Planning, measuring, calculating, and constructing staircases requires extreme precision and close attention to every last detail. First and foremost, you must decide whether the stairs will be used inside or outside. Only then can you decide what material to use to construct the stairs. An external staircase must be weatherproof, stain-proof, and robust enough to withstand considerable wear and tear. An interior staircase can be built using delicate, high-maintenance materials and even carpeted for warmth and appearance. You can move on to the following step in installing stairs in a house, namely dimensions, once the usage and the location have been determined.
What needs to be done before building stairs
The floor height from the level where the stairs will start is the first item to measure while building stairs. The second item to measure is the distance on the ground that your stairs can extend. Once you have these measurements, you can figure out how many steps you’ll need to build and how wide and tall each step should be.
Technically speaking, the stair’s height is referred to as the rise and its width as the tread. The rise and tread of the stairs must comply with a standard established by the regulating bodies and fall within that range. In addition, each step must be at least 36 inches long for a human to step on it without discomfort. Therefore, depending on the measurements, you must choose the optimal compromise that satisfies your space requirements while remaining within the compliance guidelines.
Railing Staircase or not
Since residential staircases are frequently built next to walls, railings are typically only needed on one side. If the staircase is wide enough and safe, you could choose to go without railings. However, in some locations, government regulations require interior stairs to have railings. You should confirm the same with the relevant regulatory authorities in your area.
For stairs with four steps or more, exterior railings are typically required. There are, however, some exclusions to this rule, so it’s best to talk to the experts and regulatory authorities about your unique design and requirements.
The stairway serves a variety of functions
You can use your inside staircase in a variety of inventive ways. This is an improvised stairway that is partially hanging from the ceiling and partially kept on the ground. It also serves as storage and a desk for studying. When the staircase is not built at work, you might improvise to design something special for your house.
