News — wood stairs

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!

Creative Ideas for Stair Railings That Will Help With Your Next Stair Remodel

A staircase has the potential to be the centerpiece of any home, and having the right design can serve as the key focal point for any project. However, the idea of a stair remodel is often overlooked, despite the impact that it can have on a home improvement project. Some homeowners avoid such projects because they are worried that they’ll be taking on a gargantuan task that requires huge amounts of materials and energy. However, many would be surprised at how a little creative thinking can go a long way in helping you to come up with an ingenious design for a staircase.

Let’s think about stair railings for example. You could try using unusual materials or replacing typical stair parts with something different by repurposing a few things.

Here are a few ideas for stair railings and odd items that might help to get those creative juices flowing.

Have you ever considered repurposing a rowing paddle? A rowing paddle staircase railing can be one of the best creative stair parts to include in a stair remodel for a lake house or a beachfront property. It already has the shape and size that most staircases need, so you can it be repurposed easily.

You could also bring a bit of nature inside your home by using a branch to replace your current stair railings. All you need is the right branch for the project. If you’re partial to the idea of using an actual branch, you can try having a custom branch-like rail made while only using the shape as inspiration.

If you have an outdoor staircase, vines can be a great idea for a handrail. Free form vines are great for this type of project and can often be found in the woods or at a local garden nursery. This design is also great because it can be easily integrated into an existing garden.

If you’re looking for stair railings that have an industrial flare, you can try using metal piping or unstained wood. These types of stair parts look great on wood stairs, and are easy to install.  

Hopefully, some of these ideas will help to jumpstart the creative process for your next home improvement project.

However, keep in mind that a distinctive staircase handrail doesn’t need to be made of an unusual or repurposed material. These are just a few creative ways to change an ordinary staircase into a breathtaking focal point during your next stair remodel.

Holiday Decorating for Your Staircase

The holidays are here, your home is decorated, and your shopping is (hopefully) almost complete. The team at Direct Stair Parts has one question: who says your staircase can't be in on the holiday fun? Decorating your stairs can be a challenge, so we've compiled a list of five holiday decorating tips for your staircase.

5 Holiday Decorating Tips for Your Staircase

1. Get started by adding a bright garland. 

2. Hang Stockings on your stair railing.

3. Add holly bunches.

4. Include small accents on your steps.

5. Add wreaths to your railing.

With these tips, you can completely reform your staircase this holiday season.

Get your staircase in the holiday spirit this year! For your holiday stair part or stair remodel needs, Direct Stair Parts is here for you. Our team wishes your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Custom Stair Parts: Finding Your Perfect Design

The staircase in your home adds to the character of your home's interior design. Over time, your staircase may become outdated and age the rest of your interior. Sure, you could replace a few damaged stair parts or even add a fresh coat of paint to liven it up, but one of the best ways to bring new life to an old staircase would be to add some custom elements with the stair parts of your choice.

When you first begin a stair remodel, it's important to not only decide what design you prefer, but also to figure out which materials you want to use. One of the best tools to get you started is our Stair Design Tool. You have many options when it comes to stair parts, and the team at Direct Stair Parts will support you every step of the way.

So whether you decide on wood stairs, iron balusters, or new staircase altogether, remember the design choice is yours.

Direct Stair Parts offers all of the sizes, colors, and fits that you could imagine in our inventory of cheap stair parts. Because of the variety we offer, you don't have to worry about your custom stair part needs. It is also because of this variety that you can find the perfect fit for your home. So if you're just getting started, here are some of your options when it comes to stair parts:

Balusters

The balusters are the stair parts that stand upright between newel posts, and they attach to the treads and the handrail. A staircase design trend right now is using iron balusters. There are several different finishes when deciding on iron balusters, and you can check them out here. There are many different designs ranging from traditional and ornate to simple and straight, so you can choose the iron balusters that are right for you. Of course, we offer wood balusters as well. Since balusters aren't worn as quickly as treads, they can be made from various types of wood. The choice is yours.

Treads

You walk up and down on the treads every day. Treads are the horizontal, flat pieces that we step on, and the pieces that are vertical in between each tread are called risers. These stair parts need to be strong as they endure heavy traffic, so when choosing treads, this must be taken into consideration. If hardwood flooring is a part of your interior design, it is also popular to choose treads that match your floors. Your options are endless when it comes to the types of wood you can use for your treads, so check out our inventory of wood treads.

