Steel Staircases
Staircase to Heaven
Michelangelo is reported to have said, “My soul can find no staircase to heaven unless it be through Earth's loveliness.” To connect Michelangelo and Dio-met might seem a leap but in fact there is an obvious link. We like to make beautiful staircases and who are we to contradict a Master in that it might lead us to heaven?
Yes, OK, this might be a step too far – if you can excuse the pun, too hard to resist! In reality, choosing a staircase is more difficult than you might think. A practical necessity for most homes, they are walked up and down without a second thought. However, the impact on continuity and flow to your house can be disastrous if you choose badly. Eye-catching staircases in magazines are inspiring and can be replicated but the primary consideration for your house must be the space you have and the style of the interior.
If you google "How to pick a staircase" you will very quickly discover that it's not a simple task. There is an array of choices. Spiral. Helical. Straight. Cantilevered. Alternate. These are just some of the options you might consider. Perhaps a bespoke staircase to meet your individual space needs? With your own design you can even give your staircase a name. Why not the curly wurly for a spiral? No? How about naming it after yourself for posterity?
Flippancy aside, it should be noted that building regulations do have to be followed and in some cases authorisation from building control must be sought before embarking on a staircase project. Clearly, budget is very important too, but with self-assembly options available, this does not have to limit your plans.
Whatever your budget, design is the key to finding the right staircase. Dio-met offers a full survey and design package, from the smaller DIY projects to the bigger commercial staircases. Working with you the client, this process ensures that your new staircase not only looks great but is also affordable too. Depending on your house needs, self-assembled or bespoke staircases are available.
Steel staircases might bring to mind the fire escape outside your office but these are actually only the tip of the iceberg. Think much bigger. The Grand Staircase from the Titanic had a steel infrastructure. This staircase was famous in its day for its opulence - and unfortunately its elitism as only first class passengers were allowed to use it! (Incidentally, this infrastructure is reported to still be intact in its watery grave over a hundred years later.) Of course very few have a house big enough to warrant a grand staircase but the construction opportunities steel affords is unlimited.
Dio-met can offer a variety of spiral staircases either in a standard size or if your home demands it, a customized build. Galvanised steel is the standard finish, perfect for the gritty, urban look. For those with a less industrial taste, each staircase can be powder coated to any colour or primer painted in the finish of your choice.
Decisions about staircases do not stop at the planning and layout. Balustrades and handrails are just as important to creating that perfect look. Again the choice can be daunting. Pig ear handrails. Wrought iron balusters. Toughened glass panels. Solid wood handrails. I could go on but I am sure you get the point. A lot of thought has to go into the design of a beautifully constructed staircase. For those that like simple and understated, all can be left well alone but for those who like that something extra, there is a wealth of staircase decoration ideas out there. Just google it. You will see.
Michelangelo might be overstating the prospect of reaching heaven through ‘Earth’s loveliness’ but I am sure having a well-crafted, beautiful staircase is a good start. We like that idea here at Dio-met but we would, wouldn’t we?
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