Early planning of your staircase project is key. There are many common pitfalls so it’s important to ensure every step of the process is accounted for and carefully considered. Start with getting the basics right and anything after that our team of experts will be happy to help & advise you.
The Stairs Advice section on our website offers a handy guide which will aid you in the best practice in planning any stairs project.
As with any construction project within the home, advance planning of both the design and installation will go a long way to helping you successfully deliver an end-product that you can be proud of and which maximises the effect that you were hoping to achieve.
Stairs projects are no different, choosing the right type of stairs structure and site preparation will keep your options open, ease installation and maximise results.
Before You Start
The best advice is to decide early your preference of stairs style and integrate its design and fixing requirements into the initial plans of the project. Factors such as adequate fixing points for the staircase are important but in the case of a Cantilever design the construction type of the adjacent wall becomes more important. When choosing a stairs from the Signature Stairs design range we always advise that you consult with us as early as possible in the build process. Then we can work together to achieve the perfect end result.
Other points to be aware of at an early stage of planning relate to functional aspects of the stairs such as the width and angle of the stairs – what is comfortable to walk on, what space is available and how can it be maximised. You also need to consider where the staircase is in relation to the flow of the home i.e. living room to bedrooms tends to be a well-worn track in a house so where is the start and finish of your stairs in relation to these, or indeed in relation to your front door etc.
You also need to consider the finished aesthetics of the design and take full advantage of your feature stairs. Open rise steps and glass balustrades will maximise the use of natural light but with a little planning and clever lighting it may also become an equally impressive “night-time feature”.
Underfloor heating systems are common and it’s important that they are taken into account as they can be installed quite early in the build process and may limit your options later. Any stairs will need to be fixed at each floor level while stairwell railings will be fixed along the edge of stairs openings. UFHS should be kept back from all these fixing points if at all possible. Knowing the exact location and depth of your UFHS is always helpful as even if they have been already installed there may be alternative fixing methods to overcome the problem.
Remember that if your goal is to maximise natural daylight using your stairs feature, the use of open risers and glass balustrades really do provide a genuine sense of light and openness and will help to emphasise the interior design of your property.
Check out our full range of stair designs on our Online Showroom.
