Blog

2010

News and articles

14th March

Alfa Staircases

Alfa Scale About us: Production of spiral staircases, open staircases, helicoid staircases,

Alfa Scale was established on July 15th 1976 and has been producing staircases for interiors since then. Today, Alfa Scale can count on the collaboration of 33 professionals. This has enabled it to become a leading business on the international level. Our attention to the shape and function of furnishing objects in our homes has radically changed over the years.

This has also involved a different way of conceiving design and production. Such Objects, STAIRCASES in our case, have become a way of making of house a home

They can be essential or highly decorated objects but, anyway, they are the dynamic expression of our constantly changing way of living. A staircase is an object with a precise function. The experience matured over the years has enabled us to optimise the production process of our basic object. Looking for ductile and functional solutions is the first and most important target for Alfa Scale .

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8th March 2010

All homes that have more than one story will need a staircase in order to get to and from the different floors. Over the years there have been changes in the styles of staircases that can be used in the home. If you are thinking of changing an existing staircase or are wondering what kinds you can choose from here are the main types of staircases.

To start with you need to be aware that staircases can now be made from a range of materials. The most common is still a timber set of stairs which can be made out of different woods. Most homes will have a staircase like this and the majority will cover them in carpet.

Another very popular type of material for staircases is a mixture of steel stairs and supports and glass panels. These create a really modern look and a lot of newer houses will have them. As well as looking modern, they also create a sense of space which many people are looking for.

Probably the most well known staircase type is a straight style. These are usually in a single set or are set at an L shape, with one flight leading from the next. Most homes will have stairs like this as standard as they are very easy to install.

Spiral staircases are great if you are short on space. They are good for putting in the corner of the room as they rise straight up. In addition to this a spiral staircase will only need a small amount of floor space and will not cut across the room. With this in mind many people will opt for a spiral shaped staircase for access to an attic room.

Freestanding stairs will not be attached to a wall and will tend to run through the middle of a room. Most often the actual stairs will look as though they are almost floating and create a really unique look. Whilst these stairs look great they are not very practical for a person with young children as they can be dangerous.

Single open-under stairs are similar to freestanding stairs, but they are attached to one wall. This means they only have one side that looks 'open' and many people prefer this style. Not only do these types of stairs look good they also create the impression of more space, so they can work well in small houses.

Circular stairs are most usually found in lighthouses and other older period properties. They are very unusual and not many house will have these, as you would imagine. Due to their construction it can be hard to integrate circular stairs into a home and most people will use a spiral staircase instead.

With so many different types of staircases it can be hard to make a decision on what you would like. However, it makes sense to think about the practicalities that the types of staircases offer before making a choice. Do this and the ideal staircase for your home will become clear.

http://www.thestaircompany.co.uk
The Stair Company make staircases; from a small bespoke staircase to architectural grand wooden stairs; from hand built traditional wooden staircases to a staircase for lofts, contemporary designer stairs for minimalist apartments and houses. As a staircase manufacturer of long standing we pride ourselves that we are able to meet clients needs for one staircase ten sets of stairs attic stairs loft stairs spiral staircases or any wooden staircase. Staircase manufacture is started with a design on staircon which is transferred to our SCM cnc machine for profiling. All state of the art advanced equipment for an up to the minute staircase manufacturer.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_V_Fitzgerald

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7th march 2010

How To Incorporate Oak Staircases Into Your Home

If you are building or remodeling your home, you may be interested in one of the many oak staircases which are both beautiful and durable. Oak is a great material for building visible items such as stairs and railings because they are often highly visible in your home. Knowing a bit about the various styles which are available can ensure that you make the right choice for your home.

Oak is a hardwood that is prized for its durability and strength. It can be cut in a number of different ways that can change its appearance because they tend to bring out the grain or pattern of the wood in different ways. Traditionally, oak was used in any structures or items that needed to be able to resist decay and insect infestation. It was the wood of choice for sailing ships because oak trees can grow straight and this can provide you with long boards that are straight and true.

You can get a beautiful and coordinated look for your home if you pair oak hardwood flooring with your oak staircase. Remember that a seamless interior where one component flows into another can be a great way to open up a space and make it seem larger. This is because the eye simply slides over the different areas of the home and makes it seem as if it is one large expanse.

Oak can be used in a variety of ways when you are making a staircase. However it can also be expensive so you may want to think about using it in specific areas. If you are going to be using carpet on your stairs you may be more interested in saving money by building the rest of the staircase out of another type of wood and save the oak for trim and railings.

Both curved and straight oak staircases are available and can suit your interior perfectly. You may want to consider the rest of your interior design before you select a specific staircase design. This is because some styles of railing are very ornate and traditional and may not match a plainer, more modern interior.

One thing that you need to be careful of when you are planning your staircase is the proportions of the stairs. If the height of the steps or the angle at which they are positioned is one we are not accustomed to we may find that the staircase does not feel comfortable to climb or descend. In fact, there are regulations and building codes which dictate how high a step can be and what the maximum angle that the steps can be positioned at will be.

Your budget will determine how ornate your staircase will be. You should determine a rough budget before you go looking to see what is available. Remember that if you are interested in a custom staircase which has hand crafted elements you will end up paying much more than machine carved accents may be. You will also find that models which are curved may be more expensive because it is more labor intensive to produce them because they may need to me shaped or curved by hand and may take longer to make.

Shopping on the Internet can be a great place to start. Just remember that if you are ordering the parts of a staircase online it may cost a lot for them to ship the items to you. It can be a good idea to check with your local home builder to see if they can give you any recommendations about which products you use.

