Our Policy 

At Aspire Stairs, we proudly offer a limited structural warranty that covers any manufacturing and workmanship defects for the staircases we manufacture and install. Our warranty provides reliable protection and support to our valued customers. However, it's important to note that certain conditions and situations are excluded from the warranty coverage. These include, but not limited to, damages resulting from exposure to extreme elements like prolonged direct sunlight or moisture, which could cause timber components to shrink or swell. Additionally, post-installation damages such as scratches, burns, or glass damage caused by improper use are not covered under the warranty.

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Timber Policy 

Timber, a highly versatile material utilised in the construction sector, distinguishes itself with its environmentally friendly qualities, natural composition, reusability, recyclability, and sustainable nature. It boasts a diverse array of properties and is easily accessible, making it a preferred choice in architectural design. Of particular significance are timber stairs, playing a pivotal role in defining spatial flow and facilitating seamless transitions between different levels in a structure.

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The captivating appeal of timber lies in its extensive range of colors and textures, which beautifully showcase its innate natural beauty. In the rugged Australian environment, known for its challenging conditions, timber develops remarkable markings influenced by insects and fire. These unique patterns and variations add to the individuality and charm of timber, creating truly distinctive pieces.

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Each species of timber and even individual specimens within the same species often exhibit diverse color variations. Furthermore, factors like usage, exposure to light, and the application of various finishes contribute to additional color differences, making each timber piece truly one-of-a-kind.

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The grain of timber encompasses its overall visual appearance, including the orientation, size, pattern, and quality of wood fibers. This grain pattern adds character and personality to the wood, enhancing its aesthetic appeal.

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Timber's texture can vary significantly, ranging from coarse to fine, and appearing even or uneven. These variations are influenced by the size and arrangement of wood cells within the timber, giving each piece a unique tactile quality.

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Additionally, the figure of timber refers to the patterns that emerge on its surface due to the nature of its grain, the arrangement and dimensions of wood cells, and color variations. The interplay of light reflection and absorption further influences the figure, creating captivating visual effects.

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The grade of timber has a significant impact on the character of timber stairs, as it is determined by the presence of features like veins, knots, splits, and shakes. There are three primary grades of timber that adhere to Australian Standards.

 

• Select Grade: The highest grade with minimal features, providing a sleek and unblemished appearance. Select grade timber is chosen from the best-quality timber grades and is well-suited for modern-style homes and commercial properties, offering an even finish without compromising its warm and natural feel. Some gum vein is allowed within select grade timber.

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• Standard Grade: Falling between select grade and feature grade, it showcases the natural features of the timber, such as gum veins, splits, and holes. Standard grade timber exhibits more diversity than select grade, making it suitable for natural look if desired.

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• Feature Grade: It contains imperfections like knots, gum veins, branch and insect markings, highlighting the timber's natural appeal.

 

Timber Appearance

The appearance of timber is significantly influenced by the type of timber selected and its grade, be it standard or select. Additionally, the installation and finishing processes can also impact its overall appearance. It's essential to note that external factors like heat, sunlight, and moisture can further affect the timber's visual appeal.

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Moreover, the appearance of the staircase can be influenced by the care or lack thereof by its owners. Some of the potential changes resulting from improper maintenance include:

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• Cupping - This refers to the bending of a plank or piece of wood along or across its grain due to shrinkage.

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• Tenting Landing Boards - This occurs when the edge of a stair component lifts above the adjacent landing board, often caused by high moisture conditions beneath the stairs.

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• Shrinkage - Gaps between staircase components can be caused by changes in climates and subsequent shrinkage.

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• Delaminating - Separation between laminated staircase components, caused by changing weather conditions and exposure to light.

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By adhering to appropriate installation and maintenance practices, it is possible to minimise these concerns and preserve the attractive appearance of the timber staircase. Regular care and attention can help ensure the longevity and beauty of the staircase over time.

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Timber Properties, Moisture Content and Movement in Stairs

Weather conditions play a significant role in the movement of staircases constructed from timber or other natural materials. These materials experience small dimensional changes in response to shifts in the environment, primarily influenced by temperature and humidity fluctuations.

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In environments with high humidity, timber has the tendency to absorb moisture from its surroundings, leading to swelling. Conversely, during dry weather, the timber may shrink, resulting in gaps between stair components. Additionally, exposure to heat or sunlight can cause minor shifts in the dimensions of the staircase structure, owing to the natural characteristics of timber.

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The extent of these movements is influenced by the specific timber species used in constructing the staircase and its components. It is reasonable to expect some gaps between stair components to develop over time. To mitigate these effects, applying finishes to the staircase and its components can help slow down the process of dimensional changes. However, it is essential to note that these finishes cannot entirely prevent such changes from occurring over time.

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By understanding and accounting for these natural movements during the design and installation process, it becomes possible to create more durable and aesthetically pleasing staircases. Taking these factors into consideration ensures that the staircase will better withstand the test of time and maintain its integrity.

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Movement After Installation

Once a staircase is installed, it is natural for some degree of movement to occur due to various factors. Here are some common considerations related to stair movement after installation:

• Settling and Shrinkage: After construction, building materials, including wood, concrete, or metal, may undergo settling or shrinkage as they acclimate to the surrounding environment. This process can cause minor movements in the staircase components, such as handrails, balusters, and treads. Adequate drying time and curing processes can minimise these effects.

