Signature Stairs UK - FAQs

Our enquiry sheet, which you can find on our contact page, will prompt you through the basic information we require to give you an accurate quote. The more information we have to hand the more accurate we can be with our figures.

Signature Stairs service all of the UK and Ireland.

We do not require a sales person to call to site in order to quote. A quick conversation on the phone and a copy of house plans will insure that an accurate budget can be prepared on your preferences and returned in a few working days.

Once we have agreed a budget with a client and the order has been placed then a site survey is arranged for the appropriate time in the build schedule. Drawings take approx one working week after survey, and assuming they are signed off immediately, fabrication will take approx 4 working weeks with installation at the end of the 4 weeks. Typically stairs are installed over two installation visits with the structure going in first and steps and balustrades following at an agreed later date.

Similar to all elements of your building project 'the earlier the better' is the time to plan a stairs. Early planning can save time and money in most cases. In our 'Advice section' of this site you will find helpful information to guide you through what you should be considering in relation to your stairs. While we like to get involved in the early build stages, over the years we have engineered solutions to cope with whatever stage we have been asked to be involved - it's never too late. Just call and we will be happy to advise you on your individual project.

As specialists in steel fabrication our range is designed to offer clients an alternative to traditional timber stairs. While we clad our steps in solid timber we do not offer all timber stairs options. You will see from our image gallery that we do offer custom made, feature spiral stairs. These differ hugely in size, construction, quality and price from the more regularly used modular or kit built spiral staircases which are predominately used as a secondary access stairs.

There are a number of building regulations for stairs but the main ones are as follows:
Staircase regulations UK advise domestic stairs should have a pitch angle of between 38 and 42 degrees. As we custom fit all our stairs to individual projects, during the drawing stage we ensure that your stairs is the best possible solution within the confines of the stairs regulations and the site environment. This generally translates into a stairs that has an individual step height (rise) of approx 180 mm and a step depth (going) of 250 mm making it easy to walk.

The maximum number of steps allowable as per stairs regulations without a requirement for a landing is 14. No opening in a step or balustrade should exceed 100 mm and to comply with staircase regulations UK we shape our steps or use glass risers to facilitate this if required. Handrails should be 900 mm above step nosing and guard railings to the stairwell or void areas 1,100 mm high above floor finish to adhere to building regulations for stairs.

The majority of domestic stairs are just under a 1,000 mm wide but we recommend no less than 850 mm. Stairs layout will depend on the space available and positioning of doors, windows etc. making your architect best placed to suggest initial layout.

Glass is specified to comply or surpass stairs regulations. In our frameless glass we predominately use 15 mm clear and toughened safety glass which exceeds the specification in the majority of cases. Clear toughened balustrade glass is used in a variety of applications for its safety benefits as it is four to five times stronger than regular glass of the same width. It is treated in a heat furnace to induce internal stresses which give the glass strength and bring it to EN12150-1 standard. In the very unlikely event toughened glass is broken it fractures into small blunt pieces.

The size of glass panels is limited to stairs regulations and weight of the pane for transport and installation. Generally Signature Stairs will endeavor to balance the number of panes so aesthetically it looks pleasing.

We price all projects seperately as each stairs is custom made. Clients are free to choose from a number of staircase styles and finishes as well as the building environment while also dictating the installation method. By following the prompts in our 'contact us' section we can have an accurate price returned to you in a matter of days (there is no cost or obligation with a quote).

Our standard terms and conditions are 20% deposit prior to survey, 60% on approval of drawings and the balance (20%) by post dated cheque also on drawing approval dated payable within four weeks.

These terms have been structured to ensure that both the client and Signature Stairs are covered in relation to payments being made as the major milestones in the process are passed. There is no variation from these terms whether we are paid directly by the client or through a contractor.

For your reassurance Killarney Precision Engineering Ltd. trading as Signature Stairs has a positive credit rating as assessed by 'Credit Safe' an independent credit rating firm (Feb 2013).

The deflection (bounce in a step) in cantilever steps can vary widely depending on the supplier and installation method. Our Signature Cantilever Stairs has minimal deflection no matter what the installation method as we take great care to ensure steps receive sufficient structural support from the wall side of the stairs. Over the years our structural partners have certified a number of different ways to achieve this support whether in a 'new build' or 'renovation', technically making a cantilever possible in the majority of projects.

We are happy to advise on the various installation options & stairs regulations but as a rule the earlier you can include a cantilever in your plans the easier it can be incorporated into the overall build.

'Frameless glass railings'(FGR) or 'free standing glass' is the ideal product to maximise the use of natural light and gives a wonderful sense of openness to a hallway or gallery area. Supported only on the bottom of the glass FRG has no visual supports and it gives the appearance that it is wedged into the floor. The glass is actually secured in a metal frame which is concealed below the finish floor level. The clear toughened safety glass is then finished with a rebated handrail (either timber or stainless steel).

FGR can be fixed in a number of ways which are highlighted in our 'Advice - stairs anatomy section' in this site. To timber frame houses or where timber joists are the elements the channel is to be secured to, we recommend that 9' x 2' joist are doubled up along the lengths where the glass will be fixed. We also recommend if under-floor heating systems are to be used that they are kept back approx 300 mm from the edge of the floor to allow for fixing of the channel.