Staircase re-model commision

[Chrispy]

Back in January I was ashed "what can you do with this"?

It's too narrow, too steep, too busy, etc. what can you do? by the way we are getting the builders in to change the hall around and put down a stone tiled floor so thought best do the stairs first.

Would anyone like to find out what I did do? (after a lot of head scratching)

 

[gwaithcoed]

Of course we would, bring it on, loads of WIP please.

Alan.

 

[AndyT]

Yes please!
I agree with your assessment but have no idea what to do about it.

 

[Jamesc]

Yes please Chris

 

[deema]

Painted it a nice shade of brown?
:lol: :lol:

Seriously, Would love to see how you've remodelled it :?:

 

[Chrispy]

OK then, due to the overwhelming wave of interest in my project I'll do a historical WIP a sort of how I did it, although I have not actually finished the job yet. I'll start tomorrow.

 

[Chrispy]

So after a lot of measuring and head scratching, I decided that although I couldn't make the whole staircase wider I could at least make the first bit wider and because they were having the floor in front tiled that would raise the level I estimated by about an inch this I could share out over the first flight this I reckoned would reduce the rise of each tread by about 3mm, well every little helps!, I would replace the nosings to give a slightly larger over hang this would make the treads appear deeper, then reduce the height of the newels and replace the wooden balusters with glass panels to give more light and open feel.
So with this I made up a Sketch up model of the bottom section to show the clients and with a lot of waffle and vague arm waving managed to give the impression that I knew what I was doing.

Please any questions or constructive comments welcome.

 

[Adam9453]

I would have been inclined to widen the bottom tread further and wrap it around the newel post, double bullnose style IIRC. I'd also make the newel post chunkier to go with the contemporary aesthetic of the glass.

 

[Chrispy]

I would have been inclined to widen the bottom tread further and wrap it around the newel post, double bullnose style IIRC. I'd also make the newel post chunkier to go with the contemporary aesthetic of the glass.

Yes I would have liked to have done that but to the left of the stairs is a narrow space giving access to the under stairs lavatory and a protruding bullnose would cause a trip hazard. The original newels were 92 x 95mm and just looked too heavy in the confind space so have lightened them down to 80mm square.

 

[joiner_sim]

The suspense............. Come on! Show us the lot, I'm very happy with my brand new staircase, but there's always room for improvement and persuasion eventually with SWIMBO!

 

[Chrispy]

First job in the workshop was to make up the new bottom section, this has to be dismantle-able to get it to and onto site here it is ready to be taken apart and oiled.

Then first day on site,
Now you see it,

Now you don't, too late to change your mind now!

And in with the new. I wasn't brave enough to order the glass untill this stage was complete so in the interim MDF panels to make things safe for now.

As you can see I have to be a tidy worker!!

 

[Adam9453]

I would have been inclined to widen the bottom tread further and wrap it around the newel post, double bullnose style IIRC. I'd also make the newel post chunkier to go with the contemporary aesthetic of the glass.

Yes I would have liked to have done that but to the left of the stairs is a narrow space giving access to the under stairs lavatory and a protruding bullnose would cause a trip hazard. The original newels were 92 x 95mm and just looked too heavy in the confind space so have lightened them down to 80mm square.

Ah I see, what you've done looks nice, it'll be good to see it finished with the glass in etc

 

[Chrispy]

Next step was to remove the banister along the landing and down the top flight,

Once that was out and I removed the mid newel post the job was to reduce the size of the remaining newel, to do this I cramped two guides one each side and routed out the faces, front and back first.( picture shows doing the sides)

So that I could then veneer the faces to tidy them up, as a bit of luck the newels were Oak anyway.

Once that was done all round I cut the top off and trimmed it in the same way, but without the veneer.

Looks ok!
Domino joint for the new hand rail.

The other end where it met the timber frame was a bit more of a problem, I could push the rail onto the Dominoes at the newel end but could only then lower the other on to a open sided loose tenon set into the Oak framing.

All glued up.

(Jump to present time) Just off now to put the glass in.

 

[Woodmonkey]

Lovely job, what an improvement. How did you make the handrail, is it two pieces?

 

[Chrispy]

Lovely job, what an improvement. How did you make the handrail, is it two pieces?

Thank you, the hand rail is actually made in three bits, two straights joined with a short curved bit all domino-ed together in the workshop.

 

[AndyT]

I like the in-situ routing on the newels. That's not the sort of technique covered in any book I've read. Is it a method you've used before?

 

[Chrispy]

I like the in-situ routing on the newels. That's not the sort of technique covered in any book I've read. Is it a method you've used before?

Sorry AndyT I had forgotten your question, I've not had the need to do this with a newel post before but the principle is quite common I believe used to flatten large lumps of wood on the bench etc.

 

[Chrispy]

Time for an update I think, once the top hand rail was in place I could panel over the TGV boarding on the left and finish off fitting the border up either side and then fitting the new nosings, scribing a cover panel over the old stringers fit the glass in place and finally sort out the plaster work, any way enough of my ramble here's the pictures.

And last of all the Email;

Dear Chris

Many thanks for the invoice - I have just made an Internet transfer for the full amount.

On a general note we would also like to thank you for the excellent job you have done - it has certainly delivered exactly what we had hoped for, and once fresh hall floor and staircase carpet has been laid it will really be a feature to be proud of.
On that note - if we can ever be a reference to future clients or you would like to use a 'before and after' photo on your web site - we would be happy to help.

We look forward to hearing from you shortly.

With kind regards

Jon

 

[Mcluma]

You know what i like the best of this excellent job??

the pieces of veneer and the skirting at the sides of the stairs, that is brilliant