Staircases serve an important function in any home with more than just one floor. Stairs are necessary for moving from one level of the home to another, and they’re often heavily trafficked as a result. When renovating a house, there are many important factors to take into consideration before installing a staircase. Designs can take a variety of shapes and sizes, and there are advantages and disadvantages to the different types of staircases, as well as the materials used. If you’re interested in a career as a home renovation technician, read on to discover what you’ll need to know before installing a staircase.  

Useful Staircase Terminology for those with Home Renovation Training to Know

There are a few different terms that are useful to know if you’re embarking on a staircase installation project. First, a riser refers to the section between two stairs. A riser’s height is typically in between 5 and 8 inches. A tread is the term used to describe the horizontal section of a staircase where a person steps—the width of which can vary, depending on the user’s preferences. Headroom refers to the space between a stair and the ceiling above. Building codes will dictate the requirements for the headroom’s height, but it’s usually around 6’8”. 

The stringer supports the treads and risers. Finally, the handrail—also known as the railing—is the beam that runs parallel to the staircase to provide balance for those using the stairs. Together, all of these components make up the staircase. If you’re in home renovation technician school, read on to discover how these components can be used in different ways to create a variety of staircase types.

An Overview of Staircase Types 

The simplest type of staircase to construct is a straight stairs design. These stairs only need to be connected at the top and the bottom, without requiring additional support in the middle. If there are less than 16 risers, it’s also not necessary to install a landing along with the stairs— making construction relatively straightforward. Another common type of staircase is an L-shaped staircase. Within an L-shaped staircase, a landing marks a change in direction between two sets of stairs, often creating a 90 degree angle. L-shaped stairs are great for installation in the corners of a room, but the work to build them can often be more strenuous for home renovation pros. 

Although spiral stairs are less conventional, those with home renovation training may be required to install this type of design at some point in their career. Spiral stairs are more compact, and consist of treads attached to a central pole, radiating out in a helical arc. While these stairs require more careful attention from users when ascending or descending, their interesting design makes them a great option for a modern home.

Use These Materials When Constructing Staircases

When selecting the material you’ll use for a staircase, it’s important to keep in mind: how much the stairs will be used, who will be using the stairs, and what kind of aesthetic you’re going for. Wood is a popular option for use in a staircase. While it’s trickier to install, it can be a great option for high-traffic areas as it’s often more durable. If strength and durability is the goal, concrete or natural stone can be used to construct a staircase—although these materials are most often reserved for staircases on the exterior of the home. Lastly, steel or metal can also be used in the construction of staircases, as these materials are both lightweight and low maintenance.  

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During a home renovation project, it’s not uncommon to discover a few “fun” surprises. Ripping up a floor or tearing down a wall is not only an opportunity to give a home a new look—it’s also a chance to make sure there’s no mold hidden out of sight and causing harm. 

When mold is discovered, it’s important to address it right away. Left untreated, mold can become a serious health hazard to those who have it in their homes. In fact, it’s known for causing respiratory problems, immune disorders, allergies, and more. If you’re interested in becoming a home renovation technician, here are some tips on identifying and dealing with a mold situation, and how to prevent mold from occurring in the future. 

If You Have Home Renovation Training, Here’s Where Mold Is Likely to Occur

Mold is most likely to grow in places where there is excess moisture. When renovating a home, make sure to check carefully for any leaks, condensation, or general moisture within the walls or floors, as these spots will be prone to mold growth. After your home renovation training, be sure to thoroughly examine a home for water damage or condensation during the renovation process, because where there’s moisture, there could be mold. 

You Found Some Mold: Now What?

So you’ve discovered mold—what’s next? Whatever the quantity, mold should always be removed. While a little bit of mold might not pose a threat, there are certain types of mold that can be dangerous to our health, so it’s good practice to deal with mold as soon as it’s identified. Upon encountering mold, determine how much mold there is and what colour the mold is. If there are large spots of mold (bigger than your hand), the removal process may be more intense, and it might be best to call in a mold professional. Additionally, if the mold is black in colour, this could indicate the presence of black mold, which is toxic and should be removed by a professional remediation company. 

Preventing Mold from Reappearing During Your Home Renovation Career

If you want to become a home renovation technician, remember that it’s a good idea to be prepared to encounter mold while on the job. Make sure to have protective equipment on hand, such as goggles, gloves, and an N-95 or P-100 respirator. 

