Stairs in a wooden house. Options for the design and decoration of wooden stairs in the interior of the house. Calculation of the main parameters of the stairs

An elegant wooden staircase decorating the interior is a characteristic attribute of a country estate. Increasingly, private houses are being built on two or three floors or with an attic in the attic. You can’t do without a durable, comfortable and safe design. Making it yourself is not at all difficult. All you need is wood handling skills, tools and careful calculations.

Every owner in his home would like to have a unique staircase. The choice of shapes and designs is varied:

• marching straight lines - consist of a linear span supported by a bowstring or stringer;


• marching U- or L-shaped - spatial structures with landings, located along the perimeter of the walls;
• screw - vertical supports with wedge-shaped steps evenly distributed in a circle;
• semi-spiral - curvilinear marches, supported by spirally curved stringers;
• winder - combined options, where rectangular steps are combined with wedge-shaped ones;


• T-shaped - two flights joining into one;
• S-shaped - complex combinations of spiral and straight flights with landings;
• Y-shaped - varieties of stairs in the shape of the letter T with half-spiral flights;
• pyramidal, conical, prisms - surrounded by steps similar to pedestals.

Structures can be rotated 90°-360°, fenced on one or both sides, or have no railings at all. To save space, the treads are arranged using the “goose step” or “samba” system. To add airiness, blind risers are replaced with transparent ones or dispensed with. Then the marches turn out to be open.




Important. The design of the staircase is chosen taking into account the dimensions of the room, the location of door and window openings, and the passage of the most convenient traffic.

Structural elements

Wooden stairs consist of a supporting frame, platforms, steps with risers, and railings.

Supporting elements for wooden marches:




Load-bearing elements are made of wood, metal, concrete, stone. Two or three varieties can be combined into a mixed system.

Adjacent flights are connected by landings. They are installed on long spans—more than 18 steps—or in structures of complex shapes.

The horizontal parts of stairs - steps - take the weight of a person when walking and experience significant abrasive loads. The minimum element thickness is 40 mm. Additional installation vertical riser strengthens the structure and reduces tread deflections.

The first stage - frieze - is often wider and longer than the others. Called “invitation”, it is designed for easy access from different sides.

Guardrails ensure the safety of a person’s movement along the stairs and include:

• balusters - vertical or inclined support posts;
• fillings - solid panels or crossbars;
• handrails - railings fixed to the wall or mounted on balusters.

Fences are made of wood, plastic, glass, metal or combinations thereof. The decorative design is varied - carving, forging, dyeing, weaving from cords, inserts from various materials.

Requirements for stairs and calculations

The wooden staircase to the second floor is an engineering structure that should ensure the safe movement of people. Standards regulating the rules for designing structures - SNiP 2.08.01-89, 2.08.02-89.


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Requirements that must be observed when making a wooden staircase with your own hands:

• span width of at least 90 cm for free movement of people;
• the length of the march is 3-17 steps, with a larger number an intermediate platform measuring 130 cm is arranged;
• height of steps 15-20 cm;
• width 25-30 cm, the entire leg should stand on the tread;
• the optimal angle of ascent is 26°-33°, the maximum is 45°, with greater steepness the staircase poses a danger to children and the elderly;
• the height of the fences is at least 90 cm, and in a house with children - 120 cm;
• the interval between balusters is 10-15 cm for reasons of stability of the fences and safety for small children;
• the railings are designed for a lateral load of 100 kg;
• from the first or last step to the nearest door at least 1 m.



In a flight of stairs, it is advisable to design an odd number of treads, since it is more convenient to start and end the movement with a step with the same foot.

Important. Anti-slip coating and backlighting at night will help prevent falls.

To calculate the structure you need to perform the following algorithm:

1. Draw up a drawing of the plan and section of the room with exact dimensions, taking into account the thickness of the ceiling.
2. Find the required number of steps. To do this, the total height is divided into 15-20 cm.
3. Determine the length of the stairs as the product of the number of steps and the tread width of 25-30 cm.
4. If the number of steps is more than 18, you need to provide a platform 130 cm long.
5. If the height is insufficient, you can arrange a 90° turn of the march or provide winder steps.
6. Calculate the length of the stringer or bowstring using the Pythagorean theorem as the root of the sum of the squares of the height and length of the stairs.

The ceiling opening is designed with the expectation that a person walking up the stairs will not touch his head on the upper structure. Minimum height from the step - 2 m.

You can use an online calculator to calculate the stairs. The program produces the result in the form of a drawing with detailed dimensions of all elements.

