Hi, my name is Amber, and I have worked alongside of contractors for years. I ran the sales department of a contracting firm, I bought my own house and hired multiple contractors to help with projects, and I am an amateur researcher of all things related to contracting. If you are thinking about a home or commercial repair or refurbishment, this blog is for you. It has designs, inspiration and advice that I have picked up from my close relationships with contractors over the year. I hope these posts illuminate your next project and help you decide which direction to take your home or business.
The humble backyard is receiving a grand makeover, thanks to the rise in popularity of custom alfresco ki
Building a new home is exciting. You have the chance to create a forever space that meets all your needs.
Safety is a concern in any construction site. In most cases, employees carry heavy objects, work at extre
Adding new handrails on a staircase or painting it with a new colour can transform the look and the feel
Whether you are making repairs to your property, adding an extension or building something entirely new,
In many double storey homes, the staircase is a dominant and highly visible feature of the living space. If your home is an older style, then this may mean that your drab and dated staircase is creating a focal feature that stands out in a less positive way. Fortunately, even the most unsightly old staircase can be given a new look.
Many people defer their staircase renovations because of the misconception that it will be an expensive project. However, provided that the structure of the staircase is sound, it's actually fairly inexpensive to give it a modern makeover. Here are two simple and cost-effective ways to revamp an old staircase.
1. Replace the balustrades and handrails
As well as being a vital safety feature, the balustrades and handrails of your staircase are the most visible features. You can quickly and easily update the look by replacing dated balustrades and handrails with fresh, modern versions.
Popular contemporary balustrade looks include toughened glass panels, ornate wrought iron or stainless steel wires. You can pair the balustrades with a contrasting handrail material, such as a timber handrail with stainless steel wires, for a highly modern and stylish look.
Whatever balustrades and handrails you opt for, make sure they're installed by a professional contractor to ensure they're completely safe and meet any relevant safety laws and regulations in your location.
2. Replace the stair surface
Whether your old staircase is covered with stained and worn carpet, scratched and tarnished timber or chipped and old-fashioned tiles, replacing the surface covering can breathe new life into a set of stairs. Fresh carpet or a high-quality timber veneer both make an inexpensive but effective new surface which will easily modernise your staircase.
Carpet can easily be pulled up in preparation for a new surface material, but tiles can be a little trickier and costly to remove. Instead, opt for a floating timber laminate floor or a new carpet with a thick underlay which can be installed directly on top of the old tile surface.
If your staircase surface is made from solid timber, then you can simply sand and resurface the timber to get a new look. The dated, yellow treated pine that is such a common feature on older timber staircases can be given a modern look by sanding and using a modern stain, oil or wax to get a softer, warmer and more contemporary look.
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