Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Wood Handrail Replacement in Philadelphia
















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.



Thursday, August 19, 2010

Maple Victorian Newel Post and Rail Installed in Medford NJ



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.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

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





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.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Oak Flared Stair and Rail with Iron Balusters Voorhees NJ


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.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Grand Circular Staircase in Washington Twp NJ



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
Ron Hartman Woodwork

Monday, February 22, 2010

Oak Stair and Rail with Iron Balusters Cherry Hill NJ







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
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
to set up your free consultation.
Home Address:
1103 Chandler St
Phila PA 19111
Fax 215-745-1464

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Custom Handrail in Haddonfield NJ







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


or