Choosing wood for stairs

A wooden staircase looks organically in the interior of both modern and classic styles. Designs made of lightweight and plastic material fit into space with any geometry.

The photo shows pine - the absence of defects in the wood is the key to a high-quality staircase

When selecting wood for making marches, it is advisable to adhere to the following principles:

• Load-bearing stringers or bowstrings are made from mechanically strong and inexpensive materials - spruce, pine. The wood must be dry, without knots or cracks.
• For critical parts of stairs - steps, platforms, handrails - harder rocks are used. These are oak, ash, beech, larch, maple. They are resistant to abrasion, do not crack or creak when dried.

Ash

The texture of valuable wood is very expressive and does not require additional decoration. The surface is covered with transparent oils, varnishes or wax, emphasizing the natural grain of the wood.

Important. Solid wood steps are strong and durable. One drawback is that the material is difficult to process at home. Therefore, it is more convenient to buy them ready-made or order them from a professional workshop.

Step-by-step instructions on how to make a wooden staircase - preparing parts

A do-it-yourself wooden staircase can be assembled from store-bought components or parts made by yourself.

Tools you will need:

• drill;
• screwdriver;
• hand router;
• clamp;
• jigsaw;
• hammer;
• square;
• ruler;
• thin pencil.

Kosour

For a stringer you will need a board or laminated timber 50-70 mm thick and 250-300 mm wide. A comb is marked along the longitudinal edge to support the steps with dimensions corresponding to the calculation. This is convenient to do using a square or template. The nests are cut out with a jigsaw and a reciprocating saw.

Drawing of a wooden staircase on stringers

If several identical stringers are needed, the rest are made according to the first part, which serves as a standard. The contours of the workpiece are transferred to the boards and the ridges are cut out according to the markings.

Marking the stringer

To avoid making a mistake, craftsmen recommend that beginners do not cut out landing niches in the timber, but rather glue triangle fillets to its longitudinal side. They are cut out according to a plywood template from a 50 mm thick board. The ends of the workpieces are polished. For each step you need two parts.

A groove is selected in the longitudinal edge of the stringer and in the triangles at the attachment point using a milling cutter. The blanks are glued along the markings with compounds based on PVA, polyurethane or resin, installing wooden inserts in the recesses. For strong adhesion, the parts are secured with clamps. You can use beech dowels.

Attaching the stringer to the floor

Bowstring

The bowstring is made from solid or laminated timber. Mark the location of steps and risers according to the template. Cut grooves 15-20 mm deep using a milling machine or hand tool. You need to retreat at least 30-50 mm from the outer edge of the board.

The grooves on the second string are made in a mirror image. The holes are placed perpendicular to the grain of the wood.

To simplify installation, elongated grooves are chosen in the bowstrings, then the steps can simply be pushed into them. Assembly is even easier if the horizontal elements are installed on metal corners. There is no need to cut nests.

Steps and risers

For self-made The steps will require well-dried hardwood boards 40 mm thick. The parts are cut out according to the template using circular saw. The ends are processed with an edge router.

If, during assembly, the riser is attached to the groove of the step, a recess is selected in its lower part. For very hard wood, screws with dowels, steel angles with spikes, and triangular slats are used. The parts can be mounted on metal support legs or steel profiles.

Fencing

For classic fences, support posts, pedestals, balusters and railings are made. If you have a lathe in your home workshop, you can make the elements for the railing yourself.

The minimum dimensions of the support posts are 100x100 mm. They take the load from the entire span of the fence. Balusters can be made flat, round or square section, decorate with three-dimensional ornaments. The height of the vertical elements is at least 90 cm. They are attached to steps or balusters.

Important. Handrails need to be polished smooth. Otherwise, splinters cannot be avoided. The cross-section should be round so that it is comfortable to hold with your hand.

On wide stairs, the railing is installed on both sides on balusters. Sometimes handrails are attached to the wall. In this case, vertical supports are not mounted.

Assembly and installation of wooden stairs

Installation of stairs on stringers is carried out in the following order:

The assembly of marches on strings is somewhat different:

1. Steps and risers are inserted into the grooves on the supporting beams, coated with glue.
2. The strings are connected with tension bolts and nuts. A flight of 18 steps will require 3-4 hardware.
3. The flight of stairs is installed in the same way as stringers.
4. The lower part of the balusters is sawed at an angle and installed directly on the bowstring or baluster. For a more reliable connection, strips are used that are attached to the spaces between the supports.
5. The railings are laid.

