Using Stair Railings Indoors

When thinking of improving the home many people consider indoor railings. There are many different styles to choose from and the one which you choose tends to say a lot about your personality.

You can find stair railings which give a modern and homely look or you can choose ones which look older and a little more sophisticated. It all depends upon your own personal taste as to which one you choose.

All about Stair Railings Indoors

When you use railings indoors you automatically give people something to focus on within the home. When you look at a railing without even realizing it, you look all the way along it. You take in every detail and appreciate how it is made. This means that if you want guests to really appreciate what you have done with your home, you need a stair railing which will look impressive.

There are various materials that you can choose from when looking at stair railings and obviously they will all add a different look within the home. Most people like to use wooden railings as they look modern, they are easy to maintain and they are not overly expensive either. There are different types of wooden railings also and some of the best to choose form include oak, maple, cherry and pine. Each will have different patterns so you will need to look at them individually and compare them to find the best one for you.

As well as wooden railings you can also purchase steel and iron stair railings though they are usually a little more expensive. Many people also do not like the way that they look as they can look a little old fashioned. However, due to their old look it can create an elegant setting; again it all depends upon your tastes.

Why Decorating Your Stair Railings is a Good Idea

If you are looking for the perfect look for your railings then you may want to consider decorating them. You can purchase stair railings which are already patterned, however sometimes it is better to decorate them yourself.

To do this all you need is a few tiny details. Perhaps transfers or flowers could brighten the railings up a bit? There are so many things which you can add on and you can make them as elegant or as simple as you want to.

Overall it is usually better to purchase pre-patterned stair railings but if you do have a creative side then you may prefer to decorate them yourself. Pay attention to detail and choose railings which fit in with your home, otherwise the railings will just look odd and out of place.

Andrew Caxton is the editor and journalist of many information websites like http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com , who has written more articles and newsletters on wood railings . Find more publications about stair railings at his website.

Buyer's Guide to Buying a Staircase

Despite being a major traffic thoroughfare, when it comes to design and decoration, staircases are one of the most frequently overlooked areas of a home,' says Hugo Tugman, architectural expert from Architect Your Home. 'As it's often the first thing people see when they walk through your front door, your staircase's visual impact can reflect upon the entire property.'

From spirals to spindles, glass to granite, there's plenty of scope for statement making, but homeowners looking to transform their space are often unaware of the possibilities. The key to sorting out the design of your home is to understand your options and the impact building regulations may have.

Replacing your stairs

'First and foremost, stairs need to fulfil their primary function of getting you from one level to the next,' says Mark Dyson of Enclosure Architects. Once this need is fulfilled, you can really go to town on the aesthetics and create something that gives a really great first impression.'
In terms of renovation, replacing a staircase is akin to knocking down a structural wall. But if your stairs are badly positioned, oppressive, or hinder light flow through the house, then it's worth considering, as a new flight can make all the difference.

Always consult an architect or a specialist company, as it's critical that a new staircase fits in both proportionally and stylistically. 'A staircase is always interfacing with another area of the house, so there are lots of elements to consider,' says Richard McLane, co-director of staircase specialist Bisca. 'The middle section of the staircase can be quite straightforward, but the connections to rest of the building should be seamless.'

Remember also that plans must comply with building regulations, specifically the Approved Document K or Protection, Falling and Impact, and in particular section K1, which deals with stairs, ladders and ramps. You can download it free from staircases.org/regulations.htm

Before you start

Prepare for dust and disruption and remember that, unless you have a second staircase, you won't be able to access the upper levels while work is going on.

A standard, straight staircase kit can cost as little as £250, but bespoke designs start at around £3,000. This could rise to £25,000 plus for a bespoke one with real wow factor. Issues such as access can up the final figure further (installing a staircase on the sixth floor will be more pricey than on lower levels, for example).

How much space you have will dictate what you can do, and unless you live in a modern building, it's difficult to go outside of these limits. If you are lucky enough to have more space, it may be possible to reorganise it to make better use of the available inches.

'Ideally, a staircase should be at least 80cm wide,' says Mark Dyson. The head room (the height between the level of a tread and the structure immediately above it) needs to be at least 2m, and the maximum pitch for a domestic flight is 42 degrees. Straight flights are limited to 36 consecutive steps. If there are more than 36, the flight should make a change of direction of at least 30 degrees.

