Remodeling

Remodeling your stairs is a great way to freshen up the look of your house, but remodeling should go beyond design – it has have function that equals its form. There some factors we tend to overlook, and for that, we’re providing your with tips and other guidelines that can help you on your next stair remodeling project,

Anti-Skid Products for Stairs

March 3, 2017

Why Balusters are Important to Staircases

October 17, 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

Understanding the Key Dimensions of a Spiral Staircase

July 20, 2016

Top 10 Stair Ideas for Small Spaces

June 29, 2016

10 Staircase Design Ideas

March 23, 2016

DIY Stair Project

March 1, 2016

Moisture Content and Wood Movement

January 2, 2016

Anti-Skid Products for Stairs

Whether in your home or your office, safety should always be a top priority. Stairwells are inherently dangerous places as nearly everyone fall down a staircase at one point or another. Today, there are many ways of injury-proofing a staircase to make it a safer place and protect your friends, family and coworkers. Here we will review some of the simplest ways to make your stairs skid proof.

Anti-skid products are not too expensive and they are very simple to install. Such simple products are capable of preventing very serious accidents.

Anti-slip tape is an industrial-strength liner especially designed to increase the traction on any surface. This tape is designed in all varieties of shapes, widths, colors and textures, and you can apply it to almost any material. Although this tape is not always the most aesthetically pleasing addition it reducing danger greatly. This durable tape is a common choice for public staircases, such as schools and local government buildings. Any tape can be custom cut to fit perfectly to your staircase.

Another common option are rubber treads. These anti-skid treads are molded of top quality rubber and designed for mostly commercial and industrial use. These treads can also be trimmed to match the exact size of each step, but each Easily trim rubber treads on site to the exact size of each step. The tapered nosing allows for a better fit while the smooth rear border allows for easy cleaning and maintenance. This makes them an ideal option for use in heavily traveled public stairways including office buildings, condominiums, apartment buildings and retail stores.

Perhaps, you do not want to cover your entire stairs because, although you want to ensure safety, you are proud of your stairs and still want to show them off. For these circumstances, there are non slip nosing options. Nosings come in a variety of materials, including carpet, concrete, rubber, adhesive tape and even glow in the dark sightline material. These various treads fit just along the outer lip of each stair to provide traction and protection without compromising the beauty of your staircase.

Possibly the most aesthetically pleasing option is something relatively simple. There are certain paint products that rather than drying slick like an acrylic paint, they produce more traction once they dry. These final finishes can be applied after a staircase is completed to add an extra layer of protection. This serves the double purpose of improving safety for people and also extending the useful life of the stairs by shielding them from everyday use.

The process for applying this traction paint to a staircase is relatively simple and can be accomplished in only a few hours. Using a 3/8″ nap roller, evenly apply the paint to the treads and allow it to dry. The risers usually require a slightly different style, using an angled brush to evenly apply the paint. However, many people choose to only paint the outer lip of the treads to apply sort of a nosings effect. This is effective because it calls attention to the border of the stairs by expressly defining where the edge of the stair ends. This way, not only are the stairs equipped with more traction, but people are more aware and alert, which helps eliminate falls.

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!

 

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!

Understanding the Key Dimensions of a Spiral Staircase

The unique design of spiral staircases makes them timeless and visually striking. However, the spiral staircase size plays a crucial role in both its appearance and functionality. If you want them to perfectly complement your space, you must consider essential circular staircase dimensions, such as the floor-to-floor height and diameter. Let’s delve into these critical aspects to help you make an informed decision.

                 Want a beautiful spiral staircase for your home? Contact us now!

Floor-To-Floor Height: The Foundation of Your Design

The floor-to-floor height is arguably fundamental when it comes to spiral staircase dimensions. This measurement defines the distance from the base floor to the upper-level floor, and miscalculations can lead to your spiral staircase falling short of its functional purpose and posing a safety hazard to your loved ones.

To ensure your spiral staircase fits perfectly, avoid the common mistake of only measuring from the floor to the ceiling; you must take into account all the factors that influence this height. Consider the following elements:

  • Underlayment and Subflooring: These foundational layers can add significant height to your upper-level floor. Be sure to account for them in your measurements.
  • Floor Coverings: Carpets, tiles, or any other floor coverings add thickness. Make sure to include their thickness in your calculations.
  • Safety Regulations: Building codes often dictate the ideal rise and run dimensions. To meet these regulations, you may need to adjust the height of your steps and the number of steps in your spiral staircase.