Newel Posts

These posts are sturdy and can be found at the bottom, at the top, or on the landings of any staircase. These posts act as an anchor for the handrails by providing strength to the overall staircase design. You have various designs to choose from when deciding on newel posts, and it is also popular to have a newel cap to top it off. So whether you're going for a more modern staircase design, or a more traditional, ornate one, you can find the right newel posts for you. Keep in mind that these posts are connected to the handrails, so be sure to use complimentary materials.

Handrails

This is the stair part that your rest your hand on as you go up or down your staircase. It is often rounded so that a hand can rest on it comfortably. As always, depending on the interior design of your home, the handrail can be more modern or more traditional. We know you'll find the handrail you're looking for in our handrail inventory.

The options are endless when it comes to a custom designed staircase. Bring new life to the interior of your home with a few new stair parts or an entire staircase remodel. To view some of our stair parts in action, take a look at our photo gallery. Take the first step to making your staircase a centerpiece in your home's interior design.

The New Era of Stylish Iron Balusters

The staircase isn’t just a necessary part of the multilevel home; it can be a beautiful part. One of the latest trends in staircase design includes making your staircase an elegant focal point, not an after thought. So if you’re looking to freshen up your home, and you don’t have a lot of extra cash to do it, start with your staircase.

If you’re intrigued by the idea of remodeling your staircase on a budget, follow this link to get started. We’ve got all of the tools and information you need to be successful.

Some of the most popular staircase elements right now are iron balusters.

They’re stylish and curvy, and they’re reminiscent of the Gothic Era, bringing a little bit of European design into your home. Their sleek design makes them nothing like the balusters that came before them. Plus they come in a variety of colors and shades, which you can see by clicking here.

Iron balusters are comprised of wrought iron, a unique metal with fibrous grains.

Most metals lack texture, but wrought iron is full of it. This distinct metal makes iron balusters full of character, making them a favorite among interior designers and homeowners alike. In addition to being stylish, iron balusters are durable, a trait that allows homeowners to rest easy.

The wrought iron in iron balusters doesn’t bend and it’s resistant to rust, making it an excellent choice for indoor and outdoor staircases. So whether you’re looking to remodel your indoor staircase or add an outdoor one, you can rely on iron balusters.

Need help working on a staircase design? Check out our staircase design tool.

In addition to being virtually damage resistant, iron balusters are also rather light compared to other metal staircase elements. The fact that they’re lightweight makes for an easier installation process for the homeowner. Direct Stair Parts has a large variety of iron balusters to choose from, see what we have to offer by clicking here.

As always, be sure and plan your design out ahead of time so that you get exactly what you need for installation.

The staircase isn’t just a functional part of your home anymore, with an inexpensive stair remodel, it can become a central design piece. The style and sophistication that iron balusters will bring to your home will be timeless. We look forward to helping you create the staircase of your dreams.

To see some of the staircases that we’ve contributed to, check out our gallery by clicking here.

The Tools You'll Need to Replace Stair Parts

The staircase is one of the most high traffic areas in the home. For this reason, stair parts may need to be replaced over time due to wear and tear. For example, stair railings are constantly being grabbed, pulled on, and occasionally, ridden down, so when it's time for them to be replaced, it's important that it's done properly.

Specially designed staircases will require special tools and stair parts for replacements, but most wood stairs can be worked on with the following tools:

1. Level: This tool is absolutely necessary when replacing stair parts. Over time, the foundations of your home may shift which results in wall movement. When this happens, it can cause leveling issues. Remember that even when things appear level to the naked eye, they may not be.

2. Polyurethane Glue: This glue may be used to hold stair components in place, for example, newel posts to wood dowels.

3. Putty Knife: This tool can be used to scrape old glue off of used wedges.

4. Rubber Mallet: The Rubber Mallet will be useful when removing old or damaged stair parts. It can also be used to fit stair treads into their housings or to force wedges between their risers and frames.

5. Drill: Screws are used to secure some stair parts in place. You'll need to use a drill to remove old screws and to insert new ones. 

6. 1/2" Drill Bit: Each time you use the drill to screw new parts into place, you are risking splitting the wood stairs. To prevent this, you must drill a hole that is slightly smaller than the screw you will be using first. This size drill bit will (most of the time) work perfectly.

These are just some of the basic tools you will need when replacing stair parts or working on a stair remodel. Do your research before you begin your project to be sure that you have all of the tools for your specific staircase needs. If this is your first time working with stair parts, visit our getting started page.

Whether you've decided to embark on a full stair remodel or you're just interested in replacing a few worn stair parts, place your order with Direct Stair Parts. Our prices can't be beat, and with such a wide variety of stair parts, you'll find exactly what you need. Check out our options for wood stairs, iron balusters, and much more.