During installation, all joints and fasteners are coated with glue. Measurements are taken very carefully. After all, even a small mistake can lead to the failure of the entire part or structure. When working with cutting tools, observe safety precautions.

Two-story houses or cottages must be equipped with reliable stairs. Wood is most often chosen as the material for making these structures. Wooden stairs to the second floor can be purchased ready-made or made independently. By choosing the second option, you will reduce your material costs and do exactly what you really need

Types of structures

To build a staircase structure, you must be able to use the tool and know the rules for constructing sketches and drawings. This will allow:

• design all the constituent elements of the structure;
• take into account potential weaknesses and correct shortcomings at the project stage;
• calculate the size of the steps so that it is convenient to go up and down.

It is best to use wood to make stairs. This building material is environmentally friendly, practical, and easy to work with, which is especially important for novice craftsmen. Using a special tool, you can make a staircase of a shape that would ideally suit your interior:

• straight or rounded;

• simple or decorative;

• heavy or light.

The following popular types of wooden staircase designs are distinguished:

Choosing a staircase scheme

For a private house or country house, both a marching and a spiral staircase are suitable. However, we should not forget that spiral structures require very precise installation, as well as special elements (for example, rounded railings). To make them, you need to master professional installation technology.

This is especially true for more complex staircase structures, which at the initial stage can only be used as a model for inspiration and not imitation. Don't rely on ready-made diagrams, since they do not take into account all the features of your situation.

As for the flight stairs, it is much easier to make and install them yourself. They come in various configurations:

• U-shaped two-flight;

When placing a staircase to the 2nd floor with more than 10 steps, it is recommended to divide it with a turning platform, after which it can go up along the wall at an angle of 90 or 180 degrees.

The choice of one model or another depends on your taste and the layout of the house.

Preparation of materials

Before you make a wooden staircase to the second floor yourself, you need to decide on the choice of building material. The most popular wood species are pine and larch. In terms of performance characteristics, larch products are better, as they are less susceptible to rotting.

Larch is not afraid of moisture; moreover, when liquid is absorbed, the structure becomes stronger. This is quite a significant advantage, since there will always be a little humidity in the house. The following types of wood are also suitable for building stairs: oak, cedar, beech and other types of wood, but in terms of cost this is not the cheapest pleasure.

The service life of wood largely depends on how the lumber is dried. The maximum moisture content of wood should be no more than 12%.

Well-dried boards are more expensive, but this is more than compensated for by the durability of the stairs.

If the lumber is wet enough, you will have to dry the wood yourself. To do this, it is placed in a well-ventilated room with a constant temperature for at least 3 months.

Calculation of the main parameters of the stairs

Width

Standard staircase width – from 90 to 150 cm. But when calculating this indicator, the following points should be taken into account:

• how convenient it will be for two people to meet each other halfway at the same time;
• Does the width you choose allow you to carry large objects (furniture, appliances) up the stairs?

A comfortable range of staircase widths for a private home is 1100-1300 mm. Less – difficulties when carrying furniture; more – excess space taken up.

Length

To calculate this indicator, you will need to take the dimensions of the steps and count their number. Experience shows that when making a drawing yourself on paper, mistakes are made. As a result, the staircase in reality becomes longer than in the picture. You can get out of this situation in the following way: include several winder steps in the staircase structure.

Height

When determining the overall height, inexperienced craftsmen often make mistakes. They only take into account the distance from the subfloor to the ceiling of the room on the top floor. This is not entirely correct. When drawing up the drawing, you need to take into account the finishing level of the 1st floor and the thickness of the floor on the upper floor along with the finishing.

Parameters of the opening in the ceiling

It is important to leave enough space between the steps and the ceiling of the upper floor. As a rule, it is equal to the height of the tallest person and is approximately 190 - 200 cm.

Stair slope

To build a wooden staircase to the second floor with your own hands, it is recommended to maintain a slope of the staircase structure of 40-45 degrees. If you exceed this figure, then it will be difficult for elderly people and small children to climb it.

The optimal angle of inclination of the stairs is in the range of 30 – 37°

When choosing a flat design, consumption increases building materials and the usable area of ​​the room is reduced. Therefore, when calculating this indicator, you should proceed from the available space.

steps

Their components are a tread and a riser. When determining the size of the tread, you need to focus on foot size 45. Therefore, the optimal width of the steps is considered to be 30 cm.

The size of the riser, depending on the slope of the stairs, ranges from 15 to 20 cm.

