Product Care Guide
Proper care of the product in accordance with these guidelines is required to maintain Designed Stairs warranty.
Scheduling
When you schedule your stair installation will directly affect the quality of your product.
It is suggested that your stair installation should happen: (1) after you have primed your drywall, (2) before your flooring is installed, and (3) after you have a controlled climate (heat/air conditioning and humidity). A “controlled climate” means that the job site climate must be a minimum of 60 degrees and humidity is between 30 and 50%. Failure to maintain a controlled climate may cause damage to the product and will void any resulting warranty claim. If Designed Stairs has a concern about installation due to job site conditions that affect humidity or air flow conditions that could affect the end quality of the stairs Designed Stairs will notify the contractor of the adverse conditions and actions needed to correct them. Failure to perform the corrections may, at Designed Stairs sole discretion, void the warranty.
Finishing of the stair must be completed not more than 14 days after installation. Raw wood is more susceptible to temperate and humidly variation than finished wood. Note: Finishing means the sealing and staining of the stair in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions.
Stair must be protected from relative humidity variations, excessive heat, cold, moisture, and direct sunlight.
Stair material must remain unfinished until installation is complete. Finishing of stair material before installation is complete will void warranty.
Delivery
Product is typically delivered the day before installation. The product will be left flat and level on a clean and dry surface. It will be delivered in a staging location next to the area where the stair is to be installed. It may not be moved to other locations, including any area with a concrete floor.
After Installation
Designed Stairs wood products must be kept in a temperature and humidity-controlled environment for the entire lifespan of the product. Temperature must be maintained between 60-80° F. Humidity must be kept within the relative humidity (RH) range of 30-50%. This range ensures that the wood maintains its equilibrium moisture content (EMC), minimizing the risk of cracking, expansion, contraction, or warping.
- Too Low RH (<30%): Wood loses moisture, leading to shrinkage, cracks, and gaps between boards.
- Too High RH (>50%): Wood absorbs moisture, which can result in swelling, cupping, or buckling.
Wood that falls outside the acceptable range for a sustained period of more than 24 hours for any reason is susceptible to the damage described above.
Never cover wood with plastic for more than a few hours. Plastic traps moisture and can create severe problems to wood.
Protecting Your Stair After Installation
To effectively seal the wood, apply a minimum two to three coats of the Finish product no more than 14 days after installation. All Finish product must be applied in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions.
The back or underside of your staircase must also be Finished. This may be a sealer, paint, or drywall. This seals in all sides of the raw wood.
Installation of a stair is over concrete or other damp areas as well as heat sources, such as water heaters and furnaces, can contribute to changes in temperature and humidity levels. The same temperature and humidity standards described above must be maintained under the stair. Failure to do so will void the warranty.
Proper air flow. Airducts blowing directly on the stair may contribute to wood movement. Ducts are directed away from products. Stairs installed over a concreate floor or next to a concrete wall verify proper air circulation.
DSI’s product designs are based on the building codes as widely interpreted. Building codes and requirements vary from location to location. Customer is responsible to supply local stair codes to DSI, or have local authority approve drawings prior to production.
