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Stairs Article Tip
Working with your contractor and dealing with your contract when
building stair systems can be pretty tricky. The words and understanding
the terms the contractor's going the use in the contract or during the
construction process itself can be pretty confusing. Here are some tips
for dealing with stair contractors during the building or home
remodeling process.
Stairways Working with Your Contractor
by: Shawn Capell
Your home beautiful is just around the corner. You've selected your
architect and your general contractor, and soon trades people will be
appearing at your doorstep to put in those much-needed renovations. Now,
it's about speaking their language so you can answer questions
intelligently and get the results you want.
One key area that takes special crafting is your stairway. You can keep
an eye on how things are progressing if you know the basics of stairway
construction.
Learning the Lingo
Like any craft, building stairways has its own jargon. Learn the most
common terms here.
Tread: The part of the step that is stepped on.
Riser: The vertical portion of the step between steps.
Balustrade: Refers to the collection of newels, balusters and handrail
on a staircase. |
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Handrail: The horizontal member of a balustrade system that sits on top
of the balusters and is supported by newel posts.
Balusters: Vertical posts which help support the handrail and comprise
an integral design element in the formation of the balustrade.
Newel Posts: Located at the bottom and top of a staircase, and
positioned at turns and support positions for the balcony rail, these
posts form the major support of the balustrade system.
Nosing: The portion of a tread or landing tread which protrudes beyond
the face of the riser.
Bullnose: The wider, rounded portion of a first step of a stairway that
is open on one or both sides.
Run: The horizontal distance measured by the entire stairway.
Stringers: A supporting structure which runs the length of the stairway
and supports the treads, risers, and balustrade system.
Staying in Step with the Workers
Now that you know what the workers are talking about, you can also know
what they're doing with the tips below.
1. Make sure the contractor has checked the local building codes.
Building code requirements for stairs vary from town to town, and you
want to be sure you're in compliance.
2. Confirm correct stairwell dimensions. You may see measurements on a
blueprint, but it wouldn't hurt to check the numbers again when the
workers aren't around. You don't have to say anything if they're right;
if they need correcting, you've just saved yourself some money.
3. Follow standard rules of thumb: Check the charts as well for stair
parameters. Stair rise should be no higher than 7-5/8 inches, and the
stair tread no more narrow than 10 inches. You'll ensure there's no
stumbling when guests are over.
4. Choosing the material: Use specially crafted parts, especially for
the weight bearing parts such as stair treads. If any wood will be
exposed, you'll want to find a grain that harmonizes with your taste and
décor.
5. Fasteners and adhesives: Ask your contractor if they intend to "glue
and screw," and not just provide one or the other. This extra connecting
power will help keep the stairway from creaking.
6. Strength and noise: Once the stairway is built, take a few moments to
run up and down it before any carpeting or staining takes place. Be
sensitive to bounciness or squeaks. This is the one and only time they
can be dealt with affordably.
It's your house, and your involvement helps ensure things are done
right. And, you'll enjoy your new stairway all the more knowing what's
gone into it.
About The Author
Shawn Capell is the cofounder of Stair Warehouse. Stair Warehouse
specializes in beautiful American Cherry stair parts, ornamental
contemporary and iron balusters and Newel Posts. Visit them today at
http://Stairwarehouse.com to
find Stair Treads at warehouse pricing!
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