When it comes to home design, stairs are often viewed as a practical necessity but they’re so much more than that. A staircase is a central feature that connects spaces, creates flow and often makes a visual statement. But beyond aesthetics, one factor should never be overlooked: safety. Why Stair Safety Matters Every year, thousands of household accidents occur on stairs, often due to uneven surfaces, worn treads or slippery finishes. Over time, natural wear and tear can cause steps to become unsafe, particularly in busy family homes. Ensuring your stairs are level, sturdy and finished with the right materials helps reduce slips and trips, protecting both your family and your home’s longevity. Introducing StepUp Stair Cladding That’s why we’re proud to introduce our new StepUp Stair Cladding range, a simple, stylish solution that makes stair renovation both easy and safe. Designed for both practicality and aesthetic appeal, StepUp cladding allows you to refresh tired stairs without the need for a full replacement. Each component is precision-engineered for a perfect fit, providing a smooth, secure surface underfoot. Available in durable materials and contemporary finishes, it’s the ideal way to enhance both the look and safety of your staircase. Benefits of StepUp Stair Cladding · Enhanced Safety: StepUp provides a consistent, stable tread surface, reducing uneven edges and improving grip. · Effortless Installation: With an easy-fit design, StepUp makes stair upgrades accessible to both DIY enthusiasts and professionals. · Modern Aesthetic: Transform dated steps into a sleek, stylish feature that complements any interior. · Durability: Crafted with quality materials and a precision finish, our cladding is built to last. The Perfect Balance of Form and Function Good design is about balance and with StepUp Stair Cladding, you don’t have to choose between safety and style. Whether you’re looking to modernise your hallway or refresh a family home, StepUp delivers a professional finish that’s as dependable as it is beautiful. Explore the full range here

Looking to refresh your home without committing to a full renovation? DIY timber projects are the perfect solution. With just a few simple materials and a little creativity, you can instantly transform your living space, adding both functionality and style. From clever storage solutions to charming décor accents, timber is versatile, easy to work with and endlessly rewarding. The Power of DIY Timber Projects DIY projects allow you to personalise your space while making the most of your home’s existing layout. Even small updates, like new shelving or a custom frame for your indoor plants, can have a big impact on the overall feel of a room. By choosing the right materials and keeping projects manageable, you can achieve professional-looking results in just a few hours. Handy Packs: Your DIY Starting Point For those ready to dive in, our Handy Packs’ of timber provides everything you need for a quick project. Ideal for small furniture, decorative accents or practical home improvements, these packs include pre-cut timber pieces that save time and simplify the building process. Whether it’s crafting a stylish shoe rack for the hallway or a floating shelf for the living room, our Handy Pack makes it easy to get started immediately. Ready to use Pine Boards For larger projects or those who want more flexibility, our premium Pine Boards are the perfect choice. Manufactured from high-quality softwood and planed to a smooth finish, these boards are ideal for shelving, furniture making, boxing in and general joinery. Their smooth surface makes them easy to sand, stain or paint, allowing you to create a look that perfectly complements your home décor. Whether you’re building a rustic coffee table, a chic storage unit or a charming indoor planter box, these pine boards offer both durability and aesthetic appeal. Quick Ideas to Transform Your Home · Floating Shelves: Maximise storage and add a modern touch by installing shelves on unused wall space. · Storage Boxes: Create practical yet stylish storage solutions for toys, laundry or pantry items. · Indoor Planter Stands: Showcase your greenery in custom timber stands that fit perfectly with your décor. · Picture Ledges: Display artwork and photos without the need for nails or permanent fixtures. Explore our range of timber products here

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.