Flights should have a handrail on at least one side if they are less than 1m wide, and on both sides if they are wider. The minimum height for a rail is 90cm, and there is no need for one beside the bottom two steps. Spindles should be no more than 10cm apart.

There is a huge scope for different building materials, from glass structures that appear to float and modern steel staircases in bright, matt or brushed finishes, through to oak or teak. Consider combining materials and think about what will work best in your interior. 'The trend now is heading towards a more timeless look and I would recommend quality materials and simple details,' says Richard McLane. 'You can't change a staircase even as often as a kitchen, and it's such a major part of the house that it should transcend fashion.'

Easy updates

If your budget won't stretch to a whole new staircase, there are some simple updates you can do that are quicker and cheaper.

Consider removing the understairs cupboard to give a more open-plan feel.

Replace solid risers with glass to allow light to filter through to the space below.

Swap solid balustrades or dated spindles for a more modern equivalent. Sheet glass creates a minimal look and allows light to flow more freely. Or choose a beautiful wooden balustrade for timeless style.

Carpeted stairs

If you prefer carpet to bare wood or glass, make sure you buy one that's suitable for stairs. 'It's imperative you choose a quality, hard-wearing carpet - 80 per cent wool to 20 per cent nylon,' says Rupert Anton, marketing director of The Carpet Foundation. 'Avoid loop-pile carpets as they "grin" (open up when bent) and are more slippery.' Use a good underlay over both tread and riser and fit the carpet so the pile runs down the stairs. It's also possible to use a strip of carpet as a runner. Look at Ryalux, which does carpet to your width. For runners, see Roger Oates or The Carpet Library's Hartley runners, which are reversible so last twice as long.

Cantilevered stairs

A cantilevered staircase can look stunning, but is also a feat of engineering, with most of the weight of the treads supported by one wall. You need a balustrade to comply with UK building regulations, but glass is unobtrusive and will still give that 'weightlessness' look. These staircases should always be designed and built by a specialist.

Straight stairs

Straight doesn't have to equal dull, and it's possible to modernise less than lovely stairs with cladding, such as timber, tile or stone. Many modern homes have stairs built in concrete, which is ideal for resurfacing. If you're updating a less sturdy staircase, make sure it's sound by cladding with marine plywood before affixing any sort of tiles, otherwise they might crack. 'You can re-clad a staircase in oak for about £500-£1,000, depending on the balustrade you choose,' says Vanessa Garrett, director of Broadleaf Timber. 'This is a much more accessible solution if you don't have a huge budget, would rather not embark on big structural changes or are limited by space.'

Alternate stairs

'Ninety per cent of new staircases are constructed to create access to a loft conversion,' says Mark Dyson. 'The pitch of the roof can make constructing a flight difficult and, if this is the case, alternate-tread stairs can be the answer. These have one tread for the left foot and another for the right, and mean the angle of the stairs can be tighter, increased from 42 to 65 degrees.' Consider who will need to use them, as they are trickier to negotiate than standard stairs. It can also be hard to move furniture up and down them.

Spiral and helical staircases

Spiral staircases wind around a central pole and have a handrail on the outer side only. Helical stairs do not have a central pole and there is a handrail on both sides. If a spiral staircase is being used to access a single room, it must be at least 1500mm in diameter. But if the spiral goes up to more than one room, it is classed as a main staircase and needs to be at least 1900mm. 'Bear in mind that the opening in which your spiral fits needs to be 100mm wider than the spiral itself,' says Sally Noseda, director of Oakleaf Industries. Many spiral staircases are available in kit form from about £800, but only go up to 1600mm wide. A bespoke spiral would start at £3,000. It can be difficult to get furniture up and down, so move large items in before you install the stairs.

You can find more information on interior design and interior design ideas at house to home, helping you create a look you'll love

The Bowflex Treadclimber May be the Best Workout Ever!

How would you like to enjoy the advantages of both a treadmill and a stair climber in one? Your aerobic activity and your resistance training are covered by one beautiful piece of exercise equipment, the Bowflex Treadclimber. You may have already heard something about this machine, but let's look at it in depth a bit and see if perhaps you won't agree that a tread climber is possibly the ultimate workout machine for you, regardless of your physical fitness level.

