Common Problems in the Operation of Wooden Staircases
Creating staircases using wood is a proven and reliable practice that has been used for over a thousand years. Yeah, ancient people used wood for many tasks, including building stairs. Since then, this approach has received improvements in the technological process, but the principle has remained the same. Nowadays, wooden staircases are highly appreciated by people and they are considered as luxurious constructions.
Despite the technological advancement of mankind, wooden staircases are still not perfect constructions. Why is it so? During their use, some defects and problems may appear. In this article, we will tell you about the most popular ones and share tips on how to deal with them.
Why do People Often Choose Wooden Materials?
Before we tell you what common problems actually exist, we want to share the advantages of wooden materials. According to statistics, most of the people prefer wooden materials. At V.P Stairs, we also observe this trend among our clients. What can this be due to?
- Lightness. Wood is lighter than most other materials. This simplifies the installation and transport of the stairs. Lightweight construction reduces the load on the floors, allowing you to install stairs even in homes with limited opportunities.
- Environmental friendliness. Wood is a natural, renewable resource that does not harm the environment during production and disposal. It does not emit toxic substances and favourably affects the microclimate in the house.
- Durability. High-quality wood is characterised by high resistance to loads and long-term operation. Properly treated species such as oak or ash retain their strength for decades.
However, also consider the kind of wood you want to make the main of your staircase. The most reliable and luxurious options are oak and cedar. However, you can also choose other options. Take a look at the V.P Stairs portfolio to find the best examples of modern wood staircase implementation.
Weaknesses That May Occur During Operation
Each material can have its own drawbacks and benefits. Wood is no exception, so owners of such structures may encounter some problems during operation. We recommend that you find out all the weaknesses and ways to solve them in advance. Therefore, we have collected for you 3 common problems with wooden stairs. A small spoiler for you – all these problems can be easily fixed, so there is no reason to worry.
1. Creaking noises
One of the most popular problems associated with wood construction is creaking noises. You may think that this is a minor problem. However, when you encounter it, the creaking sounds will become a truly annoying element. What could be the causes of this defect? If your wooden staircase is creaking, the cause could be due to wood shrinkage or wear and tear on some of the elements. Sometimes creaking sounds can also appear due to unprofessional work during installation.
The reasons can be different, but you should start acting as soon as possible. The best solution is to contact professionals. To avoid squeaks, customers often favour metal structures. Is this an effective solution? You can learn more about the comparison of wooden and metal stairs in our article. This will help you make an informed decision before installing a structure on your property.
2. Wobbly handrail
A wobbly handrail is one of the most widespread issues in wooden staircases. Over time, the fastenings loosen due to constant loads, vibrations and the natural shrinkage of the wood. This not only reduces the comfort of use, but can also be dangerous, especially for children and the elderly.
If the loosening is not corrected in time, the fasteners can finally fail and the handrail itself can break off. Solving the problem requires tightening or replacing the fasteners and sometimes installing additional supports. It is also important to regularly check the condition of the connections to avoid accidents.
3. Cracks in the steps
Cracks in wooden steps are caused by humidity variations, improper drying of the material or excessive loads. Over time, wood loses its elasticity and even small defects can develop into serious damage affecting the strength of the entire structure.
Ignoring cracks can lead to the destruction of the step and injuries. Therefore, at the first signs, diagnostics should be carried out: identify the cause and take action. In some cases it is sufficient to fill the crack and sand the surface, but in case of serious damage it is better to replace the entire step.
V.P Stairs – Renovation and Creation of Custom Wooden Staircases
Are you looking to get rid of manifested problems with your wooden staircase or create a quality design from scratch in the UK? At V.P Stairs, our priorities are the comfort and carefree use of the staircase for the client. We are happy to assist you in the professional renovation of your old staircase, whether it has defects or you simply want to update its design.
If you need a complete project development from scratch, we are also here for you. Our team has a lot of expertise and helps in creating custom designs in wood, metal, glass and other reliable materials. Contact us in any convenient way for a free consultation!
5 Comments
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Mia Jackson
The only downside I’ve noticed in using a wooden staircase is the creaks. It is really annoying. Imagine a situation when you go down to another room at night and that horrifying creak can wake up other family members. Help me, how to fix this problem?
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vpstairs
Perhaps in your case there is a need to replace the wood steps. Contact us to discuss this in more detail.
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Ruby Anderson
If a staircase is already creaking and has a few small cracks in the treads, is it usually better to repair or to replace it completely?
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vpstairs
Thank you for your question, Ruby! It depends on the extent and cause of the damage. In many cases, targeted repairs are enough to restore comfort and safety. However, if the structure has been poorly designed from the start or has serious deformation, full renovation may be more cost-effective in the long run!
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Comments are closed.
Isabella Anderson
I think wood is the perfect material for a modern staircase. Yeah, I really do. Why? I have been in possession of a wooden staircase for over 6 years and have not encountered any of the problems described in this article!