Wood Stairs and Rails and Iron Balusters

Accessories

2011-07-22T06:13:00.000-07:00

Flared Oak Stair Treads and Handrail Haddon Heights

2011-01-14T09:11:00.000-08:00

Here's a nice example of Flared Oak Stair Treads and Handrail in Haddon Heights New Jersey. We did this project for a local Builder/Developer/Architect, Watson Development. His customer wanted a little more than the standard L-shape stair that was called for originally. So we gave her a Flared Double-Open Bullnose Starting Step to make her foyer a little more "grand".

It's important to remember, when selecting your Newel Post, and Baluster, and Handrail, style, to consider everything in and around your home that will be affected by that selection. Some customers don't know what to choose, so they ask the builder, he asks me, and then I give the customer some options that would fit their particular house and layout. I think it worked perfectly here, because she loves it, and that's job one.

If you're in need of a New Staircase, or just Stair Treads or New Handrail, or just want to Replace your Old Wooden Balusters with Iron Balusters, call me direct today @

215-694-5046,

or email me ronstairs@verizon.net

to schedule your FREE Estimate.

Install Iron Balusters in Voorhees NJ

2010-09-27T10:13:00.000-07:00

Here we Installed Iron Balusters and gave her new Posts ,Rail, and Nosings. The homeowner wasn't in love with her existing Staircase, so she faux finished the stringers and I Installed Mouldings to dress it up a little. I think the difference is amazing. I wish I had a before photo. It was ugly. Believe me.

If you're tired of your old, ugly, wobbly, creaky, outdated, unsafe, stair or rail, give me a call, and make an appointment. I've been helping your neighbors for 20 years make their homes more beautiful, (and bringing them up to current code standards) Iron Balusters are a great way to accomplish that. Surprise your wife or husband with a new Stair or Rail. Christmas is coming. Start the new year with a new Stair and/or Rail.

Call Ron today @ 215-694-5046

Iron Balusters in Evesham Twp NJ

2010-09-21T21:56:00.000-07:00

This house in Evesham Twp with Iron Balusters was fun to do. The bigger they are, the more fun they are to do. And to look at. Everybody loves the Flared Main Stair. It makes such a dramatic difference when you walk in the front door. And when you walk up the Stairs.
Homeowner gave me a picture from a magazine that she wanted to incorporate into her Balcony Rail. I then gave it to my iron specialist and he created the Custom Iron Panel that makes such a difference especially when viewing from the family room. The back stair pie shaped treads were first laid out and drawn on a cad system to ensure the exact fit for that well opening. This home builders' procedure is always the same. (Every builder has his own way of doing things) He puts the roof on, puts the windows in, installs the doors, and makes sure the house is dry, and then we deliver and install stair. (This stair was not light with that flare) House is then finished all the way to paint, and then I come in with all the rail parts and do the Install of the Posts, Rail, Nosings, and Iron Balusters.

If you're ready to build your custom home, and want the Stair and Rail to be the best you can find, to match the rest of your home, give me a call and make an appointment.

My cell 215-694-5046

Wood Stairs and Handrail with Iron Balusters in Aluvium Voorhees NJ

2010-08-26T20:24:00.002-07:00

New Wood Stair and Handrail with Iron Balusters in Aluvium Voorhees NJ. Customer wanted to replace their old, rough, badly stained and painted Stair and Rail. We pulled out the old and

dropped in the new, code-compliant Solid Oak Staircase. Your premier Phila PA Stair Builder; Ron Hartman Woodwork. All we do is Install Wood Stairs and Rail all over the Delaware Valley. This house was Built by John B Canuso, probably in the eighties. So, if you live in any of his developments (like Aluvium) and are ready to update your foyer with a new Stair and elegant Handrail, give me a call and make an appointment to discuss the many options you have to make your home safer, more valuable, more inviting, more beautiful. We've Remodeled quite a few Stairways in Aluvium, but we still have many more to do. So be sure to call me today, and you'll be enjoying your new Stair in a few weeks.

