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Internal stairs balustrade - modernise

2 years ago

Hi, I don't like the look of this balustrade. Besides being a bit older style I feel like it's not finished properly upstairs? We're putting a nicer beige carpet and downstairs will have wooden floors. We will also be painting the house white. I don't think we'll have the time or budget to update.
Any ideas on how we can modernise welcome.
Many thanks!

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Comments (6)

Kate
2 years ago
How can you update without the expense, it won’t be a cheap exercise unless you are a carpenter. It matches the era of the doors, so where do you stop. What Part of it don’t you like and what would you like. It’s personal. Look at images
Sofia C
Original Author
2 years ago
Would love a simple one like some on this pic... Maybe just paint the top? I like a more modern look but aware the house is not overly modern so only so much can be done.
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Yeah they are, The whole house is, we just moved in and it's been well maintained just no updates in 20 years. I don't want to over capitalise hence the kitchen and stairs being the focus Thanks for all your advice :) been great
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yep agree, what you are liking is going to cost way more, what your allowance for is for budget/flagfall/basic detail. Maybe 30K suggestion a little inflated for this but certainly 10-15K min Depends upon who, material chosen and extent of finish...possibly you may be able to get away with some quality carpentry to tackle a similar balustrade idea rather than getting a (more expensive) joinery shop to do it, because if it was joinery w' clear 2 pac'd timber screens then arguably yes the number would get pretty scary pretty quickly. You can achieve the screen effect in various ways, but expect to tip in 3-4 times the number allowed at this stage............costs aside though, if it's a U shape set-up, (without knowing how it's planned/positioned etc,) unless you have a fully exposed side (in a significant aspect of the residence), it's questionable whether you'll get the effect you're after and hence if it's the best way to spend money on the screen balustrade - they're a great detail, lovely internal textural element, but arguably best/most striking when implemented on single runs like in the images......
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Don't box your stairs in, as it will close in the space. You do need to address the balustrade as it doesn't comply with the current regulations and actually looks a bit flimsy - painting it will not improve the safety aspect so don' even bother. Steel stringer stairs are most certainly not cheap, and are often used in high end architect designed houses. I would consider refinishing the timber stair treads by sanding them back and applying a tough, clear, timber floor finish, possibly in a satin or matt before you install a new balustrade. The only thing that could do with a paint is the existing steel, possibly in a matt black. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls
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Julie Herbert
2 years ago
Paint it black, will go beautifully with your white walls and light carpet
User
2 years ago
Part of the problem is the colour -- that yellowish cream is the most dated part IMO , and I was going to suggest painting white like the doors . The black looks good too .

My preference if you had the time and/or the budget would be to strip them back to wood and matt varnish them , BUT change the doors too -- those doors obviously were of that era , but I hate them with a vengence these days -- doors and balustrades would add some class and some warmth .
Sofia C
Original Author
2 years ago
Pottsy99, what would you change the doors to? I also do not love them but hadn't given them much thought until now....

We will be painting it the balustrade Vivid White and I think that wot definitely help. We're getting opinions on whether we can strip back to wood and varnish too.
User
2 years ago
Your plan means you can do 2 stages -- paint vivid white , and then later new doors . How it is now , with that 'aged cream' and white doors looks bad on 2 respects , so you are getting the 2 aspects to match .

Those doors I guess were a step up from the flat ones with cardboard coils inside , but they looked and felt really plasticy , and one of the worst attempts at fake wood that there was .

Call me strange , but I prefer wooden doors to have wood in them haha -- a nice wooden door in a white frame can't be beaten IMO -- its interior , so you don't want it to look heavy and impenetrable ( i.e. not a front door ) but similar to the existing door , just in a nice warm honey toned wood , or even a cedar or similar -- 4 or 6 small panels but nothing too heavy in detail . That would be my plan of attack anyway .

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