When you are designing a curved staircase, knowing what NOT to do can be just as important as knowing what TO do. Here are some pitfalls that you will want to avoid. Adding a curved staircase into … [Full story]
Details to consider before replacing balusters: bottom of baluster, top of baluster, and code requirements. … [Full story]
Stairs are built per the Architects' plans. A reality of the construction process is that homes do not get built exactly as the architect has designed. A wall that is built just a few inches from where it was drawn … [Full story]
Seek a Full Time Experienced Stair Builder. Experience can't be overrated. You don't want a handyman, even an excellent one, trying to build your stair. … [Full story]
We are a second-generation family-owned business started in 1969. Like most stair companies, Designed Stairs was initially focused on installing stairs, and parts were purchased from others. … [Full story]
The 1939 film Gone With The Wind features four beautiful staircases that have come to define the elegance, grace and grandeur of interior stair design. The staircase in the foyer of Aunt Pittypat's home … [Full story]
The 1939 film Gone With The Wind features four beautiful staircases that have come to define the elegance, grace, and grandeur of interior stair design. The most amazing staircase in the film is without … [Full story]
The 1939 film Gone With The Wind features four beautiful staircases that have come to define the elegance, grace, and grandeur of interior stair design. One of the most popular staircases in movie history … [Full story]
The 1939 film Gone With The Wind features four beautiful staircases that have come to define the elegance, grace, and grandeur of interior stair design. Tara, the O'Hara family plantation … [Full story]
The RMS Titanic's "Grande Staircase" refers to a series of six custom staircases designed for use by the ship's First Class Passengers. The most ornate staircase was the curved stair from the Promonade … [Full story]
The Spiral Staircase at the Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe New Mexico is truly an Amazing Stair. The stair winds approximately 760 degrees total, more than two full turns, and is made of Spruce; it ascends … [Full story]
The Nathanial Russell House (1808) in historic Charleston, SC features two of the most noted curved staircases in the world. The two curved staircases are "freestanding" (no supporting walls beneath the stairs) … [Full story]
You have probably seen these 4091 newels hundreds of times – we have. They are factory made and … [Full story]
When planning your construction project, it's good to know how much to allow for your stairs. There is a strong relationship between the total value of a house and the amount spent on the staircase. … [Full story]
Red Oak is generally more affordable than White Oak, prompting many to explore finishing techniques to achieve a similar look. … [Full story]
Chicago is known worldwide for its wide-ranging and remarkable architecture. It is a little known fact that Chicago is the stair design capital of the United States. Chicagoland has more developed stair … [Full story]
There are two main design features to consider as you select a wood for your trim: color and grain. Color can be adjusted through stain, while grain gives the wood its style and character. … [Full story]
There are several species of hardwoods that have very bold natural color, such as cherry, walnut, and mahogany. Historically these were the most desirable woods, due to their natural beauty and no need to stain … [Full story]
Contemporary architecture is often thought to mean "modern". This is a misnomer, but it's easy to see where people get this idea. Very often contemporary architecture is also modern. Contemporary literally … [Full story]
A common question I hear is, "How much does a stair cost?" The price range of stairs is very large; from a pine boxed stair for a basement - a few hundred dollars - all the way up to an artistic stair … [Full story]
A common question I hear is, "How much does a stair cost?" Both the shape of the stair and the footage of the balustrade will set the price of your stair long before you start making selections for style. … [Full story]
"I have ugly carpeted stairs, and I want the look of a nice hardwood custom made stair. Should I cover my existing stair with hardwood or replace with new stairs?" … [Full story]
We often say curb appeal is the first thing a prospective home buyer sees. Real Estate professionals say a buyer makes up their mind in the first 3 minutes of walking through your front door. Stairs in the entry can make the difference. … [Full story]
At Designed Stairs we rate the difficulty of installation on a scale of 1 to 5, with level 1 being the … [Full story]
Let's take a look at the use of stone treads overlaying a wooden stair structure. Of all available building materials, nothing presents a timeless feel more than a stone surface. … [Full story]
Twenty years ago if you wanted hardwood flooring, it was pretty much limited to "red oak 2-1/4" strips". Today we can choose from imported tropical hardwoods, and engineered flooring from laminates to … [Full story]
