Staircases have been around since ancient times, and they have come a long way from being a piece of wood drilled into a cliff. From racing a child’s toy cars, to holding people aloft on the 20th floor of a skyscraper, they are always evolving and becoming more useful for people in all walks of life. In fact, if you were to ask someone what their favourite type of staircase is, chances are good that they would say it’s one made out of wood.
According to stair builders Wollongong owner Lauren Woolley, some property owners feel that wooden staircases can be a bit old fashioned and would only belong in the past. However, they couldn’t be more wrong! They might have been common, but it doesn’t mean they don’t look good or are impossible to find. On the contrary, there are many reasons why wooden stairs still hold their own today, so it’s time for them to shine once again.
Here are some reasons why you should have a wooden staircase installed at home.
Durability and longevity
Manufacturers love using wood because it’s durable and long-lasting, meaning that if you invest in a quality staircase then you can be sure that your investment is going to stand the test of time. Wood comes with a strong warranty, whereas metal just has a basic 2-5 year warranty – not enough for most people to feel comfortable investing in. In addition, other materials such as concrete simply aren’t attractive enough to appeal to the modern audience who want their staircases to look clean. With wooden stairs, there are no problems around staining or rusting which means they look great from day one and stay looking good for years to come.
Safety
Wooden staircases are safe because they’ll be made with strong materials such as Australian Buloke, oak, teak or walnut which can withstand a lot of wear and tear and pressure from the human body (especially when you consider that most people will walk up and down them 100 times per day). You don’t need to worry about the stairs becoming loose and breaking like you would with metal ones. Also, metal staircases tend to become very slippery in wet weather, whereas wooden stairs maintain their grip on the ground.
Affordability
Price is always going to be a big factor when it comes to choosing something for your home or office. Wooden stairs are generally more affordable than metal, concrete or glass staircases – especially when you consider the long-lasting durability of wood. You won’t have to worry about replacing them in a few years, meaning it’s more cost-effective in the long run. If you shop around and invest in high-quality wooden stairs then they can be priced even lower for your investment!
Easy to maintain
Wooden stairs are easy to maintain because they don’t need to be painted over like metal ones do. With most metals, including steel and iron, you’ll find that paint starts peeling off after just a couple of years due to wear and tear from foot traffic and weather conditions outside. If you invest in wooden stairs then they’ll usually come pre-stained and lacquered so there’s no need to paint them or worry about maintenance!
Wood is naturally beautiful
Wooden stairs look great because the material itself is beautiful. Natural grain, knots and texture mean that when stained correctly they can stand out against the rest of your interior design. Also, many people want to build their stairs to reflect nature – this means choosing materials such as wood which are natural, rich in colour and appealing for most people who are investing in building a brand new staircase. It also ensures that you won’t be stuck with something ugly if you make a mistake with stain or edging type!
Wood adds elegance to your interior design
Wooden stairs are classy because they are warm, welcoming, natural and beautiful. They’re not cold like metal – meaning you won’t feel like you’re walking into a freezer every time you come through the front door. Wood is classic and classy which means that if you invest in these then your staircase will look great for years to come without you having to do any work. With metal staircases, wooden staircases or other materials such as concrete people often make mistakes with edging (since it’s difficult) but this isn’t an issue with wood since it already looks amazing before anything has even been done to it!