No one doubts that the stairs in the house must rest on something, because the lower floor is not a circus arena and our home is not aerialists! However, there are designs of hanging capital staircases that do not rest on the floors of the underlying floor; their steps seem to float in the air, creating the effect of lightness and openwork. Such stairs do not have special supporting elements: inclined load-bearing beams (strings, bowstrings) or vertical posts (see article “ General information about stairs").
Stairs without supports can be arranged according to two design schemes:
1. Unsupported stairs on vertical suspensions, in which the steps are attached to the supporting structures of the floor of the overlying floor using load-bearing suspensions;
2. Unsupported stairs with steps with consoles, in which the steps are attached to the enclosing wall flight of stairs like a console.
Combinations of the two indicated design schemes of unsupported stairs are also possible, when on one side the steps are embedded in the wall, and on the other they are suspended from the upper ceilings.
More photos of unsupported stairs can be viewed in a special photo album.
1. The main components of the staircase.
2. Types of stairs.
2.1. Marching staircase.
2.2. The design of the staircase on rails.
2.3. Spiral interfloor staircase.
3. Requirements for the design of stairs.
4. Video: installation of a spiral staircase.
Recently construction country house very often it is not limited to one floor. In order to expand the space, a second one is built or the attic room is insulated and brought into a condition suitable for comfortable living. This means that you can’t do without a staircase in the interior of the first floor. A do-it-yourself staircase to the second floor can easily be assembled from a ready-made kit, which can be purchased from companies specialized in the development and manufacture of this interior functional element. In the catalogs offered, you can choose a staircase that will ideally fit into the decor of both floors, and will be comfortable and safe for all family members to ascend and descend. You can try to build a staircase yourself, but in this case it is necessary to make an accurate calculation, since if the design is not well thought out, a familiar element of the house may well become an injury-hazardous “simulator”. In addition, you need to decide what role the staircase will play in the interior. It can be completely invisible and not be a decorative decoration of the room, but it can become the center of the composition around which the entire design of the room will be built. Therefore, in order to choose a suitable copy, it is better to at least sketch out the staircase that you would like to see in your home, or you can find a ready-made option and adapt it for a specific room. Before choosing a staircase model, you need to know how it is designed and how to calculate its correct parameters.
1. The main components of the staircase
The design of a staircase has many components, some of them are mandatory, while others may not be included in the design of some types of this structure. So, a staircase cannot do without steps and the supports that support them - these are the main elements of the simplest designs of interfloor stairs.
The step itself consists of two parts - vertical and horizontal. The first of them is called the riser, and the second is the tread. The riser is a support for the step, but sometimes they do without it.
Supports can be of two types: - a bowstring is a beam that supports the steps at their ends; - stringer - a beam supporting the steps from below.
Railings are also an important element of the staircase, although they are not present on all types. But if there are children or elderly people in the house, then there is no way to do without them.
Balusters are vertically installed supports for railings, which most often become not only a functional part of the staircase, but also its decorative decoration. This element can be made of different materials and have different shapes. Since there are different types of stairs, each of them may have parts that are necessary specifically for a particular design.
Stand - this element is used to construct a spiral staircase. Steps of a special shape are attached to the rack with a certain pitch, which form a spiral rising from the first to the second floor.
Bolts are special bolts, which are also elements supporting the steps; they are attached to the wall and directly to the steps themselves. They are not used for everyone, but only for certain types of stairs.
2. Types of stairs
2.1. Marching staircase
This type of staircase is popular for any type of private home. It consists of one or more straight flights, equipped with evenly spaced steps. It is convenient to go down and up, but the disadvantage of this model is that it does not require a lot of space in the room. If the staircase consists of several flights, then each of them must have at least 3 ÷ 4 and no more than 15 steps. Failure to comply with this standard may make climbing stairs uncomfortable. Typically, the number of steps in each flight is 8 ÷ 11 pieces, and special platforms are installed between the flights. Their sizes are multiples of the average step length.
Marching stairs can be closed or open. The first of them have risers in the design of the steps, and the second are built without them. The open version is convenient in cases where the steps are not wide enough.
Marching stairs can have steps attached to stringers or bowstrings. For these parts, boards with a thickness of at least 45 ÷ 50, and better yet, even 60 ÷ 70 mm are selected.
If a straight staircase without turns has more than 8-9 steps, then for strength it is also recommended to divide it with a platform.
In the case when the staircase is built with a slight turn, it is called a turning one, and sometimes in this area, instead of a landing, steps are installed, which are called winders.
In addition to the above types, flight stairs can be:
- quarter-turn - the angle of which when turning is 90 degrees, and they are installed mainly at the junction of two walls; - half-turn - their rotation has an angle of 180 degrees;
- circular models - marches successively form a 360-degree turn.
