5 Types of Modern Stair Rails

One of the easiest ways to tell if youre standing in an upscale home is by looking at the stair rails. Exceptional homes gravitate towards staircases that let you know that someone has put some thought and effort to create a wow effect. Too often, homeowners dont give stair rails the just attention that they deserve because they dont realize the added value that modern stair rails have in a home. Stair rails tend to be the central piece of sorts in a home, so before you commit to any old stair rails, consider the following these modern stair rails for your home dcor.

1- Horizontal steel
Depending on the kind of look you are trying to achieve, the steel look works well in modern and more minimalist homes. Placed at a horizontal angle, steel modern stair rails give a more professional-looking appearance although they can easily blend well with modern-looking homes. In order to ensure a uniform look, try to use a hand rail that is slightly thinner than the norm and keep the color consistent with the color of the metal (dark metal, dark wood).

2- Glass
Glass stairs are a phenomenal addition to any staircase, as they showcase the stairs in a beautiful way and also dont block any view of space, making the home seem larger and more spacious. Of course, if you have small children or, say, children who tend to get wild upon consuming sugar or the like, you might want to reconsider investing in glass modern stair rails, as it may be quite dangerous.

3- Frosted glass
Ah, yes, frosted glass, one of the most beautiful types of glass on the market today. Available in plain frost and creative designs, frosted glass works well in homes that have a lot of natural light. Frosted glass stair rails help to create an air of sophistication in a home although most readers agree that frosted glass should be relegated to shower doors and nothing else in the home.

4- Traditional iron
There is something to be said for iron stair rails, as they have been the traditionally chosen type for many, many years. And considering the options that go with iron stair rails, its no wonder they are always a popular choice. While vertical iron bars are the usual go-to when it comes to iron stair rails, some homeowners go that extra step and opt for stair rails that have a flowing design that works well as a conversation starter and truly impresses homebuyers.

5- Wood

Perhaps the idea of wood stair railings conjures up images of country living and the like, but nowadays, wood stair rails come with a modern twist and can give even the most modern home a run for its money. From different stains to different types of wood, todays wooden stair rails boast a modern twist while still maintaining a somewhat traditional feel. Ready to buy or sell your home and get started on your own custom modern stair rails? Visit ComFree.comtoday.

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A straight staircase can be defined as one having a single, straight flight of stairs that connects two levels or floors in a building. In contrast, a curved staircase employs a spiral-like design, whereas platform staircases consist of landings in between. A straight staircase is one of the oldest and most common types of staircase found in buildings. Some of the main advantages and disadvantages of a straight staircase are described below. Advantages of a Straight Staircase Though there are so many new varieties and styles of staircases available today, the straight staircase continues to be popular because of the following advantages. Affordability A straight staircase is cheaper than other types of staircases such as U-shaped or curved. This is because the construction process is much simpler and less time consuming. Simplicity Some people prefer the simplicity of a straight staircase. When planned properly and built using attractive materials, a straight staircase can be simple but quite elegant. Uninterrupted View A person travelling up or down the stairs has a clear view of the entire flight. You are at a lower risk of bumping into someone going in the other direction. Flexibility It is easy to accommodate additions or modifications on a straight staircase. An example of such an addition is a stair lift that is a necessity for people with mobility issues. Even if one of the members of a household goes on to need a stair lift, it can be installed with ease on a straight staircase. Safety Because a straight staircase offers a clear view of the stairs, there is a lower chance of falls or misplaced steps. In contrast, curved staircases often require a lot of attention when you are going up or down one.

Ease of Construction A straight staircase is easy to plan for and construct. You can have one ready for use in much less time than it would take to construct a curved or platform staircase. Many Design Options Available There are several ways in which you can make your straight staircase as attractive as possible. Choose from materials such as wood or glass to add a unique touch to the ambiance. Disadvantages of a Straight Staircase Straight staircases also include a fair share of drawbacks. Some of these include a lack of privacy between two levels and the possibility of serious injuries. No Visual Barrier Because there is no visual barrier between the two floors connected by a straight staircase, there is often a lack of privacy. This is sometimes awkward in buildings that house multiple families on different floors. Falls can be Serious A straight staircase often consists of more stairs and is taller than a staircase with platforms in between. As a result, a fall from the top of the stairs can be quite severe and could result in serious injuries. Also, the lack of a landing can be problematic for older people who have to climb all the stairs at once. Require More Space Straight staircases require more space as compared to curved or platform staircases. As a result, they are not an option in buildings with scarce space.

