The staircase – connects floors and shapes the character of a house. Almost no home can survive without it. But what should you consider when designing stairs and which variants are suitable for what? We provide an overview below:
FUNDAMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE DESIGN OF STAIRS
Open in the living room or closed in the hallway or hallway? This is a fundamental question found at the very beginning of home planning. The question also arises whether the staircase should be mainly functional to reach the different floors in a comfortable and safe way, or whether it should also serve as representation? A spacious staircase in the entrance area signals the guest of an elegant living situation as soon as he enters. Furthermore, a separate staircase in the corridor or stairwell provides greater privacy for residents. Especially teenagers appreciate the discretion of coming and going without being constantly observed. With a closed stairwell it is also possible to more easily separate the upper/lower floor and subsequently use it as a separate apartment.
The open staircase in the living room can serve as a room divider and can be designed as a beautiful piece of furniture. The open connection to the upper floor makes the room seem more spacious. However, the living space becomes a circulation area, which leads to traffic and increased acoustic proximity to the upper floor.
The width of the stairs in a residential building should be at least 80 cm. 90 or 100 cm is even better. This leaves enough space for oncoming traffic and the stairs appear more spacious. For safety reasons, the free sides must be equipped with a railing at least 90 cm high and the balusters must be a maximum of 12 cm apart. Good lighting, artificial or natural, guarantees safety even when climbing stairs.
If there is no cellar or basement, the space under the stairs can be used wonderfully as a storage room. Whether it’s a closed room with a door, a wardrobe or an open shelf, there are many possibilities for making use of the space under the stairs.
THE DIRECTION OF THE STAIRS MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
Of course, the available or necessary space is also an important criterion when choosing the right staircase. Basically a distinction is made between straight staircases and spiral staircases. A simple, straight staircase that connects two floors with a single run without changing direction and without interruptions requires at least 10 m² of space.
In a platform staircase, one or more intermediate levels (platforms) are integrated into the flight of stairs. Podium stairs can be designed with one flight (straight) or with change of direction (two or more flights). A two-flight staircase with a turntable requires approximately 9-10 m2 of space. Your advantage is that the step cut remains the same even when the direction changes. This makes walking easier and creates safety.
A spiral staircase, which can handle even 6 m² of space, is more space-saving. With a spiral staircase the staircase wraps like a vine around the so-called eye of the staircase. If it is not designed too narrowly, a spiral staircase is also easily navigable. However, you need to take into account that the steps taper towards the stairwell.
A special form of spiral staircase is the spiral staircase, which rises freely into the room and takes place around a central column (fuse). This staircase is very space saving, but also very narrow and not really suitable for oncoming traffic. The spiral staircase is often used in loft transformations as a connection between the attic and the habitable attic.
THE RIGHT CONSTRUCTION OF THE STAIRCASE
Depending on the construction that constitutes the load-bearing structure along the stairs, often together with the wall, the stairs also differ based on their design. If the construction of the staircase does not have a vertical connection between the steps, that is, it is possible to see between the steps, the staircase is called semi-bolted. On the other hand, fully braced stairs use risers where the full-width treads are connected vertically to each other.
The classic type of staircase is the stringer staircase, in which the steps are supported by lateral stringers which support the construction. In a bolted staircase the individual steps are connected to each other by bolts and supported by them. Similar is the two-rail staircase, in which the substructure consists of two parallel support rails. In this sense, bolt and two-rail ladders are cantilevered ladders. Due to their construction, bolt or double rail staircases appear very airy.
Self-supporting is also the so-called bent staircase, in which the steps are arranged next to each other as if they were open without any suspension or substructure. Cantilevered stairs have a puristic design, in which the steps are only anchored to the wall and protrude from the wall like arms. Cantilevered stairs require stable walls like in a solid house and require particular static requirements.
SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR STAIRS
The materials used in single-family homes are usually wood or wood-steel combinations. Even houses designed individually by building partners As standard they have an open two-rail staircase as a primed steel structure with solid wood steps. In the Stadler staircase configurator you have the possibility to configure these and other wood-steel combinations and see directly how different types of stairs, handrails and wood look when installed in the room.
Alternatively, almost all fully bell-shaped staircases can also be made of reinforced concrete with step coverings made of wood, tiles or natural stone. However, compared to wood or wood-steel construction, an additional cost must be expected.
Glass as a material for stair railings is unusual, but also more expensive than wood or steel. It gives the stairs greater lightness and creates an interesting contrast with the material of the steps. In any case, your nearest construction partner will be happy to advise you in planning and designing the ideal staircase for your dream home.
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