stair lift story: November 2009

Keep the Glow of Your Brass Railings

Anything that shines like gold almost always attracts people. Admit it or not, that golden glow is just so irresistible.

The same reaction is shown by people to the brass railings. Having that same gold like color makes brass an attraction. Whether it's installed on stairs at home or in commercial buildings such as hotels together with the stair railings or in the bathrooms as hand grab rails, brass evokes an elegant and high end feel to any interior space.

But you have to know that brass railings need regular maintenance to keep their glow. As they're prone to corrosion and staining, regular polishing is very important. There are techniques to follow, though, to ensure that your brass retains its shine for a long time.

Brass railings installed at bars as foot rails are exposed to the shoes of people and therefore prone to scratches especially if they don't have that protective coating. Those used as hand rails whether at home or at commercial buildings are not exempted from scratches either especially from the rings of people that come in contact with the brass material.

For your home bar or stairs that use brass railings, it's best that you learn the ways to properly clean and polish the material. The secret actually is buffering.

Cleaning

The first step to a shiny brass railing is to clean it. Use a soft clean cloth and wipe it on your tubing to remove dust and dirt.

The solution

Next is to apply a solution to your tubing. Depending on your choice, you can purchase the readily available metal polish or brass cleaner. You can buy these from hardware stores and drugstores. Or you can create your own solution using ingredients available at home.

Prepare one-half cup of all purpose flour, one-half cup table salt and one-half cup powdered laundry detergent. Mix these three and then add three-fourth cup white vinegar, one-third cup lemon juice and one-half cup very warm water. Continue stirring until all ingredients are mixed well.

Applying the solution

Now take a small amount of your mixture using a soft and clean cloth and then apply on the brass railing. Be gentle when rubbing and make sure you do a circular motion. Don't use too much pressure.

Afterward, rinse with cool water and let it dry. Once dry, buff the brass railing using a soft cotton cloth until you achieve your desired shine.

Coating

For coating purposes, the olive oil is ideal if you have been using the home remedies when polishing your brass rails. But if you're using the commercially available polishes, you may not need to apply additional coating as the solution itself already contains protective oils that coat your brass as you clean it.

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. If it is not lacquered, it becomes more prone to oxidizing and tarnishing.

But did you know that it contains anti bacterial properties that help kill germs in places where the brass material is installed? In fact, brass has been used in making surgical instruments and other medical equipment.

For more information on Brass railings, please visit BuyRailings.com, a leading distributor of railings, hand and foot rails, curtain rods and more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kalyan_Kumar

Be Wary of Building Codes For Your Stair Railings

People who want to install railings in their homes should keep in mind a very important aspect. The building codes, that is.

States vary in the building codes for this house fixture that they implement. Standard measurements differ depending on where you're installing the railing. Educate yourself first before you start on this project so that everything will go on smoothly.

You need to know then the local residential building codes in your area to avoid problems later on. Some states are strict in enforcing their rules especially when it concerns deck railings. The best thing to do then is visit your local building department and browse through their regulations on railings or get a copy if they have print outs.

For decks, building codes normally cover the railings, stairs, treads, stair rails, hand rails, foundations, covenants and easements. Below are general guidelines but for standard measurements in your specific area, again it's better to check your local building department.

Height specifications

For the height, stair railings should follow standard measurements. Normally, they should be between 32 inches and 48 inches. This specification means that it should not be climbable. This is important because after all, this fixture is put in place for security purposes.

In Canada and the U.S., for instance, railings for decks need to have a minimum height of 36 inches for a deck surface of about 30 inches or 24 inches in Canada to 5'10 above the ground. For decks above this height, the minimum requirement for a railing is 42 inches tall.

Spacing requirement

Spaces between the balusters or spindles regardless of design should be a maximum of 3.5 inches. Some are okay with a gap of four to nine inches. For this part, it has to be designed such that no person especially a child could fit in to go through the space in between. Again, it's for safety purposes.

Stability

Railings, in order to serve it major purpose, should be sturdy and stable. For this reason, a strong foundation is very important. Keep in mind that this fixture holds people's weight such as when they stand behind it. It is just a waste of money if you install one and then find out after a few months that it's gotten weak. In this case, your railing can be dangerous so take action right away and have it fixed to prevent accidents in your home.