Ron Hartman 215-694-5046

ronstairs@verizon.net

Wood Handrail Replacement in Philadelphia

2010-08-25T22:18:00.000-07:00

Wood Handrail Replacement in Philadelphia. This customer has a soon-to-be toddler, and was concerned about the big spaces in his old, ugly, wrought iron railing. So we gave him a classic block newel post with traditional 5015 Balusters. He said he wanted something simple, functional, sturdy, safe, that wouldn't break the bank. So, if you're trying to find the best Stair and Rail Contractor in Phila area, give me a call. Whether it's a problem with your Stair creaking, or Broken Balusters, or want to Replace your carpeted Treads with Hardwood Treads, I can help. I treat each home like I would want a contractor to treat my home. With care and respect. This was in Roxborough area of Philadelphia. Installation took two days, and homeowner stained rail himself. I then returned and installed balusters within a day or so. I usually do that as a favor to painter/stainer so they don't have to "cut in" all around each baluster with paint and stain, thereby saving lots of time. I've been doing Wood Handrail Replacements in Philadelphia for 20 years. Let me transform your home today.

We serve Bucks, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Burlington, Gloucester, Camden, Mercer, and Atlantic Counties.
I don't work for the big box builders; I mostly work for homeowners who want to upgrade their builder-grade stairs and rail after a few years, and want their stairway and foyer to match the rest of their house.

Maple Victorian Newel Post and Rail Installed in Medford NJ

2010-08-19T20:15:00.000-07:00

Here's a nice example of a Maple Victorian Box Newel Post and Handrail to match the Maple floor and Staircase. The Balusters are 1 1/2" sq. at base, the box newel is 6 1/4" sq. at base. Each Rail part has a style number assigned to it by its' respective manufacturer. This customer went with the 5715 Balusters and the 4091FL(uted) starting Post, and the 4075FL(uted) Posts for upstairs. The 4075 Newel Post is 3 1/2" sq. We used the 6900 series Raleigh Jr Handrail, which is 2 3/8" high and 2 5/8" wide. I like the combination, it gives a very classic look, which fit the house well. Customer has grandchildren visiting often, and wanted something very sturdy. Everything we do is very sturdy and solid, but nothing is more sturdy and solid than a big, 6" box newel.
Whatever your situation is, chances are I've seen it before, sometimes dozens of times, sometimes hundreds of times, in the course of 20 years. I love ripping out old junky Rails. Especially the ones that were obviously done by someone who had no idea what they were doing, and they're on the verge of falling down, and literally falling apart. I've seen people use multiple neckties tied from one Baluster to another to keep their children from crawling or falling through the gaps in the Railing. I wish I took 20 years of videos just for moments like that. Kind of funny and kind've not. I've seen some really unsafe situations. If you have an unsafe stair or Rail situation, don't hesitate to call me at 215-694-5046 and schedule your free consultation.

New Staircase in Beagle Club Voorhees NJ Replace Old Seventies-Style Stair

2010-08-18T10:40:00.002-07:00

Replace your Old Seventies-Style Stair and Rail with New Oak Staircase Done Right...The way it should have been done in the first place. If you're tired of your Old, Rickety, Weak and Wobbly, Creaky, Outdated, or just plain Ugly Stair and Rail, Replace it with this. Custom fit to your home. I'll personally come out to your house and take exact measurements of your foyer, and come back in one, two, or three weeks with your completed stair, (depending upon conditions at your house and materials desired), pull out your old stair and rail, and install your brand new, solid, quiet Staircase, often by noontime. (Usually less than 4 hours to install). We then start on installing your new Handrail (the Posts, Rail and Balusters (Wood or Iron) that you picked out from catalog, website or live samples) at our first meeting. This particular job went extremely well. We started @ 8:00AM and were done stair install by 11. Most customers are overjoyed just seeing their Brady-Bunch stair being removed. Then the new one goes in and you hear,"What a difference", and "I've been wanting to do this for so long", "Oh it's so beautiful, I love it", and on and on, you know how it goes. Rail Install took another 2 days after that.

Here are some before and after photos of upper landing rails.

Oak Flared Stair and Rail with Iron Balusters Voorhees NJ

2010-03-13T21:49:00.000-08:00

Here is another example of a double open Oak Flared Stair and Rail with Iron Balusters in Voorhees NJ. The balcony rail has a radius (bump out in stairman terms). The iron baluster pattern homeowner chose is the 2 brass basket, and 2 straights as I hope you can see in pictures. If you have any stair and rail layout issues or questions feel free to call. The earlier the better. I've been called for help with many stair and rail projects. My advice is always the same. Don't wait too long to call. I like to know about schedule, and selections, and layout issues, if there are any before it's too late to change something that should be changed (to end up with the best case scenario for each foyer). Stair and rail stained with mahogany stain. Rail is "Charleston". Newel posts are 4410 "Carolina" style. All part #'s from www.carolinastair.com, my favorite supplier. I like Carolina Stair because their products are consistent. Some stair/rail manufacturers stair parts are very inconsistent in size, profile, grain, etc. For the iron balusters with brass baskets, I use www.houseofforgings.net. They're quick, and have a large selection on hand, ready to ship.

