Are you dreaming of a beautiful exterior staircase? This element is more important than it seems, and can single-handedly influence the style of your home.
Choosing the right outdoor staircase is no easy task. It’s subject to the weather, and the wrong material and/or style can cause real damage to both safety and aesthetics.
No need to panic! By seeking professional advice, you can easily make your project a reality. Let’s take a look at the prerequisites and latest trends for choosing the best outdoor staircase for your home.
First and foremost: define your needs
That’s the first question to ask yourself. Are you looking to :
- embellish your facade?
- connect an outside point to the inside of the house?
- reinforce or embellish an existing staircase?
Also consider the height you have available. Do you need 5 or 40 steps?
Once you’ve defined your needs, you can move on to the next step: choosing the right materials.
How do you choose the right material?
This question, relatively easy for an indoor staircase, will be thorny in the case of an outdoor staircase. The 4 main materials used are: stone, concrete, metal or wood.
Don’t forget that your staircase will have to withstand the weather. A metal like aluminum will resist humidity, cold or heat without any particular maintenance, whereas wood, which is very sensitive to humidity, will require special care if you don’t want your staircase to be eaten away by mildew.
Another important point is to make the surface of your steps non-slip and your staircase visible at night. This will prevent many accidents, especially if your household includes young children or people with reduced mobility.
Take installation into account
Depending on its shape and the material you choose, your outside staircase will be easier or harder to install.
For example, installing a spiral staircase will be easier than designing a stone one. It’s by weighing up the pros and cons with a professional that you’ll be able to make a clear-cut decision. Don’t forget to ask for a quotation before starting work.
And what about style?
Once you’ve considered the points above, move on to style! It’s a commonplace to say that fashion goes out of fashion, and this principle also applies to your outdoor staircase. Don’t succumb to fashion trends that might bore you, and opt for solid values such as the clean, straight lines found in Scandinavian and contemporary styles.
Let’s take a look at what’s trending in 2018 and promises to stay with the times for a long time to come:
Aluminium :
- Its versatility makes it a sure bet. Colors and finishes are infinite, for a contemporary effect and incomparable ease of maintenance.
Wood:
- natural and timeless
Although difficult to maintain outdoors, wood remains a must. You can play with different types and colors: maple, cherry, red oak, walnut… to give your staircase a dynamic look. If you don’t want to spend hours maintaining your outdoor wooden staircase, opt for an aluminum staircase with imitation wood cladding.
Glass: purity and luminosity
Tempered glass is a must-have for any outdoor staircase. By allowing light to filter through, it creates an airy effect and gives your facade a modern look, right in tune with the times.
Metal and wrought iron: industrial and arty
By blending wood and wrought iron, you’ll give your outdoor staircase a modern touch worthy of New York lofts. Choose wrought iron for your balustrades, which can be adapted to suit your taste.
Stainless steel: contemporary and Zen-like
By adding steel bolts in the glass or steel bars to complement the wood, you’ll add a Zen touch, perfect for a relaxing ambience.
Suspended steps: breathtaking effect guaranteed
Give your staircase a modern, original touch. However, make sure you comply with standards by calling in a professional for a safe staircase.
We’ll help you build the staircase of your dreams for a safe, fashionable result that meets your requirements. Bring your projects to life with Balcons Verdun.