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Straight stair lifts are a blessing in disguise for the disabled persons, who cannot climb the stairs to go upstairs, even when they need to use the common bathroom that may be situated on the floor above. Unfortunately, their inability to move on their own force them to leave their own homes and settle in day care centres, which suits their needs. What better option could there be, if one does not have to leave his own home by installing straight stair lifts? Those persons who are in a post surgery state as well as those who are permanently disabled can benefit from it. There are two types of straight chair lifts available for home use. One straight stair lift has a fixed chair in it, so that the disabled person can sit on it and go up or down; the other type of

straight stair lift is such that it has a stand for a wheel chair to get fixed to, and it can also be used while the person is standing. The main benefit of this type of lift is the convenience provided to the disabled person who was otherwise unable to climb the stairs. Installing a straight stair lift is of course a better idea than moving out of ones house or restructuring the house, particularly in cases where the bathroom is not situated on the ground floor. Other than serving the purpose of transporting people from the lower storey of the house to the upper one, straight stair lifts also have an added advantage of moving heavy loads up and down the stairs. Most of the straight stair lifts are built to carry a minimum load of 300 lbs and a maximum load of 500 pounds. This load limit is sufficient to transport most of the household items between the two floors of the house. The use of straight stair lifts is not limited to the disabled or for moving heavy stuff. It can also be used if a person is tired and he does not have the energy to climb stairs. Children love to use these lifts all the time and they may even come with new ideas of playing with it. The biggest advantage of straight lifts is the safety with which we can move the elder and the children from one floor to the other. People in old age usually don?t have the strength to climb the stairs find it particularly relaxing, because the tension of leaving their own homes is taken care by the straight stair lifts. Straight stair lifts come with their own set of problems. No modern technology comes without problems. The problem with these lifts is the costly machinery that operates these lifts. Not only this, the high cost of electricity also affects the monthly budget a lot. If for any reason, the lift stops working, then you shall face the difficulty of finding its parts in the local market. The repairing job is also taxing, and takes a lot of time. In normal cases, it may take up to 4 weeks to get it back in the house! This is a troublesome part for a person who may need it in emergency, or in case of an accident. http://technology.jeyamarticle.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-straight-stair-lifts/

traight staircases are maybe the most common types of staircases used in homes. Straight staircases represent an uninterrupted flight of stairs. On the other hand, landing staircases have 2 or more flights of stairs, connected by intermediate landings. About straight staircases This is the simplest type of stairs. Its not only easy to plan but also construct. The designs are vast and you can choose almost any material for construction. They have also their cons. Because they are an interrupted flight of stairs, they will take up much more space than landing staircases. They are not ideal for small homes. Also there is a safety problem. A fall from a straight staircase will be more severe because of the longer run.

About staircases with landing There are a few types of staircases with landing. You can build an L-shaped staircase, double L-shaped and U-shaped. The L-shaped and the U-shaped staircases have one landing between the two rows of stairs, and the double L-shaped staircase has 2 landings. Staircases with landing require less space than standard stairs. They are ideal for smaller homes. They are used in lofts, deluxe apartments. They will need more planning and the costs can be a little higher. Landing staircases are much safer than normal stairs. If someone falls down the stairs, he/she will stop at the landing, so they will fall a short distance only. These stairs are great for elder people and children. You can also use the landing for keeping decorative objects, like flowers. If you are considering to build a stair lift for elder people, then you should think of this before building the stairs. A landing staircase will not allow you to build such a device, while straight staircases are ideal. Tag: advantages of staircases with landing, disadvantages of staircases with landing, pros and cons of straight stairs, staircase, staircase with landing, staircases, straight staircase advantages,straight staircase disadvantages, straight staircases, types of staircases http://www.mustknowhow.com/doubleclick/DARTIframe.html?gtVersion=200_22&mediaserver=http% 3A%2F%2Fs0.2mdn.net%2F879366&xpc=%7B%22cn%22%3A%22peerIframe1370896497694%22%2C%2 2tp%22%3Anull%2C%22osh%22%3Anull%2C%22pru%22%3A%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mustknowhow.c om%2Fdoubleclick%2FDARTIframe.html%3FgtVersion%3Drelay_200_22%26mediaserver%3Dhttp%3A% 2F%2Fs0.2mdn.net%2F879366%22%2C%22ppu%22%3A%22http%3A%2F%2Fgoogleads.g.doubleclick.ne t%2Frobots.txt%22%2C%22lpu%22%3A%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mustknowhow.com%2Frobots.txt%22 %7D

Advantages & Disadvantages of Spiral Stairs

By Mark Pendergast, eHow Contributor

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A spiral staircase often makes an excellent addition to a home.

Spiral stairs bring to mind long, winding staircases in medieval castles or perhaps an elegant feature of an expensive house. Today, spiral staircases are more frequently seen and can make a useful addition to the typical home. They have their advantages and disadvantages, which you should consider carefully before making any decision to install one. Does this Spark an idea?

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What Kind of Stairs Save the Most Space? How to Move a Bed Up Spiral Staircases

1. Space
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Perhaps the primary advantage spiral staircases have over regular stairs is their space-saving capabilities. For example, a straight staircase that is 18 feet high and 3 feet wide fills 105 square feet of space, while a spiral staircase of the same proportions fills only 45 square feet of space. The smaller amount of space required by spiral stairs also means they rarely dominate a room, which sometimes happens with straight and L-shaped stairs.

