As more people have decided to stay in the home they have many have begun looking for ways to enhance their domestic experience, and custom stairways have become a popular way to do so. But, as is often the case, trends tend to attract professionals and frauds in equal number. As a result, it’s important to be able to tell if you’re dealing with dedicated designers and craftsmen or someone who read about custom staircases and decided there might be a few dollars to make there.
Recognizing Reputable Stairs Manufacturers in Toronto
Reputable stairs manufacturers in Toronto and elsewhere will all exhibit similar characteristics that makers of poor quality stairs will not, including:
- Openness – If your stairs manufacturer has something to hide they’ll be slow to return your phone calls, vague about their process, reluctant to provide references and unwilling to offer any long term warranties. Reputable manufacturers by contrast will have a proud company history they’re eager to share, be willing to explain where they get their materials and how those materials are sourced, always answer your calls and offer generous warranties.
- Quality Materials – A stairs manufacturer should be completely forthcoming about the different types of wood used in their manufacturing process. Some will say they use only hardwood when they actually use pine. A common giveaway of their deception will be a price that is too low to make sense. If you have doubts about the manufacturer get in touch with the Better Business Bureau. They’ll have a record of any fraud claims against the company.
- Tolerances – A well built stairway will fit together seamlessly to create one unified surface from every angle. A quality stair maker will go the extra mile to ensure that’s the case. Discount manufacturers don’t have the time to care about such things. They’re on a mission cut costs and the effects of this agenda can be seen in corners that don’t meet perfectly, open spaces between risers and treads and spaces around the newel where it meets the tread.
- Environmental Responsibility – With resource depletion such an important issue today no responsible wood stair manufacturer will accept wood from questionable sources. All wood products used in the manufacturing of Stair Star stairways are sourced from plantation trees or trees harvested by companies committed to sustainable forest management practices.
Weeding out the low quality stair manufacturers isn’t always easy but it is always worth it, if only because the main stairway is such an important feature of your home. You’ll want to know exactly what you’re getting, that it was well constructed and that the materials were responsibly sourced.
If you’re contemplating a custom wood staircase for your home but are unsure about various stairs manufacturers in Toronto and vicinity give us a call on 416-746-4462. We’ll be happy to answer any questions and address any concerns you may have regarding the manufacturing of our custom staircases. We’re proud of the work we do and firmly believe that an informed consumer is a better customer.