Safety regulations stipulate that the treads of your staircase should have a 30-degree rotation. To calculate the number of treads required, you will need to determine how many 30-degree rotations fit within your floor-to-floor height. 

Diameter: Making the Right Space for Comfortable Passage

The second dimension to consider is the spiral staircase diameter, which determines how wide your staircase will be.

Choosing the right diameter for your staircase depends on several factors, such as its intended use (will you be transporting items up and down the stairs?), frequency of use (daily, monthly?), as well as your budget. Regardless of the diameter you select, the minimum finished opening for your staircase should be at least two inches larger than the staircase itself.

Think also about both aesthetics and comfort, as these factors will greatly influence your overall satisfaction with the spiral staircase.

  • Available Space: The space where you plan to install your spiral staircase is a major determinant of its diameter. If you have ample room, you can opt for a wider spiral staircase. A more generous diameter not only looks more elegant but also enhances the comfort of navigating the stairs.
  • Comfort Factor: A smaller diameter may save space, but it might not provide enough room for easy passage. If your spiral staircase is going to be a frequently used access point, consider a wider diameter for a more comfortable experience.
  • Well Space: The diameter of your spiral staircase also influences the size of the well, which is the space on the upper floor where the staircase ends. To ensure that the handrail has adequate space, the well should be at least two inches wider in diameter than the spiral staircase itself.

Designing Your Perfect Spiral Staircase

If you need a spiral staircase plan dimensions for your home, floor-to-floor height and diameter should be at the forefront of your consideration. Once you’ve taken them into account, you’re ready to design the ideal spiral staircase that adds elegance and functionality to your living space.

We also recommend that you look into the following additional factors to enhance your spiral staircase design:

  • Materials: Choose materials for the steps, handrails, and balusters that match your home’s aesthetic. Whether it’s wood, metal, or glass, the material you choose can greatly impact the overall look of your staircase.
  • Style: Select a style that complements your home’s decor. From classic wrought iron to modern, sleek designs, there are numerous options to fit your taste.
  • Color: The color of your spiral staircase can either blend seamlessly with your interior or stand out as a bold design statement.

Create the Staircase of Your Dreams Today!

Don’t hesitate to reach out to iStairs for all of your spiral staircase inquiries. Whether you need assistance with planning, installation, repair, remodeling, or any other aspect related to spiral staircases, we’re your trusted partner for creating the perfect staircase you’ll love and be proud of! Contact us today to learn more about the spiral staircase minimum dimensions for your home.

Top 10 Stair Ideas for Small Spaces

Have you ever been in a home that has a particularly unique staircase or set of stairs, perhaps a beautifully stained wooden staircase or a one with a truly modern look, and been amazed as to how much character this one element adds to a house?

Conversely, have you ever seen a set of stairs that stood out because of its poor design or safety hazards? As is the case with many houses, the stairs are a feature that can really bring a home together (literally and figuratively) when they are constructed and designed with a smart approach and attention to detail. And while many homes do have your average size staircase between levels, stair design and construction becomes especially interesting and unique when doing so for small spaces! By installing or constructing stairs in small spaces, you can truly maximize the total area of a room by making it more functional; moreover, stairs which are nicely fitted into a small space can add the character that you want for your home!

Let’s take a look at 10 of the more popular stair ideas for small spaces, beginning with an idea for stairs in a tiny house!

