At Archwood Group, the wellbeing of our people is at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we’re delighted to announce that we’ve been awarded the prestigious ‘We Invest in Wellbeing’ Gold accreditation by Investors in People for the third consecutive year, recognising our ongoing commitment to employee health, wellbeing and personal development across all our sites. The ‘We Invest in Wellbeing’ accreditation celebrates organisations that create a culture of wellbeing excellence. Achieving Gold status reflects the proactive steps we take to foster a supportive, inclusive and empowering workplace. Our wellbeing strategy ensures every team member has equal opportunities, dedicated spaces to work and socialise and access to initiatives that promote mental health and overall welfare. With an average employee tenure of 15 years, Archwood Group places significant emphasis on staff development, retention and wellbeing, ensuring long-term stability and success. As a family-run business with a 150-year heritage, our commitment spans our headquarters in Chirk, North Wales, operations in Scotland and our nationwide team. As a local, family-owned business, we are committed to leading, supporting and enhancing wellbeing across the organisation. This Gold accreditation is a reflection of that ongoing commitment and a milestone we’re incredibly proud to share.

Stair safety is one of the most critical and frequently underestimated aspects of building design. Each year, thousands of accidents occur on domestic and public staircases, often due to poor construction, missing handrails or inadequate guarding. According to recent research by the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) and the BWF Stair Scheme, 43% of UK adults reported experiencing a stair-related accident within the last 12 months, with around 60% of these incidents occurring in the home. The most common causes included slippery surfaces and the absence of continuous, accessible handrails. These figures highlight a vital truth: a well-designed staircase is about far more than aesthetics. It’s a functional safety feature that must meet regulatory standards, provide stability and ensure accessibility for users of all ages. The role of the balustrade in safety and design A balustrade’s primary purpose is to prevent falls but it can also serve as a striking architectural feature. The best systems combine form and function, ensuring compliance without compromising on looks. In domestic properties, building regulations require handrails to be positioned 900 mm above the pitch line on stairs and 900 mm on landings. In public or commercial environments, that height increases to 900 mm on stairs and 1100 mm on landings to provide additional security. Any drop exceeding 600 mm must be guarded and no gap within the balustrade should allow the passage of a 100 mm sphere. This rule is designed to prevent young children from slipping through or becoming trapped. Equally important, balustrades should not be designed in a way that encourages climbing, which is why horizontal rails or ladder-style layouts are unsuitable in homes with young families. Strength tested for safety and reliability All Richard Burbidge balustrade systems are independently tested and, when installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, conform fully to UK Building Regulations. Every component is engineered to meet the 0.36 kN horizontal load requirement specified in Approved Document K, which ensures the balustrade can safely withstand everyday use without deflection or failure. For contractors, this provides an important reassurance. Using components from a single, tested system eliminates the risk of incompatibility and guarantees a consistent level of safety and performance. Each Richard Burbidge system is designed, manufactured and strength tested as a complete unit, giving installers and homeowners peace of mind that the finished staircase is compliant, robust and built to last. The importance of continuous handrails Handrails are often the first line of defence in preventing stair-related accidents. To be effective, they must run continuously along the flight, be positioned within easy reach and allow users to steady themselves quickly if they lose balance. Wall-mounted handrails have become increasingly popular in enclosed staircases and they are particularly valuable in homes with older residents or people with limited mobility. Every Richard Burbidge handrail design can be wall-mounted, offering flexibility and a unified appearance across both open and enclosed stair sections. “Safety and accessibility are at the heart of everything we design,” explains Kris, Technical Sales Support at Richard Burbidge. “Our handrails are crafted from timber, a naturally warm, tactile material that allows for a smooth, continuous run between posts. It gives users confidence and control while also complementing the overall look of the staircase.” Lighting, surfaces and overall safety Beyond the balustrade and handrail, other design elements can significantly affect safety. Good lighting ensures that users can see tread edges and changes in level, while non-slip step surfaces reduce the risk of slipping. Builders should aim for even light distribution and avoid excessive glare or shadows, particularly in enclosed stairwells. Adding contrasting nosings or finishes can also help to make edges more visible, improving both safety and accessibility. Design support for professionals Richard Burbidge recognises that even experienced contractors and designers benefit from expert technical support. To help ensure safe, compliant and visually cohesive results, the company offers a dedicated design service for the trade. This bespoke service provides professionals with tailored advice, design drawings and product recommendations for any project, whether it’s a domestic renovation or a large-scale commercial build. The design team works closely with builders and specifiers to ensure that every installation meets UK Building Regulations while achieving the desired aesthetic outcome. To contact the technical support team call 01691 678 232 or click here

