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Why should I choose a curved staircase
instead of a less expensive “L” shaped
staircase that my builder is suggesting?
First impressions are what sell homes. A curved staircase will
add a level of luxury, and sophistication to the entranceway
of any home.
In addition to the obvious aesthetic advantages, a curved staircase
also increases a home’s resale value. Homeowners and builders
alike have found that a curved staircase is a great investment.
How much does a curved staircase cost?
That’s not a simple answer to give anyone. Width, elevation,
amount of railing, tread & riser material, stringer material,
newel posts, balusters all impact the price. We produce stairs
from $2,000.00 to over $400,000.00 depending on the above mentioned
items and many others such as carvings, custom iron and glass
components as well as delivery and installation. Providing an
estimate for your staircase requires getting to know your project
in more detail.
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My carpenter can build a curved staircase. Why should I buy
one of yours?
We think of our radius staircases as furniture, and they’re
superior for many of the same reasons cabinets are: Accurate
to within one thousandth of an inch, it’s nearly impossible
to achieve this kind of precision without large, floor-mounted
machinery and the climate-controlled conditions of a shop. Precision
tolerance is now recognized as a safety issue and a 3/16” variance
per flight is the maximum allowed by most local and national
building codes. Field tools and conditions simply cannot guaranty
this degree of accuracy.
At what point in the construction process should I be working
with a staircase manufacturer?
The design of a curved staircase depends on the space it will
occupy. Ideally, the builder should be working with a curved
staircase company at the time the foundation poured. Costly
errors can be avoided by careful planning early in the process.
We like to be involved early enough to prepare full CAD drawings
of the staircase and the surrounding area before framing of
this area begins.
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How do I know that your staircase will fit my home?
Our staircases are constructed to one thousandth of an inch
precision according to shop drawings we create, and the customer
approves. Various components of the staircase, such as treads,
risers, and stringers, are fabricated by specialists at our
facility. If you choose, all the parts are then assembled
to uncover any dimensional mistakes. As a result, we can ship
the completed staircase worldwide, confident the customer
will experience a trouble-free installation.
My carpenter is not comfortable building a curved a handrail
at the jobsite. Can you send them pre-curved?
Yes. All handrails arrive pre-curved to fit your staircase.
In addition, we can include any curved landing tread or cove
mold the installation requires. All curved members can then
be installed in the field in much the same way as their straight
counterparts.
back to top Can you completely install the staircase for me?
Yes. We offer complete installation at the job site. However,
this is your most expensive option. To reduce costs, we offer
the following alternatives:
1. We can assist in setting the staircase in place and leave
you with thorough, easy-to-follow installation instructions.
The driver will require several people (varies according to
the weight and complexity of your staircase), at least one of
which should be a qualified carpenter.
2. Handrails can be pre-installed prior to shipping. This option
saves the customer a lot of tedious work while providing a superior
attachment method. The completed handrail is disassembled for
shipment and numbered for reassembly. Re-assembly at the jobsite
requires a carpenter of average experience only an hour or so
to complete.
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When should the staircase be delivered?
This depends on the type of staircase you choose. For finished
stairs, they should arrive at the jobsite in the latter half
of the interior finish trim process, about the same time the
cabinets are installed. For Paint grade / Carpet Grade stairs,
they can be delivered as soon as the home is dry.
Should I build the curved walls before the staircase is delivered?
We recommend that you wait until the staircase is installed
before building any curved walls. This method is generally
easier and leaves less room for mistakes.
However, if the staircase is freestanding, all framing can be
completed prior to the installation.
back to top What is the difference between a spiral staircase and a curved
staircase?
A spiral staircase usually turns a full circle relatively tightly
around a center pole. Spiral stairs are generally used where
floor space is limited and can be more difficult to use due
to the tight rotation. For most areas building codes prohibit
this type of a staircase for a main stair.
A curved staircase has both an inside and an outside radius
and rotates more gently. Therefore, a curved staircase is easier
to walk on. Some building codes refer to curved staircases as
winder staircases.
OK, then what is a flared staircase?
A flared staircase is a straight staircase with one or both
sides curved (or flared) at the bottom.
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Do you offer a variety of wood choices? My decorator has specified
Brazilian Cherry. Is this a problem?
We can produce a staircase out of virtually any wood you specify.
You can even supply the stock. Also, we offer a wide range of
standard wood choices, including, pine, mahogany, cherry, soft
maple, and red oak. To keep costs low, we produce and stock
parts made from these woods in the most commonly requested sizes.
back to top How do I go about designing my stair?
Simply call us toll free at 1-888-256-STAIR. We have experienced
designers on staff who can work out details, code issues, offer
alternative designs and economical ways to achieve your design
from conceptual renderings to execution.
What if I want an iron handrail or all iron rail system?
In today’s market, iron, brass and bronze handrails are
very popular; however there are issues of graspability and code
compliance with these products. To limit our liability, we choose
not to offer them as options; however we have relationships
with great local iron fabricators and will be happy to refer
you to them.
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Does that mean you don’t work with iron?
Absolutely not! We stock over 50,000 pieces of iron balusters
in various sizes and designs. Chances are that if you have seen
it somewhere else, we have it in stock. We also make custom
steel balusters to your specifications or can design something
for you.
How long does it take to get my staircase?
Depending on the type of stair it can be as little as four
days to months if custom finishes and carvings are chosen. For
the most part, established accounts usually have a one to two
week lead time on approved designs, while first time clients
with a unique design usually have an eight to twelve week lead
time. For a specific time pertaining to your project, call us
at 1-888-256-STAIR.
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