16 July 2024
Pinterest, like many social media platforms, has entirely changed the way we think when it comes to interior design. Instead of having to sift through mountains of design magazines, you can simply search for what you are looking for, scroll through, and organise the designs you like in a single board. This simple interface makes […]
09 April 2024
We designed and manufactured this unusual staircase for a recently renovated studio, providing access to the mezzanine level above whilst working around the layout of the room on the ground floor. The project presented a couple of key challenges. The pitched roof above the mezzanine meant that access at the top of the staircase needed […]
20 February 2024
At British Spirals & Castings, we understand the importance of keeping up with design trends. Pieces like staircases and balconies need to stand the test of time and provide an aesthetic that will work as trends change from year to year. With our bespoke design approach, we can work with you to find ways to […]
07 November 2023
Carrying out any building work over the past couple of years has been a challenge, with rising costs and material and labour shortages meaning your initial budget may not stretch as far as expected. This can lead to difficult choices when it comes to the internal fit-out, including your choice of staircase. Here at British […]
04 November 2023
With around 10,000 conservation areas in England, knowing what you can and cannot do when installing a new external staircase, balcony or railing on properties located in these areas is the best way to avoid potential problems. Conservation areas can be: Old town or city centres Historical hamlets, villages or towns Old suburbs of cities […]
17 October 2023
Our LCC range of staircases is a popular choice for Georgian properties, accurately reflecting the restrained, symmetrical aesthetic of the period. When Llewellyn Harker Lowe architects were looking for a replacement for a steep timber staircase for a client’s Grade I listed home, this style offered a natural solution. The new staircase forms part of […]
04 October 2023
When ordering a staircase and balcony, there are lots of important questions to consider. In this blog we’ll talk through some of the most important ones. We’d also recommend getting in touch with us at the earliest possible stage, as we can work with you answer many of these with you. This means this can […]
14 September 2023
For this project, we brought a touch of 19th Century England to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains with a spiral staircase and matching balustrade, fitting on a property in the city of Boulder, Colorado. Coming to America Boulder city has a rich and complex history dating back to its foundation in the mid-19th Century. […]
10 August 2023
Orangeries were a common feature of larger Georgian and Victorian homes, bringing a taste of the Mediterranean environments homeowners enjoyed on the Grand Tour back to Britain. As part of this fantastic project here in Derbyshire, we created a cast aluminium staircase and mezzanine to add new life to the Georgian orangery. The property was […]
19 July 2023
The current cost of living crisis is impacting all of us. It can make things especially difficult when working on a building or home improvement project, with the costs of materials often rising as work goes on, shrinking your remaining budget. Here at British Spirals & Castings, we are committed to providing the best service […]
16 June 2023
The Chelsea Flower Show is a five-day festival of Garden Design, bringing together the top designers and plant nurseries from across the UK and beyond. For this year’s event, we had the opportunity to restore a 30-year-old BSC spiral staircase to form the centre piece of the Fleur De Lys nursery’s stand. The conservatory plant […]
07 March 2023
Converting or refurbishing an existing property can be a challenging process. One of the most common issues we come across when adding a new staircase or balcony to an existing building is that the walls are rarely square and plumb. This can make it difficult and time consuming to measure up accurately. This is why, […]
18 January 2023
Adding period features back into a home is a passion for many homeowners these days, but Siân and Billy Stewart are taking this one step further, in their aim to transform a virtually derelict, Grade II* listed townhouse into a stunning home. The project included work to shore up the building structure, restore the roof […]
28 November 2022
One of the most fundamental tasks when designing a staircase is ensuring it can easily handle the loads it may experience throughout its lifespan. For a home staircase, this not only includes the weight of one or two people walking on individual treads, but also loads from furniture being carried up and down or from […]
07 November 2022
Over the 30 years we’ve been manufacturing staircases, we’ve seen new styles come to the fore, particularly more Nordic-style floating staircases with steel stringers and thick timber treads. The simple combination of materials on these staircases really brings out the character and richness of the wooden elements. We recently manufactured two flights of these staircases […]