  1. Built-in stairs that double as storage ascending to loft in tiny house: Nothing is quite as space-efficient as a tiny house, and the stairs represent one of the most ideal features for living in an exceptionally small space. The design of these small space stairs function as normal stairs, with the added feature of having pullout drawers underneath each individual stair. By simply pulling out the drawer, you extend the length of the tread, and by releasing the latch keeping the top in place; you can instantly have access to the storage space underneath.
  2. Simple wooden plank stairs instead of a ladder with built in storage features: This small space stair design works well in tight corners that have vertical access to an upper level loft or attic. With 3 initial stairs leading to a quarter landing, the stairs then turn 180 degrees at the angle a ladder would, all the while providing you potential storage space where before you had none.
  3. Retractable attic ladder/stairway: A rigid and sliding staircase design that extends directly from the hatchway in your ceiling, and folds comfortably up into the ceiling when not in use, making it ideal for small spaces, like your garage or attic for instance.
  4. Space saving modular staircase: Perfect for lofts and tiny homes alike, this staircase design is made with adjustable steps and alternating tread for true space efficiency and is functional, while still being easy to install for homeowners. This staircase design works well for both straight line installations as well as installations that require turns.
  5. Efficient spiral staircase designs: By design, the spiral staircase takes up much less space than the traditional style staircase and as such, a spiral staircase is ideal for operating in small spaces and can be installed practically anywhere simply as a result of its size and shape. A spiral staircase is also one of the few staircase designs that are not constrained by room location.
  6. Bookshelf that doubles as a space-efficient staircase: One of the more popular staircase designs for small spaces in one that essentially uses the space underneath the actual stairs as bookshelves, making it look like one cohesive staircase-bookshelf, giving you the space- saving attributes of a small staircase while at the same time, giving you an aesthetically pleasing place to store your books.
  7. Switchback stairs with incorporated storage units: This staircase design is suitable for spaces that require a turnaround around the initial landing, and is also efficient because of all the potential areas to install storage space underneath the stairs, either in the form of drawers, cabinets, even tiny closets!
  8. A child’s loft bed complete with desk and small staircase: This unique and fun design is special because it takes the idea of a bunk bed and increases its overall function and appeal, as it has safe stairs assenting to the upper loft, while underneath is installed with a child-size desk with multiple storage components. The stairs are compact but perfect for this type of system.
  9. Simple ladder system for access to small loft: While this staircase design is more in the mold of a traditional ladder, the use of handrails, its wide tread, and ease of use make this small staircase ideal for access to a free standing loft that is not very high up.
  10. Quick access steps up to attic: If you have a small attic hatchway but no realistic way of angling a ladder to fit, you can always widen the hatchway and complete the process with a quick installation of a staircase mounted to the wall, this way you have a long-term solution to the problem of the hazardous ladder maneuvering.

10 Staircase Design Ideas

While many may believe that a staircase functions as only a sort of bridge to travel between the floors of a home, a well designed staircase actually has the potential to reflect the unique character and style of a home. From traditional staircases made with classic oak materials, to more contemporary styles featuring spirals made of iron, there is an array of residential staircase ideas to choose from! With just the right combination of aesthetic appeal and functionality, a well-designed staircase idea can improve the beauty and value of your home. In an effort to inspire some creative staircase ideas for your home, take the following 10 examples of stair designs and styles, which are very popular among California homeowners.

  1. The ‘Modern Genesis’: this particular staircase design looks like an elegant double helix spiral, and is often used in small spaces. This modernized staircase idea can easily be customized to the unique style and character of your home’s interior; for example, there are a variety of building materials which you can combine to give your spiral staircase an individual flair.
  2. Glass stairs: a staircase featuring glass is often the focal point of a home, as a glass staircase really adds a sense of glamour to a residential home.
  3. Staircase with suspended treads: a unique floating style staircase is a standout design, especially when coupled with a feature like a lighted handrail for example.
  4. Traditional continuous stairs: for a more traditional style home, the continuous stairs without landings make for a appealing staircase idea, and can be modernized with quality dark wood stairs
  5. Wood stairs with metal inlay: a type of floating staircase that allows for a more contemporary feel with the added metal inlay within a thick wood step. Coupling this with a stainless steel baluster attached to a floor to floor glass wall gives this staircase a very elegant touch.
  6. Simply modern staircase: for a simple yet modern staircase that accents a home, these stairs have a single landing strip that is complemented by the darkness of the wood treads and highlighted by white wood railings.
  7. Energy-efficient architectural stairs: For a more grassroots feel, this staircase design is created using energy efficient materials, such as hickory wood and wire railings, lending a very outdoorsy feel to the inside of a contemporary home.
  8. Free standing staircase: to create a more elegant feel inside a modern home, this free standing staircase contains floating stairs with a wood finish held together with a glass balustrade.
  9. Concrete staircase: to give an extreme modern accent to a home, this staircase starts out narrow on the top but eventually widens as it curves to reach the landing. The concrete treads contain no space between them making these stairs very sturdy and modern looking.
  10. Stair tower: this type of staircase adds an elegant warmth to the home with its circular fashion, stock metalwork railings, and brown tile.

If you are ready to make your staircase ideas into a reality, call iStairs today to get you set up with a staircase you love!

 

DIY Stair Project

Believe it or not, the staircase is actually one of the main visual focus points of your home, and even the smallest of changes or remodels to the stairs can offer a big improvement.

An outdated staircase can be an eyesore, so why not look into some creative ways of improving your staircase today?

So if you are considering a new stairs project as a way to improve the aesthetics of your house, don’t rush into hiring an expensive contractor just yet! Instead, look into the variety of do-it-yourself projects and improvements you yourself can do. With a little creativity and some basic equipment and labor, you can completely change the look and style of any set of stairs and add some unique flair to your home!