When constructing drawings, it is important to consider the following:

1. All steps must be the same size.
2. If the structure has more than 18 steps, then it is advisable to include 2 flights in the project and provide a platform. It is called viewing, turning or intermediate. Its location may be the center of the flight or an area near the beginning of the stairs.

Online calculator for calculation

For your convenience, you can make all calculations using a convenient one. As a result, you will receive ready-made drawings and specifications of materials.

Installation of a marching wooden staircase

Installation of a wooden interfloor staircase begins with the manufacture of stringers (or bowstrings), treads and risers.

Layout of a staircase along the wall with dimensions indicated

The treads are cut from the board according to a previously prepared template. Their standard thickness varies from 30 to 40 cm. If you do more, it will be an unjustified consumption of materials and make the structure heavier. Risers perform a decorative function in a building. Therefore, you can save on them by using a 10-15 mm board.

Stringers are made from a solid board that is free of any defects. Both stringers must be identical so that the staircase does not turn out asymmetrical and skewed.

Marking the stringer

Assembling a bowstring with stiffeners

Frame assembly

Installation of stringers begins with making cuts on the floor beam located at the top of the flight of stairs. Sometimes the cuts are replaced with metal stops, which should be attached to the vertical ceiling with anchors. Regardless of which method you choose, the stringers must be firmly fixed to the ceiling.

On the lower floor, along the line of the very first step, a support beam is installed in the floor. Anchors are used as fasteners.

Attaching the stringer to the floor

Installation of components

Installing the steps will not be difficult. The cutouts of the stringers are coated with glue and risers are attached to them, which then need to be leveled and secured with screws.

Attaching risers to stringers

Treads are laid on top and fixed to the risers and stringers. It is recommended to place polymer gaskets in the form of tapes under them. This will prevent squeaking from occurring as a result of wooden parts rubbing against each other.

The function of the fence is performed by balusters, when installing them it is important to ensure correct evenness. For this purpose, install the upper and lower columns and connect them together with a stretched thread. It serves as a guide for installing other elements. Balusters can be attached with screws or self-tapping screws, which are masked with grout or plugs.

The handrail is installed and fixed on the balusters. It can be wooden, iron or other material.

Finishing

After installation, all surfaces must be sanded, including hard-to-reach places, ends, and joints. Then the structure is treated with protective agents or paint.

Features of manufacturing a spiral staircase

The manufacture and installation of wooden spiral staircases to the second floor is much more difficult than marching ones. But, on the other hand, they allow you to save useful space and are placed where there would not be enough space for a marching structure.

Screw designs save living space

Most best option- This is the installation of a spiral structure with a central support. In this case, steps in the shape of a triangle or trapezoid are attached directly to it. To make the structure more reliable, a support column with a specially attached heel is placed vertically and concreted at the base.

Holes are made in the steps from the narrower edge, with the help of which they are strung onto the support pipe. Cylinder-shaped inserts are installed between the steps, which determine the height of the structural elements. The last step on the upper tier is installed flush with the opening in the ceiling on the second floor and acts as an additional supporting element.

To make it convenient to go down and up, the vertical interval between the rows of steps should be at least two meters. And the clear width of the staircase is at least 90 cm.

Often they resort to more compact models of spiral staircases. This is permissible only when you do not plan to use it often. This applies, for example, to country stairs or to climbing into the attic.

The most convenient tread depth is considered to be from 15 cm at the central post and from 35 cm from the outer edge. The height of the riser is on average about 20 cm. However, sometimes you can abandon them altogether. This will make the structure more convenient, reduce its weight, and also reduce the cost of building materials.

Spiral staircase

The spiral staircase has a special charm and is best combined with styles such as Empire, Art Nouveau or Rococo. The railings are made to the taste of the owner; previously, openwork ones were used, but although they look like something out of a fairy tale, they are not particularly popular in our time. The spiral version of the staircase is considered dangerous for children and pensioners, since the edge of the staircase is very narrow and there is a risk of injury. In the center of the staircase there is a support, which is a pipe made of wood or metal, and the advantage is that the installed staircase takes up a minimum of space.

As for the steps for such a staircase, it all depends on how safe they are to make them. Ideally, the central part of the step should be about 25 cm wide, while at the widest point it should not be more than 40 centimeters. If the opening is minimal, then the steps are as steep as possible, and this is not entirely convenient for older people and small children. Recently, the spiral model has not gained popularity; it is used only as an auxiliary one, for going down to the basement or accessing the roof. Sometimes this type of staircase is used to create a non-standard rise to the attic.

