Design Buy Build Issue 37 2019 | Page 139

TIME; don’t underestimate the amount of time it takes to commission a bespoke staircase. To avoid backing yourselves into a compromise situation its worth getting the staircase specialist involved as early as possible to get some layout ideas and outline costs. Bisca are able to give you a guide price based on drawings and their Concept Design Services provides layout schematic, sketched visuals, samples and a budget cost based on a survey and materials of your choice. TREADS; open treads are a great way to let light into the area, and glass, timber, stone, Sertave, marble or even Corian are all materials you could consider. Most bespoke staircase manufacturers will try to match existing timber in the property if this is important to you. Without question brash and bling has made way for tactile and timeless. Innovation in floor finishes has revolutionised timber available for staircase components. 139 Bisca now offer a wide variety of washed, raised grain and pigment finish for timber treads and handrails. BALUSTRADES; roughly speaking you have the choice between glass, timber, steel or plaster. Position, family requirements and budget are all important factors in making the right decision. It’s important to consider any landing or galleries when obtaining quotations not just the staircase itself. Glass is not perhaps the best option if you have a young family – unless you relish the chore of regular cleaning to remove tiny handprints! Timber spindles will give you a more traditional effect and are a cost effective option, whilst forged or machined steel balustrades can be as simple or as ornate as you desire. Finally, comparing quotations for any bespoke item on paper is always open to interpretation due to the variable nature of the item and its method of manufacture.