Design Tips and Trends

Mulling over your stair projects design? Be in the know. Get inspiration with our designs, ranging from the classics, the contemporary, and the avant-garde.

Choosing Between Spiral and Straight Staircases

April 6, 2017

Your Staircase Can Complete Your Home’s Décor

March 7, 2017

Deck the Halls and the Staircase, Too!

December 19, 2016

Best Staircase Flooring

October 26, 2016

Why Balusters are Important to Staircases

October 17, 2016

Why Open Rise Stairs are Gaining Popularity

September 27, 2016

Benefits of a Metal Staircase

September 20, 2016

A Custom Staircase can Make Over Your Home!

September 13, 2016

Why Do Customers Love Round Staircases?

August 17, 2016

Simple Steps to Planning a Custom Staircase

August 8, 2016

Choosing Between Spiral and Straight Staircases

Straight or spiral staircases?: Which design is the best choice for your home

If you’re moving into a new home, or are remodeling your house then chances are that you have already thought about how important the staircase is to complete your home. And since there are a number of staircase designs and materials to choose from, you want to make sure that you find a staircase that fits the style of your home and the needs of your family.

Two of the more popular staircase designs are straight and spiral staircases, each of which have their own pros and cons. To help you learn more about straight and spiral staircases and what the advantages and disadvantages of both types are, we have compared some of their features below.

Pros of spiral staircases include:

  • Spiral staircases offer a modern and space-saving alternative to the inefficient layout of other traditional stair designs, providing more efficient floor access than the average layout.
  • A traditional flight of straight or winding stairs can eat up lots of area in a room, making it difficult to perform the full range of activities that you would like to in your home. A spiral staircase on the other hand, virtually cuts the amount of space being taken up by the actual stairs in half due to the corkscrew design.
  • A spiral staircase can be placed in any corner of your house, unlike a traditional staircase which has a limited amount of placement options.
  • Moreover, the spiral staircase design is safe and timelessly attractive. A spiral staircase can be implemented in almost any small space, inside and outside.

Pros of straight staircases include:

  • Straight staircases can be designed for any interior design style; 3 of the straight staircase designs made primarily from metal include:

-Single stringer (also known as mono stairs): straight staircases made with single stringers are usually the most popular among straight stair designs, and for good reason too, as a single stringer staircase is incredibly durable, and precisely engineered.

-Double-stringer: this staircase design is ideal for creating an open, unique look that is also an economically sound option for homeowners.

-Pan-type: a pan staircase design can be designed as an architectural addition to your home, or simply used as an industrial set of stairs for a garage or workshop, and can be filled with stone, cement, or tile treads.

Additional factors to take into consideration:  

  • Materials: While a professional staircase contractor can engineer stairs out of most construction materials, contemporary spiral staircases are typically made with steel or plywood, while straight staircases are more than often made from hardwood with carpet on the treads. The key is to choose a staircase material that will fit with your interior design, your budget, and your family’s needs.
  • Safety: Spiral staircases are by no means dangerous and when engineered and installed by a professional staircase company, they are just as safe and secure as any other stair design; however, homes with small children or people with mobility issues may find a straight staircase a better fit for their needs.
  • Space: As previously mentioned, a spiral staircase is particularly efficient when it comes to space-saving, which is why it’s always a good idea to make sure you have the necessary floor space and plan prior to committing to a straight staircase design.

Please feel free to get in touch with your Sacramento stairs contractor, iStairs, if you have further questions about the differences between straight and spiral staircases.

Your Staircase Can Complete Your Home’s Décor

When redecorating the interior of your home, it’s easy to forget about incorporating the staircase into the design because we don’t usually think of the stairs when planning home improvements projects. It’s time to start rethinking the way we look at role our staircase can have in completing the overall décor of our homes. After all, the staircase is a focal point of the interior design of many homes so it makes perfect sense to use your staircase as a way of completing your home’s décor!

One of the first things you need to understand when deciding on what style of staircase will best complement your decor is the differences between the main types of design that staircases are modeled after, namely modern, contemporary, and industrial.

