Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Feb 02, 2008 7:06 pm Hi all,
I thought I would have an open staircase, with wooden balustrade as I told the builder so and was asked to select our balustrade earlier. Had looked our building house today, found the staircase was built like this: http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh205/Aulyna_1/100_2063.jpg (The staircase is at the left hand side after entering the front door, far middle on the picture. ) Checked our floor plan, the balustrade only stated on the upper floor: http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh205/Aulyna_1/Stairs_upper.jpg The lower floor is: http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh205/Aulyna_1/Stairs_ground.jpg My questions are: 1. Is it going to be an open staircase? 2. If it's not planned to build an open staircase, but a wall on the ground floor, is it better or worse? (The brick layer, he was working there today, said it looks not as good, but it's more economic to heat or cool the house.) 3. Is it too late to ask to change it back? How much money it could be charged? Is it worth to do? Any advice would be appriciated. Regards, Aulyna Re: Is this an open staircase? 2Feb 02, 2008 7:15 pm Certainly looks like it is not going to be an open staircase.
Yes it will be better heating wise, but I have an open staircase and I'm putting a door halfway up to fix that issue. As for cost - - it should not add a lot unless he is using the walls as strengtheners. Steve Re: Is this an open staircase? 3Feb 02, 2008 7:22 pm I'm surprised how many on here aren't using termite-treated framing, its not much more over normal pine framing not to mention the peace of mind. Re: Is this an open staircase? 4Feb 02, 2008 7:24 pm Thanks, Yak_Chat
Seems I have to talk to the builder on Monday. Yak_Chat Yes it will be better heating wise, but I have an open staircase and I'm putting a door halfway up to fix that issue. IF YOU DON'T MIND, would you please pm me a photo what your staricase looks like? Regards, Aulyna Re: Is this an open staircase? 5Feb 02, 2008 7:28 pm Dukekamaya I'm surprised how many on here aren't using termite-treated framing, its not much more over normal pine framing not to mention the peace of mind. Hi Dukekamaya, What do you mean? The frame is not termite-treated? Didn't know I have to ask for that earlier. Is it too late to ask? Regards, Aulyna Re: Is this an open staircase? 6Feb 02, 2008 7:41 pm No probs Alunya.
Pic is as I bought the place. I'm building a wall where the stairs turn right, and putting a door in there to seperate the area thermally and acoustically. http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff311/sunkosi/StairsandLounge.jpg Steve Re: Is this an open staircase? 8Feb 02, 2008 8:42 pm Aulyna_1 What do you mean? The frame is not termite-treated? Didn't know I have to ask for that earlier. Is it too late to ask? Regards, Aulyna Yes its just normal radiata pine. The termite-treated framing is dyed a blue colour. Its not full treated pine as its not treated for rot/decay - just termites. Its definately too late unless you want to throw all your frames out and pay for new ones. I'm surprised you weren't asked about it. Re: Is this an open staircase? 9Feb 02, 2008 9:45 pm Hi Dukekamaya,
Did see any blue frame here in Canberra, at least didn’t' notice any. I know termites are active in warm area, like Brisbane. Where are you? Is the termite-treated framing very popular there? Thanks anyway, I'll ask for termite-treated framing next time, if I CAN build one. Re: Is this an open staircase? 10Feb 03, 2008 9:19 am Aulyna,
Unfortunately there are termites pretty much everywhere in Australia. The tropical ones are just bigger and hungrier This might help re canberra termites. [url]http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1440- 6055.1991.tb00414.x?cookieSet=1[/url] Re a staircase - I like the look of an open staircase - this one at my place is a bit out of place as it is an add on the previous owner did and in my opinion is not in sympathy with the house, however, it works. IMO - providing the staircase can be blocked off - airflow and noise wise as required - then open is more attractive. Maybe you can help me - what you think I should do with mine?? I have this wall planned - and it was to be halfway up - but maybe I do it at the top? So - do I leave the downstairs section as is, and build a wall upstairs - where the railing goes across on the bottom photo Or do I close it off downstairs at the first landing and join to the raked beam - which means a door halfway up the stairs - but i also will be building a set of external stairs as getting furniture up these stairs is a total plain. Memories of Amsterdam and crane off the balcony come to mind My downstairs view of my stairs. http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff311/sunkosi/StairsandLounge.jpg And the stairs as they arive upstairs - to the right. http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff311/sunkosi/TopofStairs.jpg Now - onto your house - one good feature of the stairs as is - you can block off upstairs area very easily and this ensures the noise and smells from downstairs do not permeate all of the house. My thoughts. Steve Re: Is this an open staircase? 11Feb 03, 2008 5:08 pm Thanks for your link and photos.
To decide if asking the builder to change staircase to open one, visited few display homes today. You are right, open staircase is more attractive, at lease attractive to me. On my contract there is a variation states "Provide balustrade to stairs and granary". That’s should be an open staircase, right? Have to see the site manager tomorrow. Re yours: If you put a wall on top, it will keep down stair as it is, but reduce the area of upstairs physically and visually. From you photo, I can see how bit the area is. If it’s not a sitting area, it doesn’t matter much, if it is I definitely would not build a wall there, unless it’s a clear glass wall and door (very expensive I think). If you put the wall half way of the stair, it’s better. From your photo I can see carpet at downstairs, may I ask is carpet upstairs as well? The reason I’m asking is I’m planning to have wooden floor for the whole house, but some said it would be noisy if it’s not carpet on stairs and upstairs. What do you think? Regards, Aulyna Re: Is this an open staircase? 12Feb 03, 2008 6:09 pm The reason I’m asking is I’m planning to have wooden floor for the whole house, but some said it would be noisy if it’s not carpet on stairs and upstairs. What do you think?
Aulyna, my parents have a 2 story house with an open staircase, although it is all in one length, not in 2 directions like Ash's. Anyway the stair case is timber and most of their house is tiled, only the bedrooms are carpeted, and yes, the noise does carry from down stairs to upstairs big time. There is a TV built into the area under the stairs and a small open sitting room directly across from the staircase, TV noise to upstairs is quite loud. Haven't noticed smells, but then their house is a bit unusual in that the kitchen is on the upper level. (It's really a split level house, built into a slope, so the back door opens onto the back garden) Re: Is this an open staircase? 13Feb 03, 2008 6:58 pm Termite treated framing now accounts for about 20% house frames. I'm in the Shoalhaven on the NSW south coast and its getting pretty popular here.
The treated framing used north of the Tropic of Capricorn is stronger and is dyed red Re: Is this an open staircase? 14Feb 03, 2008 8:42 pm Aulyna, The pic you can sée of downstairs is how the place was before I bought it.
I have since removed all that scratchy carpet and I am doing polished floors for the lounge and kitchen area, with a new rug to go on the lounge area. And from some advice from friends (and Ashes input) Thanks Ash I'm doing carpet in all the bedrooms downstairs (which were carpet and are currently bare boards) along with polished floors in the hallway with rugs on them to reduce the noise. And under the stairs and in the new wall 2b, I'll put acoustic insulation to the stop noise travelling upstairs. Or is that noise upstairs from travelling downstairs Steve Staircases and sausages. Should thou wish to keep thy palate sweet for sausages, avert thine eyes from their crafting. 14 4551 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 2486 Cupcake.girl This really depends on your local council. Each one has different definitions and ways to calculate contributions. This is called a contribution… 1 3576 |