Over the years, staircases have evolved considerably with respect to their designs. At the same time, there are now more materials to choose from for building the stairs. In addition to this, the staircases can add another layer to the aesthetics and décor of the home apart from being functional. Since there is a lot to consider when designing indoor & outdoor stairs, here are a few tips which will help you out.
Indoor Staircase
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The Choice of Materials for the Stairs: Choose Smartly
These days, you can choose from various materials for creating stairs. From traditional materials such as bricks to modern ones like glass, you have quite a few options. Here are some of the most commonly used staircase materials.
- Concrete: This has been an extremely popular choice for years. After all, concrete lends itself quite well to any staircase design you have in mind. At the same time, concrete offers the greatest degree of durability and strength among all the materials used for staircases. On the other hand, it is not aesthetically pleasant on its own, which means you need to add extra cladding like marble or stone to make the stairs look appealing.
- Stone: Stone is another popular choice due to the variety it offers in terms of texture and color. As such, it can look quite pleasing as well. You can easily get the right stones for both outdoor and indoor staircases. Marble is a popular choice, especially for interior stairs. Stone can be maintained easily due to its durability and resistances to pests and moisture.
- Wood: A traditional choice for indoor staircases has always been wood. At the same time, wood is versatile enough to be adapted to modern deigns and interiors. In fact, this material can easily be modified and designed to suit any kind of aesthetics that you desire.
- Brick: This material can be used for interior as well as exterior staircases with minimum fuss. A cost-effective option, brick is quite durable. It can add a rugged aesthetic to the interiors if left unfinished. However, a more refined look can be achieved simply by using cement finish or stone cladding.
Outdoor Stairs
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The Choice of Materials for the Railings
The main reason for using railings is that they enhance the safety of the indoor & outdoor stairs. However, they can also add up to the aesthetics of the staircases and spaces. Some common materials used for railings are as follows.
- Metal: This material is a popular choice as it requires less maintenance as it is highly durable. Metals can be molded into the desired shape and painted upon to suit the design requirements.
- Wood: Wooden railings add a rustic charm to the décor if its natural finish is left untouched. However, they can also be painted to suit the needs of the entire look. They are mainly used for indoor stairs.
- Stainless Steel: This material looks quite elegant when left unpainted. If it is going to be used for outdoor stairs, then the steel must be painted and protected against the weather.
There are several other materials that can be used for creating the railings. A stone such as marble is a good choice due to the elegance it can add. In addition to this, glass, vinyl, fiberglass, and aluminum are other options you can choose from.
Stairs
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What are the Different Types of Staircases?
There are various kinds of staircase designs that you can use in your home. However, the choice depends on the space available and on your budget. Some options you should check out are as follows.
- Straight stairs
- U-shaped stairs
- L-shaped stairs
- Spiral stairs
- Winder stairs
- Curved stairs
While there are several options to choose from, the fact is that your choices for the indoor & outdoor stairs will be limited by different factors. Budget is certainly one of them but you will also have to consider the space and design requirements. So, choose smartly!
Over the years, staircases have evolved considerably with respect to their designs. At the same time, there are now more materials to cho...