From a simple staircase makeover, to a more complex remodel of a set of stairs, the possibilities for DIY stair projects are endless.

Take an old wooden style banister with carpeted stairs for example; one way of improving this staircase would be the DIY stairs project of painting and staining the stair railing a modern black, followed by removing the outdated carpet and painting the risers and steps black as well. A project of this size is likely to be accompanied by other DIY makeovers in the areas surrounding the staircase, as you will want to match the appropriate color schemes and designs to your new and improved stairs.

A simpler way of adding some flair to your set of stairs is with the addition of a runner, or the rug and rug pad that runs through the middle of the typically wooden stairs to add cushion and noise reduction. You can create this DIY stairs project with the appropriate materials in very little time!

There are so many unique and creative ways to remodel handrails for DIY stairs projects as well, and while several require more time and money than others depending upon the size of the project and the type of material, it’s nearly always a good idea when you choose to invest in your home by creating something of your very own design inside.

Consider remodeling the railing of your staircase with anything from repurposed old wooden doors, stainless steel cables, to even glass enclosed in a wooden frame. Another way to remodel one of the sections of a staircase railing is simply to create a bookshelf in place of the balusters, handrails, and shoe rails, typically at either the top of the stairs, or at the bottom landing of the stairs.

DIY stairs projects like the bookshelf-railing idea are ideal because they are beautiful to look at, and they function as a space-saver for storage purposes as well.

Looking for a way to keep your toddler or pet from getting up or down the stairs, but haven’t found an affordable one in stores that actually works? Well, a DIY stairs project could be just the solution you are looking for, because there are multiple cheap and creative ways to create a functional do-it-yourself baby gate for your staircase! For a spiral staircase, you can create a baby gate that slides back and forth and rests between the spindles simply by fastening a length of fabric to PVC pipes.

For something a bit more artsy, you can repurpose a barn door, old kitchen door, or wooden pallet and attach it with hinges and a lock to the bottom of stairs, almost like a garden gate.

 

Moisture Content and Wood Movement

Moisture content and wood movement and cause potential problems to your staircases. It is best to understand these so that such problems can be avoided. We at iStairs, your trusted Sacramento stairs provider, want you to gain more knowledge about your stairs so read on to learn more about moisture content and wood movement.

Moisture Content of Wood

The moisture content of wood is directly affected by the relative humidity of the air around it. Because of this, the higher the relative humidity of the surrounding air, the higher the moisture content of the wood as well.

It is really important to understand the relationship between relative humidity and moisture content because if you buy and use wood that comes from a place with relative humidity that is not the same as where the wood would be used, then the wood may shrink or expand, depending on the new relative humidity. The wood will eventually synchronize with the new relative humidity and when this happens, the wood will have its equilibrium moisture content.

By now you would know that if the wood is on the equilibrium moisture content, it will not shrink or expand anymore, or if it still does, it would do so only by an insignificant amount.

Wood Movement

Wood movement is the shrinking or expanding of wood caused by moisture content, which, in turn, is affected by the relative humidity of the surrounding air. Wood will surely move until it reaches the point where the moisture content is equal to the relative humidity. Again, when the moisture content has reached the same amount as the relative humidity, it is called the equilibrium moisture content.

This is the point where the wood will not move; thus, the best time to use the wood for your project.

Effects of Wood Movement

When your wood expands or shrinks, then it can cause a lot of trouble. If the moisture content of your wood is very high when you use it and that the relative humidity is low, then the wood would shrink a lot. When wood shrinks, it may cause gaps and cracks. For stairs, it may make your steps rickety.

On the other hand, if the wood is too dry, and the place where it would be installed is quite humid, then the wood may expand. When the wood expand, then the paint or varnish may crack because it was not designed for the expanded size.

How to combat Wood Movement

Be aware that wood movement cannot be stopped. But you can predict it. With the use of a moisture meter, you can check what the current moisture of the wood is when you get it. When you know that it is not proportionate to the relative humidity of the place where it will be installed, then you can expect it to move.

Professional help for Wood Movement

Being your trusted Sacramento stairs company, iStairs does not take wood movement for granted. We consider it on all of our projects. We want your stairs to be perfect on all angles – inside and out. You make sure that your stairs stay as they are when we finish. Your wooden stairs will not shrink nor expand. It will stay beautifully as it is.

For more information on moisture content and wood movement, just contact us and we can help you. Again, iStairs is your best choice for a Sacramento stairs provider so look no more, call us now!