Time frame for install: 1 man roughly 5-7 days, depending on the 500 factors affecting each days' production.

Grand Circular Staircase in Washinton Twp NJ

2010-03-03T18:38:00.000-08:00

Grand, Double Open, Oak, Circular Stair and Rail in Washington Twp. NJ. Simple, yet elegant Iron Balusters provide old- world charm and sophistication to this familys' living room and foyer.This was fun to install. There's nothing quite like a full, stand-alone, hardwood, circular stair to make a dramatic first impression. Notice the long span on outside radius of stair with no newel post to act as an anchor like you have in corners and at beginning and ending points of railing. But, what gives the long span of rail it's sturdiness and rigidity, is the radius itself. If your house isn't this grand, that's okay, mine isn't either...yet. If your house makes this house look like a shotgun shack, that's okay too. We work with any and all size projects, great or small. paint or stain. Wood, or Iron Balusters. Choose any species of wood you like, oak, cherry, maple, walnut, mahogany, white oak, brazilian cherry....etc. Your choices really are almost too many to list. Many people comment to me about feeling overwhelmed about the prospect of making a decision with all the varieties and styles to choose from. I am often asked, "What would you choose?" So I walk them through some of my favorites, (while keeping an eye on their decor and furnishings) and why they're my faves, and show them some pictures of that style and color, so they can get more of a feel for what they can expect their home to look like with same selections. So, whether you have a straight, curved, angled, scissor, L-shape, or, a double open Grand Circular Hardwood Staircase, give me a call at:

215-694-5046

or email at ronstairs@verizon.net

Ron Hartman Woodwork

Oak Stair and Rail with Iron Balusters Cherry Hill NJ

2010-02-22T21:08:00.000-08:00

Here's a new construction all Oak Double Open Flared Stair and Rail with Iron Balusters in Cherry Hill NJ. Handrail is "Charleston" 6800 series. Newel posts are "Carolina" 4410. Iron balusters are"Tuscan" 2.9.5 & 2.9.6 in Satin black powdercoat. Manufactured and installed for local custom home builder, to customers' spec's.

all part #'s from my main supplier

http://www.carolinastair.com/

I typically work for the small, custom home builder, who builds less than 10 homes per year, and who wants it done right, the first time and every time. The big box builders generally don't care about you or your working conditions, or the quality of your work. With the big national builders' it always comes down to three things; 1.Price. 2.Price. & 3.Price. That's all they care about. That's why I can't work for them, and never could. There's no appreciation whatsoever of craftsmanship, pride of work, etc. My main source of work, for last 6-7 tears has been ripping out and replacing old, (sometimes less than 2 years), stairs and rails and balusters, that were done poorly, and incorrectly the first time. There are still some good builders out there, and just like everything else, you just have to do your homework a little to find them. If you're in the process right now, give me a call, and I'll try to point you in the right dirtection.

Call Ron Hartman Woodwork @ 215-694-5046

or e-mail ronstairs@verizon.net

to set up your free consultation.

Home Address:

1103 Chandler St

Phila PA 19111

Fax 215-745-1464

Custom Handrail in Haddonfield NJ

2010-02-18T06:22:00.000-08:00

Here's a beautiful Custom Handrail on a beautiful circular stair in a beautiful house, in beautiful, historic Haddonfield NJ, installed by a beautiful m......whoah, whoah, hold on, stop right there. Sorry. I got stuck on beautiful. "You had me at..........beautiful" Alright, alright, onto the technical stuff. We used the oak 6800 "Charleston" rail with 4410 twisted 3 1/2"newel posts to match the 4415 twisted, 1 3/4" balusters. Stair is all oak with mahogany stain. Attention to detail is what separates the ok from the exceptional.

All part #'s are from my fave supplier;

http://www.carolinastair.com/
So whether you live in Cherry Hill, Marlton, Moorestown, Mt. Laurel, Evesham, Medford, Voorhees, Haddonfield, or even down the shore;
for all your Custom Handrail, and stair and rail plans, designs, or desires, call Ron today at

215-694-5046

ronstairs@verizon.net

Remodel Stair and Rail in South Jersey

2009-11-30T07:52:00.000-08:00

Here's a stair and rail remodel job we recently completed in Haddon Township, New Jersey. We used 6900 series handrail. The posts are the 4410R, and the 4442R series, the treads and stair cap (the wide chute board the balusters sit in) all done in maple, with iron balusters, to complete the dramatic transformation.

