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An old apartment stairwell can be transformed in just a few weeks: Where to start?
๐Ÿ‡ฑ๐Ÿ‡น Lithuania /Energy & Infrastructure

An old apartment stairwell can be transformed in just a few weeks: Where to start?

From Delfi · () Lithuanian

Translated from Lithuanian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Residents in older apartment buildings increasingly agree to renovate shared stairwells, which can improve daily living conditions and potentially increase apartment values.
  • Renovation requires approval from a majority of co-owners, after which the building administrator organizes contractors and coordinates the work.
  • A standard five-storey block stairwell can take about three weeks to renovate, while work in older buildings may take considerably longer.

A tired-looking apartment stairwell can change within weeks, but the first step is not choosing paint or tiles. Residents must first agree on the renovation and the scope of the work.

In older apartment buildings, more residents are deciding to improve shared spaces because they see a direct link between the condition of the stairwell and everyday quality of life. Renovating common areas may also contribute to higher apartment values.

The stairwell is no longer seen merely as a passageway. People care about the environment they see every day when they return home. We help renovate about 200 stairwells a year.

โ€” Indrฤ— Kolesnikovienฤ—She describes growing resident interest in renovating shared apartment-building spaces.

Indrฤ— Kolesnikovienฤ—, head of the product group at Mano BลชSTAS, says the company helps renovate about 200 stairwells a year. โ€œThe stairwell is no longer seen merely as a passageway. People care about the environment they see every day when they return home,โ€ she says.

The most important stage is the residentsโ€™ decision. When the majority agrees on the renovation and the desired scope of work, the process becomes clear and simple.

โ€” Indrฤ— Kolesnikovienฤ—She explains why resident approval is the starting point for the project.

A majority of co-owners must approve the renovation. Once residents agree on the work, the building administrator selects a contractor, coordinates the process and, if necessary, arranges a technical project. The work may range from renewing walls and ceilings to a full renovation involving electrical wiring, new lights, doors, windows, mailboxes, handrails and floors. Decorative plaster may also be applied.

There is no single solution for every building, Kolesnikienฤ— says. A standard five-storey block stairwell, including surface preparation, decorative plaster, new mailboxes and painted handrails and floors, usually takes about three weeks. A stairwell in a historic district building may take up to three times longer. Late spring through mid-autumn offers the most favorable conditions, although winter work remains possible with longer technical breaks because of lower temperatures.

There is no single solution suitable for every building.

โ€” Indrฤ— Kolesnikovienฤ—She says renovation plans must reflect each stairwellโ€™s condition and residentsโ€™ needs.
About this summary

Originally published by Delfi in Lithuanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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