Many people feel that staircases are just a means of getting from floor to floor in a property, but for others it is a focal point which is treated in the same way as a major piece of furniture or a kitchen. Eric Nicholls of Spiral UK provides some insights into the choices to make

There are many decisions to make in designing a house, and there is often the chance to change things over time, such as colours, floor finishes, appliances or even windows and doors. With stairs it is not so simple, they are structural and often interface with other parts of the building structure. Putting it simply, you get ‘one bite of the cherry,’ and then have to live with it, often for decades! Stairs need some careful thought, as if you get it wrong, it can ruin the whole feel and flow of the house.
So some decisions to be made.    

DESIGN

Do you want simple standard straight, or something more adventurous like spiral, curved or floating? As you can guess, the more complicated or bespoke, the more the cost generally increases. Bear in mind that generally the more complicated the stair, the more it will require associated supporting structure. You may need to consider if a concrete foundation or thickening of the floor slab is required, or if steel beams rather than timber trimmers are needed for the edges of the stairwell.

Where does it start and finish? People can often get carried away with design but forget the fundamental basics, you must think about how you use the stair and the space flow; don’t finish facing a wall or having to turn around to walk where you most often are heading. This is particularly important with curved and spiral stairs, which have different Building Regulations and need careful consideration regarding headroom, far and away the most common design fault with all stairs. You need to think three dimensionally, not just on plan and sort this even before you look at design and materials or finishes.

REGULATIONS & COMPLIANCE

Stair regulations are many and varied, sometimes conflicting and confusing. Talk to a specialist stair company, this may save you a lot of trouble further down the line. They will work closely with you to understand your specific needs, assess the available space, and create a well-thought-out stair plan that meets both regulatory requirements and your aesthetic preferences.

MATERIALS

For most staircases what material you select is driven by budget, particularly with more standard and conventional designs. For simple stairs, wood is the material of choice, as it is flexible for design, economical (as it grows on trees) and relatively simple to manufacture particularly with the availability of CNC machining. If it is to be decorated or covered with floor finishes, MDF is great as it’s very stable, economical and a good material to paint. You can combine MDF with natural timber, using the ‘real’ wood for the visible areas where you want to see the beauty of the grain and colour, with the hidden or decorated areas in cheaper MDF. For more complicated stairs such as spiral or curved, you will most likely require some metal components. 

BALUSTRADE

The simplest and also most economical is vertical balusters or spindles, either in wood or metal. Horizontal style balustrade is popular, but not always acceptable to Building Control, so it’s advisable to check first. Glass can look great, and is not as expensive as you might think, even when curved. Remember that if you don’t want a handrail, then the glass must be laminated.

HANDRAIL

The main options are either timber or metal, which can be either painted mild steel or polished stainless steel. Think about the feel and look, timber is warmer and softer, and metal will look sharp and fresh for longer. For high end projects, leather clad handrails are fantastic, but at a cost!

LIGHTING

Make sure the stairs are always well lit, both from above and below. Any sort of stair that is dark will not work well. Consider LED lighting, but in moderation, more can be less! There is a lot to consider, but by following the above points in order you should get the best results and value for money. Speak to specialist companies once you have decided on the basic principles, don’t confuse yourself by looking at too much online too early!          

Eric Nicholls is managing director of Spiral UK