DIY calculations

Often, classic marching risers are used in houses. They can have any type of features, but this is where designers provide the most choice. In addition, it should be noted that such stairs are the safest and can fit perfectly into any interior. This type of staircase is used in spacious homes; for calculations it is necessary to know the height of the ceilings and the length of the floor section used. The optimal angle would be a slope of 45 degrees.

The staircase design should contain no more than 15 steps, ideally 10-11. If there are more steps, then platforms are made between them, the size of which is the same as the march. The flight type staircase is open and closed type, it can also have risers, or be without them.

A flight of stairs can be straight, curved or rotary. The latter option takes up a small area compared to a straight staircase. It is best to install a rotating flight of stairs near a wall, and place a storage room under it.

Bolza and railings

Bolts are special fastenings that are installed along the wall. The steps of this model are bolted to the wall. This option is the most fashionable and popular, often used in modern style homes. The advantage lies in their visual lightness and airiness; they do not block access to natural light to all corners of the room. Styles where it is used: loft, minimalism, constructivism. When the steps are narrow, then for safety you need to use fences, but if the steps are safe and very wide, then you can do without a fence at all. This option will be very interesting and airy.

Railing is a static fencing of a flight of stairs that protects a person climbing from falls when descending or ascending. Also, the railings can be actively used by older people in order to lean on them during descent or ascent.

The railing consists of the following elements:

• Balusters are an element for attaching handrails. If they are load-bearing, they are used not only for aesthetics, but also for practicality.
• Handrails - attached to balusters or a wall, can be installed on one or both sides. Elderly people use them as a support for going down and going up.
• Fence Filler – As the name suggests, they fill empty space. The main purpose is decorative, but it is mandatory if there are children in the family. The height of the railing must be at least 90 centimeters.

Wooden staircase

Wooden construction is best used in houses made in the Russian hut, country or Provence style. Not only expensive oak species can be used for stairs, but also the simplest wood. Optimal materials: ash, maple, walnut and beech. Pine is distinguished by its affordability, but it is better not to use it, since it is a soft type of wood that is very sensitive to external influences.

The decoration of the staircase should harmoniously fit into the interior and design style. It is better to replace expensive wood with pear, cherry or larch; this is a more economical option, in addition, they are more moisture resistant.

Metal staircase

The main advantage of the staircase is its long term service - 30-50 years. Stainless steel is often used because it does not corrode. Chromed steel looks more interesting, but its service life is only 5 years. It is better not to use aluminum or brass at all, since these materials are soft and change their color over time.

A metal staircase is ideal for a high-tech home. It is advisable to use a bolt with this staircase, this will allow you not to visually load the space.

Concrete

This material is very reliable and durable; it is best to make straight flight stairs from concrete. As a decoration, the staircase can be combined with wood. It is best to give preference to quartzite or granite. These stairs will not create lightness, but they will look solid. Also among the advantages, in addition to durability, it is necessary to note ease of maintenance and use, low cost.

Glass

The choice of glass stairs must be approached carefully and thoroughly. The material used is thick laminated or tempered glass. However, even such materials can be subject to mechanical damage and other external factors. If there is an impact, chips may appear here, and the aesthetic charm will be lost. Glass stairs are not suitable for homes with children. Acrylic glass more durable, but it darkens quickly. In general, any glass structure is not durable.

Staircase to the second floor in a wooden house: design options in the photo

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You cannot do without a staircase in a house with more than one floor. At the same time, it must be durable, functional, and, of course, attractive. A wooden staircase is appropriate in any interior style, although, of course, it should resonate with the overall interior idea. Wood, as a material, brings an atmosphere of comfort and sophistication to the environment, and also has characteristics that are most suitable for residential premises. An alternative solution for a residential building, administrative or industrial premises is concrete staircases, which, after installation, are lined various materials, including wooden steps and balusters.

Wooden stairs are environmentally friendly and allow you to realize an endless number of variations. To maintain structure and give required properties the wood is subjected to special treatment.

Staircase design is now done using special computer programs, allowing you to see the future product “in all its glory” in volumetric form even before construction.

What type of wood should I choose?

The type of wood from which the staircase will be made, of course, affects the characteristics of the structure and its price. The most budget option includes stairs made of coniferous wood. Their service life is the shortest, and they also require de-resining.

Pine is most often used for country stairs or bathhouses, but, depending on the model, a pine staircase can look very decent, so that it will not be visually inferior to those made from more valuable species.