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• Environmental Factors: Changes in temperature and humidity can cause expansion or contraction of stair materials. Timber, is particular susceptible to swelling in high humidity and contracting in drier conditions. These natural fluctuations can lead to slight shifts in the stairs over time.

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• Structural Load: Staircases are subjected to continuous dynamic and static loads as people ascend and descend. Over time, this repeated stress can cause minute shifts in the stair structure. To mitigate this, stairs are designed and built to support expected loads without compromising safety.

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• Fastener Tightening: In the case of staircases assembled using screws, nails, or bolts, it is not uncommon for fasteners to loosen slightly over time. Regular inspections and maintenance are necessary to identify and address loose connections.

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• Material Wear: High-traffic staircases may experience wear on the treads, particularly in commercial or public buildings. While this may not result in significant structural movement, it can impact the aesthetics and necessitate periodic maintenance or replacement.

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Maintenance of Timber Stairs 

Staircases can experience varied responses due to different climates in their surroundings. Factors like large glassed areas, fireplaces, air conditioners, and appliances can influence the dimensional movement of stair components.

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Exposure to sunlight can also lead to changes in the staircase and its components over time. To prevent potential issues, it is crucial to consider preventive measures when choosing a staircase design. However, even after installation, proper care and maintenance are essential to ensure the staircase's longevity and continued performance. Being proactive in caring for the staircase will help preserve its structural integrity and appearance for the long term.

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Timber Staircase Finishes 

Timber stairs can be finished in various ways, such as painting, carpeting, or staining and polishing. The final finishing is typically done by external trades. While the site environment may not always be entirely dust-free, the timber stair should have an even appearance. Minor contaminants, slight sanding marks, small depressions in finished stair components, and nail holes may be visible. Achieving a mirror finish is impractical, and some finishes may yellow over time. Timber stairs endure heavy wear, and while a good quality finish can be expected, it should not be compared to furniture finishes.

 

Timber stair finishes can be greatly affected by sand or grit carried on footwear, presenting a significant challenge. Furthermore, direct sunlight plays a role in causing gaps and potential cupping of stair components. Additionally, certain finishes may undergo colour changes over time when exposed to sunlight. Some timber finishes are more susceptible to darkening with age, and direct sunlight can accelerate this natural aging process.

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Quality Policy 

While there are no specific standards that dictate the exact appearance of timber stairs, there are established standards governing their manufacture and installation, such as the Building Code of Australia. It is important to note that stairs constructed from the same timber species can exhibit noticeable variations in appearance. These variations can be influenced by various factors, including the source of the timber, the age of the trees, the width of the boards, the techniques used for finishing, and the lighting conditions under which the timber stairs are viewed.

 

Factors Influencing Appearance: Timber, being a natural product, undergoes changes in response to fluctuations in atmospheric humidity, leading to shrinkage and swelling. It is important to recognise that building environments are never identical, and this can influence the behavior of timber. When it comes to stained stairs, it should be noted that the sanding and finishing processes are not conducted in a completely dust-free factory environment. As a result, finishes may darken over time due to various factors.

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Aspire Stairs Quality Standard

At Aspire Stairs, we strive to maintain a high standard of quality in our timber stairs. Our goal is to deliver stairs that are free from common problems such as tenting, buckling, and crowning. These issues should generally not occur in our timber stairs. However, it's important to note that cupping, shrinkage, or expansion may occur in certain circumstances. These phenomena can be influenced by factors such as heat, sunlight, or moisture affecting specific areas of the stair. While we take every precaution to minimise these occurrences, it is essential to consider the potential impact of these external factors on timber stairs.

 

It is important to acknowledge that the actions or inactions of the client can contribute to, or even be the direct cause of, certain problems in timber stairs. Stairs that are exposed to heat sources or excessive moisture after occupancy, such as due to the absence of curtains, the operation of fireplaces and appliance vents, prolonged closure of the house, or enclosed undersides of stairs without proper ventilation or exposure to sub-floor environments, may experience issues like cupping, shrinking, or expansion. In such cases, the responsibility for addressing cupping, shrinking, or expansion resulting from these sources may lie with the owner.

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Aspire Stairs strives to minimise variations in timber color and grain; however, an exact match cannot be guaranteed due to the natural characteristics of timber. Our timber stairs are constructed to be free from split boards. It is normal to experience some noise when walking on the stairs, especially during drier weather, as the joints may loosen slightly. Over time, the stair may show indentations, which can be influenced by factors such as the hardness of the timber species used, the volume of traffic, and the type of footwear worn.

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Our recommendations and waiver for timber stair finishing

We would like to emphasise that timber, possesses inherent imperfections that contribute to its unique character. Aspire Stairs cannot assume responsibility for issues such as cracking, movement, splits, variations in timber appearance, or general deterioration that may occur due to regular use. It is the client's responsibility to exercise reasonable care in ensuring that the stair is not damaged by other trades and is kept free from dust generated by other activities.

 

We strongly recommend that the client considers staining, polishing, or coating (sealing) the stair within four weeks of installation. This timeframe is crucial to protect and enhance the longevity and appearance of the timber. Please be aware that failure to carry out the recommended finishing within this timeframe may impact the performance and aesthetics of the timber stair.

 

By proceeding with the installation, the client acknowledges these recommendations and releases Aspire Stairs from any liability arising from issues related to timber cracking, movement, splits, variation, or general deterioration.

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