Find out more about the diverse styles you will find in oak staircases when you visit today! When you want to add distinction and style to any decor, adding oak stairs is an easy way to accomplish the task.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_V_Fitzgerald

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6th March 2010

If you are trying to remodel your home, you may be looking for unique and memorable details to add. A glass balustrade is a beautiful and practical way to finish off staircases, balconies and patios. They can add a practical as well as decorative touch that can give your home a unique and modern look that you will love.

You may be surprised to find that glass is a very versatile way to finish off certain areas of your home. One of the reasons that these items are becoming so popular is that they are more versatile and sturdy than they used to be. The second is that there is a different need for unique building materials that allow you to finish off areas of your home and give it the modern look you want while making it safe for the family as a whole.

There are many reasons why using glass is so popular right now. The first is that glass gives a clean and modern appearance to many areas of your home. Unlike other materials that can be used to secure a space or provide delineation for a particular area, plain glass looks clean and crisp. If you are someone who does not want an ornate railing you may be interested in using glass instead of more traditional metal or wood railings and balustrades.

Glass can also be a fantastic choice if you are trying to secure an area where you do not want a view obstructed. The open concept architecture that is being used in many homes may call for an uninterrupted view. Whether this is from an outdoor balcony or an indoor loft area, you want to make sure that it is possible to take advantage of a view from all angles without worrying about railings blocking the view.

When you are making your ultimate style choice, there are many things that you need to think about. The first is whether you will be installing the glass indoors or outdoors. Depending on where you live you may have weather to contend with. If there are large temperature fluctuations where the glass will be used you may want to make sure you take this into account when making your selection.

You should also think about whether you want all glass or whether you want to use a combination of materials. One beautiful look is to combine glass panels with a metal railing on top. This can be aesthetic as well as practical. Because glass is see through it may cause problems if you do not find some way of making it obvious that there is a barrier in the way. This may be more important for outdoor applications such as a deck or patio.

You should also think about whether you will be using glass panels or one long stretch of molded glass. Both can look beautiful but it may be more cost effective to use panels of glass. This is because with individual panels of glass, you do not need to worry as much about custom fitting and fabrication.

Working with an interior designer or landscaper can help you plan your project. They may be able to give you advice about an installer that has experience working with this material and who can make sure that your project has the strength and beauty you are looking for.

To get the new styles of glass banisters, you need to find the right store. Many websites on the Internet sell these items and even glass balustrade furniture.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_V_Fitzgerald

 

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15th February 2010

Glass is now the new in fashion material for staircase balustrade and staircases.

Material Glass

Glass is now the new in fashion material for staircase balustrade and staircases

Material Glass

Glass is transparent and its edges give reflections that enhance its simplicity Horizontal or vertical sheets of plate glass can be used either to enclose a balcony, terrace or staircase. Glass can be applied for domestic or commercial use. Glass gives an unbeatable sense of calm, maximising light and views, Its radiance in brilliant sunshine has an effect that likens to a feel good factor.

Glass is here to stay and is now affordable in many ways bringing to the for front of modernism and style.

Glass is now affordable. Extensive research and development has made it so because of  one word simplification. Slot in or bolt on they are the two new ways of fixing toughened glass in these 10, 12, 15, or even 18mm. Glass can now be fixed to  staircases or  for landings. You can even do it yourself with kits supplied to fit existing staircases or a specialist can template for you.

The secret is simplicity keeping it simple by design. This is now freely available.  

System 1

Bolt on with stainless steel fixings. These are available for all thickness of glass which can be  pre drilled to your sizes or  templates. The glass is then fixed to the solid fascias with 70mm fixing required. The fascias can be timber or concrete. The size of glass is normally 600mm to 800mm wide by 1100mm high. The glass stands off the fascias by 10-70mm depending on choice and available space.

The glass is toughened normally 10mm thick with 12mm holes spaced 50mm up and 150mm up to take the stainless steel stand offs.

The stand offs are 50mm in diameter and consists of four parts the outer and inner face with a centre thread and a spacer and finally two compressible washers. They can be brushed or polished or even painted. The way these work is to hold the glass through an aperture with a bolt and washers both sides with a sleeve to locate. The outer face is the tightened to a torque value to allow the glass to be rigid.

A handrail slotted 50mm in diameter recessed 25mm for the glass to be inserted into a flexible insert is fixed into the timber first then the glass inserted. This allows expansion and contraction of the timber against the rigid structure of the glass.

System 2

Slot in system facia consists of 50mm timber by the depth of the facia depending on the depth of the floor normally 250mm to 320mm. An allowance above for flooring to butt up to and a down stand of 20mm to allow for tolerance against the ceiling. The timber has a 200mm deep slot for the glass to drop in with wedges to tighten it then flexible adhesive inserted. The timber fascias are fixed first then the glass inserted and wedged and glued.

A handrail slotted 50mm in diameter recessed 25mm for the glass to be inserted into a flexible insert is fixed into the timber first then the glass inserted. This allows expansion and contraction of the timber against the rigid structure of the glass.

The system is quick and easy and is installed in hours and takes the risk out of a difficult task

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Brighton

Rustic oak open plan staircase with glass balustade face fixed with balcony in glass

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Brighton

Spiral staircase in oak with glass balustarde set into the treads Glass balustrade and rustic oak landing triangular

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The Barns

5 open tread staircases with glass laustrade inset into the strings with 50mm round handrail All in rustic oak

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Kenway road

Two stories of very different staircases 110mmm laminated oak treads 45mm treads with mortise and tenon joints Built to take is own weight plus a live load.

Glass balustrade with stainless steel 50mm fixings 50mm round handrail

See drawings which are colour coded to to indicate the different construction sequences

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Luton

Solid oak very modern staircase with 45mm laminated oak strings and open treads with safety risers

Solid oak landings all visible underneath

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Heath


Circular staircase with glass panels inset to the treads

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White

Staircase in oak with large toughened glass panels Long balcony in glass

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