There are many choices in hardwood flooring today. A recent search revealed over 25 species of readily available hardwood flooring from which to select. Over half of these species are imported from other … [Full story]
When you see a curved staircase that appears to have an elegant flow and breathtaking presence, I can guarantee you that didn't happen by chance. The elements of a well designed curved staircase are contained … [Full story]
Finishing stair parts before installation is not recommended. The installation process involves cutting, fitting, and sanding, which would result in touching up of finish, and a less than high quality end result. … [Full story]
Maple is a popular wood for interior trim, flooring and stairs. Maple has natural beauty with a smooth surface due to the closed grain properties of the wood. The hardness of maple makes it a great choice … [Full story]
Sometimes your design calls for an elegant curved stair, but the budget falls short. Here are some … [Full story]
Flooring should be decided upon before you finalize your stair design. Your flooring is typically not installed until after your mill-made stair is in. By planning ahead, you can allow for your flooring thickness … [Full story]
Designing a staircase to be freestanding is a great way to gain useable floor space in your design. … [Full story]
Milled stairs may cost from $2,000 for a hardwood stair with wall rails, to $200,000 on the high end. Most of us are shopping in the $5,000-20,000 range. Budget wisely: shape, style, and material. … [Full story]
As with styles, components made from wood species that are stocked will always cost less than custom orders. We have noticed a trend over the past 8 to 10 years to natural or brown species. … [Full story]
Explore the impact of stair shape on your stair budget. Consider straight, landing, winder, and curved stairs. … [Full story]
Stair style affects your stair budget and can be upgraded or reigned in at any point in the planning process. We categorize styles by Builder's Choice, Architect's Choice, and other. … [Full story]
An important consideration when designing any space is the presentation and distribution of light. This is especially true when considering a staircase... … [Full story]
Often curved staircases, and occasionally straight stairs, have complicated railing requirements calling for twisting and turning of the rails that cannot be made by bending the rail or with machines. … [Full story]
For hundreds of years cherry has a been a desirable wood species due to its beautiful natural color; its subtle grain lends itself to elegant applications. Cherry is an excellent wood for furniture, cabinets, and stairs. … [Full story]
One of the first conversations we have with our clients is to establish a budget. It can be a delicate conversation that must start on the foundation of trust. … [Full story]
The highest concentration of traditional full-milled stair shops remains in the Midwest, with Chicago being one of the most concentrated markets. … [Full story]
Designed Stairs was called in to assess and restore a 1874 black walnut curved stair and curved stair rail. Abraham J. Hoffman built the stately River Forest Young Ladies Seminary in River Forest, IL. … [Full story]
A squeak in a stair is generally caused as the lumber dries out over time. Hardwoods are regulated by industry standards for a moisture content of 6-8%. This matches the average home. … [Full story]
The most common confusion within the stair building world is, without a doubt, the spiral versus the … [Full story]
No one designs a curved staircase for the simple purpose of getting from one floor to another; there are other, much more practical ways of getting that done if you don't care what it looks like. … [Full story]
Due to the compact nature of a spiral staircase, they have become widely used in library environments where space is limited and access to upper book storage is necessary. … [Full story]
Having had the opportunity to work on Luxury stair projects from coast to coast, we have been intrigued by the vast differences in design and construction from one region to another. The greatest distinction is shop-built versus site-built. … [Full story]
The highest concentration of traditional full-milled stair shops remains in the Midwest, with Chicago being one of the most concentrated markets. … [Full story]
More and more we are investing in the highest quality products for outdoor living spaces. We want our outdoor space to be another room to relax and entertain in. No longer is the "deck" stair enough. … [Full story]
The vast majority of stocked stair parts are red oak and white oak is very likely to be a custom order. Since the raw material of white oak is more expensive and White oak parts are generally custom ordered, a white oak staircase will cost more than a red … [Full story]
Traditional staircase layouts often have the main staircase stacked over the basement stair for the most efficient usage of space. A larger home doesn’t need to be limited by this concept. … [Full story]