—Modern: Often referred to as Mid-Century Modern because the style harkens back to the 1920’s-1950’s, a staircase in the modern design would be one that is simple, sleek with straight lines and basic geometry in the curves and angles. A home with a modern sense of decor can be complemented by a functional staircase, with clean lines, and neutral colors and materials.
—Contemporary: Contemporary design on the other hand refers to a style that is always in flux based on what is in ‘in’ at the time, so whereas modern design is based on a specific time period, a contemporary decor focuses on bold color, neutral elements, and basic shapes and forms. Contemporary staircase trends include stainless steel and glass features.
—Industrial: One style that is on the rise in popularity is industrial interior design, and there are many creative and unique ways to complete your home’s overall industrial decor with a strong staircase design. The industrial look is often characterized by the use of rough and earthy metal and wood, utilitarian objects, and a combination of other styles to create a sort of warehouse, manufactured appearance.

Once you understand the difference between what the various styles have to offer in terms of your home’s interior decoration, you will then have a better feel for what type of staircase can best complement that design. A professional staircase contractor can also help you figure out a staircase design to complement the interior features and accents of your home, so don’t hesitate to ask for help before choosing a design!

Another option that is always available when it comes to improving the interior decor of your home is creating a custom staircase. Choosing a custom staircase is ideal for completing a redecorating project because you can design a custom staircase in any style that you desire, be it modern, contemporary, or industrial. A custom staircase design gives you the opportunity to make a unique statement with the interior of your home, and whether you are looking for a modern wooden open staircase or an industrial steel spiral staircase, working with your stairs contractor will give you all the opportunities you need to make the right choice for you and your home.

Contact iStairs for more information on how you can get the perfect stairs to go with your decor!

Guidelines to Create a Beautiful and Functional Staircase

How to Choose the Right Staircase for Your House

Your Staircase Can Complete Your Home’s Décor

Deck the Halls and the Staircase, Too!

You read that right, folks! This year as you and your family decorate the tree and your home for the holidays, don’t forget to incorporate your staircase into the decorations for an added sense of originality and holiday flare. And why wouldn’t you take advantage of the fact that the staircase of your home is the natural focal point people look to when they enter the house, by decorating your staircase for this Christmas season! Below are a few ideas to inspire your staircase decorating ideas.

  • Keep it Simple: You can decorate your staircase in a charming and festive way without going overboard by incorporating a few select decorations. Use a simple staircase decoration for example that incorporates a few strands of white or colored Christmas lights by intertwining them along the handrail. Or instead of hanging your stockings from the mantel this year, try using your staircase as a stylish way of displaying them.
  • Classic Seasonal Style: For more of a classic look this holiday season, you can decorate your staircase with traditional Christmas decor, including wreaths and garland, big red bows, pine needles, pinecones, and snowflake ornaments to name a few. Ideas like wrapping tinsel around the railings of the staircase in alternating white and red colors for a fun candy cane look!
  • Go for Something Unique: Finally, you can try and go for something totally unique this year when incorporating your staircase into your home’s holiday decorations. Think outside the box and experiment with creative ideas, such as using the treads and balusters of the staircase as a means of displaying some holiday cheer! You can use oversized bulb ornaments and fasten them onto colorful ribbons, and hang those at different lengths from the balusters for a unique holiday staircase decoration.

Best Staircase Flooring

At iStairs Inc.,lopped we are devoted to making your vision for your customized staircase a reality. The choice of floorings for the staircase is a vital piece of your vision. Each style needs to be considered for its visual appeal, safety and price.

Find the perfect option for staircase flooring

Carpet

One of the most popular stair floorings is a carpeting option. Its timeless appeal is hugely versatile with a wide range of colors, textures, and styles. One option is a loop style carpet in which the strands of looped back into the carpet and left uncut. They are usually used for a shaggier, more casual look for a residential staircase. Another style is a patterned look crafted with dramatic visuals woven into the carpet. This style usually has a shorter cut height and a more formal look. One more option worth mentioning is the frieze style. This style has a soft, twisted look, also recommended for more casual settings.

