Farmhouse Staircase Wanted

[Bizarro]

We live in a part of an old farm building (17th C) which unfortunately had most of its oldest woodwork removed before we bought it. So, instead of a nice old staircase, it has a open tread mahogany monstrosity which I dearly loathe.

Can anyone point me to a good reclamation company (Berks or not too far away) where I might find something to replace it please? It's probably beyond my means to have a new one crafted that would blend in.

Thanks.

 

[Penners]

I can't help you with reclamation yard recommendations, Bizarro, other than to suggest that you try the Products & Services>Architectural Salvage page of this website:-

http://directory.periodproperty.co.uk/listing/guide/building_products/architectural_salvage

Be sure to choose one who subscribes to the Salvo code of ethics.

However, do be careful about buying a reclaimed staircase. In a period property, the chances of finding one that exactly suits the dimensions of the property are pretty remote. In order to ensure that you have exactly the correct and consistent rise and going, you almost always have to have a staircase tailor-made. And I recommend that you resist the temptation to fit one that isn't exactly right. It may seem unimportant if the top or bottom step rise is different from all the others, but it can be surprisingly dangerous - particularly for people who aren't resident in your house.

Of course, you could always make one yourself. Assuming the mahogany one was tailor-made, you could simply copy its dimensions in a more sympathetic style.

 

[Zebra]

There's this http://www.salvo.co.uk/, although I think Penners is right, it'd be unlikely that you'd find one of the right dimensions. I have an original staircase of a probably similar age to what you're looking for (you can't have it), and it's quite simple in construction. It wouldn't be very hard to copy. However, there are of course Building Regulations, which there weren't in the 17th Century. I assume that your new staircase would have to comply.

 

[JohnB]

This seems quite a good guide to the Building Regs. http://www.pearstairs.co.uk/staircase-buillding-regulations/

My staircase was removed many decades ago, and the ceiling has since been raised, but at least I should be able to get away with a cheap standard one. I may actually have the original handrail though, as I found one in a shed.