How to design a staircase

Asha Bogenfuerst Asha Bogenfuerst
House 516, Studio Gritt Studio Gritt Stairs
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In order to design a bespoke staircase, it's best to have a basic understanding of how to design a staircase. There is no need to know exactly how to carry out the various steps in process, but simply to know the measurements and dimensions which are suitable for your home. This article will answer questions such as 'how to determine the width of the stairs?'; 'when should a landing be included?'; 'what is the ideal height between the staircase and the ceiling?' and 'how to vary the proportions between the tread and the riser?'. A few different types of staircase designs will also be discussed, namely curved staircase design, acute turn staircase design and Z-shaped staircase design. Read on to discover the basic knowledge you need to get started with building a staircase. 

Staircase elements and dimensions

Basically, a staircase consists of rows of steps which are made up of treads and risers. Treads are the horizontal parts of the steps where we step unto, while risers are the vertical parts. A staircase must also have landings, handrails and a small nosing.In order to determine the right dimensions for a staircase, we highly recommend using the formula developed by the famous architect, Francois Blondel. 

For more ideas, here are 12 inspiring staircase designs to remodel yours.

How to determine the width of the stairs?

It really depends on building regulations, the size of your home and how many people will use it, but usually the recommended minimum width for stairs in a family home is 80 cm. With a width of 1.25 meters, two people can go up and down the staircase at the same time comfortably and with a width of 1.85 meters, three people can use the stairs simultaneously. 

For more information, please also refer to our article titled 6 tips to design a spectacular staircase.

When should a landing be included?

A landing should ideally be provided after 15 steps and should measure the same as 3 treads at least. If possible, avoid designing the staircase with more than 15 steps in a row. 

What is the ideal height between the staircase and the ceiling?

The minimum height between the staircase and the ceiling should be 2.15 meters. Whereas the ideal height of the handrail should measure between 80-90 cm. For more information, please also read our article titled 7 tips for measuring the staircase.

How to vary the proportions between the tread and the riser?

Although a staircase can be designed in many different ways, the dimensions and ratio of the tread and the riser must remain constant in order to make climbing or descending the stairs easier. However always remember that measurements must always consider the unique circumstances of each home and local building regulations. 

Curved staircase design

As we mentioned earlier, there are various staircase designs which can be used. The curved staircase pictured here has a 150 degree turn. The secret to achieving a smooth turn that flows naturally is to include a curved landing after about 10 to 12 steps. This will allow an uninterrupted curvy flow over the whole flight of stairs. Since the staircase is enclosed on both sides, curved wall strings were used to mount the treads. 

Acute turn staircase design

This is the best type of design if you need to fit a staircase in a small space. A staircase with an acute turn of 38 degrees can save a lot of space. This can be achieved by combining two triangular quarter newels to form a central newel post. With this technique, you can avoid being in the way of the acute turn while still maintaining the necessary four-sided shape. This will allow the central newel to support the balustrade, strings and treads on the side that it's the widest. For more information, here are 14 staircase designs for a small house.

Z-shaped staircase design

The Z-shaped staircase design in an excellent choice for spaces that have weird shapes which are hard to work with. In order to create the Z shape of the staircase, two parallel 90 degree turns need to be incorporated. It's best to use winder treads to achieve the 90 degree turns instead of landings as it can save space. Another clever technique to save space is to incorporate the 90 degree turns into one single row of stairs instead of having rows of steps separated by landings. 

We hope this article has been helpful and informative. For more article like this, please have a look at 15 spectacular ideas for your staircase railings.

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