A complete guide to designing stairs

Staircases are easily one of the most challenging and complex joinery tasks in any building, and are the centrepiece of many homes and businesses. A beautifully designed bespoke staircase can breathe new life into your home, but such a project can be highly complex.

There are so many things to consider before beginning the job, but with a bespoke staircase manufacturer on your side you can be sure of a design well planned and a job well done. Using our 30+ years of experience here are a few points you’ll need to take into consideration.

Space

The available space may well dictate the style of staircase you require. You’ll need to consider aspects such as the overall rise of the staircase, width of the staircase, the height of the steps themselves and the amount of foot traffic that the area will experience. If it’s likely to be a busy staircase (in a commercial setting for example), the width could be crucial to allow people to pass each other.

Environment

You’ll need to incorporate the staircase into the general style of the rest of the house. Ideally, you want a staircase that blends in well with the existing materials, colours and designs of the property, so be sure to spend a little time thinking about this. Pinterest serves as a brilliant source of inspiration and you can view some of our projects here.

Materials

A staircase, especially a brand new one, will often serve as a focal point of the home. We can create unforgettable staircases from wood, metal and glass, or indeed a combination of all three of these beautiful materials. The most appropriate construction will of course depend on the existing design of the home and the statement that you want to make.

Overall Shape

The amount of available space will dictate the type of staircase that you will be able to have. In restricted areas, a spiral variety will often be the best option. A straight run may be more suitable for some, or perhaps a turned style incorporating two or more flights of stairs. We have a great deal of experience and know-how in this area, and we can talk through the options that are open to you.

Balustrading

As well as options in staircase shape, you also have a number of choices when it comes to balustrading. This is sometimes an overlooked aspect, but it’s one that can have a dramatic effect on the overall look of the finished project. There are several designs of spindles, newel posts and handrails to choose from, all of them beautifully created from a variety of different materials.

Building Regulations

As a reputable bespoke staircase manufacturer, we will be able to provide crucial information about any relevant building regulations, and how they can impact on the project itself. It’s also important to consider the HSE guidelines in regard to the safety of staircases. Riser height and depth, pitch, handrail and headroom are all factors that require minimum measurements in order to comply.

As a bespoke staircase manufacturer with more than three decades of experience, we are happy to offer some expert advice to help you. Take a look at our most recent projects here.

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