Stair Treads to Make Your Spiral Stairs Safer

If you are living in a small multiple-story house, then perhaps you have noticed that the staircase you have may take a lot more floor space than it should. Most homeowners in a similar situation try to make do with what they have by decorating it and by maximizing the space underneath it. However, you can now take back a lot of your lost floor space by using spiral stairs instead. Some people are hesitant to use a spiral staircase because they do not think it is safe, but you can be more at ease by installing stair treads.

However, keep in mind that you also need to find stair treads that will fit the actual spiral stairs. The reason is because the wedge-shape of the steps of a spiral staircase is different from the usual rectangular shape of the ordinary stairway. It is then necessary to look for a design made specifically for the type that you have at home. If you cannot find the one you have in mind from your local store, you can try searching for it on the internet. You can also improvise by purchasing the traditional design and cutting or adjusting them down to perfectly fit your own staircase.

Spiral stairs are also excellent for providing access to other areas of the house such as the attic. Even if you have limited space in your home, it would not cause many problems since most of the designs that are currently in the market were created to save space. If you find the steps of your staircase to be a bit slippery, you can install some non skid stair treads to add more traction. There are also designs that have anti-skid backing which is perfect if you are going to put your spiral stairs outside or in an open area of the house.

Another important benefit of using stair rugs for spiral stairways is the fact that they truly enhance their look. Generally having spiral stairways at home means that your room has an extra decorative touch, since not many homeowners have something like that in their own dwellings. And by adding to them decorative treads or rugs that match in color and design, you will increase the value of your home even more.

For example you can easily find decorative wooden stair-rugs that have been often featured in various home decoration magazines as being very modern and classy. You can find braided ones that give any room an extra touch of beauty, even when placed directly on the floor or used on regular stairways. The possibilities are endless and simply by knowing the fact that they are not expensive to buy at all, you can easily add that extra spark to your room any time you want.

Braided rug stair treads are just some of the most common types favored by many homeowners. Visit my website to learn more about installing braided stair treads the proper way.

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The Do's and Don'ts of Installing Stair Railings

Stairs are made up of several important components. These are the railings that include the posts and balusters as well as the handrails. Without them, a staircase would not be complete and functional.

Why the need for the stair railings and handrails? It is because they ensure the safety of people using the stairway. All types of people are protected when these fixtures are present. Toddlers learning to walk can make use of the railings as their guide. Teenagers ascending and descending the stairs two steps at a time will also be safer. Those with health conditions such as people suffering from back and knee problems as well those with disabilities and not to forget the old folks can depend on the stair railings for support.

Various types of materials can be used today in creating attractive railings for staircases. One material can be utilized on its own but a combination of two or more is also possible depending on one's personal style. Examples are a mix of wood and wrought iron, brass and wrought iron or wood and brass. For an indoor staircase such as in your home, it's best to use wood or wrought iron. The stone and pure metal type is ideal for outdoor use.

If you have small children and old people in the home, always prioritize safety over the aesthetic aspect of your staircase. What's important is they have the right support while moving up and down the house.

Railings should be installed in the entire length of your stairs. Whether you have one running in one direction, two directions or a spiral type, continue the railing up to the landing portion. You can also extend the handrail a few inches more from the bottom step to provide more support for those descending the stairs. This can either be straight or curved depending on the style of your staircase. Just make sure that the end part is rounded to keep it safe. Another option is to install a post at the end of your handrail to keep it sturdy.

The topmost part of a stair railing should have a handrail. This should at least be 34 inches in height from the floor. It can go higher up to 38 inches. For small children, a lower height is advisable. Other than putting the handrail on the railing, you can freely install another one on the wall at the other side. Remember, however, that it should be at least one and a half inches away from the wall to give your hand enough room to hold on to the rail.

The balusters also known as guards are another vital component of a stair railing. These need to be properly spaced approximately three to four inches so that no small child can get through it. They can be installed right on the treads of the stairs while the uppermost part is attached to a handrail.

So remember these basic steps when you decide to remodel your stairway or create a new one for your home.

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

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