Besides the versatility in style, carpet flooring provides safety. The safety of your home and family is too important to make compromises. Staircases are already an area of the home prone to danger, so little adjustments to enhance safety should be strongly considered.

Other considerations to be made are the shorter life of carpet flooring and the costs of cleaning. It’s recommended that carpet is vacuumed twice a week. (which depending on the stair width can be difficult) and professionally cleaned once a year.

Hardwood

Another visually appealing flooring option is hardwood. Hardwood staircases are elegant, durable and ageless. While hardwood does not offer the same safety benefits as carpet, it can be kept much cleaner. Dust and dirt that collect and sink into carpeted flooring can be quickly swept up from a hardwood floor. Not to mention a spill that would stain a carpet can be wiped up with no long-term problem.

There is also a wide variety of hardwood options to consider for your beautiful staircase. There are so many colors, styles, and stains available that no matter what your unique needs and preferences are you can find a wood option that fits your home. A few popular options include white oak, red oak, hickory and Brazilian cherry.

Price, of course, varies depending on the style and species you choose, but out talented estimators can give you an accurate quote for your project when you fill out a bid request .

Eco-Friendly

For those of you who are looking to support the health of our planet while building your dream staircase, you have options.

  • Cork: This option’s natural elasticity makes it comfortable, provides thermal insulation and it recovers quickly from mark or dents. It can serve as a natural insect repellant and it’s made from the bark of the cork oak tree, which grows back every three years.
  • Bamboo: Bamboo is a harder than your maple or red oak options and naturally water and insect resistant. Bamboo grows quickly and abundantly, so it is a sustainable option for flooring.
  • Carpet Padding: Some carpets come with padding containing plastics from petroleum. An eco-friendlier option is to choose a carpet with lightweight padding or a padding specifically made from recycled materials, such as 100% recycled cotton.

The experts at iStairs are familiar with all these options and are ready to help you achieve your dream staircase. Call us today to find out how we can help!

Why Balusters are Important to Staircases

If you’re currently in the process of having a custom staircase designed or installed in your home, then you are going to come to the point when you need to decide between installing your painted balusters at the same time as the stairs, or after.

First and foremost, you need to understand what these are, why they are an important component of your stair system. The balusters are the vertical shafts, sometimes called the stair spindle or stick, made of either metal or wood which stand on top of the unifying footing, while supporting the handrail of the stair system. Sacramento Staircase contractors and designers implement a variety of styles when creating balusters for custom staircases, so there are many looks to choose from.

If after choosing your staircase design and materials with your Sacramento stairs contractor you have decided to have a stair system with balusters in a contrasting material to that of the handrail and footing, then your Sacramento stairs contractor will need to know when you prefer to have the finished balusters installed, either with the staircase as a whole, or after they are painted and finished? In other words, if for example, you want an oak staircase with painted balusters, do you want it installed with the stair already pre-painted, or after once the stairs have been finished?

Installing Balusters

Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why you might want to have these installed at the same time as the stair for your custom staircase.

Basic structural strength of the staircase:

Staircase engineers will tell you that the structural integrity of the rail is at its optimum when the rail is set directly onto the balusters, rather than gluing the pre-finished balusters onto the rail after the stair has already been set into place. Having the balusters installed at the same time as the stair also helps to prevent dangerous, unnecessary rail movement, as well as allows for the proper amount of cure time before the staircase is used.

Safety concerns:

When you have it installed after your stair is finished, you run the risk of having an accident happen since there is a temporarily an empty spot where those should be.

Additional construction means more time:

Having the balusters installed after the stair also means that you need to remember to schedule additional time near the end of construction (i.e., when the painting process is about to start) to have the balusters installed, which basically just means more steps added to the process.

Consider the finished result:

The rails will need to be removed and then re-set if it is to be installed after the stair is finished, which means that much of the handy work, like the sanding off the joints, will also need to be redone.