To establish design goals look through many magazines and find a dozen or more images of rooms you like. These are not rooms to copy, rather they are rooms that have a feel and look that you relate to; rooms you can see yourself living in. … [Full story]
If you are buying a stair with balusters in a contrasting material, such as painted balusters on an oak stair, questions will likely arise regarding the finishing of the stair. "Should my painter finish … [Full story]
If you are buying a stair with balusters in a contrasting material, such as painted balusters on an oak … [Full story]
The main distinction in the world of stair building and design is shop-built vs site-built staircases. What are these methods and how do they differ? … [Full story]
When we quote stairs in custom wood species we often hear the question: "Why are stairs in custom wood species so much more expensive than oak?" … [Full story]
When remodeling your stairs you should know that it IS a full-fledged remodeling project, not a Saturday afternoon DIY project. Your stair has been installed into the structure of your home. … [Full story]
Arts and Crafts styles have had resurgence in recent years. The Green movement of today emulates many of the same principles of the Arts and Crafts movement of 1900. The simple and modest style, in form, function and efficiency appeals. … [Full story]
We often get asked the question: "What parts of my stair should I paint and what should I stain?" When determining what to stain and what to paint, think about the overall feel you want in your space. … [Full story]
If you are starting with a good quality product, stripping it will likely be more affordable than replacing. When it comes to updating there is always a lot you can do with (re)finishing. … [Full story]
There are a number of stairs that will get you from one level to the next while using very little floor space. Here are the options along with the space needs, cost and ease of use. … [Full story]
Open the door and .... WOW!! Whether you are listing your home for sale, remodeling, or building a new home, you want to make choices that increase the value of your investment. … [Full story]
Modern design is simple, which is why it amazes me how many forms of modern styles have developed over the past 100 years. Modern stairs come in forms for all tastes and preferences. … [Full story]
Curved stairs bring unmatched beauty, elegance, and architectural impact to any home. But unlike straight or L-shaped staircases, a custom curved stair requires careful planning, precise design, and expert fabrication to ensure it meets code, fits the spa … [Full story]
Curved staircases like straight stairs, should be installed after your drywall is primed and before your finished flooring is laid. Curved staircases and rails take a considerable amount of time to build. … [Full story]
We get many calls where people no longer want carpet on their stairs and want to upgrade to a custom hardwood stair. What most people don't realize is that stairs are a structural item. … [Full story]
Are you are looking for a one of a kind look to create that WOW factor as you walk into your home? Gold is back — glamorous and bold. Metal suppliers are now offering gold finishes, so we can offer an affordable custom look. … [Full story]
Victorian-Era foyers tended to be rather narrow and deep. Despite the frequent space challenges, they managed to fit some amazing stairs and rails into that space. … [Full story]
A curved stair takes far more floor space than other types of stairs. Ideally you want a large square space to allow for the most gracious and elegant curved stair. You can narrow and tighten up the space, … [Full story]
When your stair is installed will have a lot to do with how it turns out in the end. Plan installation of your hardwood stair for after your drywall has been taped, sanded, and primed. … [Full story]
Bamboo has become popular in the past few years. It is desirable due to its sustainability and unique appearance. Bamboo is a unique material, and has some limitations compared to other wood species. … [Full story]
A volute is that "curly" piece that is at the start of many stair rails. A standard volute shape will have a rail fitting attached to it. … [Full story]
Nosing is required anywhere there is balustrade or newels. Typically, nosing from a flooring company … [Full story]
The environmental conditions inside the house are critical to the quality of the stair. Hardwood lumber has been dried through a very controlled process to an industry standard moisture content of 6-8%. … [Full story]
The stair is an integral part of a home and, depending on the layout and styles, can be the focal point that sets the tone for the rest of the home. All too often, stairs are overlooked until the end of a project. … [Full story]
Installing throughout the greater Chicago area; Selling anywhere in the world
Designed Stairs
Showroom (by appointment only), Shop, and Offices
1480 E Sixth Street
Sandwich IL 60548
815-786-7600
