How to Renovate Staircases on a Budget: Expert Tips & Products

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Neglecting your staircase in the cost-of-living crisis?

It should come as no surprise that one of the most talked about topics in the UK is the current cost-of-living crisis. Inflation rates continue to rise, including the highest figures since 1981. According to data gathered from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 87% of adults reported their cost of living had increased, as of March 2022. Rising prices have made certain homeowners fearful of the rising costs, making finding cost-effective solutions for home renovations crucial.

Although the cost-of-living in the UK has continued to increase, this has not stopped some homeowners from paying attention to their homes. In fact, according to a study conducted by The Mirror, 6% still intend to make changes to their home, despite inflation.

So, what does this mean for staircases? To ensure our staircases stay up to date with current trends and maintain an aesthetically pleasing look, staircases should be renovated frequently. Yet, homeowners should consider cost-effective solutions to combat the rising costs, without sacrificing their preferred style.

Are we still paying enough attention to the look of our homes in the cost-of-living crisis?

According to a recent survey conducted by Jackson Woodturners, 90% of UK homeowners still have pride in the appearance of their homes, despite the cost-of-living crisis. Although the recent inflation has affected all types of costs, including household items, labouring and other services, homeowners still care about the look of their homes. Additionally, many people are looking to renovate their interiors to improve their home’s aesthetic.

“Has the rise in cost of living in the UK caused you to neglect the appearance of your home's interior?”

An infographic showing if people care about their home

In fact, according to our survey, 100% of UK homeowners have made small, cosmetic renovations to their home interior in the last three months, despite the ongoing cost of living crisis.

“Have you made a small renovation to your home interior, such as re-painting a wall, in the last three months?”

An infographic showing if people have made small renovations in the last 3 months

However, how can homeowners continue to renovate their homes on a budget? Though the cost-of-living crisis has not affected many homeowners’ decisions to renovate, this does not mean that the same practices can be utilised. In the same study, 90% of UK homeowners stated that the rise in expenses has caused them to sacrifice non-essential items they once bought.

“Has the rising cost of living caused you to sacrifice buying non-essential home items?”

An infographic showing if the rising cost of living caused people to sacrifice buying non-essential home items

Are we taking steps to save money when carrying out renovations?

In the survey, 60% of homeowners state that they are taking steps in finding cost-effective solutions for their renovations. However, a huge 40% of respondents admit that they are not actively looking for cost-effective renovation solutions.

“If you are currently undertaking renovation in your home, are you taking steps to save money?”

An infographic showing if people currently undertaking renovation in the home, are you taking steps to save money

The Bank of England has predicted that the cost-of-living will continue to rise. Therefore, if renovations are to continue, it is important that homeowners find cost-effective solutions and materials.

What are the best cost-effective materials for your staircase?

Although the majority of UK homeowners want to continue renovating their homes, many homeowners are unaware of the most cost-effective materials to use. 60% of UK homeowners we surveyed have no clue when it comes to choosing the right material that will help them save money.

“Are you aware of the best cost-effective materials to use in the home for renovation projects?”

An infographic showing if people aware of the best cost-effective materials to use in the home for renovation projects

In order to keep our budgets small whilst utilising durable materials, homeowners should be aware of certain materials that will help them with costs when renovating staircases.

What types of wood are the most cost-effective options for staircases?

When it comes to renovating a staircase, the typical material you would think of is wood. However, the type of wood you choose may actually save you money that, overall, can keep you under budget. Oak is a popular material due to its incredible strength and durability. However, it is also often one of the priciest options. If oak is out of your ideal budget, you should look for another alternative.

Softwoods are often cheaper than many hardwoods, however bear in mind that many softwoods are less durable than hardwoods, which may result in future expenses. Hemlock, however, is a cost-effective solution that, although a softwood, is actually stronger than most hardwoods because of its dense grain. If you are looking for a less expensive option, pine is one of the most affordable options of wood. However, bear in mind that it doesn’t offer the same strength as hemlock.

View our full range of woods here.

