The staircase is often the focal point of a house as it is the first thing that people notice on entering the house. The way to make a simple staircase the main attraction of your house is to improve and design the balustrade. There is a wide range of designs and styles available in the market when it comes to choosing a balustrade. But, before selecting the style and design it is essential to check on the material used to manufacture your balustrade.
The material used for making the balustrade should be long lasting. As people mainly choose wood, to improve the aesthetics of your home you have to see what variety of wood will add to the overall décor of the house. For this you have to take three factors into consideration: (Information Credit – http://www.countrywoods.co.za)
- Age of the Property: If the property you have purchased has a Victorian or Edwardian setting then you should choose to keep a traditional styled wooden balustrade to keep in with the look of the house. Keeping it close to the original design will not make the balustrade look out of place. You can also use wood turning services to create replicas of the traditional balustrades. Contemporary homes can also request wood as the main material and you will have many modern designs to indulge in.
- Style of the Property: If you are keen on decorating your home with rustic furnishings then you should consider choosing a traditional styled balustrade. Modern interiors have the option to choose wooden balustrades that also feature a little metal or glass work.
- Space of the Property: The style of the balustrade will also depend on how spacious your home is. The style of the balustrade also depends on the position where the staircase is and its surrounding area. You can paint or choose stained or a varnished finish for your wooden balustrade to match with the surrounding décor.
Hardwoods Used for Manufacturing Balustrades
- White Oak: Known for sturdiness, the pale brown coloured white oak looks great when varnished.
- Walnut: The colour of walnut varies from pale brown to chocolate brown. When using walnut, you can choose to retain the irregular dark brown grain as it would lend to a woodsy feel.
- Sapele: You can use Sapele, the reddish-brown hardwood as an alternative to mahogany. Polished or varnished finishing of Sapele goes with both classic and modern styled house.
- Ash: Ash is an attractive variety of hardwood. The pale brown coloured hardwood often sports a red tinge. Its quality to absorb shocks without splintering makes it long lasting.
- White Primed Wood: Birch or poplar when white primed can be used for manufacturing balustrades. Their properties lend to an even finish. You can choose to retain its natural texture or use paint.
Softwoods like pine and hemlock are also used for manufacturing balustrades. While pine is a knotty timber, hemlock is largely knot free. Pine does not shrink or swell easily, and hemlock has high density. These features make them ideal for the balustrades.
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