News — cheap stair parts

How to Make Your Wood Stairs Less Slippery

Everyone loves a classic, wooden staircase. Not only do wood stairs give a timeless look to a stair remodel, but they're easy to keep clean. Unfortunately, installing wood treads can come at a price: a slippery staircase. The good news is that there are things you can do to prevent this from being the case.

The first option for slippery wood stairs is carpeting. 

Runners are good for adding a bit of luxury to any staircase, but keep in mind that if your treads are narrow, the carpeting might end up causing an even bigger hazard. Unsupported carpet at the edge of each tread could cause someone to slip. If this is the case on your wood stairs, you can also buy individual carpeting for each stair.

A coat of anti-slip paint is also an option.

You probably had no idea that you could add a layer of non-slip paint to each tread to prevent slips. This kind of paint can be found in hardware stores or online. It can be purchased in a variety of colors or as a clear coat, whichever you prefer for your staircase.

You can install a No-Slip strip.

There are a variety of adhesive strips that you can apply to your staircase to make it less slippery. The No-Slip Strip is a great option that's easy to install. They're comfortable on your feet and durable so that they can last for years to come.

Before you decide on any of the options above, be sure to check the level on each of your individual treads to make sure that none of them are slanting forward. This is a common issue that causes wood stairs to be more slippery, so if your stairs are slanting forward, you might have to consider installing new ones. You can find stair parts and everything you need for a stair remodel or project on our website. Be sure and connect with us on Google Plus.

Deciding on Iron Balusters for Your Home

The beauty of your staircase design is in the details, and a lot of preparation goes into making those details beautiful. Material, design, and layout are all very important when it comes to planning a stair remodel or project, but don't worry, once you get started, the process isn't long or treacherous.

So what if you decide to use iron balusters in your new staircase design? You have a few options to choose from.

The simplest options that you have are the Gothic, Medallion, and Mediterranean iron balusters. If you're looking for a more basic design, then you'll love the Gothic and Mediterranean options. Whereas the Medallion option includes a round cutout within the baluster that can seem a bit more flashy.

If you love the ribbon look, then you'll love our Ribbon, Twist & Basket, Mega and Knee Wall options. While the basic Ribbon design is more classic, the Twist & Basket and Knee Wall options come very close. For a bolder look, you should check out our Mega iron balusters. The more intricate designs include our Scroll and Belly options. These gorgeous accents will make any onlooker pause and admire your new addition. You can also add a decorative panel to give your stair remodel extra flair.

Visit our online shop to choose from our great selection of iron balusters today.

Add Color and Character to Your Stair Remodel with Paint

Your staircase might fall on one end of this spectrum or somewhere in between: is it a beautiful focal point or a boring necessity in your home? If your staircase needs some love, we have great news for you. It's easy to do a quick stair remodel with a few cheap stair parts and a fresh coat of paint.

There are a few things you need to remember if you're going to use a splash of paint to revamp your boring staircase.

If your staircase is carpeted, be sure and rip up the carpet to get the most out of your stair remodel paint job. Odds are, your staircase has some lovely wood stairs waiting for your underneath that carpeting. The wood treads are probably also pretty dirty from spending years under a carpet, so be sure and give them a good clean before you begin painting.

You will need to sweep, vacuum and even scrub them with soap in order to ensure a clean surface for the paint.

Also, be sure to use masking tape to prevent paint from getting in areas you don't want it to be.

After you've selected your paint color of choice and decided where you want it to be, paint over the area with a base color like a white gloss. You'll need to wait for this base color to dry completely, which can be difficult in a high traffic area like your staircase, so plan accordingly.

Your options are endless when it comes to design and color, so get creative and try your best to match the feel of your home. Remember, you can always replace the wood treads you find under your carpeted staircase if they're ugly or in bad condition. You might also consider replacing your balusters to match your new paint job, and you can use our stair design tool to help you make that decision.

Good luck on your next stair remodel or project. Feel free to check out our FAQ section or reach out to us with any questions you might have. 

Best Practices for Storing Your Stair Parts

So you've decided to begin a stair remodel or new staircase project, and the first step is figuring out exactly what you need to get started for your new stair design. After you've figured this part out, it's time to place your stair parts order. Once your order arrives, it probably contains stair railings, iron balusters, and maybe even some newel posts. But what's your next step after they arrive?