2.2. Design of staircases on rails
The name of these bolt ladders comes from the German word “bolzen”, which means bolt. So it's a bolted ladder. In fact, this is fastener in the form of a pin with threads at its ends. With their help, steps and fences are fastened together and mounted in the wall. Thanks to these devices, the design looks light and airy. The absence of risers also contributes to this. In addition, such a model can be stretched over a certain section of the wall, or it can look quite compact. Despite the apparent lightness, the design is reliable and durable, it can withstand hundreds of kilograms, which is why ladders on bolts are becoming increasingly popular. Naturally, such a structure cannot be located in the middle of the room, since it must be attached to the wall; the main condition for installation is the strength of the material from which it is built. It is quite difficult to calculate a staircase with rails on your own, but you can purchase it as a kit or order it from professionals to make it, depending on the specific conditions of the house.
2.3. Spiral interfloor staircase
This design is more complex to install, but has the advantage that it occupies the smallest area of all existing options, so it is ideal for rooms with a small area. In addition, such a staircase can be installed in any convenient place in the room and, if desired, made it the center of the interior composition, since the design has a fairly aesthetic appearance. Spiral staircase options can be different types, but for a two-story house, a model consisting of a rack and wedge-shaped steps is best suited. For rack choose metal pipe or wooden support.
The rack itself is fixed to the floor of the first floor and in the interfloor or attic ceiling.
The steps are attached to it with the narrow side and rotated so that the overall structure resembles a spiral.
Balusters are installed on the wide side of the steps, the upper part of which is fixed in the handrail, repeating the spiral direction of the entire structure.
3. Requirements for the design of stairs
Before you begin, you need to know the requirements for the staircase design. Safety is perhaps the most important condition. In order for it to be fully implemented, it is very important to accurately calculate all the parameters:
— the angle of inclination, the width and height of the steps, the method of fastening the first and last of them are calculated;
- if the staircase is not located between two walls, a fence must be installed, and its height must be at least 800 ÷ 850 mm;
- if there are small children in the house, the balusters supporting the handrail of the fence should not be located further from each other than 100 ÷ 120 mm;
— the width of the steps should be 200 ÷ 300 mm;
- the ladder must withstand quite heavy loads - for residential buildings they are 300 ÷ 350 kg/m²;
- the steps must not be slippery - the texture of their outer covering must be carefully thought out;
— the entire structure must be securely and rigidly fixed between floors;
— it is undesirable to install the structure at an elevation angle of more than 45 degrees;
— the width of the spans cannot be made less than 850 mm, but the optimal option is 1000 ÷ 1200 mm; - the staircase will be less dangerous if it is divided into two or three parts by platforms;
— fastenings for structural elements must be made of high-quality material, so you cannot skimp on them;
- if wooden parts are processed independently, then you need to bring them to perfect evenness and compliance with the dimensions established by the drawing or patterns.
The staircase to the second floor in a private house or cottage not only serves as a connecting structure, but also becomes an integral element of the interior, requiring a certain compliance with the overall style of the room. There are a sufficient number of solutions to this issue depending on the design, arrangement methods and materials of manufacture. One of the simplest options is to install a wooden staircase without risers.
What is the solution
This marching structure belongs to the open category (that is, the step has only a horizontal plane) and can have different configurations:
- rotary,
- straight,
- swinging
Regardless of the structure, such a wooden staircase without risers is considered the most classic version and comfortable for walking. It consists of flights (flights), in which there can be a minimum of three, and a maximum of 15 steps (despite the fact that the presence of 10-11 pieces is considered standard). Indicators such as configuration, rotation angle, number of intermediate platforms are selected individually, taking into account the size of the room and for reasons of space saving. The rotation can be performed either at a right angle or in an arc.
Advantages
This design is good choice for a private home also for the following reasons:
- Wooden stairs without risers look light, openwork and airy.
- Being one of the most simple types, if desired and with minimal carpentry skills, they can be easily made independently.
- If purchased in a store, they will not cost too much. At the same time, the open structure of the structure is in no way inferior in load-carrying capacity to its closed counterparts.
- As you can see in the photo, classic shapes will easily fit into any modern interior and will be appropriate in the hallway and living room.
Flaws
The defect is wooden stairs there is only one without risers, but considered by many to be very significant - it occupies quite a large space. According to generally accepted opinion, it is extremely difficult to use rationally. However, a competent interior designer or a savvy owner will easily solve this problem (and in several ways).
What do designers offer as a solution?
The area that forms under the march turns out to be sloping and, at first glance, unsuitable for use. Among the most common filling options are:
- Creation of a recreation area. At the same time, a sofa, ottomans or sofa located in such a unique niche will definitely be loved by someone in the family and will never become empty.
- Proper lighting will contribute to a completely comfortable positioning of the table, which will ultimately become the basis for an impromptu work area.
- Organization of storage areas. You can place an open bookcase in the space created by a wooden staircase without risers, or store a lot of things or clothes on shelves with closed doors.
As shown in the photo, there are enough solutions to choose the most suitable one for each specific case. So a minus in this situation easily turns into a plus.
Thus, when choosing a wooden staircase for your own home, you can safely choose the above option over all others, without fear of difficulties in filling the resulting space. An open march design has more positive characteristics, and you won’t have to regret the decision made in its favor.