Limitations
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Spiral staircases have more limited uses than other types of stairs. You cannot use them as the sole means of access to an full upper story, because building codes prevent such construction. You also cannot move most large pieces of furniture up and down the typical spiral staircase. They don't work well as the sole means of entry

to a basement, because you might need to take large appliances, such as a furnace, down the stairs.
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Indoor and Outdoor

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Many people like the look of spiral stairs and feel they give an air of romance to a room or space. When built indoors, they create a good means of providing entry to lofts. Spiral stairs often work well in outdoor settings, such as fire escapes, and to give access to areas such as widow's walks. They have a long history of indoor and outdoor use in commercial applications, such as accessing catwalks and skywalks.

User
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A spiral stair case has both advantages and disadvantages for the user. Spiral stairs that center around a vertical pole typically have a railing only on the side opposite the pole. Users can easily miss a step if they walk on the side without a rail, especially when going downstairs. However, if a user falls on a spiral staircase, he is much less likely to fall all the way down the to the floor, as he might on a straight staircase, because the curve of the stairs will break his fall.

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Spiral staircases are great for modern houses as they give a nice, glamorous look. They are also great for small spaces and are a great alternative to normal staircases. Though they have a lot of advantages they also have disadvantages. Advantages of spiral staircases First of all, the fact that it takes less space than normal staircases is an advantage. You can even link more than two floors with the same spiral staircase. Its size depends on how inclined the stairs are. For a more comfortable climb, they should be larger. They are cheap and can be found in installation kits. They are also easier to install then normal staircases. You can also buy pre-assembled spiral staircases. These offer a wider variety of materials and shapes and sizes. Thanks to the wide variety of materials, it will be easier for you to find the right staircase for your home.

They are great as second staircases and also they add value to your home. Disadvantages Because they take so little space, the stairs are steeper and more difficult to climb. This makes them an almost impossible thing for elders. Also they represent a problem for larger people. When you install them you will need to make sure that you meet the building codes in your area. You will encounter some problems when youll be choosing the right design for your home. You can also have some problems fitting them in your home. Pre-assembled stairs are usually more expensive than normal staircase and will surely add to the costs. Tag: about spiral staircases, advantages of spiral staircases, cons for spiral staircases, custom made spiral staircases, disadvantages of spiral staircases, indoor spiral staircase, normal staircase, pre-asembled staircases, prebuilt staircases, pros and cons for spiral staircases, pros for spiral staircases, saving space with staircases, spiral staircase, spiral staircases materials,staircases http://www.mustknowhow.com/mustknowhow/advantages-and-diadvantages-of-spiral-staircases

The Advantages And Disadvantages Of A Spiral Staircase

Spiral staircases are pretty uncommon which is why they can be sought after in larger homes. If they are featured in a home then thats exactly what they are, a feature; theyre elegant and stylish and make a great selling point should you ever come to sell your home. However, as there is with any feature of any home, there are good points and bad points and you have to think about whether or not a spiral staircase will fit in with the style of your home or it will be a complete clash with current features. One of the greatest advantages of spiral staircases is the fact that they are space savers. Theyre a really good idea if youre expanding your home and maybe adding a room or even an entire floor. However, although they dont take up as much space as a regular staircase, the more gentle the climb the more room the staircase will need. So, if space is the main reason youre choosing a spiral staircase then the steeper the climb the better, but if you have children or elderly relatives this could cause some problems. Another great thing about spiral staircases is the fact that you can buy kits, just like you can for normal stairs, except theyre much easier to assemble and generally cheaper than a standard staircase, which means that theyre cost friendly if youre on a budget.

If its choice youre after though, you can by spiral staircases that are already assembled; most of them are made from either wood or some kind of metal and theres a huge range of styles to choose from. If you have a real vision of what youd like in your home then there are specialist companies that would be willing to create a staircase to your specification. Three (or more) storey homes accommodate spiral staircases really well. The staircases tend to be used on higher floors as they dont stop light from travelling through the home; theyre also a much more stylish option than any other staircase. Finally, another huge selling point of spiral staircases is the fact that they add appeal and value to your home should you want to sell it in the future. A spiral staircase is a unique feature that not many homes can boast about so people will certainly be interested in viewing. Unfortunately, there are also some disadvantages too; because theyre such a space saver theyre also much steeper than regular stairs making them difficult for a lot of people to use. Spiral staircases can present issues to people that suffer with problems with their balance; because you are travelling in a circular motion it can often be unnerving. If youre having a staircase custom built then you should check that they fit with any building regulations that may be in place. A lot of people get it wrong; if youre fitting the staircase yourself then you should research thoroughly exactly how much space youll need. You may think youre saving money by fitting it yourself but in the long run its probably costing a lot more. http://ej-fransen.com/the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-a-spiral-staircase/ STAIR TERMINALOGY 10