Steel and glass staircase anyone?

[artyjools]

We moved a couple of months ago and are planning an extension/rejig of the house, including a new staircase.

Does anyone have a contemporary steel and glass staircase? Something like this one - awww.nevillejohnsonstaircases.co.uk/steel-glass/oak-glass-staircase-gallery/ ?

If so, what do you think of it? I'm a bit worried about the cleaning aspect, particularly getting between the two panes at the top of the stairs.

By the way, I'm probably going to be driving you mad asking lots of questions about all sorts of things. This will be a big job and I dont want to mess up!!

www.nevillejohnsonstaircases.co.uk/steel-glass/oak-glass-staircase-gallery/

I think they look great but was persuaded out of one in favour of solid oak square spindles by DH who pointed out that with 3 DC's 6,2,1 yrs old we would constantly be looking at or cleaning smeared handprints which are not such a good look ...

Funnily enough, that's the exact staircase I'm lusting after!

Therefore all I can do is commend you on your excellent taste!

Although my children are older, I'd not let the thought of a few years of handprints put me off something which is going to outlive there being small children in the house

Our staircase has the same glass panels but steel instead of the wooden rails and wooden, open tread sort of floating steps. We have a 4 year old and a dog and the treads and glass constantly have handprints and dirty marks.

It does look good but I would love a normal, carpeted staircase.

My dads got one with wires instead of glass, the glass ones do take continuous cleaning with little handprints. We've put a few in some care home developments and they look very smart and feel very open, but they can be a labour of love where cleaning is concerned.

Thank you for your comments. I'm not sure I would ever find cleaning a labour of love. Shesparkles, my kids are older too - but still messy.

Mrswattnot - your staircase sounds heavenly, but I understand where you are coming from.

Some of the other contemporary staircases are lovely - oak or oak and steel. I'm not sure I have seen any with wires though, wonkylegs.

Oh dear, I have so many decisions to make!

Re the cleaning between the top panes of glass, I find it very difficult to clean the outer sides of the upper staircase and landing panes of glass. Although tbh I'm not that obsessive about cleaning and could probably buy something for this use if I looked.

I used to clean the glass and treads as soon as I noticed any marks, 4 years later it just gets done when I can be bothered.

Yes, that's the bit I'm worried about. You can't get your hand down in between the panes.

I do want carpet as I couldn't deal with the kids stomping up and down.

We are compromising on carpet/wood thing, getting oak stairs and will have a runner

Sleep, like the idea of a runner, but more complicated cleaning regime will be required, so perhaps not right for us!

Glass is reinforced, cat - have you seen how many safety regs there are in relation to house building .

Think I'm moving towards straight oak....

Mm, the stairs have arrived today they are beeyotiful....now I don't know if I want to put a runner on that lovely oak! May see how we get on without....premonitions of DC's slipping