All rail material numbers above from my favorite supplier, http://www.carolinastair.com/

Contact

Ron Hartman Woodwork today to schedule your free consultation.

215-694-5046

or ronstairs@verizon.net

Wood Handrail and Iron Balusters in Voorhees NJ

2009-05-25T14:58:00.000-07:00

This job in Voorhees NJ, is a classic double circular stairway up to a radius pulpit platform. Handrail is oak 6010 colonial with mahogany stain. 1600 series oak posts with 1 basket and 2 basket alternating iron balusters in flat black. 16.1.3 and 16.1.4 baluster numbers, respectively. All product numbers are from my favorite supplier at http://www.carolinastair.com/ I think circular staircases are what separates the men from the boys when it comes to professional rail installation. Circulars are much more challenging to install as a rule. A true rail professional can spot an amateur installation a mile away. Some things to look for when critiquing a rail that's already been installed. 1. The volute; (the curly part of the rail at the bottom of the stair) often times it's crooked; either left to right or front to back, and sometimes both ways. 2. The gooseneck or upeasing at the head of stair; same issue very often; crooked left to right, etc. Sure signs of an amateur. So please do your homework, and be sure to select a stair and rail professional with lots of experience. Ron Hartman has been providing contractors, builders, and homeowners, all over the Delaware Valley with high quality stairs and rails for 20 years.

Call him today for your free, no-risk, no hassle, no problem, no nonsense, no fluff, consultation.

215-694-5046

ronstairs@verizon.net

Custom Stair and Rail in Voorhees New Jersey

2009-04-21T17:36:00.000-07:00

This is a custom stair and handrail I installed in Voorhees, New Jersey, for a local builder. The rail is 6010 Colonial, The posts are 1600 series, and balusters are the 5015 style. All numbers are from http://www.carolinastair.com/. What I like about the stair design, is that, the stair itself seems to be more a part of the house than in many houses where the stair is in the foyer, and the foyer is separated from the rest of the house. This stair system, is in the foyer, in the living room, and can be seen from the kitchen, and all the bedrooms. I like that, but, what can I say, I'm a rail guy. This particular stair layout has plenty of upeasings (the radius piece of rail that joins a rake rail to a vertical rail). Notice how the posts "drop down through" the stair and landings. This makes for a much stronger railing than placing the posts on top of tread or landing.

*Stairman tip: Go to center of any length of rail in your house, use side of your fist, and give the rail a little "whack". Do you hear lots of rattles? If you do, that means some if not all of your balusters are loose, either at top, because they weren't nailed correctly, or at bottom, where they weren't fastened correctly, or suffered a blow of some sort to make them loose. The more they loosen, increases the chances that other areas of your rail will loosen also, and maybe result in a break at weak points of the rail.

Call Ron today at 215-694-5046

or ronstairs@verizon.net

to schedule your free consultation.

How to impress your friends with your new Philadelphia-area stair and rail

2009-04-19T19:41:00.000-07:00

How To Impress Your Friends And Make Your Neighbors Jealous (and get your wife to look at you like she used to) In 13 EZ Steps.

Step 1. Contact your friendly neighborhood stair and rail expert (we'll call him Ron) @215-694-5046 or ronstairs@verizon.net to make an appointment for your free consultation.

Step 2. Enjoy free, informative, consultation with your local stair and rail expert and learn all the things you always wanted to know about your stair and rail, but were too scared to ask.

Step 3. Eagerly anticipate receiving your clear, concise, fair-priced proposal, within 1-3 business days.

Step 4. Slowly smile from ear to ear as you carefully examine and re-examine the proposal and realize all that you're getting for such a good price.

Step 5. Show your wife proposal. Be cool about it though. Ask her what she thinks. She likes it too? That's great! (I knew she'd like it.)

Step 6. Dial your special hotline # 215-694-5046 and say something like, "Hey Ron, we just got your proposal, and, uh, it looks good to us, so I guess I'll sign this right away and send your deposit with it first thing tomorrow morning, and we'll wait on your call to let us know when you have a definite install date.