Replace wooden spindles with metal spindles for a modern update

When combined with wooden steps or handrails, metal spindles are also a cost-effective way of updating your staircase and creating a modern aesthetic. Updating your spindles may complete the entire staircase look; without the need for a total renovation. Consider unique metal spirals or a combination of wood and metal, such as pine and chrome spindles.

Metal spindles can add aesthetically pleasing elements to a staircase, and can help your staircase to stand out to guests. Read our complete guide on spindles for more information.

Homeowners may find that they do not need to buy any other materials than metal to create this modern appearance; simply replacing wooden spindles with metal spindles is sufficient.

Utilise natural light with glass panels

Although glass may appear to be more expensive than other materials, there are advantages of utilising these panes in staircases. Glass panels have the ability to transform the look of the staircase, allowing renovation in the simplest of ways.

Glass is highly durable and easy to maintain; making the initial cost a good investment. Due to the glass panes letting in more natural light in the home, this also is a cost-effective solution to turning on the lights, saving homeowners money on bills. Find out more about utilising natural light around your stairway.

For more information on the different costs of materials, read our advice centre page here.

Small renovation hacks for updating your staircase on a budget

Our study has concluded that although the majority of UK homeowners are not letting the cost-of-living crisis stop them from renovating, they are not aware of cost-effective solutions. Although updating your staircase may seem daunting, here are some simple tips that you can incorporate to keep the costs of renovating your staircase down:

Hide any imperfections with wood filler

Sometimes, applying wood filler is all you need to refresh your staircase. This substance is sued to repair any imperfections caused by scratches or chips. Wood fillers have a variety of bases, which can best match the type of wood on your staircase.

At Jackson Woodturners, we have in stock various wood filler products to help you ensure your staircase looks its best. Find out more here.

Paint your staircase for a brand-new look

One of the most cost-effective solutions to refresh your staircase is simply giving it a new coat of paint. Make sure you sand the wood first before applying any coats of paint. This will remove any existing varnish and create a better overall look.

Replace treads with stair cladding

Instead of a complete renovation, you might want to consider simply replacing your worn treads with stair cladding instead. This saves on larger expenses, whilst still giving your staircase a new look.

Jackson Woodturners stocks both finished and unfinished stair cladding, which can be suitable for a variety of needs. Browse our collection here.

Uncover wood beneath carpets

Perhaps it’s your tired carpets that are negatively affecting the staircase’s overall look. Stains on carpets or simple wear and tear can be hard and expensive to fix. So, why not scrap the carpets altogether and give the staircase a completely new appearance?

Consider uncovering the wood hidden beneath your staircase’s carpet. Though the wood may appear old, after refreshing with wax oil and varnish, this will give a new lease of life to your staircase and renovate its look under budget. You can shop our hardwax oils here.

Ensure you work with a reputable supplier

To save on expenses, make sure you use a reputable supplier for your staircase parts. Using a high-quality supplier ensures that the parts you buy will be long-lasting, and you will be provided with peace of mind that you won’t have to undertake constant renovation to keep stair parts well-maintained. A reputable supplier will also be transparent with you about prices and can assist you in finding your ideal material.

For more advice on renovating your staircase, visit our advice centre here. Get in touch with Jackson Woodturners today and see how we can help you.

An infographic showing cost effective ways to renovate your staircase

How has the cost-of-living crisis changed our view of home renovations?

Before we take a look at our experts’ top tips for renovating when money is tight, let’s analyse some data about why this information is helpful for so many. Working through an expensive period can be difficult, but it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice decorating your home in a way you enjoy.

Here are some of the questions we asked UK homeowners and their responses.

Has the rise in cost of living in the UK caused you to neglect the appearance of your home’s interior?

The survey we conducted here at Jackson Woodturners shows that 90% of homeowners still have pride in the appearance of their home, despite the cost-of-living crisis. Although inflation in recent years has increased all kinds of costs, including household items, labour, and other services, homeowners still prioritise the aesthetics of their homes, and many are looking to renovate the interior in the future.