Of course, what’s even better than removing mold is preventing mold from occurring in the first place. Mold is sneaky, and preventing any possibility of re-growth is essential, especially while renovating a home. You wouldn’t want to put in a new floor over an area that has a chance of developing mold again. In order to remove the possibility of mold resurgence, make sure that the area is completely dry. A dehumidifier can be helpful here. Additionally, consider sealing off the area with a sealant such as shellac before continuing with the renovation, which will discourage mold growth. 

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A brand new home renovation project is an exciting way to start fresh and make new changes, especially with 2021 right around the corner. This year has been full of challenges and surprises, but it gave us a chance to rethink how our personal living spaces work for us—especially now that many people have to work in them as well. 

As a home renovation technician, you’ll be able to help make people’s dream homes come true. With valuable skills that range from carpentry and wood (re)finishing to painting and plumbing, you will be better prepared to tackle many future home renovation projects with ease and confidence. So, here’s a quick look at the rising trends and features in home renovation set to get big in 2021. 

Creating Calm but Productive Spaces Through Multi-Functional Zen Design

Those doing their home renovation training can expect many different trends to take off in the new year. With the stress of 2020, there’s now an increasing need for calm and comfortable spaces that help us get more done. Typically this means optimizing living spaces so that they serve more than one function while still maintaining a nice and interconnected aesthetic throughout the home. Having a well-designed environment that supports the new work-from-home lifestyle is a key feature that many will look for in 2021.

Multi-functional designs are a great way to create productive spaces–incorporating innovative and adaptable ideas to solve tight storage or address at-home workspace needs. These new changes are often paired with a zen-inspired aesthetic, emphasized by neutral or earth-toned colour palettes and simple minimalistic designs. For instance, rooms would feature more natural light, with window treatments adopting a subtle, down-to-earth style. Accent pieces would come in warm colours, like golden yellow or sage green, and would typically be made with natural materials to give off a warm and inviting feeling.     

Adding Depth and Character to Rooms by Including Textured Elements 

Textured elements in home renovations are becoming increasingly popular, so students in home renovation schools might not be surprised to see the trend for wood details and woven-style accessories continue in 2021. Various elements can feature these types of textures—ranging from walls and flooring to lighting fixtures and cabinets. This can also be applied to statement pieces that tie the whole aesthetic together, showcasing textile wall art, stoneware pieces, or even canvas paintings.

Alternative materials include wicker, rattan, or bamboo—which are slowly making their way to indoor spaces as well as outdoor ones. These materials are popular for their durability, but they’re also eye-catching due to their unique textures. Having them around would definitely bring a light and airy feel to home renovations.  

Using Your Home Renovation Training to Create Eco-Friendly Spaces 

Home renovation trends for 2021 will strongly favour eco-friendly and sustainable designs and features. Some of these design features include reclaimed wood, which is now becoming an aesthetic choice as well as an eco-conscious decision—used in ceiling beams or countertops, among other places, to add a rustic and homey look to any room. Green walls, also known as vertical gardens, are set to keep trending. The addition of low-maintenance houseplants can effectively change the atmosphere of a room, especially since some plants can naturally help clean the air around us. 

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Remodeling a bathroom is a big endeavor in any home. Putting in a new bathroom can get expensive when taking into account the plumbing fixtures, ventilation, electrical wiring, and furnishings needed to create a quality space. If you’re remodeling a bathroom, it’s important to have a plan in place to ensure that the design is not only functional, but that the client will be satisfied with the result. When making renovation plans, be sure to be aware of these common mistakes so that you can both avoid a remodeling catastrophe and create a bathroom you’re proud of.

Those With Home Renovation Training Should Prioritize the Layout

When planning to remodel a bathroom, make sure you’re accounting for the many things that could affect the layout and function of the room. Failing to account for existing infrastructure, placing fixtures inefficiently, or making measuring mistakes can all lead to a bathroom remodel disaster. Plan ahead by figuring out where plumbing points will go and ensuring they work with the walls and features already in place. As those with home renovation training might know, moving these points can be expensive, and this will save both time and money. 

Additionally, take the time to measure out the space for fixtures like bathtubs, vanities, toilets, and showers. Make sure that these fixtures have enough space between them to move around comfortably in the space, while still being able to clean between and around the fixtures. When measuring, consider the way that drawers will open, and make sure not to put the toilet in direct view of the opening door, because who wants to see that? Establishing a clear layout before beginning your remodeling project will help you to avoid unnecessary and hard-to-fix mistakes later in the process. 