First off, keep in mind that unlike a regular treadmill, the Bowflex Treadclimber is low impact. The incline of the climber means that you're not jarring the joints of your ankles or banging your knees as you walk uphill, the way you do on a treadmill. Many who walk on a regular basis, especially those that are carrying a few extra pounds, often suffer from arthritis in their knees, ankles, hips, and elsewhere due to the jarring they experience when walking.

Most people will quit exercising when there is pain involved, especially in the knees and back areas. The term No Pain, No Gain, is a find mantra for the professional athlete but for those of us that just want to get into better shape, nothing will turn us off faster than persistent pain. Having the best home gym in the world will not do you any good if you do not use it.

A Bowflex Tread Climber means that you have virtually no impact, which means less pain and less chance of an injury, something worth considering for those that are a bit overweight. This extra weight means more pressure on those joints especially when physically active, even something as simple and natural as walking. It also means that you can exercise longer because of less pain involved when working out which translates to more calories burned.

Another great aspect of the Bowflex Treadclimber is that the incline provides resistance training, which means increased muscle tone. The more toned your muscles, the more calories you'll burn even when at rest. Your metabolism goes up and stays up when using the tread climber on a regular basis, as you're not only walking but you're going uphill as well. It provides more resistance than an elliptical but without the impact of a treadmill. This translates into a more efficient workout routine; you're burning more calories during this routine than when just walking or using an elliptical.

The Bowflex Treadclimber is perfect for anyone regardless of their fitness levels. If you're just starting out and need a lighter workout you can decrease your incline level so it's closer to the natural walking motion, which is easier for someone overweight. For those who are more advanced and more physically fit, you can increase the incline which also increases the resistance and this gives you a better workout. An additional benefit is its compact design which makes it a perfect addition to any home fitness equipment collection. Rather than have a treadmill in one corner of your bedroom and an elliptical machine in the other, the Bowflex Tread Climber does the work of both machines in a compact and upright design.

If you're serious about your health and your weight, it's time to step up your workout routine and get away from the treadmill which typically isn't challenging enough to make a difference in your fitness level, and which is tough on your knees, ankles, and other joints as well. The Bowflex Treadclimber is the ultimate piece of workout equipment for anyone.

Choosing an Electric Or Battery Powered Stair Lift

The advent of technology has made great impacts on human life. It has improved the way of doing things in various concerns related to health and disability issues. The Stair lift is an invention that has provided tremendous impact in alleviating the need to go up or down to people suffering from joint pain or back injuries. Many lives have improved and become more comfortable after installing an electric or battery stairway lift in their homes. It is important to note that the kind of ladder lift to choose if you decide to have one. There are advantages and disadvantages when it opted for an electric battery in an elevator.
Electric or stair lifts used to be the most popular option. It is directly connected to a main power supply through the flex. In general, runs on a 110 to 115 VAC takes to land. At the top of the ladder is a spring drum that stores the cord. Obviously, their main advantage is to be free of trouble to change the batteries and cargo. This is very important when you expect to use the stairs or elevators regularly when people are more likely to use it. Also, AC models are usually cheaper than the stair lifts battery. The main drawback is the dependence on to power. If your area often experience power outages, electric stair lifts then can not be the best option. AC models are also more prone to irregular stop and start motions. This, of course, can bring discomfort and even pain to users. The cables that can be used also a risk to anyone can trip him accidentally.
Also known as DC powered escalators, elevators, escalators, elevators battery appear to be operated by a battery that must be recharged after a certain period of use. There are models that provide DC stations charging anywhere on the track or at both ends of the railroad. The best battery lifts is that you can use it anytime you want without worrying about whether a power outage or a sudden blackout occurs. It offers a smooth maneuver to compare models and JI are also quieter - a big difference for people with delicate health conditions. The main disadvantage is the time and effort they have exercised in charging the batteries. This is a real problem when many people are using stair lifts. Moreover, although most of the batteries on the market now are cheap and last many years, has yet to be replaced over a period of time and you have to take note that this type of battery is not cheap.
The most important thing to consider when choosing what kind of ladder to reach elevators is the need and the needs of people expected to use it. The health status of the user must also be taken into account. The frequency of use should be considered as well. After that, it will be easier for you to decide whether an electric or battery stairway lift is for you. If you're looking escalators or elevators battery ameriglide.com elevations of the ladder is your number one resource.
I hope this article has helped you a bit on deciding which stairlifts will suit you best. For more info please visit http://www.stairlift2k.com
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