Design

Building codes for deck railings do not specify designs. This aspect is up to the homeowner. He or she can choose whatever style suits their personal preference and complements their home. As long as the measurements are properly followed, any homeowner can pick any design available to his liking.

Materials

When it comes to material, the decision still lies with the homeowners. Their options are wood, metal and glass or a combination of these materials. Budget is a major consideration when making a choice although quality should also be given priority. After all, it's the durability of the stair railings that you want so it won't matter if you sometimes go for the more expensive material as long as you can afford it.

For more information on Stair railings, please visit BuyRailings.com, a leading distributor of railings, hand and foot rails, curtain rods and more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kalyan_Kumar

Stair Lift Chairs Are an Absolute Godsend For Elderly Relatives

If you had a stair lift in your home then nobody would have a problem with the stairs. They maybe couldn't manage to climb them under their own steam and that makes for a difficult life.

If you are considering stair lift chairs it may not be for your own home, you may be looking at ways whereby your parent or parents can stay in their own home even though they live on two levels. I think it is generally accepted that it is better to be able to stay in your own home when you are growing older for as long as possible. Not only regarding cost efficiency but for sentimental reasons.

Some elderly people do not do well when they are uprooted from the homes they have occupied perhaps for years. What could be a simpler way to ensure they can stay where they are? A stair lift chair could be the answer.

This might sound to be expensive but if you consider the cost of this item and balance it against the comfort and security it would give the user in their own home and then look at the costs of either moving to a one level home or even a care home. I think stair lift chairs would win hands down when considering cost.

It may even be possible to be able to claim the expense from your medicare provider. It would certainly be worth asking. There is another point in the favor of stair lift chairs - they can add to the value of your home, as much as 10%, not many people know that, but it is something to consider.

The installation doesn't need to be permanent. It is possible to have one on rental if you only need it as a temporary measure. Perhaps someone has had an accident, broken their leg for instance, you could solve the problem of the stairs for them by renting a stair lift.

They are not a difficult thing to install, even for the homeowner themselves. They are not fixed to the wall as many people believe, the track is fixed in a few places directly to the stairs. This is quite safe but it means that it is just as easy to remove when no longer needed.

Your supplier would only need a few measurements and other details from you in order to work out a quote. There are many suppliers online and no doubt many that you could find in your area.

If stairs are a problem but you want to continue to live in your home for as long as possible.
Click Here For More Free Information and Reviews on other stair lift chairs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paull_Hamilton

Stair Lift Reviews - 7 Points to Consider

Here are seven quick tips that will help you when you are shopping for the best home stair lift for your family. Use this information to help you better understand the industry and how the lifts are made.

AC units are the most dependable available. Most offer both AC and DC (battery) but you'll be changing batteries every 18-24 months and they only carry a 6 month warranty. Don't consider a battery operated chair unless you live in an area with frequent brown-outs.
Mark your calendar every 18 months to remind you to automatically replace the batteries if you choose to buy a battery operated lift. Batteries don't last forever.
Look for lifts that have a swiveling seat at 45 and 90 degrees both at the top and bottom. And make sure you install a vertically mounted bar at the top and bottom of the run in case the rider becomes unstable when getting up.
Be mindful to buy a lift that uses only a rocker switch to operate and not a toggle or joy switch which could get snagged in clothing. Remotes tend to get lost.
Stair lifts shouldn't contain circuit boards. They don't hold up when the lift is being used and moved up and down. Repair can be a very expensive service call.
Make sure your home lift has at least a 5 year warranty on everything. If a company can't stand behind their product why would you want to buy it? Think about it. Stair lifts don't see that much action. All a warranty is really doing is covering the motor and moving parts. But make sure everything is covered, even the rail on your residential stair lift.
Finally, your stair lift needs to have what is called a call-send unit. This is something that can send the chair up or down stairs when you need it there, without you on it. This will help you get the chair out of sight when you have visitors and will free up space when not in use. It's a good feature that shouldn't be extra.

In addition to the above, I would do what I could to get a lifetime warranty. Most quality vendors offer free shipping on a product of this cost. There are plenty of online vendors, but make sure that you work with someone who can walk you through what it takes to install this unit in your home, and a local representative that will be able to service and support your stair lift should the need arise.

I know that shopping for a home stair lift shouldn't be impossible when you know what you want. Get more details on each brand of lift at my website Residential Stair Lift.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Jackson