When it comes to transforming your interiors, sometimes the simplest additions make the biggest difference. Wall panelling is a classic design feature that brings depth, texture, and style to any room and now, with our PaintReady® Wall Panel Kits, creating a stunning feature wall or an entire panelled room has never been easier.  An incredibly easy and cost effective option for home improvements. Classic Style for Complete Flexibility  The PaintReady® Classic collection features four distinctive wall panelling kits, significantly expanding design possibilities and DIY projects. Within these kits, versatile squares, elongated rectangles, and half-wall variations provide endless creative opportunities for homeowners to install easily. Users can experiment with various kit combinations to achieve the desired look, designed to allow you to effortlessly blend different kits and create a unique aesthetic ranging from traditional to contemporary or even eccentric styles. Shaker Style Made Simple Shaker style panelling is loved for its clean lines, timeless appeal and versatility. It combines simplicity with striking visuals, making it the perfect choice whether you’re going for modern minimalism or a more traditional look. Our newly launched PaintReady® Shaker Style Wall Panel Kits offer four distinct options, giving you the freedom to explore a range of design possibilities. Each kit contains six precision-cut ready primed MDF panels so you can easily achieve a custom look that suits your space. Why Choose Our PaintReady® Wall Panel Kits? Easy Installation: Designed with DIYers in mind, our kits come with everything you need to get started. Whether you’re a seasoned DIY pro or a first-time paneler, you’ll appreciate the straightforward process. PaintReady® Primed Finish: Each panel comes pre-primed for a faster, smoother painting experience, simply choose your favourite colour to make your walls pop and complement your decor perfectly. Versatile Style: The designs work beautifully as a bold feature wall or can be used throughout an entire room to add both architectural interest and a touch of sophistication. Saves time: All primed and ready to paint, speeding up your project and delivering a flawless finish every time. Bring Your Walls to Life Whether you want to add subtle texture to a hallway or make a statement in your living room, our PaintReady® Wall Panel Kits make it simple to elevate your interiors whatever the room. The clean, classic lines allow your chosen paint colour to shine while adding depth and dimension to your space.  It’s an ideal way to revitalise spaces on a budget. Discover our full range of Wall Panel Kits here.

Whether you're starting a renovation project or building your dream home from the ground up, your staircase serves more than just a functional purpose—it’s a fundamental design feature that sets the tone for your entire interior space.  As the UK’s leading manufacturer of stairparts, we’re here to demystify the process of choosing a staircase and explain what you should consider when selecting your parts.  Materials  Oak and pine are the most popular material choices for stairparts, and both have unique advantages. Oak is renowned for its durability and timeless appeal. It has a natural texture and warm undertones, from subtle reddish hues to deeper yellow tones. As a hardwood, its strength and longevity make it an ideal choice for high-traffic areas, ensuring resilience against daily wear and tear.  Pine is known for its light colour, distinctive grain patterns, and rustic allure. As a softwood, pine isn’t as hardy as oak, but it's lightweight and versatile, making it a cost-effective and highly customisable choice. Pine takes finishes and waxes well, so you can paint or stain it any colour of your choosing to match your furnishings.  Richard Burbidge’s PaintReady collection offers a range of timber stairparts ready finished in an ultra-smooth, eco-friendly, water-based primer. This means No sanding, no filling, no priming, for less time on the job. Customers also have the flexibility to mix and match different timber options or combine timber with a painted finish. Your Property The staircase plays an integral role in the overall look and feel of your space. When selecting stairparts, it's essential to consider the character and style of your property to achieve cohesive and harmonious interiors.  If you live in a heritage or period property with original architectural features, opt for stair parts crafted from rich, enduring hardwood materials like oak. Oak has a timeless elegance and sophistication, perfectly complementing the historic charm of your property while adding a touch of grandeur to your staircase.  Alternatively, if your home has a more contemporary or eclectic aesthetic, consider stair parts made from a combination of pine, glass or metal to achieve a modern, airy ambience.  Selecting Stair Parts A staircase is only as impressive as the sum of its parts. At Richard Burbidge, we have a collection of stairparts to suit every home, with a choice of glass, metal and timber that can elevate the ordinary into the inspirational.  Choosing your stairparts involves understanding each component's purpose and design to create a functional and visually striking staircase.  Let’s break down some of the core elements:  Spindles and Balusters: Stair spindles, also known as balusters, are the vertical rods connecting the handrail to the stairs. These components can be made from wood, metal, or glass to suit your interior preferences. Think of each spindle as individual design elements that work together to form a complete, visually striking staircase.  Baserail: A baserail is the horizontal component of a handrail system that runs along the bottom of the staircase, providing support and safety. It typically sits at the base of the balusters or spindles and serves as a structural element to which the spindles are attached. The baserail may feature a groove for spindles to slot into or remain solid, with metal spindles or glass brackets directly affixed to it. Our baserails are available in various timbers to match any interior style, including oak, pine, hemlock, and a white finish.  Newel posts: The newel post is the pillar that supports the handrail on a staircase. Though newel posts offer safety and are a structural stairpart, they also function as decorative elements in your interior design. Easily transform your staircase with our ReNewel Cladding System, the ideal solution for refreshing or modernising old newels that are tough to replace. Customisable kits are available in Oak and Pine finishes, offering a convenient way to update your staircase. Our unique and innovative designs enable you to transform most staircases in a matter of days. Check out our complete selection of stairparts here.  Safety  When renovating your staircase, safety should always come first. Richard Burbidge stair systems undergo thorough testing and evaluations by FIRA, the recognised authority in timber product testing. Not only does this ensure that our products last the test of time, but it also verifies that they comply with all necessary building regulations. You’ll have the peace of mind that your staircase prioritises safety without compromising style or quality.  No matter the design, the most integral part of any staircase is the quality of the materials and the parts. With over 150 years of experience manufacturing timber products, you can be confident that your Richard Burbidge staircase will be an excellent investment. To book a design consultation, click here; our expert team will contact you soon.  