 

Now you know just how important it is to the staircase unit as a whole, and you can be sure to ask your Sacramento stairs contractor and engineer the right questions regarding balusters and your custom staircase design. Call iStairs today to find out how we can help you build the perfect stairs for your home!

 

Why Open Rise Stairs are Gaining Popularity

In the same way that one does not need to be an art aficionado to appreciate beautiful artistic creations, you don’t have to be an architect to be able to recognize when a house or another structure is beautifully designed and constructed.

Such is also the case when it comes to the appeal of open riser staircases, a design that is gaining in popularity among both residential and commercial property owners.

The rise of a staircase system refers to the vertical part of the stairs that connects the adjacent treads (the part we walk on), but with an open riser staircase design, the risers are purposefully missing (i.e., ‘open’) to create an airy and open feel. But why are home and business owners alike choosing this particular staircase design more and more often?

For some of the reasons, take a look at the handful of bullet points below.

  • An open riser staircase system creates a unique modern style that very few other staircase designs can compare to. One of the main appeals of an open riser staircase is that by design, the stairs lets in light and thus create the perception of a larger space, a feature that homeowners often find adds character to their homes as well!
  • The construction of open staircase can be arranged in a variety of different layouts and styles, no matter what look you want to express in your home.
  • Another reason why open riser staircases are spiking in popularity is because their design is ideal for both residential and commercial settings, as well as both indoors and outdoors, opening up the possibility for a variety of creative opportunities.
  • The versatility of an open riser staircase structure means that it can be accommodated to match with nearly every style of design and architecture.

Now let’s take a look at some of the specific options available when working with an open riser staircase:

  • A residential curved staircase that offers a unique combination of open and solid elements, such as with beautifully stained wooden treads and custom designed wrought iron handrails, complimented by the airy nature of the open risers, this particular design has an elegant, yet charming appeal.
  • An L-shaped open riser staircase system designed for a commercial space, displaying glass features and stainless handrails, as well as wooden treads. Such a staircase offers excellent lighting and provides an especially luminous ambiance to the entire building.
  • A modern straight open riser staircase for the exterior of a home or building, featuring a single stringer staircase, steel cables, and hand-crafted metal handrails and newels, this popular open riser staircase design is perfect for complimenting a structure with straight, clean lines.

Last but not least, when it comes to any major staircase construction project, the end result can only be as good as the engineers, contractors, and laborers who create and assemble the open riser staircase from start to finish.

That is why it is essential to invest in a professional stairs company like iStairs, with a reputation for providing high-quality work for every client they serve, so don’t hesitate to call iStairs when you are ready to get started on your open riser staircase!

 

Benefits of a Metal Staircase

A metal staircase is alluring and unique, sure but did you also know that one of the main benefits of having a metal staircase is related to the versatility and durability of the material itself?

That’s right folks, a metal staircase is indeed beneficial in more ways than one, and even allows for a wide range of designs and styles!

To gain a better understanding of the benefits of metal staircases, take a look at some of the reasons listed below, and get in touch with your stairs contractor, iStairs, if you have further questions!

  • Extreme utility: The versatile nature of metal lends itself well to the construction of stairs, and as such, there are a number of unique shapes, sizes, and layouts that are possible to make when creating a metal staircase.Homeowners are also pleased when they learn that there are any numbers of styles on which to build a metal staircase, whether that style is traditional, simple, modern, or elegant. A metal staircase is also an ideal model for both indoors and outdoors, no matter how big or small the size.
  • Cost-effective installation and labor: Relative to other building materials, a metal staircase is one of the cheaper stair products to produce and install, which means that you end up saving money while still benefiting from the high-quality staircase made and assembled by professional stair engineers and contractors.But more importantly, you won’t have to compromise on style just to save a few bucks with a metal staircase.
  • Minimal maintenance and upkeep: Also unlike most other staircase materials, a staircase made of metal is incredibly easy to clean and maintain, a feature that will continue to benefit you for as long as you live in your house.As compared to a traditional wooden staircase upholstered with carpet that needs constant maintenance and care just to look presentable after a few years, a metal staircase requires very little cleaning other than the basic dusting and sweeping every so often.Many families also come to appreciate the fact that having a metal staircase is much less noisy to move around on than say, a wooden staircase.
  • Longevity and durability: Yet another reason why having a metal staircase is beneficial is the fact that they are very durable and will last as long, if not longer, than any other building material.A metal staircase will be a solid investment for your home, and with just the right design to complement the individual character of your home; such an investment can even add value to your home as well.

