Your Guide to Designing the Perfect Staircase
Follow This Guide to Designing The Perfect Staircase to Integrate With Your Design
I understand that amongst all the excitement of having a loft conversion, the type of staircase you will have may be far from the first thought in mind. However, determining the placement and style of the stairs is a significant stage in the designing process. That is because you may find some staircases to be more practical than others working with the space you have. This process is as simple as picking your preferred choice of dormer; whether its flat roof or a gable end. Follow this guide to designing the perfect staircase to feel at ease with your decision.
What Are The Different Styles Of Staircase?
Fundamentally, your first significant decision is what style of staircase you want in your design. Determining the right staircase structure for your home can be narrowed down to available space. Do you have enough space to fit a full staircase to lead up to your loft without having to remove any rooms on the lower level? Or will you have to alter your existing layout to suit the new conversion demands? Whilst these are all constructive concerns and considerations to be made, you can rest assure there is a solution!. With our experienced architectural designers, you can guarantee a design that meets your needs and building regulations. To help you understand your options for staircases, I have listed the four styles to choose from:
- Spiral Staircase: consists of a circular stairway, where alternate steps are narrower than others. This particular design transitions one floor to another without the need for a landing.
- Paddle Staircase: A paddle staircase focuses on reducing the amount of space taken up by the flight by decreasing the number of stairs by increasing their depth.
- L/U Shaped Staircase: This staircase is a combination of a straight stair with a bend added to it. The purpose of the curved staircase is to to take up as little room as possible. Meaning it is perfect for homes working with small amounts of space!
- Ladder Staircase: Though it is least popular due to its practicality. The home’s looking for a staircase that takes up the least amount of room should consider a ladder staircase.
What Are The Building Regulations For a Staircase?
Whilst researching companies to take on your project, it is of interest that you look into their programme of works. I advise this as your build must comply with building regulations. Therefore, the company you choose must be following these regulations. Equally, it is beneficial for you to know what these regulations are. I have listed the guidance that applies for staircases as followed;
- There must be 1.9 m of headroom at the centre of flight.
- 1.8 m of headroom measuring at the sides of the staircase.
- There must be fixed stairs.
- Staircases need a maximum pitch of 42 degrees.
- Flight of stairs expected to have a minimum of one handrail at one side.
- Handrails should meet the minimum height of 900 mm.
- Equal level staircase risers.
- Loft opening for stairs must not affect the stability of the rest of the house.
How Can I Customise My Staircase?
Believe it or not, there are many ways of customising your staircase. Meaning you don’t have to worry about your staircase not fitting in with what’s already there. Ideas for how you could personalise you staircase include;
Illuminating, each stair with spotlights.
Spotlights are an effective way of highlighting details in your home. Not only will they light up your staircase, drawing attention to its architectural features, but it will also give you light to see with where natural light may not be available. You can do this by adding LED lights to the sides of each step.
Consider your materials.
Creating a polished design can be determined by the materials you choose. There are many different finishes you can choose to apply to your staircase. Some examples of these materials are; glass, timber or metal. I recommend incorporating glass if you prefer that modern finish. Not only does it look attractive, but the area can also feel more spacious. Metal can also be a modernising material. Its simplicity is perfect for creating a refined aesthetic. Finally, the most-liked material is timber. Timber is renown for its versatile and sturdy reputation which, is why it is most favoured. Another decision you need to make is if you want a wood or carpet finish to your stairs.
Colours.
I suggest being adventurous with your colours as sometimes contrasting tones or colour palettes is more successful than trying to match existent themes. For example, you could isolate panels illuminating some more than others by using a different colour shade on them. Equally, you could explore contrasting materials against colours such as; white paint with oak.