Before Buying a Staircase
& Balustrading/ Handrails
Lifting the Floorboards on Staircase Construction & Installation
Key Point: Not all staircases are the same – some are downright dangerous, but you’d never know until you lift the floorboards on the construction and installation methodology.
1.
Will the Staircase & Balustrade/Handrail be manufactured using shortcuts or will it last a lifetime?
Ask questions of your staircase contractor about the staircase manufacturing and installation processes AND be mindful of – and alert to – the shortcuts some devious contractors make which significantly compromises safety, fit-for-purpose utilisation and visual appearance.
Take two examples which occurred in our region recently (and obviously, not jobs performed by us). The developer passed this shoddy workmanship without realising the implications or why it happened.
Why did it happen? Simple, the contractor had a patchy financial record with the timber supplier and couldn’t access longer length boards, so they compromised, and carpenters are creative in joining two boards together (albeit sometimes most unsightly).
This ‘creative solution’ not only affects the structural strength of the staircase, but ugly joins get uglier with any movement in the stairs over time and a coat of paint does not disguise the problem.
IMPRESSIVE STAIRS Solution: Always have excess timber stock on hand – which we do, always! In fact, six-months supply, including long boards. Besides, our Toyota inspired computerised manufacturing processes guarantee quality, strength, safety and fit-for purpose utilisation.
Bottom line: Understand the manufacturing and installation procedures of your chosen contractor and inspect the final product. We provide full transparency of all of our processes, which is why we can comfortably offer the guarantees which we do.
2.
Winston Churchill said it best when referring to Adolf Hitler ‘A warranty issued by a worthless man is worthless’
Some staircase companies offer 7 years and some, none!
KEY POINT: Always scrutinise the warranties and guarantees offered and then consider the likely collectability against same in the final year. The simple facts are that the warranty value offered by an inexperienced, recently established business is Zero to Low, whereas any warranty or guarantee offered by a decades-long, successful company is Strong.
IMPRESSIVE STAIRS Solution: At Impressive Stairs we proudly point out our near 40 years of continuous manufacturing, having turned out close on 80,000 stairs and this underpins our confidence in offering you our powerful Seven Guarantees which no other staircase company dares offer!
3.
Might sound like a little thing, but the overall lifetime comfort of your staircase can be compromised by mere millimetres. Take treads. Most of our competitors only use 18mm thick treads. We choose to use 25mm treads.
IMPRESSIVE STAIRS Solution: Why use 25mm thick treads? Because they feel much better under foot and reinforce the strength and safety aspects. One small example of why we are different: THICKER TREADS which we have been providing for all of our existence because we know they do make a difference.
4.
1. Ugly rework
2. Ugly exposed fixings
3. Inexact measurements
4. Other signs of poor manufacture/installation?
Please Note: End Purchasers DO NOTICE these things!
If they see ugliness and defects, it will seriously impact their buying decision!
IMPRESSIVE STAIRS Solution: At Impressive Stairs, we will guarantee you an attractive, ‘fit for-purpose’ staircase outcome. We will replace any staircase not deemed ‘fit-for-purpose’ at our cost, you risk nothing!
5.
Will all my Staircase components fit together perfectly with no unsightly gaps and cracks?
Gaps, cracks and poor design-work is a serious matter for consideration with your staircase & accompanying balustrade manufacturer. Over our many years of experience we have captureda ‘rogues gallery’ of staircase FAILS. Not only do they look ghastly but they diminish the overall strength and safety of the staircase. Here are a few examples, and truly people do notice them!
IMPRESSIVE STAIRS Solution: After exacting research and much ‘hands on’ experience in manufacturing some 80,000 staircases, we guarantee we can deliver a precision set of stairs to your nominated site which makes your installation process as Easy as 1-2-3.
All components are machine cut to exacting sizes on our CNC machinery which is an integral part of our fully computerised Toyota inspired manufacturing system. All holes are pre-drilled, all components are inline and connecting – nothing is left to chance.
It’s why we confidently offer Seven Guarantees which no other staircase company dares offer!
6.
What about the quality, strength and durability of your glues and other fixings?
Cheap glues and fixings can be chaotic when it comes to installation of your staircase, including that irritating ‘stair-squeak’ which can occur when the incorrect glue and fixings are applied during installation.
Something else to consider when choosing price over the lifetime quality of your staircase or balustrade structure.
IMPRESSIVE STAIRS Solution: All products acquired from us are delivered to site with the exact quantity of our quality fixings and glues. There is no need to visit your local hardware store because everything is clearly marked, along with our specific installation instructions which makes the installation process as EASY AS 1-2-3!
Here’s a simple example of why we can confidently offer an industry-leading, 25-year manufacturer’s warranty: Our custom-designed fast-setting crosslinking adhesive – when dry – produces a clean clear line with the most efficient bond strength; just one of the benefits of a company which has trialled everything in manufacturing 80,000 staircases.
7.
IMPRESSIVE STAIRS Solution: Every staircase manufactured by us has been termite treated using processes & equipment developed inhouse by our research team.
It took us twelve months to perfect the treatment, but we are so confident in its application we offer a written 10-year termite guarantee.
To our knowledge nobody else does an individual staircase termite treatment or even knows how to do it, much less offer a 10-year guarantee.