Now can you understand a little better just why metal staircases remain such a popular choice among both homeowners and contractors alike? And given the fact that your chosen professional stair contracting company will work to deliver a product that suits your unique style and taste, while also providing the benefits listed above, what’s not to love about a metal staircase?

For further help on how to make this become a reality for your home, contact iStairs, stairs company today!

A Custom Staircase can Make Over Your Home!

Are you looking for a unique and creative way to makeover your home but aren’t exactly sure which project will create the aesthetic appeal that you are searching for?

While many homeowners are likely to choose some new paint or other interior decorating changes as a way to makeover their home, one of the most overlooked yet powerful makeovers a home can have, is a makeover that includes the addition of a custom staircase.

A Custom Staircase designed by you with the guidance of a professional stairs contractor can be exactly what you are looking for when it comes to making over your home! But why are custom staircases so appealing and what is it about a truly unique set of custom stairs that can set a home apart from the rest?

Unlike traditional straight or Spiral Staircases (Related blogs: History of Spiral Staircases, Choosing Between Spiral and Straight Staircases, and History of Spiral Stairs), a custom staircase design has the ability to express a family’s unique styles and tastes in ways that other home makeover projects just can’t compare to.When you enter someone’s home for the first time, open the front door are greeted by a staircase design that you have never seen before, it can really leave a lasting impression of class and taste.So just think about what kind of a statement your home will make, with the addition of an original custom staircase design built and installed by a professional stairs company that has been making custom staircases for homeowners for years.

Another reason why homeowners tend to gravitate towards a custom staircase when looking to make a statement and add character to their home is because a custom staircase made right really is a piece of art. A custom staircase also has the potential to make over your home in more ways than one; in fact, custom staircases can even add value to your home in addition to providing architectural appeal.

Custom staircases are also the perfect home makeover endeavor because the process of choosing and planning the design alongside a professional stairs builder is not only rewarding and fun, it also really allows homeowners to gain the new perspective with regard to their homes and how much they value them.Additionally, the process of designing a custom staircase gives homeowners the opportunity to explore new design elements and themes that they would not have otherwise explored without choosing to make a custom staircase.

Finally, once you have decided upon pursuing a custom staircase project to makeover your home, there are a few different ways in which you can go about it, depending on what your preferences are.While your stairs contractor will obviously walk you through every step of the process, it really is up to you when it comes to choosing your desired staircase style and product.

Remember that this is not something that you want to rush and jump into, and that’s why your trusted contractor is there to remind you that this is just as much as an investment in your time as it is in your money, but also that your patience is guaranteed to pay off when your custom staircase is completed to perfection.

Guidelines to Create a Beautiful and Functional Staircase

How to Choose the Right Staircase for Your House

Why Do Customers Love Round Staircases?

When you walk into a home or a building for the first time, what’s the first element of the space that grabs your attention? More often than not, it is the staircase that stands out immediately when walking into space and the reason is simply that staircases are eye-catching by nature of their design, they draw our attention upwards, and they can instantly reveal a home’s sense of style. Now when it comes to a specific design of staircase that is especially captivating to everyone who sees it is the round staircase design. But what are the reasons behind the popularity of round staircase designs among today’s homeowners? Let’s take a closer look at a handful of reasons why the round staircase is the choice of homeowners looking to make a statement with their home.