Oak adds luxury and elitism to the interior. Such stairs have the longest service life, resistance to destruction under the influence of various factors, hardness, and therefore are considered the most valuable, including in terms of price.

Processing oak is more difficult due to its structure, but today scientific and technological progress has solved this problem. Larch, which is cheaper, has some properties of oak.

Beech stairs also have good characteristics, but require constant temperature and humidity parameters. Birch is a more affordable and abundant material, and it is also not so capricious to indoor conditions. Ash is less common, superior to oak in some respects, and its cost is much lower.

What should the staircase be like?

The design of the staircase must take into account building codes, which will eliminate dangerous situations. In a two-story house, the staircase is usually single-flight. A transforming staircase is acceptable only for the attic or basement floor.

The steps should not be narrow, and their number in one flight is usually odd, their inclination angle should be more than twenty degrees, and the height difference should not exceed a centimeter. The entire staircase must be sufficiently illuminated.

Types of staircase structures

Marching stairs are the simplest in design, suitable for any interior. They are recommended for such cases when there are children or elderly people in the family.

However, they require space, so they are not suitable for small rooms. But under such a structure it is possible to arrange an auxiliary room, for example, a pantry or dressing room.

Spiral staircases take up less space because they have a spiral design, which can be round, square, or rectangular. In addition to saving space, curvature brings style to the design.

The goose step ladder also takes up little space and is most often used as an auxiliary ladder (for the attic and basement). Recommended in low rooms, and has different widths of steps, as well as their location relative to each other.

Photos of stairs will help you decide, but the visual component is just one of the factors that need to be taken into account when choosing the type of stairs.

Stair styles

A wooden staircase should fit organically and correspond to the overall style. A staircase in a “classical” style can be said to be universal in this sense. This look is characterized by rigor, symmetry, and solidity.

In different variations it can look completely different, for example, be minimalist or neoclassical, with decor or be simple.

Victorian style is appropriate in luxury conditions, and has appropriate decor. Most often they are made of oak.

The “country” staircase is simple, without frills, and is more suitable for country house, dachas. Brings an element of comfort into the overall atmosphere.

A staircase in the Art Nouveau style is an option that is perfect for many interior solutions, such as hi-tech, minimalism, loft. It includes a combination of wood, glass, metal and can have a lot of options that are radically different from each other, which allows you to fit into almost any style solution.

What to consider when purchasing a ready-made option? In this case, we are not talking about exclusivity, but such stairs will be cheaper. In most cases, the staircase is installed in the corridor, hallway, or living room.

Photo of wooden stairs

In any building with a height greater than a floor, a staircase is installed. This design requires a detailed calculation of all its components, the ability to work with plumbing and carpentry tools, and some design skills. After studying this instruction, you will learn how to design and make a wooden staircase with your own hands.

A wooden staircase for a private house most often consists of one or several flights (flights), which are located between floors or intermediate platforms.

The design of a flight of stairs is a combination of various components with different functional purposes:

• Kosour. It is a load-bearing beam made of wood with a sawn comb. Risers with steps are fixed to it, so the part must be durable.
• Bowstring. In some cases, it becomes an alternative to a stringer, performing load-bearing functions (especially if one side of the structure is adjacent to the wall). Before installation, the string must be marked in detail so that the steps are located at a horizontal level.

• Step. The main element of any staircase, which is attached to one of the supporting beams. In addition to the usual ones, there are winder and radius steps. The winder elements have a non-standard shape and are mounted at the starting point of the march. Radius steps have a curved leading edge and can be semi-circular, wavy or with rounded corners.
• Riser. The part is optional, but it provides the staircase with high strength by supporting the step in the center. A spacer bushing is used to secure the riser. Under semicircular steps a radius type is installed, and a curved version is mounted under the corresponding steps or under the landing between flights of stairs.
• Pillars for support. They are placed at the starting and ending points of the stairs, as well as along the edges of the inter-flight platforms. The elements increase the strength of the fence and serve as support for the handrails.
• Balusters. These are supporting posts for handrails, from which side railings are formed, and can have different configurations.
• Handrails. They are a required part. They rest on balusters and support posts. The main requirement for the element is a smooth surface.
• Distance sleeve. Such a stand is required for any structure with several flights (even when using stringers).

When choosing a staircase structure, the main factor is the size of the area required for its construction. In second place is the convenience and comfort of ascent and descent. Here you need to take into account the frequency of use, the presence of children and elderly people in the house.

