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Coming up with a design for your new timber staircase can seem like a daunting task given its size and impact on your home. The style, configuration and materials are just some of the elements that need to be carefully planned out to ensure your stairs look the part and meet current building regulations.
To help you along the way on your staircase journey, Multi-Turn have created a handy guide with the information you need to know.
Familiarise yourself with staircase building regulations
Any structural additions to a property need to adhere to building and safety regulations – including the stairs. Not doing so can result in expensive reworks.
Basic regulations include:
Staircases should have a maximum rise of 220mm and minimum going of 220mm
No openings (balustrades & risers) should allow the passage of a 100mm sphere
The pitch should be no more than 42°
2,000mm minimum of clear headroom is required above the pitch line
Flights need to have a handrail on at least one side if they are less than 1m wide and on both sides if wider than this
Handrails on both stairs and landings should be a minimum of 900mm in height
To guarantee compliance, all stairs must be designed, constructed and installed in line with Building Regulations Approved Document K, which covers ‘protection from falling, collision and impact’. For the full regulations, see Approved Document K.
Select your configuration
With so many different options to choose from, it’s important that you select a staircase configuration that fits the space available in your home. Some of our most popular configurations include:
Straight
A linear flight with no change in direction. A straight staircase doesn’t require any special support – just secure at the top and bottom.
L-shaped
Stairs make a 90° turn after a landing. This configuration takes up less space and is often used in the corners of rooms.
Winder
Winder stairs flow similarly to an L-shaped flight, except they have no landing. Instead, wider treads are used in place of the landing at the turn. Great for small spaces.
U-shaped
Two flights that travel in parallel, featuring a larger landing at the switchback.
Curved
Stairs follow the gentle flow of the handrail without a landing.
T-shaped
Starts with a wide, sweeping flight and splits into two narrower flights from a generous landing.
Browse your design options
Once you’ve taken the time to research specifications and regulations, you should start considering a design that is practical and suits the style of your home. Luckily, there are plenty of design options for you to choose from with Multi-Turn – 207 million in fact!
Browse some of our standard staircase design options.
Choose your materials
While the bulk of your staircase will be constructed using timber, you should still take time to think about what other materials you could incorporate to reflect and enhance the surroundings.
With today’s popular minimalist and contemporary interiors, for example, you could consider how options like glass, metal or stainless steel could make an impact. Your options are endless!
Why not enlist the help of a staircase specialist to take care of everything for you?
By enlisting the help of a professional team such as Multi-Turn, we’ll work with you throughout your project journey to ensure you get a quality finish that enhances its surroundings for many years to come. As part of our complete service package, we:
Provide a simple and personal service – Your dedicated account manager will handle your entire project and be on hand for advice and recommendations.
Carry out site surveys with every staircase – We’ll take complete responsibility for the measurements of your stairs, ensuring they fit and comply first time.
Create bespoke designs – You can explore tonnes of finishes and designs to create a completely unique staircase.
Adapt to changing needs on site – Our manufacturing system means we can be flexible to suit your requirements.
To find out more about our offering and how we can help you with your timber staircase project, get in touch with us on 01962 712299 or email web-enq@multiturn.co.uk.
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