Refurbishments made easy
When this townhouse conversion required a staircase refurbishment it was to mark the beginning of a longstanding collaboration between S M Carpentry and StairBox.
Time-served joiner Sean Matthews was asked to refurb this client’s existing staircase with Oak and glass to open a previously dark and dingy hallway area. Upon discovering our Oak Newel Cladding System, he was confident that our innovative solution would give this home a truly magical makeover.
Sean explains:
“I was researching at home, looking for the right products that really worked and came across the StairBox website. When I started reading about the Oak Newel Cladding System it was a ‘eureka’ moment. This was exactly what I had been looking for!”
He continues:
“At the time the Oak Cladding System was a new product and it couldn’t have been landed on a more complicated job, with seven newel posts wrapping around the whole staircase.
“The StairBox Oak Newel Cladding System is amazing. Usually, newel posts would have been cladded with solid pieces where the end grain was visible, so you could always tell it was an artificial post. However, the StairBox Cladding System has opposing joints which create a box joint, so it clamps together to leave a point. Once this is sanded back the joint becomes invisible, creating the illusion of a solid post. The finished look is totally seamless. I believe this StairBox system is revolutionary and it has made a massive impact on my work.”
Technical Manager at StairBox Mike Walker says:
“This was one of Sean’s first orders with StairBox and it’s great to see the transformation he was able to achieve using our products.”
He explains: “The existing Newel Posts were wrapped in our StairBox Newel Cladding System which were custom made to suit the 85mm posts already in situ. These were finished off with an Oak Flat Cap to suit the size of the new cladded post. The original dated balustrade was removed and replaced with our modern ClearChoice handrail and baserail, which was fitted with narrow glass panels which were made specially to suit the customer’s requirements.”
Bespoke Storage
“Underneath the staircase, Sean created a bespoke hidden storage solution. The doors and trims were made from the same American White Oak to blend in perfectly and hide everything away. The doors themselves are push to open so no need for handles, allowing for a seamless finish. It’s a great idea which was executed brilliantly,” says Mike.
Sean has since re-visited this property to clad the stair strings in Oak veneer and the risers and treads in Oak. He has also fitted a new solid bullnose step, supplied by StairBox. The staircase’s old spindles were removed and replaced with StairBox toughened glass panels to let light flood in and to lend a more contemporary feel.
He says: “The customer has commented on what an amazing difference the staircase has made, allowing all that extra natural light into the space.”
Sean adds: “Much of my work involves makeovers of existing staircases. Cladding with the StairBox system and the customer’s chosen elements provides a cost-effective way to bring a staircase which has often seen better days bang up-to-date.”
Since this commission Sean calls upon StairBox on a regular basis, having transformed another eight staircases in refurbishments and one-off commissions such as this impressive wine cellar staircase – all created using elements supplied by StairBox.
Sean says: “StairBox offers amazing service and they are lovely people to deal with. If I need to call them it’s never a chore. I often contact them last minute and the team will bend over backwards to supply what I need. They’ll do what they can to get parts to me, even if it’s a small order.”
“Deliveries are when they say they are. The product is amazing and it’s transforming my work. It’s nice to deal with a company where it feels like they care. They’re incredibly knowledgeable and keep me informed if there are any issues or changes with orders which is really helpful.
“I work to the highest standards and in StairBox I have found a supplier that provides quality products which more than warrant use in my client commissions. Now I wouldn’t go anywhere else!”
To transform your staircase with StairBox Stairparts visit the shop or call 01782 832555
