Demax Information Sheet for Timber Products

Dear Client

We have produced this information sheet to answer frequently asked questions and to explain certain phenomena that occur with timber. Timber is a natural product and varies from piece to piece therefore we will not be responsible for the replacement of components with natural faults (see picture 7); neither can this be used as a reason to withhold payments. Please feel free to raise any queries or concerns with a member of our technical staff prior to your commitment.

HANDRAILS
Grain
Straight runs of handrail are machined from a single piece of timber up to 3M long; the grain will be consistent with possible naturally occurring colour and grain variations.
Bends and corners
FAQ Why are the scrolls and bends made with short pieces of wood and have grain variation?
Answer. To carve bends in longer lengths, the wood blank would be so large that the cost and wastage would be unacceptable also there would be  the problem of cross grain which severely weakens the handrail. We use the same sections of timber to carve our handrails as have always been used; we have not cheapened the procedure. Regarding the grain, although the wood is carved on a radius the grain remains straight therefore it will always appear facetted (see pictures 1&2) which is exaggerated by grain variation even when using wood from the same plank. The differing shades can be blended to a degree by stains and polishes. (See picture 4)   We have a CD (available on request) that illustrates examples of completed handrails and what is described within this text. It is unavoidable not to have differing shades and grain patterns in these handrails
Our handrail bends, corners and lateral scrolls are all made from solid wood using the old traditional method of hand carving.
(see picture 3.) They should not be compared with the modern production methods using laminated wood and computerised  machines which produces high quality components but in a very limited range (see picture 5,) howeverWe do us them occasionally  on  staircases  where cost is an issue.
 
TREADS AND RISERS
Again we are selective when choosing the timber for our treads however timber being natural product may have small blemishes such as knots (see picture 7) etc these may only become apparent on final finishing therefore we cannot condemn timber for what is a natural inclusion. Most treads are traditionally made with two pieces of wood jointed and glued together, therefore the grain is never going to match exactly (see picture 5&6) some vary more than others. This detail should be viewed as character not as a fault
SRINKAGE
All our timber is British Standard documented kiln dried and kept in a dry factory environment, when  introduced to  central heating or when a drying out process is being used in the property timber may shrink or crack slightly, this  natural phenomenon associated  with modern central heating systems can occur prior to or after final decoration. Equally to re introduce timber to damp site conditions will cause the timber to swell and great care must be taken to return the timber slowly to its previous dried state prior to applying finishes. We cannot be held responsible for any cost for corrective work, After allowing time for settlement carefully applied filler up to 5mm is the industry’s recognised remedy.
FINISHES
Private Stairs
Unless otherwise stated in your quotation we do not allow for any finishes other than one sealer coat to your handrails, treads etc. The reasons are two fold. One is timing as the finishing has to be undertaken in a dust free and warm environment and without the interruption of other trades people, secondly the differing wood shades may require to be blended and matched to other woodwork in the property. The sealer coat does help prevent the absorption of dampness and is strongly recommended. ( see shrinkage)
Commercial Stairs
These are normally quoted for using a high quality durable finish.
INCLUSIONS
We are very selective when choosing our timber, however timber being a natural product it may have small blemishes such as knots etc, and these may only become apparent on final finishing. Therefore we cannot condemn timber for natural inclusions, or for colour and grain variations
Modified 12th December 2008 BMR

CARVING PROCESS FOR CURVED HANDRAIL SECTIONS.

Left Picture “Blocking” the Handrail

Initially the joiner spends some time familiarising himself with the project, and calculating the maximum length of the timber sections that can be used to ensure that the carver has enough material to shape the handrail. The underside of each section of wood is then shaped roughly to match the contours of the steel core rail. Once the joiner is satisfied that the wood block is a good match, he marks and cuts a groove into the wood, to allow the core rail to be accommodated. This process is repeated for each block, allowing a slight overlap between each piece.
Once all of the sections for a corner have been rebated for the core rail, they have to be carefully cut and joined together with glue and dowels into manageable lengths. (It can be clearly seen in pictures 1&2, the gap left in one of the joins showing the dowels.) Once the sections are fixed together, the wood blocks can be removed form the core rail, and the shape can be fine tuned to ensure that the handrail will flow elegantly.  Once this has all been completed, any excess material can be stripped away, and the joiner passes the job onto the carver.

Picture 3    Carving the handrail

The carver takes the shaped block from the joiner, along with a sample of the shape of the handrail required, and carves the handrail out of the solid wood blocks. The carving is a very skilled and time consuming job. Picture 3 shows the components that had to be carved for an average sized private stair. The handrail components illustrated are carved from American white oak, and the carving process alone, took over a week to complete. This photograph was taken just prior to the fitting team visiting site to fix the handrail onto the finished stair. Once on site, all of the unglued joints would be glued together, and the handrail would be securely screwed down onto the steel core rail. Straight sections of machined handrail would also be cut into the stair at this stage, and again, all joints would be pegged and glued. Finally, all of the joints would be sanded in to ensure a seamless transition from 1 piece of wood to the next.

Picture 4  A classic Mahogany handrail

Once the handrail has been fitted by Demax, it is the clients’ responsibility to have the handrail finished as they wish. Picture 4 shows a completed project, where Demax fitted balustrade to a staircase in a London townhouse. It can be seen from the picture the different pieces of wood that have been used to manufacture the sweep down and round from the stair onto the landing. The professional French polished finish gives the handrail a really deep rich sheen, and pleasing colour. Please note the short length of the sections used, and the colour variations that remain, even after polishing.

Note   Demax are one of the few companies that have the complete skills to design, manufacture and install both classic and modern staircases complete with handrails.

The balustrade was cast in our own foundry

Picture 5 Modern machine components

Very occasionally we can use machine manufactured components, although the limited number of different components available mean that there are very few occasions that these products can be used successfully to create flowing authentic handrails. Note the grain does not flow around the bends indicating they are machined from a sheet of laminated wood; they also lack the delicate profile of hand carving. However they serve a purpose where cost is a consideration.

DEMAX TIMBER CLAD  STAIR TREADS.

It is important to state that it is not possible for us to supply treads for staircases that are manufactured from 1 single piece of wood. All the treads that are supplied by Demax are manufactured by gluing two or more pieces of suitable, selected wood together. Care is taken to match as far as is possible the style and colour of the wood used, but this is not always possible. The design and style of the stair will also determine how each tread is cut by our joiners. 

Picture 6  American Walnut
The walnut on this stair had to have several joints in the lower treads, due to the size required.
Walnut is one of the most beautifully timbers with its rich colour and wonderful grain,
Unfortunately it is very expensive when purchasing larger sections for staircase and there are nearly always imperfections and a very wide spectrum of colour variations within the same piece of timber, these should be considered as character not faults.  Our notes on handrails particularly apply to Walnut.

Please request further photographs on this
Staircase.

Picture 7  American White  Ash treads

This picture is of a partially completed stair (it is still awaiting its glass and stainless steel balustrade). The photograph clearly illustrates the wide variations of colour and grain in each tread which is unavoidable although more apparent in some woods than others. The American White Ash illustrated always has a wide colour and grain spectrum.
Again it should be considered as character and natural beauty not a fault.

Photographs of this stairs are available on our web site illustrating the curved glass balustrade and polished stainless handrails



PROTECTION TO GOODS
All goods are wrapped for protection in transit which can be transferred to site fixed materials. We will not be held responsible for damage to goods once fixed. The two most reported reasons for damage are, dust and grit getting under protective covering and dents. DEMAX ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGE TO COMPONENTS ONCE SITE FIXED.