At Richard Burbidge, we know that a staircase is more than just a way to move between floors, it is a defining feature and focal point of your home.  Our new StepUp® Oak Stair Cladding range is designed for homeowners and interior designers alike, providing a stylish and long-lasting way to transform your staircase. A Simple Transformation The StepUp® collection is designed to give you full control over your staircases' appearance while making updates fast, easy and completely customisable. Each riser features a dual finish, with oak veneer on one side and primed-to-paint on the other, allowing you to switch instantly between oak and painted finishes for fully customisable projects. Extender treads give the appearance of a continuous solid oak staircases from top to bottom. Single and three-step packs are available to suit projects of any size, from minor updates to complete stair transformations. All components are made from durable materials that withstand everyday use while maintaining their premium appearance. Why StepUp®  is the Smart Choice StepUp®  combines practicality with lasting style: The range allows a fast staircase makeover, making it ideal for homeowners, renovators or interior designers seeking impact with minimal disruption. The combination of oak and primed-to-paint finishes can be tailored to complement and decor style. Each component is engineered for durability, ensuring your staircase retains its premium look for years to come. The products are designed to be eco-friendly and user friendly, keeping installers and the environment in mind. Explore the full collection or download a brochure  

Acoustic panels are a simple yet effective way to improve your home’s comfort and functionality. Beyond aesthetics, they transform the way you experience your space, helping to reduce noise, improve sound clarity and create a more peaceful, balanced environment. Our acoustic panels come in a variety of materials, textures, and finishes from soft neutral tones to bold colours including Light Oak, Walnut and Oiled Oak. They are a practical addition that adds both style and substance to your home, whether you’re creating a calming space or a productive workspace. Calm Living Spaces Living rooms are often the heart of the home but hard surfaces and open layouts can make noise linger. Acoustic panels absorb unwanted sound, reducing echoes and creating a more serene environment. Positioned strategically, they can also serve as a subtle design feature, adding texture and depth to your walls without dominating the décor. Productive Home Offices Working from home requires focus, yet sound distractions can interrupt your workflow. Installing acoustic panels like our Premium Acoustic Panel in Light Oak help to reduce background noise and improve speech clarity, making virtual meetings and calls far more productive. Sleek and understated, they integrate seamlessly into your office setup, offering a stylish yet practical solution. Bedrooms Your bedroom should be a haven for relaxation. Acoustic panels help to dampen noise from other rooms or the outside world, ensuring a peaceful night’s sleep. With options in a range of finishes, they can complement any interior style while improving your home’s overall comfort. Entertainment Spaces Whether you’re enjoying a home cinema, music room, or gaming area, acoustic panels enhance audio performance for a richer, more immersive experience. They control reverberation, ensuring every note, word, or sound effect comes through clearly, without disturbing the rest of the household. Explore our full range of acoustic panels here.