It's time to store them until you're able to begin your stair remodel or project.

1. You always want to store your wooden stair parts, like your wood stairs or wood balusters, in a place that's free of moisture. Moisture isn't good for wooden parts, and it should be avoided at all costs. The wood itself can be damaged by coming in contact with moisture whether it's on the concrete floors in your basement or near the ventilation on your AC Unit.
2. Never store your stair parts in a dusty or dirty place. Not only can the dirt damage the finishes on your new stair parts, but it can create an unnecessary cleaning task for you before you begin you stair remodel or project. We recommend that you keep your stair parts in their shipping boxes in a moisture-free closet.
3. Whether you purchased cheap stair parts or stair parts that are top of the line, it's important that you keep them out of direct sunlight. Additionally, if the storage area for your stair parts is too warm, it can also damage the wood by causing it to dry out and crack. Our recommended storage temperature is around 70 degrees.

If you have any questions about storing your stair parts order, please reach out to us on our Contact page.

Modern Staircase Design Tips

Modern staircases are becoming more popular in the interior design world, forcing homebuilders and remodelers alike to pay attention to the trends. Staircase design is one of the most challenging parts of an architect's job when designing a new home, and with all of the advances in staircase architecture, it's only getting more complicated. 

So if you're about to embark on a stair remodel or project, here are a few helpful tips to know about modern staircase design.

**Remember, staircase design must abide by your region's building code. Certain dimensions are required in many areas, as well as certain elements like guardrails.

1. The materials you choose will play a big role in creating the perfect modern staircase.

Whether you decide to incorporate glass or wide oak treads, your the options are endless for your modern stair remodel. Just be sure to keep in mind that glass treads, although beautiful, become very slippery with only a drop of water. Plus, there's a privacy issue because they're see through.

2. Incorporate modern design elements.

Thin iron balusters, wide treads, and "open" staircases are all very on trend in the modern staircase world. Finding stair parts can be more difficult for this type of stair remodel, so be sure to check out our online store for everything you need.

3. Make your staircase a design focal point in your home.

Your staircase is one of the most high traffic areas in your home, so why not make it a stunning, modern centerpiece? If you're building a new home, you have more control over the location of your new staircase, but if you're embarking on a stair remodel, you might have to work a little harder to make this happen.

If you want to try out a staircase design before making your purchase, be sure and check out our Stair Design Tool. Keep in mind that you can find all of the stair parts you need on our website. From your friends at Direct Stair Parts, good luck with your modern staircase design project!

What You Need to Consider for Your Wooden Staircase

One of the most difficult parts of a stair remodel is deciding what kind of wooden stair parts you should use to complete your project. There are many factors that make each type of wood different, and your options can easily overwhelm you. Hopefully we can help you avoid some of the stress and anxiety that comes with any stair remodel or project by explaining the basics of selecting the best wood for you.

The most important thing that you’ll need to consider is what you intend to do with the wood stair parts that you’ll purchase, and this decision will usually depend on what you want your finished staircase to look like.

The are many options and themes that you can consider, however, they will all be limited by the type/grade of wood that you select for your project. When making your selection, you will want to focus on four particular grade factors: carpet grade, paint grade, stain grade, and finish grade.

Carpet grade woods usually vary drastically in color and can contain voids and knots. They are the most cost effective, but usually lack aesthetic appeal. This particular grade is referred to as “carpet grade” because it is usually covered with carpet because of its poor quality.

Paint grade woods are similar to carpet grade woods in that they too can vary in color. However, they usually contain less knotting and pitting. This wood also lacks quality and aesthetic appeal and is typically covered with a paint finish, which is why it is referred to as “paint grade."

The final two grades are very high quality. Stain grade woods, for example, contain a uniform grain and have fewer knots. These woods are great for staining, and they are considered the minimum for a finished staircase.

The best grades are called finish grades and include hardwoods like oak, cherry, or maple. These woods can also be stained, and they contain the fewest flaws when compared to the other grades.

If you can come up with a firm idea of what you want your finished project to look like, you’ll be well on your way to finding the best woods and finishes for your stair remodel.

If you’re looking for ideas for additional stair parts, feel free to visit our website to get your creative juices flowing. We have detailed diagrams and instructions for any aspect of your stair remodel, and we will be happy to answer any questions that you may have. We wish you the best of luck!