Bespoke Staircases - Atkinson Joiners Ltd

Serving Barnard Castle and the surrounding area for over 60 years.

Custom Timber Staircases Made in Barnard Castle

We make and fit timber staircases for homes across Teesdale — new builds, full replacements and refurbishments of existing stairs. Most of the work we take on is for older properties where a standard staircase either won't fit the space or won't suit the building.

Contact Atkinsons Joiners

We make staircases fit the space, not the other way round

Tight landings, low ceilings, awkward turns and irregular floor plans are common in older properties. We work within the space available — measuring carefully and designing the staircase around what the building actually allows, including meeting building regulations where the space makes that challenging.

Refurbishment as well as full replacement

If the structure of your existing staircase is sound, full replacement may not be necessary. Replacing spindles, fitting new newels and handrails, opening up a previously closed staircase or adding a new landing section can make a significant difference without the cost or disruption of starting from scratch.

Practical details built in from the start

Under-stair storage, cupboards, panelling and desk areas can be designed and built as part of the staircase rather than added on afterwards. If the space below the stairs is being opened up, it's often worth thinking about what it can do at the same time.

New Staircases

We make new staircases to order for a range of situations:

Replacing an existing staircase that's beyond repair or no longer suits the property

New staircases in renovated or converted properties

Staircases for properties where standard dimensions won't work

Oak staircases for period homes where appearance matters alongside function

Staircases with storage, panelling or other elements incorporated

Each staircase is made in our workshop and fitted by our own team. Timber is sourced based on the project — oak is common for period homes and visible staircases, tulipwood and other hardwoods where the stairs will be painted.

When a Standard Staircase Won't Do

Mass-produced staircase systems work well in straightforward situations — regular floor heights, standard widths, room to land correctly at the top and bottom. In many older properties, none of those conditions apply.

Ceilings are lower. Landings are tight. The space available for a stair run doesn't suit a standard rise and going. Building regulations still need to be met, but the margin for achieving them is smaller.

This is where a made-to-order staircase is the practical answer rather than the expensive one. We design and manufacture around the space as it is, not as a standard staircase needs it to be.

Atkinson-Joiners-Ltd-Barnard-Castle-Joinery-Specialists-126

Staircase Refurbishment and Remodelling

Not every staircase problem requires a full replacement. Common refurbishment work we carry out includes:

Replacing worn or damaged spindles with new oak or hardwood alternatives
Fitting new newel posts, handrails and base rails
Opening up a previously closed staircase to remove blockwork or timber panelling
Adding a quarter landing or changing the direction of a stair run
Fitting a bullnose step at the bottom
Scribing oak panelling to the sides of existing strings

Refurbishment is often the right choice when the main stair structure — the strings and treads — is still in good condition. We'll assess what's there before recommending an approach.

Materials

Oak is the most common timber for visible staircases — treads, newels, handrails and spindles. It finishes well, wears well underfoot and suits period properties where the staircase is a feature of the room.

For painted staircases, tulipwood and other hardwoods are used where structural strength matters and the timber will be covered. Softwood is an option for less prominent stairs where budget is a consideration.

Where a customer supplies their own timber — as some do when they have a specific oak source or reclaimed material they want to use — we can work with that provided the timber is suitable for the purpose.

Atkinson-Joiners-Ltd-Barnard-Castle-Joinery-Specialists-125

Atkinson-Joiners-Ltd-Barnard-Castle-Joinery-Specialists-097

Under-Stair Space

The space under a staircase is often underused. When a staircase is being made or refurbished, it's a good time to think about what that space can do.

We've built under-stair storage with fitted doors to match the house, desk areas panelled in oak, and cupboards designed to make use of the full depth of the space. These elements are designed and built as part of the staircase project rather than as separate jobs.

Gallery

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make a staircase where the space is very tight?

Yes. Tight spaces are one of the main reasons people come to us for a made-to-order staircase rather than a standard system. We work within the dimensions available — including designing to meet building regulations on rise and going where the space makes that difficult. The staircase is designed around the building, not the other way round.

Can you refurbish an existing staircase rather than replacing it?

In many cases, yes. If the structural parts of the staircase — the strings and main treads — are sound, it's often possible to significantly improve the appearance and condition of the stairs without full replacement. New spindles, newels, handrails and landing sections can make a substantial difference. We'll look at what's there and give you an honest view of what refurbishment can achieve.

What timber do you use for staircases?

Oak is the most common choice for visible staircases — treads, newels and handrails — because it wears well, finishes well and suits older properties. For painted staircases, tulipwood and other hardwoods are used for structural components. The right timber depends on the project, and we'll discuss the options based on how the staircase will be used and finished.

Can storage be built in under the staircase?

Yes, and it's worth thinking about at the design stage rather than afterwards. We've built under-stair cupboards, fitted storage areas and desk spaces as part of staircase projects — all designed and made to suit the space and match the rest of the joinery in the house.

Do you fit the staircase yourselves or manufacture only?

We manufacture and fit. The same team that makes the staircase installs it. This matters in older properties where the space often presents surprises on the day — having the people who made the staircase on site means adjustments can be made without delay.

Can you make a staircase for a listed building or period property?

Yes. Staircases in listed buildings need to suit the character of the property. We can work in appropriate timbers, reproduce period details where the design calls for it and discuss any requirements around listed building consent if the work affects a significant internal element. We've carried out staircase work in period cottages and older rural properties where the design needed to feel right for the building.

How do you handle building regulations on a staircase?

All staircases we make are designed to meet current building regulations on rise, going, headroom and balustrade height. In tight spaces, getting this right requires careful design before manufacture starts. We work through the dimensions at the outset so the finished staircase meets the regulations within the space available.