Thread: bungalow 1920's stair works in progress

another shot.....

Looks good Aaron, especially the fretwork on the risers, very distinctive. Did you do the fretwork yourself, and what timber are you using, treated pine?

Cheers,

all fretwork is hand cut and hoop pine is used

Looks very good but are the treads level, it might be an illusion they appear to be out to me
les

sympathetic design, beautiful work, obviously a labour of love ... well done.
Fletty

Well the construction looks neat, but I would like to know why you chose hoop pine for the construction, considering it is a class4 timber above ground, and there are lots of potential rot spots on exposed stairs and balustrading? How did you account for drainage of the steps with the enclosed riser? How did you attach the treads to the stringer which looks awfully narrow?

Personally I haven't seen such an extravagant style on this period of house, it looks more American in styling to me so I can't agree that it's sympathetic at all.


Cheers
Michael

the reason why they are done in hoop is because it is far more durable than treated pine , which is awfully harmful to our children as well, the treads are run slightly off level for drainage and the designs on ''australian style craftsman bungalows was highly elaborats when they were first built, but you are only used to looking at the current stairs in the houses life cycle, and at lower end , more economical versions. if you cant pick it up from bunnings...... then it obviously wasn't on the houme originally...... right?

It looks fantastic to me, with a lot of attention to the detail of symmetrical spacings.
The stringers look more than adequate for the small span. They look at least 240x40 and I'd imagine that the treads and risers are trenched about 10>15mm, possibly wedged as well. I'd say the the risers are trenched into the underside of the treads, and nailed to the back of the tread below.
It looks solid as a rock, and certainly very stylish to look at. It would look fantastic if they spent some time on the painting, and picked out the post caps, plinths, handrails, fretwork, and balusters, each element separately with contrasting colours. If it were a federation brick house, then the standard colours would be maroon, brunswick green and cream.

Nice work Aaron.

Originally Posted by aaron.aafjes

the reason why they are done in hoop is because it is far more durable than treated pine , which is awfully harmful to our children as well, the treads are run slightly off level for drainage and the designs on ''australian style craftsman bungalows was highly elaborats when they were first built, but you are only used to looking at the current stairs in the houses life cycle, and at lower end , more economical versions. if you cant pick it up from bunnings...... then it obviously wasn't on the houme originally...... right?

Mate, I don't know where you learnt that hoop was durable, and more durable than treated pine. Last time I checked, most of the aracaria that is for exterior use is at least LOSP treated and even then, that is what I have spent a lot of time replacing with more durable, more traditional products. Don't think that you are the only one doing authentic restorations.

CHeers
Michael

ah hu, i see they losp treated in the 1920- 1930's........ i must have forgotten

Originally Posted by aaron.aafjes

ah hu, i see they losp treated in the 1920- 1930's........ i must have forgotten

Well that is a funny attitude. Why would you not take advantage of modern advances in preservation if you have to use hoop.

Did you drive to the site in your model T, make your own nails, use only handtools (I hope you didn't use electricity)?

Cheers
Michael

Originally Posted by mic-d

Why would you not take advantage of modern advances in preservation if you have to use hoop.

I built a deck for a dude with two small kids about 7 years ago and he refused to have any TP used. I believe most councils won't install TP playground equipment anymore, and some are ripping out existing structures:

Both CCA and LOSP will pollute the environment at several stages of their lifecycles.
LOSP-treated timber often contains hazardous PCP (penta-chlorophenol), or TBTO (tri-butyltin oxide1). Another problem with LOSP is that, for every cubic metre of timber treated, the result is 30-40 litres of hydrocarbon solvent evaporating into the atmosphere.
http://www.rainforestinfo.org.au/good_wood/pres_not.htm

that sir, is a beautiful stair. Good design and if correctly sealed and painted will outlast you I imagine. I do understand that other timbers may be more durable, but for mine, I think you have created a welcoming entrance with real finesse, that compliments the surrounding architectural elements of your home. Well done!

PS .... so what if it reflects elements of American Bungalows? that's where we knocked our ideas off from anyway, except most builders pared away their exceptional details until we were left with homes that bore very little resemblance to their spectacular US inspiration. That's my sermon and I'm sticking to it!

Originally Posted by seriph1

that sir, is a beautiful stair. Good design and if correctly sealed and painted will outlast you I imagine. I do understand that other timbers may be more durable, but for mine, I think you have created a welcoming entrance with real finesse, that compliments the surrounding architectural elements of your home. Well done!

PS .... so what if it reflects elements of American Bungalows? that's where we knocked our ideas off from anyway, except most builders pared away their exceptional details until we were left with homes that bore very little resemblance to their spectacular US inspiration. That's my sermon and I'm sticking to it!

Agreed entirely, and with the last point, many a house here in Toowoomba can point to the Californian bungalow as inspiration. Even Perth had its fair share, if I remember correctly.

Cheers,