The service
A Staircase That Anchors the Whole House
Your staircase is one of the first things anyone sees in your home, and it's an area where dated spindles or a tired handrail can drag down an otherwise smart interior. LMF Joinery fits modern balustrades, including decorative cut-out spindle designs and painted newel posts, transforming a staircase without needing to replace it entirely.
One customer had LMF fit wall panels for their hall, stairs and landing together, describing it as "a very professional job" they'd highly recommend for any type of joinery work. Whether it's a full balustrade renovation or wall panelling to match, the goal is a staircase and landing that feels like one considered space.
- Modern balustrade renovations over existing staircases
- Decorative cut-out spindle designs and painted newel posts
- Wall panelling for hallways, stairs and landings
- Handrails fitted securely and finished neatly
- Transforms a staircase without a full rebuild
Common questions
Staircases & Balustrades FAQs
Can you update my staircase without replacing it entirely?
Yes, in most cases a balustrade renovation, fitting new spindles, handrail and newel posts over the existing staircase structure, gives a dramatic transformation without a full rebuild.
Do you fit wall panelling to match the staircase?
Yes, wall panelling for the hall, stairs and landing is a popular addition that ties the whole space together, and it's regularly fitted alongside balustrade work.
How long does a staircase renovation take?
It depends on the scope, but most balustrade renovations are completed within a few days. A clear timeframe is given as part of the quote, based on the actual staircase rather than a standard estimate.
Are there rules about how wide the gaps in a balustrade can be?
Yes, current building regulations require balustrade spacing that prevents a 100mm sphere passing through any gap, which effectively rules out wide, decorative spacing that a child could climb through or get stuck in. Handrails are also required where a staircase has a going of more than 220mm. Any renovation is built to meet these standards as a matter of course.
Can decorative cut-out spindles still meet building regulations?
Yes, decorative cut-out spindle designs can be built to meet current spacing requirements. The pattern is designed around the regulation rather than added afterwards, so the finished balustrade is both a feature and compliant.
Is a staircase renovation a DIY job?
Fitting a handrail or a single spindle is within reach of a competent DIYer, but a full balustrade renovation involves structural fixings into the staircase itself, alongside spacing and handrail height that need to meet building regulations. Getting this wrong is both a safety issue and something that can be expensive to put right, which is why most homeowners have it done professionally.
How do I choose the right company for a staircase renovation?
Ask whether the balustrade design being proposed meets current spacing and handrail regulations, since a company that can explain this confidently is more likely to get the structural side right too. Photos of previous renovations, particularly ones involving decorative or cut-out spindle designs, are a good way to judge the standard of finish.
Recent work
Staircases & Balustrades Gallery
A selection of staircase and balustrade renovations completed by LMF Joinery.
What to expect
Before Any of That Starts
A free site visit and quote come before any work is agreed, with balustrade spacing and handrail height built to current regulations as standard, not an optional extra. Most renovations are completed within a few days, working around the rest of the house rather than shutting off the stairs for longer than necessary. Dust sheets protect carpets and flooring throughout, and the area is left clean once fitted.
Why LMF Joinery
Why Choose LMF Joinery for a Staircase Renovation
Transformation Without a Full Rebuild
Balustrades are renovated over the existing structure, giving a dramatic change without the cost or disruption of starting again.
Regulations Considered as Standard
Spacing and handrail height are built to current requirements from the outset, not treated as a technicality to sort out later.
Landing and Hallway Tied Together
Matching wall panelling extends the finish beyond just the stairs, so the whole space feels considered.
Tired Staircase Letting the House Down?
Free, honest quotes on staircase and balustrade renovations across Manchester.