23 September 2022
It is every bibliophile’s dream to have their own personal library. After learning the roof of her 19th century cottage needed some repairs, writer Lyn Lindsay decided to seize the opportunity to make this a reality and convert her loft space into a home for her extensive book collection. To add a sense of secrecy […]
02 September 2022
Each property we work on has their own unique style, character and, perhaps most importantly, measurements. This is why we have always taken a bespoke approach on our projects, carefully ensuring that the staircase accurately matches your homes dimensions and your own needs and tastes. This tailored approach was especially important for a recent refurbishment. […]
25 August 2022
Balconies provide a versatile space for you home, allowing you to relax in the sun, entertain friends, dry clothes and even grow your own veg. With all these benefits, it’s no surprise that balconies have been added to numerous UK homes over time. Often, these balconies were made from wood. Unlike the modern timber balconies, […]
29 July 2022
Home improvement and renovation projects can be an exciting process, allowing you to pick and choose every element to create a space that is truly yours. However, when you are working to a budget, it is important to prioritise where to spend your money and where you can look for savings with cheaper, more standardised […]
12 July 2022
When creating pieces for period properties, capturing the original spirit of the building is often a key part of the design process. That was certainly the case when we were approached by a homeowner looking to replace the balcony on their early 20th century costal property. We worked with the owners to create a bespoke […]
16 March 2022
2022 is set to be an important year here at British Spirals & Castings as we celebrate our 30th Anniversary in May. The business has changed a lot over the years, growing from a two-man operation in an old shed, to the company we are today with over 20 staff, our own foundry and workshop, […]
11 February 2022
We are very proud of the fact that all our staircases, railings and balconies are produced right here in Britain and our foundry is a key part of that. It supplies all the aluminium components for our pieces and means we have total control over the quality of both raw materials and production. Following an […]
18 January 2022
We love a challenge here at British Spirals & Castings. For our recent project on an Edwardian home, we had to use all our skill with CAD design to overcome the building’s quirks and create a truly bespoke Scandinavian style staircase. The staircase was being installed as part of a loft conversion and needed to […]
18 December 2021
When deciding on what stair design best suits your property, the often fiddly and confusing Building Regulations can turn a dream do-over or DIY renovation into a logistical nightmare. The team here at British Spirals & Castings can help walk you through these requirements as we design your staircase, but we know some customers like […]
01 November 2021
Ever wanted to live in a Jane Austin style mansion? At Churchgate House we worked with the homeowners and interior designer, Fenella Pledger, to help recreate a Georgian aesthetic within a much newer home. This included cast iron railings and a matching gate, a large Victorian Spiral Staircase and wrought iron balustrading for a stunning […]
04 October 2021
These days, lots of new homeowners are looking to return original features to their properties, whether it be fitting fireplaces back in bedrooms, installing sash windows or reinstating external railings. Of course, before you can fit anything, you need to get a clear idea about what would have been there originally. Here are a few […]
24 June 2021
Whether you’re embarking on the new-build of your dreams or just getting to the next stage on your doer-upper, period or modern railings can add character to your property whilst keeping loved ones safe. The Building Regulation and planning requirements for these features in the different regions of the UK can be a little confusing, […]
18 May 2021
In cities across Britain, it’s fairly common to find larger townhouses from the Victorian and Georgian periods which have been converted into separate flats over time with an external staircase fitted to reach the upper floors. With older conversions in particular, this can lead to some odd internal arrangements. For this project in Scotland, […]
17 April 2021
Before designing a bespoke piece for a client, whether it be a staircase, balcony, balustrade or railing, we always sit down with them (either in-person, on the phone or via email) to try and get a clear idea of their vision. Customers are often surprised by the amount of choice and design decisions they need […]
13 April 2021
If, like us, you’ve spent the recent lockdowns browsing the internet for your dream holiday, this project might just be for you. Chalet Marmotte is a beautiful, catered ski and holiday chalet located in the La Plagne region of France. During the last year, the Lovely Chalet Company has been hard at work carrying […]