If you’re building a multiple-storey home, one of your main concerns will be your staircase. How you want it to look and what you intend it to be used for will guide you in choosing what materials to use. You may be looking at contractors who have expertise in wood, concrete, acrylic, or iron works in Los Angeles and Orange County. The right material will result in a beautiful staircase that is safe and lasts for many years.
Pros And Cons Of Different Staircase Materials
If you are thinking about installing a new staircase in your home, there are many materials to choose from. Take your time and compare your options to find the one that will work best for your purposes.
When it comes to choosing a material for your staircase, iron, wood, acrylic, and concrete are all good materials to consider. Here is how they compare to each other and what you can expect from the performance of each material.
Iron Staircases
Los Angeles ironwork staircases are a great option for both interior and exterior projects. Iron is very strong and stylish. It can be customized to create beautiful designs that can add character and style to any home. It can handle heavy traffic and it looks good for decades.
Pros of Iron Staircases
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Affordable. Iron staircases may look pricey at first glance, but the value of your initial investment proves its worth over time.
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Customizable. Iron can be fabricated into different shapes and styles, so iron staircases are possible for both modern and traditional homes.
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Adds character. The less common material means your staircase will immediately be a conversation starter.
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Can be used indoors and outdoors. Iron works as an elegant interior staircase but is also strong enough to weather the elements outdoors.
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Long-lasting and durable. Iron is a resilient material that can withstand foot traffic over the years.
Cons of Iron Staircases
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Require professional installation. Iron staircases require skilled artisans for the best results. However, this won’t be a problem if your iron fabrication team are experts in their field
Wood Staircases
Wood staircases are one of the most traditional types of staircases and are suitable for both indoor and outdoor designs. However, wood can also break down over time, which means they may need replacing or maintenance after a number of years.
Pros of Wood Staircases
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Easy to install. Wood is a common material and any contractor worth their salt will know how to work with it.
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Affordable. Due to its omnipresence, wood is cheap and thus easy to get your hands on.
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Classic design. Wood has been around for a long time. Artisans have had centuries to experiment with wooden staircases, spawning designs from different art periods.
Cons of Wood Staircases
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Don’t last long. Wood is a natural material, so it is vulnerable to the elements over time. Anything from moisture to mold to termites can make wooden staircases suffer.
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Can crack and splinter. Wooden staircases may not hold up to heavy objects being lugged up and down on it. By its nature, it is prone to cracking or splintering.
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Limited design options. Wood is not malleable the way Orange County iron works are. While it’s still possible to get custom designs, it will be very difficult shaping or carving wood into intricate shapes. Thus, a wooden staircase can also become more pricey the more intricate you want it to be.
Acrylic Staircases
Acrylic comes in different colors and finishes and can look great in almost any home. Acrylic staircases allow more light to show through and are lightweight and easy to install, but they are also one of the more expensive but less durable material options.
Pros of Acrylic Staircases
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Lightweight. Acrylic is a type of plastic, and it’s lighter and less dense than the other staircase material options on this list.
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Modern style. Acrylic staircases suit modern, minimalist, or Scandinavian homes made of contemporary materials.
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Allow for natural light. Acrylic staircases are transparent and can let light pass through. They’re a great option for small spaces or homes that embrace natural light.
Cons of Acrylic Staircases
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Expensive. To make a material like acrylic ready to bear heavy loads it needs to be manufactured very carefully. This process means costs can add up.
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Don’t last long. Despite careful treatment, acrylic still will not hold up for as many years as the other contenders on this list.
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Scratches easily. Acrylic is at its best when it is perfectly clear and shiny. Over time, however, it will scuff and scratch from repeated friction and will not look as beautiful as it did when it was brand new.
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Shows dirt. Due to the transparent nature of acrylic, it’s easily noticeable if dust gathers on the steps. You’ll have to perform constant polishing to keep the stairs looking their best.
Concrete Staircases
Concrete staircases are tough and durable. They can give an area a strong and Spartan appearance, and they can hold up under a lot of traffic. Due to its tendency towards a utilitarian look and purpose, you will most often find concrete staircases outdoors.
Pros of Concrete Staircases
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Strong and durable. Without a doubt, concrete is very sturdy. It won’t succumb to foot traffic or heavy objects.
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Different color options. You can paint or tile over concrete, making customization easy,
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Different textures and thicknesses. There are also different options available depending on your intentions for the staircase.
Cons of Concrete Staircases
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Heavy. By nature, concrete is dense and heavy. This means it needs extra manpower to handle and install. It is also not the best choice for locations with sensitive or flimsy flooring
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Hard to install. Concrete needs to be poured, shaped, and left to dry perfectly. It is certainly a more difficult option to install than other staircases that merely require parts to be assembled.
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Chips easily. While your concrete staircase isn’t likely to shatter, it is prone to chipping in small increments over time
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Not suitable for interiors. Concrete stairs don’t look as pretty or striking indoors. Their utilitarian look is better suited to outdoor locations,
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Expensive. Because of the fuss necessary to mix the concrete and install the stairs themselves, costs of a concrete staircase can add up.
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Limited designs. Like wood, concrete is difficult to form into beautiful shapes. While it’s not impossible to make beautiful staircases out of concrete, it will certainly cost you.
Choose Naddours Custom Metalworks For Your Iron Staircase
If you are ready to install a staircase made from Los Angeles or Orange County ironworks, be sure to contact Naddours Custom Metalworks. We carry a large selection of iron staircases, rails, and other ironwork.
We are happy to help you choose the right staircase for your home or come up with a custom design for your staircase. Visit our website to see our selection!