Going Against The Grain – How To Create A Feature Timber Staircase
When we think of a timber or wooden staircase, we probably have a stereo typical image in our mind. While timber is the most commonly used material when building a new staircase – the diverse range of options it offers, present as much potential for creating a bespoke feature in your home, as some of the most exquisite stone, glass and metals.
Timber or wood is a highly versatile material when used in both construction and interior design projects; it is a product that is capable of adding timeless qualities; rustic charm; and unique character when the right form is selected. From vodka oak and black american walnut, to reclaimed lock gates and kiln-dried ash – below we showcase how Bisca has used wood for both structural and decorative applications in bespoke staircase design.
Using Wood As A Functional Staircase Structure
At Bisca, the staircase design process starts with ‘function’ and thereafter, our design team will consider both ‘form’ and ‘finishing’ – so which shape, materials and style will best meet the client brief. As this project showcases, when a functional structure is visible as part of the final design, timber offers an attractive solution. Solid hardwood, such as oak, can work well as it’s both strong and pleasing to the eye. Alternatively, significant spans of structural elements can be made in steel and then laminated with timber on the surface, with a wide variety of colours – both soft and hard species – to choose from. When its unique characteristics are worked with creatively, wood can be both durable, strong, flexible and eye-catching. It offers the potential to be cut, shaped or bent to provide both structural and decorative elements – and as can be seen to the right, it is a material that can be integrated to form part of the room, incorporating both a storage and cloakroom beneath the staircase. View Project Details Here
Green Oak Staircase Treads Add Rustic Charm
For a bespoke staircase designed by a specialist like Bisca, distinctive timbers are selected bringing to life the character of the building. This client wanted to add rustic charm to their newly converted barn. Bisca designed a straight staircase with curves to the inside, incorporating beams of green oak stacked on top of each other in a semi-cantilevered style. Hand-crafted in our workshop, each tread was finished with a raw oil to retain the original character of the timber. The natural fissures and cracks bring a unique and authentic appearance. When using distinctive timber like this, it’s important to work with a staircase expert who understands the materials they are working with. Through many years of experience, Bisca factored in the prospect for timber movement given that oak will continue to ‘live on’ within your property. To complete the staircase, there is nothing more elegant than the touch of a perfectly-shaped oval profile handrail carved from wood, winding its way downwards in a sinuous line to meet a feature newel at the foot.
View Project Details Here
Repurposed Vodka Oak Forms Bespoke Timber Staircase
One of the most appealing aspects of working with timber is the potential for recycling and repurposing, with requests from clients for using sustainable materials becoming more frequent. Timber is Bisca’s preferred material when looking to add a sense of history to a staircase design. For this staircase, we reclaimed vodka oak to form the treads; its design combining old with new. A floating steel structure curves to form a sculptural feature and frames the unique views within the hallway of the property’s interior. Timber can be treated to suit almost all architectural styles and design schemes – from traditional or rustic, to modern and elegant. As a specialist staircase manufacturer, Bisca uses bespoke techniques such as raising the grain to reveal a more textured appearance; flaming; staining; or even adding colour – each one selected dependent on the timber, to create an eye-catching feature and bring the property’s interior to life.
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A Timber Staircase Originating From Land and Sea
A brilliant example of how wood can be reused to add a truly unique twist to a staircase design; this client sourced a substantial quantity of Greenheart timber, formerly used as old harbour props which had been submerged in a port for 150 years. The timber was full of character and detailing, providing the perfect fit for a staircase in our client’s converted barn – where natural and repurposed materials took centre stage. Similar to this commission, a further staircase we recently crafted used old canal lock gates and was named ‘Best Staircase’ at the the Build It Awards 2023. In both projects the character of the timber in the staircase was used to reflect the buildings past. Beautifully rustic with movement showing from previous use, butterfly ties were made in bronze to maintain the structural integrity of the treads. Each tread was hand crafted and finished to the exact shape and size required in Bisca’s state of the art workshop. View Project Details Here
Timber has been used in building and architecture for over 10,000 years. As a staircase material, it can be practical, versatile, sustainable and of course, beautiful. As human beings we have a natural affinity with wood – with research showing how it induces calmness, reduces stress and enhances wellbeing.
