Hardwood stairs can be attention-grabbers. Modern or traditional, paired with matching or contrasting hardwood floors, rustic or elegant: you can create endless interior themes. In this post we provide a basic overview of hardwood stairs, so when you come visit us in our showroom you will have a little more information.
Treads & Risers
Treads are the flat and horizontal slabs you walk on. Risers are the vertical pieces that create space and height between each tread. Select the hardwood that perfectly blends with the house's motif in choosing the treads. Keep in mind to always go for aesthetics over strength.
Nosing
Nosing is the horizontal, protruding edge of a stair where foot traffic is most frequent, becoming worn out over time. However, stair nosing helps maintain the integrity of your stairs. In addition, anti-slip features in nosing keep the homeowner from harm's way by preventing slips and falls.
Handrails
Handrails offer hand support when ascending or descending the stairs. Usually, these are round-shaped to allow you to rest your hand comfortably.
Newel posts
These are found at the top, landings, or the bottom of any stairs. Newel posts are quite sturdy as they act as anchors for your stairs’ handrails. These provide strength and rigidity to the entire staircase design. As a general rule, the hardwood of your newel posts shouldn’t contrast the the handrails.
Balusters
The erect pieces between posts are called balusters. They’re attached to handrails at the top and stair treads at the bottom. Balusters come in numerous designs, which give you a variety of options.
Gooseneck
Goosenecks are vertical handrails that connect sloped handrails to the adjacent handrail on your stairs’ landing. It also connects handrails on the balcony. Its function involves changing the direction of your stair’s railing. Just like balusters, goosenecks have different sizes and shapes that you can choose from, giving you the most option to match with your stairs!
Stair stringers
These ensure that the stairs on each side are secure. There are new designs available in the market that make your stairs more attractive but, at the same time, durable.
Having basic knowledge about the staircase components gives you an idea to be more detailed on your materials, which can help you choose the right custom hardwood for your stairs.
And once you have put up a well-installed, well-designed, and well-maintained staircase, this can leave a strong impression on your guests the next time they visit your home. Not to mention, because of their aesthetic touch, hardwood staircases have great resale value in the market and are guaranteed to get you high returns on your investment.
Visit our showroom and talk to one of our hardwood experts about stairs, floors and interior design.
