide.
When choosing to install a bespoke wooden staircase with a company that manufactures it in-house, you can truly make it your own. Whether you opt to have wooden or metal spindles or glass balustrading, or you would like to add a smaller detail, the choice is up to you.
This allows you to design a wooden staircase that will seamlessly fit into your interior design of the area.
Skilled Craftmanship
When searching for a company to design, manufacture and install your stairway to your loft conversion, you want someone who will bring your vision to life with a quality staircase.
Look for a company that has experience and can show it through customer galleries. When looking at previous work, see how many different styles they have created - if there is just one look, then they may not be able to offer the same level of customisations as an alternative company that showcases a variety of different styles.
Additionally, skilled craftsmen will be able to manufacture and install the staircase efficiently, overcoming obstacles without losing quality of work.
Functionality and Safety
Of course, your staircase will need to be functional - that will go without saying. But to achieve this, you will need to consider the rise and run of the steps. How deep will each step need to be? And how wide can it be?
Additionally, you will need to ensure the staircase is safe by adding handrails. With this in mind, you will need to think about their placement (on the wall or on top of the baluster), how it will be attached if going on a wall, and how it will look.
Finally, you will need to ensure that the staircase complies with building regulations. However, if working with an experienced company, they should be able to offer advice and guidance on this as you go through the design process.
Cost and Investment
The final consideration you will need to make when opting for a bespoke wooden staircase for your loft conversion will be your budget.
Determining the budget you have to spend on the staircase will most likely narrow down certain choices, such as which wood to use or what material to select for the balustrades.
Again, this is something that the company you are working with will be able to guide you through as you discuss visions and ideas.
Bespoke Wooden Staircases for Loft Conversions From Experts
At Stairway Joinery, we love working with customers to help them improve their homes, especially with their loft conversions.
We work closely with each customer to design a staircase that elevates and complements their existing space. Our team are detail-oriented, so no stone goes unturned throughout the various stages, making the installation process smoother and more efficient in the long run.
Our team includes a specialist production department, meaning that we produce each element of your staircase in-house so you can be confident in the quality of our products.
Finally, our installation team are friendly and efficient, working around your daily schedule to fit your staircase at a suitable time for you to minimise disruption to your life.
With 40 years in the industry, we have become a trusted staircase provider in Dorset and built-up knowledge of the intricacies of designing and fitting staircases for loft conversions.
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to learn more or get a rough quote today. Call us on 01202 622826 or complete our online contact form to request a callback.
