Welcome to another edition of the New Homeowner’s Guide from Pinto Carpentry!
Today, we’ll walk you through the various options available for indoor staircase materials and offer tips on personalizing your stair design for both safety and aesthetics. Whether you’re looking for a classic wood staircase or something modern with metal accents, you’ll find helpful information to make an informed decision!
We want our customers to feel knowledgeable and confident when it comes time to select options and schedule a custom measurement and fitting session. After reading this blog and comparing materials, we hope you will have a solid understanding of possible options for your budget and the potential cost of your estimate and custom quote.
How to Personalize Your Staircase Design
Your professional stair builder and installer will be happy to guide you through available options and price points, and select the safest choice for your living arrangements and needs.
Please bear in mind that some materials may not always be available in all markets, luxury materials may be a longer wait or higher price point. Although some options look beautiful, they may not be practical or suitable choices, especially for those with pets or small children.
Some materials fluctuate in cost and availability due to market pricing and supply chain availability, and others may not be available in your region. It is recommended that homeowners remain flexible and prepared with more than one preferred option.
Common Materials for Custom Staircase Builds
Stair building materials come in a variety of quality wood selections depending on supplier and market availability. The most commonly used materials are Red Oak, White Oak, Hard Maple, Pine, and Poplar. These options are generally readily available, easier to source, sturdy and durable, and versatile enough to customize.
Additional wood options such as Brazilian Cherry, American Cherry, Ash, African Mahogany,
Hickory, Walnut, Teak, Black Locust, Cedar, and even Eucalyptus may be possible. These woods are a bit pricier, and may not be as easy to acquire as the above mentioned more commonly used materials.
If you’re concerned about damp environments, flooding, or other regional weather concerns, your stair builder will be able to help you select the best, most durable material for your budget and building needs.
Material Recap for your custom staircase, some of the most commonly available and durable choices include:
Red Oak and White Oak: Sturdy, reliable, and affordable.
Hard Maple and Poplar: Great alternatives for homeowners looking for quality without breaking the bank.
Exotic Woods: For a luxurious touch, consider options like Brazilian Cherry or African Mahogany, but keep in mind their higher cost and longer lead times.
How can I further personalize my custom stair build?
If you’re looking to match your stairs to your current hardwood floors, or perhaps coordinate them with your custom front door or interior doors, it may be possible to match materials or to stain them a similar hue. If you have a stair design with open risers, you can customize the safety bars in the open space with satin black metal bars, stainless steel bars, etc. and your railing installer may coordinate your indoor handrail to match. Some homeowners like to add their personal touch by painting the stairs, or combining painted + stained natural wood elements.
Stair Design Tips for Homes with Pets, Children, or Elderly Residents
Open risers look very modern and trendy, but there are higher risks involved with pets, children, and the elderly. Closed riser staircase designs will minimize those risks for many homeowners. When calling for an estimate, your stair builder will be able to help you assess if open or closed risers would be more appropriate for your situation.
Adding Custom Details: Lighting and Stair Runners
Installing LED ceiling lights in the stairwell can ensure clear visibility with low-cost energy use. Make sure to install light switches at both the bottom and top of your staircase. In addition to bright stairwell ceiling lights, consider adding stair lighting with LEDs. LED lights come available in a variety of widths, sizes, shapes, and colors, and dimmable options adding a custom touch style and personality to your staircase as well! Experts recommend installing the lights on the bottom of the wall near the staircase for each stair, with extra special care taken to illuminate the bottom step which has the highest hazard risk for falls.
Adding details like runner rugs over the top of painted or stained stairs means the style can easily be customized without the hassle of refinishing. Customize the look even further by using stair carpet runner rods in your choice of metal finish and finial or decorative elements.
If you don’t wish to install a full runner down the staircase, options such as anti-slip tape strips and rubber or rough stair tread pads may be a great choice.
Upgrading Your Handrails for Safety and Style
When upgrading your home’s staircase, it’s also a great time to update your indoor handrails. This ensures that both the new railings and staircase are up to code, providing safety and peace of mind. Your professional railing installer will ensure the handrails are installed at the proper height (30-36” from the floor) and securely fastened to the wall studs. Additionally, installing handrails on both sides of the staircase enhances safety for everyone in the home.
Ready to Upgrade? Here's Why You Should Choose Pinto Carpentry
Whether you’re making safety upgrades or giving your home a stylish makeover, Pinto Carpentry has the expertise you need. With more than 20 years of experience, we’re passionate about delivering high-quality custom staircase and railing installations in New Jersey that are built to last. As one of the top stair contractors in New Jersey, we offer customized solutions to fit your home’s style and safety requirements. Give us a call at 908-922-1778 today to discuss your project and get a detailed custom quote. Let’s make your staircase the centerpiece of your home! 🛠️✨
Note: This blog is for educational purposes only, and is not a guarantee of what materials we may be able to access for your project. When selecting natural wood options, please bear in mind that slight variation in character is normal, and you may receive slightly different wood grain or hue than sample pieces, and knots in the wood are a normal occurrence.
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