Step 7. Bask in the glow of your wifes' sudden enjoyment of your company. (and the rail isn't even started yet) (I think she digs you....no seriously I do)

Step 8. Accept Ron's call days later to confirm/schedule install date.

Step 9. Watch with awe and amazement the master at work, as he transforms your former funky foyer into a fabulous, fantastic foyer.

Step 10. Heap praise and encouragement upon your new, favorite contractor.

Step 11. Thank him over and over again as you give him the final payment (with a bonus totally optional) (and try to stop grinning so much.)

Step 12. Throw a party. "Everybody dance." Show off to all your friends. (hand out a lot of my business cards)

Step 13. Continue to bask in the glow of your wifes' sudden enjoyment of your company.

PS. My work here is done. And you're welcome. And I'm off to help your buddy down the street.

Extreme Stair Makeover

2009-01-22T17:37:00.000-08:00

Here's one of my favorites. Brazilian Cherry Treads, Mahogany Posts (4415F) and Rail, (6600) with fluted (4415F) balusters. We pulled out the old, buider grade, carpeted stairs, as a unit and replaced it with this. We then opened up the wall underneath, exposing the basement stair, and fluted columns were added to achieve the overall look the homeowner was trying to create. I think he did a pretty good job of communicating his vision of the whole job as we went. The stair swap took one day. The rest of the rail installation was completed in 5 days. He's a happy man.

Getting the stair of your dreams : Priceless

Note: All stair part #'s are from my favorite supplier www.carolinastair.com

Stair safety tips

2009-01-06T19:57:00.000-08:00

Local Contractor Helps Homeowners Make Their Homes Safer

Top Ten Steps For Making Your Stairway Safer

\We all know someone who has fallen down the stairs. Several times it's been you or me. I'm here to teach you 10 steps you can take to lessen the risk of having an accident on or around your stairway.

Step 1. Keep ALL clutter off the stair. Unlike what The Three Stooges said..they're not shelves.

Step 2.No loose carpeting. If carpeted, make sure carpeting is tight to treads and risers throughout.

Step 3. No wax. If not carpeted, do not use wax anything on stairs. No wax-on. Just wax-off.

Step 4. Grab your handrail and give it a good back-and-forth yank. Would your Grandma feel safe using it? If not call your local stair and rail expert. (Ron)

Step 5. Have one of the larger (read heaviest) members of your family walk up and down the stairway as you stand beside it. (if possible) Does it move significantly? If so be sure and call your local stair and rail expert (Ron)

Step 6. Break out your trusty family tape measure. (It's in Mom’s junk drawer in the kitchen) Check to make sure each riser height is the same throughout.

Step 7. Measure each tread length to ensure consistency from top to bottom of stairway.

Step 8. Break out the trusty family level. (It's in the garage with Pops' tools) Lay level on each tread from left to right. Again, to confirm consistency throughout.

Step 9. Now place level on each tread from front to back. If noticeably or shockingly out of level, again, please call your highly trained local stair and rail expert, (Ron)

Step 10. Check to make sure each tread is still attached securely to each corresponding riser.

Bonus step. 11. Skip steps 4 thru 10, and call your local stair and rail expert directly at 215-694-5046, and ask for Ron

Ron Hartman Woodwork
1103 Chandler St.
Phila PA 19111

Fax 215-745-1464
Home 215-745-0298
Cell 215-694-5046

Happy New Year

2008-01-02T22:31:00.000-08:00

There's nothing quite like the start of a new year to get me moving. I absolutely LOVE IT. I write down goals, I make lists, I organize my office, I come up with new ideas, I plan, I pray, I think, more than any other time of year. The future never looks so bright to me as Jan 1st. Now that I've written that, I do believe I'm going to resolve to make every day like New Years Day. I'm going to make the most of every year, month, week, day, hour, minute, and second. Every person on this planet lives their lives according to the same measurement of time. We're all equal in that respect. "Nobody's rich, nobody's poor, we get 24 hours, nothing more." If you're a billionaire, or a bum, you have the same clock ticking against you. Some people don't seem to notice the clock at all, while others seem obsessed by it. Some plan every minute of their lives, while others plan nothing, and both people look at the other like they're absolutely mad. Balance, as in many areas of life, is what's important to me. You do have to respect father time and the infernal ticking clock; but you also can't let your watch and your predetermined plan ruin your sense of fun and spontanaiety. OK Enough words of wisdom for one day. I really must be going, don't want to be late for my next appointment. One step at a time! Stairman