Don’t Skimp on Lighting

Lighting can make or break a bathroom. Too much overhead light can create shadowing, and lights that are too bright could work to make the bathroom less relaxing. Consider using multiple different lighting sources to create a layered design. Wall lights near the mirror make for optimal lighting when looking in the mirror, and LED strips are a good option for a softer light. If the lights are wired so that they can be turned on individually, everyone using the bathroom can be satisfied with the lighting by adjusting it to their liking.

Plan for Ventilation

If you’re in home renovation school, you’re probably aware that the bathroom requires more ventilation than most other rooms in a home. If the bathroom doesn’t have a window, a fan is required by code, but investing in a good vent is always a good idea. A fan will prevent condensation, damage to paint, and combat the growth of mold spores. Think about equipping the bathroom with a fan that has a timer switch to ensure that it’s being put to good use. 

Mismatching Materials? Maybe Not

While it might be tempting to add splashes of colour to a bathroom by mixing and matching materials and textures, this will prevent the finished product from having a sophisticated, cohesive feel. Try to use a maximum of two different kinds of tiles, woods, or metals, and make sure to choose materials that are meant for a bathroom. Because of the temperature changes and higher than average moisture levels that bathrooms face, installing materials not made for the bathroom could lead to mildew or warping. By avoiding these mistakes, you’ll be ready to build a bathroom that’s both functional and appealing. 

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The global pandemic has shifted many of our behaviours, including the amount of time people are spending at home. Due to social distancing and isolation rules, people are forced to stay within the confines of their houses more than ever before, leading many to examine their surroundings with a more scrutinizing eye. 

Whether it’s due to boredom, lots of unused vacation budget to burn, or from a genuine dissatisfaction with their surroundings, people seem to be engaging in a lot more home renos since the pandemic hit. To learn more about what kinds of renos they’re opting for, let’s check it out!

The Shift from Open Concept to Closed-off Living Spaces

Ever since the pandemic began boxing families in together to an unnatural degree, many people have been expressing an interest in moving into new construct homes. According to a recent survey, requests for these new builds are overwhelmingly for designs that have more rooms with closed doors—a move away from the open concept home with a combined kitchen, dining area, and living room. The design trend is clearly connected to the need to spread family members out into more areas of the house so that everyone can work or study from home in privacy and peace.

The Home Office Reno 

As a result of the work from home shift, many design and reno pros are receiving requests to help homeowners create more private spaces for work and study. Basements, guestrooms, pool sheds, and other spaces are being converted into home offices, learning rooms, or play areas for those with smaller children. Existing rooms are also being converted to accommodate the new normal, with corners of bedrooms and dining rooms as examples of home areas being fashioned into small, functional workspaces.

The Need to Create “Staycation” Spaces

With no clear end to the pandemic in sight, one trend noted by experts is a transformation of the home into the ultimate staycation spot. People who decide to spend on these luxury changes are often sitting on cash they’d saved up for a vacation, choosing to spend it on home improvements instead. Unlike the functional home office reno, the objective with the “staycation” home reno is to make some part of the home feel more luxurious to provide the feeling of relaxation one might expect on a vacation. 

Pros seasoned in home renovation technician training can put their combined electrical, plumbing, and carpentry chops to work to help these homeowners realize their visions. One of the most common pandemic staycation splurges observed by reno pros is the full backyard overhaul to include more luxe outdoor seating and dining spaces, with lots of new decks, patios, pools, and hot tubs getting installed. Home cinema and game room requests are other examples of pandemic bonus-room spends.

The Long-Haul Reno Requested of Pros with Home Renovation Training Backgrounds

Some designers have noticed a trend in homeowners who’ve already made major purchases—such as a pool installation or complete patio re-design—placing advanced requests for ongoing improvements to their new space. As the seasons change, many people want to keep enjoying their outdoor spots by adding a few extra creature comforts. As a result, those with home renovation training backgrounds are using their know-how to meet lots of requests for outdoor fire pits and cozy patio fireplaces as homeowners look to extend the use of their outdoor spaces. 

Homeowners are also putting advance requests in for ponds, entertainment rooms, outdoor gaming areas, and other projects they can look forward to—a clear move to make the home a more entertaining and enjoyable area for the family to spend time in, with the pandemic remaining unpredictable in how it might impact our habits in the days ahead.

Are you interested in learning more about the skilled techniques for accomplishing home projects through home renovation school?

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