Our 2 Year Staircase Warranty

Attention to detail and a lot of care has been put into every staircase made in our warehouse.

We are happy to provide you with product care instructions and a 2 Year warranty for your piece of mind. H&M Stairs are covered by a 2 Year warranty on manufacturing and installation faults.

Our warranty does have some exclusions and does not cover products that have been exposed to extreme conditions including prolonged exposure to sunlight and moisture which can result in components of the stair to shrink and dry out, this can cause splits, cupping, and warping. Any post installation scratches, burns and or damage to glass caused by inappropriate use are also not included.

Timber Policy

Timber is a natural, reusable, recyclable and sustainable product. It has a wide range of properties and due to its ready availability is widely used within the building industry.

Timber is derived from sustainably managed forests and is an environmentally friendly building material. Timber stairs are special elements in any design, defining the flow of spaces and movement between different levels.

H&M Stairs source all our timbers from accredited and responsible contractors and mills within Australia.

Appearance

Timbers come in a large range of colours and textures. All timbers include different patterns. These variations enhance the unique nature of timber.

We are spoilt for choice with timbers that are readily available to us here in Australia. We source all natural timbers such as Victorian Ash, Jarrah, Spotted Gum, and Pine just to name a few.

We use various grade of timbers which includes.

Select Grade – is the highest grade with minimal features or marks, creating a sleek and ‘unblemished’ look.

Standard Grade – has more natural features within the grain such as gum, veins, splits, and holes. Standard grade timber has more diversity than select grade but less than feature grade.

Feature Grade - contains imperfections such as knots, gum veins, branch, and insect markings, displaying all the natural appeal of the timber.

Colour is a feature of most timbers with the variation in colour between some species. Colour variations can also occur with use, exposure to different lighting. Colour can also be influenced by the application of different finishes, such as stains

It should be noted that the actions or inactions of owners can contribute or even cause the following to occur.

• Cupping – timber board edges are either higher or lower than the centre of the boards.
• Tenting to landing boards – where the adjoining edge has lifted above the level adjacent landing board.
• Delaminating – is the failure of the bond between laminated stair components. Ultraviolet light and moisture can adversely affect timber laminated components.

After Care

Timber is a natural product that changes with the weather conditions. When there is high humidity timber will absorb moisture from the air which can cause it to swell or increase in size. Unless timber is placed in a permanently controlled environment, it will always move with the change in environmental factors. Gaps can appear when the stair shrinks in dry weather.

Shrinkage can occur when the stair is exposed to heat sources such as fireplaces of sunlight through large doors or windows. The overall movement and rate of movement of timber varies depending on timber used.

Finishings such as stains will not prevent timber movement but may reduce the rate of response to climatic changes.

Damage to timber stairs may occur due to heavy foot traffic and the type of footwear worn. If a soft timber species is used in a timber stair, indentation can be expected whilst the selection of hard timbers will improve resistance to indentation and abrasion.

Internal environment – there are several different climates that can develop causing areas of stairs to respond differently. These include large expanses of glass, fireplaces, air-conditioners, other appliance, the aspect of the house, all which can influence the movement of stair components. When timber stairs are exposed to the sun through large, glassed areas, protection should be considered before, during and after construction. Evaporative coolers add moisture to the air, this results in moisture contents in the timber stair. Air conditioners and fireplaces may reduce average moisture contents causing gaps between stair components. Appliances that vent warm air may cause localised shrinkage in that area.

Movement after installation - shrinkage may occur after installation when air conditioning or heating systems are in use. Some movement usually occurs in timber stairs after installation as the stair adjusts to the climate.

Newly finished timber stairs –timber stairs can be finished in many ways – painted, carpeted, or stained and polished, to name a few. Once the stair is installed, H&M Stairs can provide cover boards so the customer can protect the timber stair treads and will seal laminated components with a single coat of sealer. Stairs are generally finished by external trades other than the stair builders. Noting the environment is not always dust free during a build, the stair may not always appear dust free and can have an uneven appearance. There may be some minor sanding marks, small depressions and nail holes may be visible. A mirror finish is simply unachievable

H&M Stairs quality policy for clients

All H&M Stairs comply with the standards that relate to the manufacturing and installation process called the Building Code of Australia (BCA). The safety to our clients and compliance is something we take very seriously. All our stairs are engineered and tested to ensure we comply with the regulations set in place by the BCA.

H&M quality – problems such as tenting, buckling, and crowning should not generally occur in timber stairs, however, cupping, shrinkage or expansion may occur if areas of the stair are affected by heat, sun, or moisture.

It should be recognised that the client’s actions or inactions as mentioned can also contribute to or even cause problems to occur. High exposure to heat or moisture after they have settled into their home. Cupping, shrinkage, or expansion from sources such as no curtains, operating fireplaces and vents from air conditioners and other appliances, houses closed for long periods of time, or the underside of stairs enclosed with no ventilation or exposed to sub floor environments may cause the cupping, shrinkage or expansion and may be the owner’s responsibility.

Clients can expect:

• H&M Stairs will endeavour to keep variation in timber colour and grain to a minimum but cannot guarantee that timber used will be the same
• A small amount of noise when walked on. A stair is often noisier during drier weather due to loosening at the joints.
• The stair may show some indentations over time depending on the hardness of the timber used, volume of traffic and footwear worn.
• A stained and polished finish with minimal sanding marks.
• H&M Stairs can provide at request complimentary cover boards to protect the stair for installation by the owner or builder.
• Hardwood laminated components sealed with a single coat of timber sealer.

 

FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS

Due to the nature of timber, imperfections are part of the character of timber and H&M Stairs do not take any responsibility for cracking, movement, splits’, timber variation or general deterioration due to regular use. Once the stair is installed, clients must take reasonable care and responsibility to ensure the stair is not damaged by other trades and is maintained free of dust created by other trades. H&M Stairs recommend that the stair be stained, polished, or sealed as soon as possible.