Aesthetics is also an important criterion. The staircase should be combined with the interior of the room. In addition, it is necessary to take into account material possibilities: the production of wooden stairs with a complex configuration requires more time and financial costs than options that are simpler in form and execution.

Marching

Are the most popular. They got their name thanks to marches (flights) - a group of united steps. The staircase may have one or more flights.

There are straight structures (single-flight and double-flight, with a rest area). They can be free-standing or placed near the wall. But straight models require a lot of space, so in order to save useful space, two-flight options are provided with a rotation at an angle from 90 to 180 degrees.

The flight has a curved shape with an optimal angle of elevation, then rotary steps are used, which are also available in structures with two and three flights without platforms.

The most popular types of wooden stairs for a country residential building are:

1. Ordinary one-march ones. Have simple design with a span in the center of the room or near the wall - the most durable with reliable support.
   
2. Curvilinear single-flight. Installed in large rooms to emphasize spaciousness. They are distinguished by a smooth turn and steps widened on the outside.
   
3. Marching with lower turning steps. Sometimes this option is provided for by the layout of the room and can support the chosen architectural style.
   
4. A simple 2-flight system. A staircase with two flights and an interfloor turning platform can be mounted above the door and save space.
   
5. 2-flight L-shaped design. It is located in a rectangular opening along perpendicular walls and saves space.
   
6. 2-flight U-shaped staircase with an upper platform and turning steps. The design is installed in luxury mansions with a large hall.
   
7. 3-flight system with two platforms. This type of staircase saves space, but requires a significant ceiling height.
   

To select a specific configuration, you must correctly calculate and measure the free area for installation and draw up a drawing. A detailed guide on how to do this will be below.

Screw

Screw-type structures are used less frequently, as a rule, with limited space or for aesthetic reasons by the owner of a private house. They are not as convenient as marching ones, and it is difficult to transport furniture on them. To install the ladder, you will need to perform complex calculations, since with a small error it may lose its functionality.

Spiral staircases sometimes serve simply a decorative function, especially with a fence made of artistic forging. The installation of such options is possible in almost any room, because they take up less space than rotating designs. The following types are distinguished:

• with cantilever pinching of steps on the internal pillar;
• with steps supported on the internal pillar and perimeter walls;
• with cantilever support of steps on the casing pipe;
• with support on the fence and bent bowstrings.

Spiral staircases save space

Types of structures

Before making a wooden staircase, you should choose the best design option for your room.

The following popular types of structures exist:

The simplest is a straight staircase, which ensures linear movement along the flight.

Making a wooden staircase with your own hands with a visual step by step instructions Let's look at it in more detail. The process includes two main stages: design and installation.

Calculations of staircase dimensions

Before you start designing, you need to make accurate calculations, draw a diagram and put all the data on it. If you are not sure of the correctness of the calculations, then it is better to entrust the work to professionals who will make a competent drawing, which will allow you to carry out the installation step by step without errors.

Total height of the stairs

The height can be determined by measuring the distance from the floor of the first to the second floor, taking into account the thickness of the ceiling. For example, if on the 1st floor the ceiling height is 2700 mm, and the thickness interfloor ceilings– 300 mm. As a result, the total height will be equal to 3000 mm.

If there is no finished floor, then its dimensions need to be approximate.

Number of steps

If the height of the staircase and riser are known, the number of steps in the structure can be determined. To do this, you need to divide one indicator by the second. For example, with a total staircase height of 3000 mm and a riser height of 175 mm, the calculation will be as follows: 3000: 175 = 171 mm.

After this, you need to round the value, the result will be 170 mm. The table shows an example of a calculation:

Dependence of the height of the steps on their number at a given floor height

Riser height

According to experts, the optimal riser height should be 150–180 mm, which is actually the size of a human step. Given height can be 150–200 mm. Usually the average value according to the standard is 160-170 mm.

The optimal slope range of the stairs is highlighted green

Step width

To avoid injuries as a result of incorrectly selected width of steps, you need to calculate it correctly. Based on many years of practice, the width of the part should be in the range of 220 – 400 mm.

To determine more exact value you can use a certain formula. You need to take the average width of a human step (600 - 640 mm) and subtract from it the height of the riser, multiplied by 2, i.e. 640 – 2x175 = 290 mm. This indicator will be optimal for moving.

March width

According to safety rules, for convenient movement of people, the span should be at least 80 cm wide, but it is better to take at least 90 cm. For convenient transportation of furniture, this figure for a private residential building should be 100 - 120 cm.

