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Defining Mono Stringer Stair Style in Kelowna

June 5, 2019 By Heather Fritz

This modern mono stringer staircase blends steel, concrete, glass, and hardwood!

Specialized is Redefining the Design & Style of Mono Stringers in Kelowna

We are continually pushing the boundaries of what is possible for mono stringer stair style and structure.

A mono stringer staircase uses a single ‘beam–like’ stringer that supports the centre of the treads from below. Due to this structural feature, mono stringers have a hold on modern stair design.

This minimalist approach offers open space, beautiful flow of light, and the feel of stairs that simply float! If you are looking for a modern stair, then the mono stringer is a trending option to consider.

This steel mono stringer captures features horizontal stainless steel cable railing and continuous ipe wood handrail .

Classic Mono Stringer Designs

Previously in the Okanagan Valley, if you wanted a modern mono stringer you basically had 2 options to choose from.

The steel mono stringer – it offers industrial and modern style through its steel stringer support system and exposed hardware and joints.
The plywood box mono stringer – it meets the requirements of a mono with the warmth of wood. However, it is very simplistic and limits opportunity for design.

Our design team saw a stylistic gap between these 2 options and developed a signature solid wood mono stringer to bring another design to the market.

This wooden mono stringer features a solid oak stringer with open rise fir treads. It seamlessly blends rustic and modern styles.

Introducing Solid Wooden Mono Stringers to the Kelowna Market.

After design, engineering and testing we came up with the perfect design. Our signature wood mono stringers use solid hardwood as the support beam for the staircase. This offers not only strength but flexibility in design capacity.

Our Signature Solid Wood Monos Offer:

A cleaner more refined and stylistically diverse version of the steel mono stringer. The visible fasteners, welds, and general industrial feel of the steel mono is not appealing to every home. Our wood mono offers the same stylistic format of the steel in a perfectly clean and refined way. Our clients are loving its modern, strong and yet warm style.
A slightly more cost efficient price tag in comparison to steel mono stringers.
The ability to modify and expand what a mono stringer layout can look like. With flexibility in our creative manufacturing techniques we can maneuver these wood mono stringers and use incorporated self-supported landings.

With that door open, and our solid wood mono stringers gaining popularity, our design team kept pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

Our signature wooden mono stringer brings fresh, modern beauty to this home.

Pushing Innovative Mono Stringer Stair Style.

It’s in our lifeblood to create. At Specialized, the design team can’t sit still. With using wood as our main material, we are not stylistically bound to the typical steel mono geometry of the stringer and riser post.

This led us to create a “perch-less” mono stringer staircase that can not be made in steel. The treads are literally notched into the stringer, eliminating the need for riser posts. This brings cleaner lines and a simpler look as the treads cantilever out of the stringer.

Our perchless mono stringer tends to work better with mitered stringers and integrated landings. It offers cleaner lines and allows us to offer more to our clients.

This innovative mono stringer has taken off! It’s appeal is so wide, even coveted to some, that we are shipping these custom stairs across North America. Even as far as Hawaii.

Our perchless mono stringer stair features treads that are literally notched into the stringer. This eliminates the need for them to sit on a post.

What is next for Mono Stringers at Specialized?

At the core of who we are, we are innovators that want to meet the needs of our clients. Today, our team is drawing and envisioning unique mono stringer designs and redefining the boundaries of what is possible.

With modern stairs trending so hard, we want to be the team that is setting the vision for where the industry is going. There will certainly be more to come from this design team.

Interested in having a mono stringer in your home?

Check out our gallery to see a variety of mono stringer staircases by Specialized.

Call to book an appointment with our stair design team. 1-844-482-7213 They will walk you through the process from start to finish.

Craftsman Railing with a Story to Tell

May 26, 2019 By Heather Fritz

Every staircase tells a story. Recently, we helped a homeowner capture the beauty of his 1914 stain glass window by creating a custom post design. Take a client’s vision for railing, collaborate on design and add master craftsmanship, that’s the Specialized way.

Horizontal Railing Trending in the Okanagan Valley

May 22, 2019 By Heather Fritz

Thinking about modern stair and railing designs for your home?

You now have more options to consider! Changes to National Building Codes have made interior horizontal railing possible for Okanagan home owners wanting modern stairs. Click here to see the updates on British Columbia Building Code regarding stairs and railing, approved December 2018.

We are helping countless homeowners choose the perfect style of horizontal railing that brings their vision to life.

Warm and modern, this stunning custom staircase features a self-supported western stringer. Note: the double posts in the corner serve as terminating points for each section of horizontal railing.

What does Horizontal Railing have to offer?

Very clean lines and incredible visual appeal.
A trending change for people looking for something beyond the traditional vertical railing.
The opportunity for high contrast minimalist style when combining elements of wood, metal, and steel.
A safe and very practical option to modernize railing.

This stair blends the warmth of oak with modern horizontal steel bars. Note: when using a horizontal railing system where the bars are offset to one side of the post as opposed to going through the post, you need to decide which side of the guardrail you want your bars.

There are 3 things to consider when selecting horizontal railing for your staircase…

1. Cable railing requires maintenance. Just like piano strings need tuning, cable rail will need to be tightened with time. Horizontal bars do not require this type of upkeep.

2. There are design considerations unique to horizontal railing so take extra time in the design phase to work out these details. For example, the need for more posts both for use in breaking up the long horizontal spans and for places where 2 different sections of railing meet.

3. Horizontal solid bars can be installed on a curved railing but cable railing can not. Curved horizontal bars can create a stunning custom modern railing.

This steel and concrete mono stringer features a substantial turnbuckle cable rail system stylistically highlighting the industrial function of cable rail.

If you are looking for horizontal railing in the Okanagan Valley, give us a call! 1-844-482-7213 We would love to talk about your project and walk with you every step of the way.

For more inspiration on stair design by Specialized Stair and Rail check out our gallery here.

Make your Stairs a Lasting First Impression

May 8, 2019 By Heather Fritz

What kind of lasting impression does your front entry leave?

It’s time to give stairs more attention. Stairs are often the feature of an entrance; the first place of welcome and greeting in a home. The entryway has the opportunity to set the feeling and tone for the rest of the home.

There are so many spaces in a home that require our attention – kitchen, bathroom, living room, etc. And while they are all important, we believe the rewards are great for time invested in designing stairs and railing, with style. A staircase can tie together all aspects of your home. Not only are stairs and railing the primary focus of an entry, but they are generally visible from many areas of the home, giving them huge stylistic reach and influence. Stairs set the tone and style from the beginning, letting everything else flow from that place of inspiration.

Here are our top 5 favorite entryways:

We may be a little biased, but here is our collection of favorite staircases that were beautifully handcrafted and designed by our team at Specialized Stair and Rail (owners of Custom Newel Posts). As you’ll discover, each staircase sets the style for the home.

By taking a peek in the front door of these homes, you can get a real sense of what is to come in the spaces beyond the front entry.

This white oak, mono stringer demands your attention upon arrival! The combination of warm wood tones, glass, and stainless steel handrails creates a stunningly modern and open feel.