Have you made a small renovation to your home interior, such as repainting a wall, in the last three months?

In fact, according to our survey, 100% of the UK homeowners we spoke to have made small cosmetic renovations to their home interior in the last three months, despite the rising costs of living.

Has the rising cost of living caused you to sacrifice buying non-essential home items?

Homeowners are still renovating, but are now much more strict about following a budget. Though rising living costs might not have affected decisions to renovate, this doesn’t mean it can be done in the same way it always has.

90% of homeowners stated that the rise in expenses has caused them to sacrifice the non-essential items they might have once bought to decorate their homes.

Are we taking steps to save money when carrying out renovations?

Whether they’re necessary for safety and function, or optional for comfort and style, renovations are still happening across the UK as our lives have gotten more expensive.

Our survey asked some further questions about how people are now approaching renovations and whether they are aware of how to bring costs down.

If you are currently undertaking a renovation in your home, are you taking steps to save money?

60% of our survey’s homeowners stated that they are taking steps to find cost-effective solutions for their renovations. This does mean, however, that a huge 40% of respondents admit they’re not actively looking for ways to bring down costs during renovations, perhaps using funds that could otherwise benefit other areas of life.

The Bank of England has predicted that household incomes won’t start to keep up with living costs in the same way they did in 2021 until 2027. So, if renovations are to continue in the way we’d like, it could soon be more important than ever to find cost-effective solutions and materials.

Are you aware of the best cost-effective materials to use in the home for renovation projects?

Although the majority of UK homeowners want to continue renovating their homes, many are unaware of the most cost-effective materials to use. 60% of the UK homeowners we surveyed have no clue when it comes to choosing the right material to help them save money.

In order to both keep spending low and find the right long-lasting materials, homeowners should be aware of some of our favourite options for staircase renovation.

Which materials are the most cost-effective options for staircases?

Going for the cheapest material isn’t always best when you’re renovating your staircase. It’s usually a high-traffic area, so you’ll also want to consider the durability of the material and how it’ll fit into your lifestyle.

Wood

When it comes to renovating a staircase, wood is a common material that most would jump to. However, it’s the type of wood you choose that may actually save you money and keep you under budget.

Oak is a popular choice, for example, thanks to its incredible strength and durability. It is also one of the priciest options, so an alternative might be best for you.

Softwoods are cheaper than hardwoods like oak, but they’re also often less durable, which may lead to added repair or replacement costs in the future. Hemlock, on the other hand, is a cost-effective solution - it is a softwood, but is actually stronger than most hardwoods because of its dense grain.

If you’re looking for an option on the lower end of the cost scale, pine is one of the most affordable woods, but it won’t offer the same strength as hardwoods or hemlock.

Metal

Another way to update an existing staircase is to replace wooden spindles with metal options. When combined with wooden steps or handrails, metal spindles are a cost-effective way to create a modern aesthetic and complete the entire look - without the need for a total renovation.

Consider spindles with a unique spiral, like a black metal Beaufort spindle, or a combination of wood and metal, like a pine and chrome spindle.

Metal spindles add aesthetically pleasing elements to your staircase and can help it stand out to guests. You might also find you don’t need to buy any other materials, creating a modern look by simply replacing your spindles.

Glass

Another idea for staircase renovation is to utilise natural light with glass panels. Although glass may appear to be one of the more expensive materials, there are advantages to using these panes in your renovation. Glass panels can transform the look of the staircase and open up the space, one of the simplest ways to renovate.

Glass is highly durable and easy to maintain, making the higher initial cost a good investment. Glass panes also let more natural light into the home, possibly also saving you money on your lighting bill!

Our small renovation hacks for updating your staircase on a budget

It's clear from our survey that, although the majority of UK homeowners are not letting the cost-of-living crisis stop them from renovating, they aren’t aware of the available cost-effective solutions.

Updating your staircase can feel daunting, especially when you’re trying to do so ona budget, so here are some simple tips that you can incorporate to keep the cost of your staircase renovation down.