  1. The First Impression: Nothing is quite as wow-worthy when it comes to staircases, as is the round staircase, and that’s partially due to the dramatic element that comes along with such a design. The first impression made by someone entering into the foyer of a home with a round staircase is one of strength and beauty. In addition to making a statement to all of your guests, the round staircase serves as one of the essential focal points of your whole interior design scheme.
  2. Functional Charm: Round staircase designs, including the spiral staircase design, are often more efficient than traditional staircase layouts as far as space is concerned, allowing you to maintain functional movability in your home without compromising style or charm. Moreover, there are numerous ways in which to design a spiral staircase or similar design, in a way that uniquely compliments the style of your home.
  3. That Classic Southern Feel: It seems that one of the most common images conjured up by people when thinking about a home with a round staircase is that of an elegant home in the South somewhere, with high ceilings and a sense of elegance and tradition, probably because that’s exactly what round staircases represent-style, elegance, and charm.
  4. The Perfect Sense of Curvature to a Home: Another reason why homeowners are so attracted to round staircase designs is simply because of the shape and curvature of the lines in a round staircase. A custom round staircase has the potential to add the exact amount of curvature and shape you are looking for to complement the interior of your home.
  5. Craftsman’s Touch: The professional homebuilders and architects of today will often use a round staircase as a signature statement for their residential projects, giving their clients that one-of-a-kind feel to really make their house stand out amongst the rest. And what better way of making a statement than to have something as original and stylish as a custom designed and built round staircase for your home?

Now that you know some of the specifics of what makes round staircase designs so popular among today’s homeowners, be sure to get in touch with your Sacramento staircase contractor, iStairs, today to discuss all the available options for your very own custom staircase!

Simple Steps to Planning a Custom Staircase

The staircase of any home has the potential to make a statement but just think about the type of statement made by a unique custom staircase design, something truly unmatched. A custom staircase design can really enhance the value and beauty of your home, giving your house the sense of character you’ve been looking for. And while elaborate and detailed staircases do take time and skill to design and assemble, many homeowners are pleased when they find out that the planning process is nowhere near as complex of a process. In fact, with some determination and a clear vision in mind, planning the design for your own custom staircase can be a simple and fun process! To make things easy, we have simplified the process of custom staircase design down to four basic steps in order to show you how you can have success with your custom staircase design experience!

  1. Step one: Figure out what inspires you. As with any custom design project for your home, a great idea begins with inspiration. You may already have a vision in mind of what you want the finished product to look and feel like, or, like many homeowners, you might just know what type of material you want your staircase constructed out of. Whatever the case may be with your home, be sure to ask your staircase design contractor a few important questions, including:
  • What are the themes and elements of the interior design of your home?
  • What will the interior dimensions and space layout inside your home allow for in 
terms of staircase design?
  • Will a straight or a curved custom staircase make the most sense for your house?
  • What styles of balusters and riser treads are most attractive to you?
  1. Step two: Choose your staircase product. After gathering the necessary information to get a solid understanding of what type of custom staircase you want for your home in the inspiration phase, the next step to tackle is choosing the specific layout and design you want for your stairs. Your stairs contractor will walk you through the various choices and help you select the best option for your home based upon your unique styles and tastes.
  2. Step three: Picking your style. Every custom staircase design conveys a sense a style, so the next step includes determining what specific style you want your staircase design to be built in. Four of the common style choices include Craftsman style, Traditional, Modern, and Ornamental Metal.
  • Curved staircase: A curved staircase is a popular choice for custom designs, as a round staircase brings a unique sense of elegance to a home, and can be made in many different shapes and layouts.
  • Straight staircase: The classic straight staircase design can beautifully complement a home with a modern sense of style.
  1. Step four: Complete the collaborative design process with delivery and installation. Once you have completed the design portion of the process with your staircase design team and the all the necessary parties approve the plans, your staircase will be ready for construction and installation! And based on your needs and personal level of construction skills, you can choose a delivery and installation method that works best for you.

Whether you just want the staircase delivered to your home to be installed by a trim subcontractor, or if you prefer a complete installation with a pre-fit handrail, you can be sure that your custom staircase design contractor, iStairs, will give you the results you want!