Plan length of the staircase

To calculate this parameter, you need to multiply the number of steps and the width of the tread. In our example, it will be 29x17 = 493 cm. That is, the staircase is quite long and when constructing one flight, a room of at least 6 meters will be required. In a small log house or country house, you will need to make 2 flights with a 90 or 180 degree turn.

A platform is installed between the flights or turning steps are installed. If you can’t do the calculation yourself, you can use special program, presented just below, where the localization of stair parts will be clearly reflected.

Ceiling opening size

When building a staircase from solid wood, you need to remember to calculate the ceiling opening so that you don’t have to bend over when going up. This indicator will depend on the slope, which affects the ease of movement and is selected individually.

A slope of 23-36 degrees is considered optimal, but often it is not possible to maintain the required angle due to the small area of ​​the room (the steeper the slope, the less area it will occupy).

The size of the opening in the ceiling area will depend on the angle of the flight of stairs. So, for a folding structure, a small opening will be required, and for a larger slope, a more significant one will be required (up to 2 m).

The size of the opening in the ceiling is determined based on the minimum permissible value for human passage

Stringer length

To determine the length of the stringer, the Pythagorean formula is used: (length of the staircase in plan)²+ (height of the staircase)²= (length of the stringer)².

That is, with a length of 493 cm and a height of 300 cm, we get the following: L = √ (4932 + 3002) = 577 cm (the indicator is taken with a margin of 580 cm).

Online calculator for calculation

For your convenience, you can use the convenient and visual one.

Material selection

After all the calculations have been completed, you need to purchase materials. This will require boards of different lengths and densities: for steps the thickness is 3-4 cm; for risers – 2-2.5 cm; for a bowstring or stringer, the thickness is 5 cm and the height is 150-250 mm. It is better to buy ready-made handrails and balusters, since their production will require a lathe and timber measuring 10x10, 15x15 cm. To fix the components, you will need screws and nails, as well as metal corners for reinforcement.

Manufacturing of parts and installation of stairs

The installation technology includes the manufacture and installation of all elements of the staircase structure in accordance with the drawing.

Assembling bowstrings or stringers

On the prepared boards you need to mark the length and saw off the excess. On the block, using a square, mark the height of the riser and the width of the tread with a decrease of 2-4 cm.

Marking a solid stringer

Assembling a bowstring with stiffeners

The notches for the steps are cut out with a jigsaw or saw. Next, place the workpiece at the installation site so that the lower edge rests against the floor, and the upper edge against the ceiling. The cuts under the steps should be horizontal, without “blockages”. After this, it is recommended to sand the surface of the block and perform milling, rounding the outer edges.

For optimal rigidity, sometimes 2, 3 or 4 stringers may be required, the number of which is selected depending on the width of the stairs. Sometimes it’s easier to order a ready-made supporting frame, which will include all the elements with cutouts, designated by numbers for joining in accordance with the diagram.

Installation of steps and risers

The risers are mounted in the prepared cuts of the stringer, leveled and sanded. Fastening is done using self-tapping screws, which can then be puttied or closed. finishing material.

Options for attaching steps to the string

After fixing the risers, pre-milled steps are installed, the length of which should exceed the distance between the pair of outer stringers by 1-2 cm. The width of the elements should be 2-3 cm larger than the comb protrusion. The steps are fastened to the risers and stringers using self-tapping screws, the heads of which must be recessed into the wood.

Attaching the stringer to the upper ceiling. Methods of connecting staircase elements.
Attaching the stringer to the floor

Installation of fences

You can give the structure a complete look with the help of auxiliary parts. For this purpose, carved, straight, figured wooden and metal fencing.

Installation of posts with balusters is considered challenging task, where precise marking with adjustment is required. In the step, the hole for the dowel is marked at a distance from the edge equal to ½ the width of the base of the baluster. Then holes are made on the steps and dowels are glued into them (they should protrude 1-1.5 cm from the surface).

After this, you need to make holes in the base of the posts and balusters according to the diameter of the dowel and coat them with glue. All elements are mounted on dowels with vertical level adjustment. Next, prepare the handrails by cutting the edges at the desired angle and milling them from the bottom. To connect to the supports, holes are drilled at the edge of the element. The handrail is installed on a dowel glued into the support post.

After the glue has dried, the stairs must be coated with an antiseptic primer, then the surface is treated with transparent or paint. You can install a decorative plinth. In a spiral staircase, you can design it with an axial support in the form of a log or beam, or install a bent string to support the steps. The price of such a design will be high, since viscous flexible wood is used in production, but the final effect is worth it.