Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Feb 24, 2011 7:24 pm I am in need of some advice... We have been owner building forever and we are at the stage where we need to get the stairs done. We have three flights of stairs, a total of 19 stairs with two landings. We are having rosegum timber floors and I have NO IDEA how the stairs should be made. Do we (or rather the professional we get in): * have them made from pine or MDF and then clad them in rosegum? OR * have them made entirely from rosegum? I have no doubt that the second option would be by far the more expensive so what are the pros and cons of each approach? Plus, if anyone can recommend a good value staircase maker in Sydney, it would be greatly appreciated Loretta Re: HELP RE TIMBER STAIRCASE! 2Feb 24, 2011 7:27 pm Loretta….I can give you the name a great staircase maker if you want one from down here, he will travel to Sydney. You should have them made in solid Rose Gum. Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: HELP RE TIMBER STAIRCASE! 3Feb 24, 2011 7:37 pm Thanks Michelle - that would be great. And why in solid? Acoustics? Presentation? Ta Re: HELP RE TIMBER STAIRCASE! 4Feb 24, 2011 7:49 pm Nothing beats solid timber for wear and tear….especially on stairs!! Dale Cross – Specializing in timber staircases Ph: 02 44418305 M: 0409544469 I have to be honest, this is my cousin’s husband, he makes the best staircases I have seen, his craftsmanship is outstanding! When I’m onsite doing jobs, I always know his stairs, they stand out to perfection! Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: HELP RE TIMBER STAIRCASE! 5Feb 24, 2011 7:53 pm Hi Loretta, I too am owner building a double storey house, and have just recently had the stairs installed. Rossmore Stairs were recommended to me, and i was very pleased with both their flexibility, and cost. Ours is an l shaped staircase, with the lower section curving from about 1500mm wide to 1200mm at the winder landing. We are having painted stringers, carpeted stairs (bar the bottom two stairs that wrap arounnd the bottom which are maple. I am making my own wrought iron handrails. You will find an alarming increase in cost when using grade timber. but it ultimately comes down to cost and taste. PM me if you would like any more detail loretta I am in need of some advice... We have been owner building forever and we are at the stage where we need to get the stairs done. We have three flights of stairs, a total of 19 stairs with two landings. We are having rosegum timber floors and I have NO IDEA how the stairs should be made. Do we (or rather the professional we get in): * have them made from pine or MDF and then clad them in rosegum? OR * have them made entirely from rosegum? I have no doubt that the second option would be by far the more expensive so what are the pros and cons of each approach? Plus, if anyone can recommend a good value staircase maker in Sydney, it would be greatly appreciated Loretta Re: HELP RE TIMBER STAIRCASE! 6Feb 24, 2011 8:09 pm Thanks Michelle and Ozberg. I really would love solid stairs BUT i just don't know if we can afford it. If we went for a pine/mdf frame and then cladding the tread/stringers and rise would that look hideous and would they wear away quickly? Re: HELP RE TIMBER STAIRCASE! 7Feb 24, 2011 8:16 pm thought about doing a tongue and groove up the stairs? Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: HELP RE TIMBER STAIRCASE! 9Feb 24, 2011 8:30 pm Actually……I’m sorry I even posted that up for you to read! I would never do it, nothing beats a solid staircase, you will never have a problem with the timber treads in solid wood. Bar having to sand them back after some wear and tear after a few years, that’s all the maintenance they will need! Tongue and groove is a thin layer of timber overlaying a pine backing. It can only be sanded back once in its life time. Not my favourite flooring to use. Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: HELP RE TIMBER STAIRCASE! 10Feb 24, 2011 8:34 pm Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: HELP RE TIMBER STAIRCASE! 11Feb 24, 2011 8:35 pm Ah, but when budget is an issue Michelle perhaps T&G is the answer? Is that what would "clad" the pine/mdf? Re: HELP RE TIMBER STAIRCASE! 12Feb 24, 2011 8:37 pm Oh, lovely pics Michelle!! We have a little one though so i think they will have to be closed Re: HELP RE TIMBER STAIRCASE! 13Feb 24, 2011 8:40 pm loretta Ah, but when budget is an issue Michelle perhaps T&G is the answer? Is that what would "clad" the pine/mdf? YES! If you choose to go down this path, make sure you choose a good quality tongue and groove company. http://www.google.com.au/search?q=tongu ... rt=10&sa=N For the life of me I can’t remember the one we sell at Carpet Court….I’ll find out for you tomorrow at work. Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: HELP RE TIMBER STAIRCASE! 14Feb 24, 2011 8:41 pm [quote="loretta"]Oh, lovely pics Michelle!! We have a little one though so i think they will have to be closed /quote] They are off the net….its illegal not to have stairs closed in Australia Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: HELP RE TIMBER STAIRCASE! 15Feb 24, 2011 8:51 pm We are going to have our staircase installed in a few weeks by a staircase company (in Sydney) recommended by a couple of builders who use them for their own homes. The service to date has been fantastic. Their website is comprehensive. http://www.genstairs.com.au/ Re: HELP RE TIMBER STAIRCASE! 16Feb 24, 2011 11:06 pm I'll just mention that Genneral Staircase, mentioned by the previous poster, have just installed our stairs. We're very pleased with them, it is a very nice looking job, with a double bullnose at the bottom and nicely turned banisters. They have a modest showroom up at Bella Vista with some interesting stair ideas. Re: HELP RE TIMBER STAIRCASE! 17Feb 25, 2011 2:39 pm jxh I'll just mention that Genneral Staircase, mentioned by the previous poster, have just installed our stairs. We're very pleased with them, it is a very nice looking job, with a double bullnose at the bottom and nicely turned banisters. They have a modest showroom up at Bella Vista with some interesting stair ideas. That's great news. I am so looking forward to having stairs instead of going up and down a ladder all the time and it will signal our extension being nearly finished. Re: HELP RE TIMBER STAIRCASE! 18Feb 25, 2011 2:50 pm What sort of balustrade are you thinking of loretta? Re: HELP RE TIMBER STAIRCASE! 19Feb 25, 2011 3:09 pm BBB - we also have a bridge that crosses the void above our hallway and that needs a balustrade as well. I would LOVE horizontal stainless steel cables for the stairs and the bridge BUT since we have a little one, I don't think that it would be particulary safe. So I think we might go with glass but then I am not such a fan of glass on stairs. Dilemmas! Re: HELP RE TIMBER STAIRCASE! 20Feb 25, 2011 11:56 pm [quote="Michelle"]Actually……I’m sorry I even posted that up for you to read! I would never do it, nothing beats a solid staircase, you will never have a problem with the timber treads in solid wood. Bar having to sand them back after some wear and tear after a few years, that’s all the maintenance they will need! Tongue and groove is a thin layer of timber overlaying a pine backing. It can only be sanded back once in its life time. Not my favourite flooring to use. I'm confused by this tongue and groove flooring (to my mind) is regular solid wood flooring, our whole house is tongue and groove including the full wrap around verandahs But other than that I agree nothing beats solid wood Staircases and sausages. Should thou wish to keep thy palate sweet for sausages, avert thine eyes from their crafting. 14 4590 Not sure if that works? I was told the issue is the headspace clearance requirement on step 4. My builder is proposing shifting the beam 310mm towards the kitchen...I'm… 2 2539 Engineering timber is certainly a less fuss option, times cheaper to supply and install and better withstands humidity. 1 15907 |