In turning staircases, so-called winder steps are sometimes used to combine flights with each other. Winder steps- these are special steps that are closer to the axis of rotation and have a smaller tread width than further from it. That is, the width of the tread of the winder step is variable (the tread is the part of the step that we directly step on when walking up the stairs).
As you know, seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times, so let’s take a look at the winder steps. The visualization of the staircase shows that the staircase does not have a horizontal intermediate platform, and in its place, between the flights, there are winder steps that run “diagonally.”
Staircase with winder steps - visualization
Currently, stairs with winder steps do not belong to innovations in the construction industry. The origin of the unusual staircase design is primarily due to the desire save space(room area and construction volume). This fact is one of the main advantages of stairs with winder steps.
Staircase with winder steps - advantages and disadvantages
Let us carefully consider other pros and cons of this staircase design. The second significant advantage in stairs with winder steps is their aesthetic appeal. Indeed, such stairs look very impressive in the interior of a residential building. They are extraordinary and interesting.
Of course, the design with winder steps also has disadvantages. For example, a staircase with winder steps is less convenient, rather than a staircase with turning platforms. The fact is that while ascending (descending) stairs with winder steps, you will not be able to take a break, as you can do on a turning landing. Moreover, due to the original design of the winder steps, moving along them is not as comfortable as on straight steps. It is also not very convenient for two users to separate on a section with winder steps (it is better to do this on straight sections of the stairs).
The next drawback of such a staircase is their high risk of injury. Most often, this flaw appears in cases where the staircase is made incorrectly: if the width of the winder steps along the marching line differs from the width of the straight steps. If the width of the winder and straight steps of the staircase along the marching line is the same, then the risk of injury will be less. The increased risk of injury is also due to the fact that on the second floors of residential private houses, as a rule, recreation rooms, that is, bedrooms, are located. Only an awakened person going down the stairs has more distracted attention and may stumble at the turn, at the location of the winder steps.
Even a child knows what ladders are for. They enable a person and his pets to go up and down from one floor to another. There are quite a lot of staircase designs available, and figuring out which staircase is best in the house is not at all easy. Their choice is influenced by several factors that must be taken into account. An important point is that it is necessary to decide on the type and material for the stairs at the design stage in order to avoid possible mistakes.
What should stairs be like?
There are several basic requirements that must be met when designing and installing a staircase structure in a residential building:
- maximum reliability;
- safety of approach and movement;
- convenient location of the railings;
- correct ratio of the width and height of the steps;
- safe slope;
- sufficient lighting.
It must be remembered that a staircase is a traumatic structure, so the best option for a home would be a flight of stairs with railings, the priority function of which would be safety rather than aesthetics. And ideally, a combination of both.
Which staircase to choose
Today the market provides almost unlimited possibilities for choosing staircase designs. The main thing is not to get confused and take into account all the important points. The emphasis should be on the shape of the staircase, which depends on:
- location;
- driving directions;
- capital of the building;
- placement area in plan;
- the size of the staircase opening in the ceiling.
When thinking about the question of which staircase is better in a house, you should pay attention to the fact that the following types of stairs are the most popular among owners of multi-level apartments and private households:
- straight single-march. They allow you to move up and down without changing direction or stopping. They require quite a lot of space to install. But they will be convenient only if the number of steps in the flight does not exceed 18 pieces, and their height is 17 cm;
- double march. If the staircase has more than 18 steps, then it is divided into two flights, between which a platform is installed. The design itself can be straight, L-shaped with a 90-degree rotation, or U-shaped with a 180-degree rotation. Just like a single-flight staircase, a double-flight staircase takes up quite a lot of space and is not suitable for small spaces;
- rotary, or winder. Such structures save a certain amount of space due to the fact that they are installed, as a rule, along the walls, and under them there are places for rest, work or storage rooms. A distinctive feature of winder stairs is the absence of intermediate platforms when there are turns of 90 or 180 degrees;
- screw. They are the most compact. Such stairs will be the best option for small spaces. But do not forget that they are not safe for the elderly and children. They are also inconvenient to carry furniture on;
- modular on stringers or on rails. Despite the graceful appearance, such stairs are quite durable and do not interfere with the penetration of light. But, despite their impressiveness and unusualness, they, like screw ones, are unsafe for the elderly and children.
What features need to be taken into account
Each type of staircase structure has its own specific nuances and features. The inconvenience of spiral staircases dictates their installation as additional structures for climbing to another level, attic, or going down to the basement.
It is recommended to fasten staircases on one side to load-bearing walls using special brackets, which provides additional strength. Marching stairs will be much more convenient if the platforms between them are placed every 10 degrees.
If there is too little space for a ladder or the opening in the ceiling cannot be made of sufficient size, then you can increase the angle of inclination of the ladder relative to the horizontal surface. In this case, the installation of steps called “duck step” is provided.
A staircase without risers will look lighter, but if there are children in the house or they are planned to appear in the future, then it would be better to make the steps blank.
In fact, there are quite a lot of options to make a convenient and safe staircase structure. It all depends on the specific room and the people living in the house. And if the owner is confused and doubts the chosen design, then it is better to consult with knowledgeable specialists.