Do-it-yourself wooden staircase: we understand typical designs for the second floor

During construction frame house sometimes the question arises how to build wooden stairs? Most projects imply the presence of a second or attic floor. Stairs come in a wide variety of materials.

But wood is the most popular and simple material, as well as environmentally friendly and convenient. Anyone can handle this material. Building and installing a staircase with your own hands is a significant cost savings.

There are two main types of wooden stairs - spiral and marching.

Marching stairs are the most common and simple, and if you are new to construction, choose this type of stairs.

As a rule, such schemes are drawn up in electronic form. There are special computer programs and applications that will allow you to create such models. Professional programs for construction organizations have a 3D function. Although, for the construction of a flight of stairs this is not at all necessary, the usual on paper will be enough.

Standard interfloor wooden stairs are installed on stringers or strings. The difference is this: the bowstrings are located on the side of the steps, and the stringers are under the steps.

A flight of stairs usually has two side strings. Its steps are attached on both sides. Let's consider the installation and installation of stairs using this technology.

Installation of a flight of stairs

Initially we compose detailed diagram for stairs and its parts. We first cut steps from the boards, make 2 bowstrings and special supporting bars. Next we connect the steps with the bowstrings. We make a supporting block under each step. We mount all bowstrings to the floor and walls.

Bowstring and bowstrings

Spiral interfloor wooden staircase

Oak spiral staircase

If you can’t build a staircase with your own hands, then you can opt for a ready-made spiral staircase wooden structure. The advantage of this staircase is that it will significantly save space in the house.

Important to consider during construction spiral staircase its angle of inclination. If it is too steep, it can be hazardous to health, especially if there are children and elderly people in the house.

A simple way to install and assemble a spiral staircase is to purchase a ready-made, measured structure. installation will also bring you significant benefits.

A spiral wooden staircase consists of three main parts: a counter, a railing and steps. When choosing wood for your steps, choose oak. Not only is it one of the most durable materials, but it also differs beautiful view and excellent characteristics.

Before buying a spiral staircase, measure the dimensions in detail to choose the right design specifically for your home. There is another option - to hire a specialist who will take all the measurements himself, and after that place an order for the stairs. If you have construction skills, you can make the steps yourself, ordering only the post and railings. Usually posts and railings are made to order, turned, although they can also be rectangular.

Spiral staircase design

On one side, the steps are attached to the rack, and on the other they have holes for railings.
The stands are most often metal. They have a flange to which the steps are attached.
The most common staircase design is “duck step”. It involves a special shape of steps.
The rack is mounted between floors. It is secured to the floor using anchor bolts.

After installing the rack, the steps are installed. The distance between steps should not exceed 20 cm. This is necessary for your safety. When assembling and installing steps, make sure that the last step of the stairs fits exactly to the floor of the second floor.

The spiral staircase, like the marching staircase, has many decorative elements and details. And each set has its own decorations and various details, and fastening elements. When installing and assembling a simple flight of stairs, the calculation is different; the geometry of the opening here is rectangular. The opening at the spiral staircase is a circle.

If you decide to order a ready-made wooden staircase, then contact a proven and reliable company, with good reviews. It’s up to you to buy a ready-made wooden staircase or make it yourself.

Painting the stairs

Painting the stairs is divided into three main parts:

preliminary preparation of all parts of the stairs;
painting the stairs and its parts;
painting the stairs with a protective varnish layer.

Before starting work, we need to prepare each element of our staircase for painting. And this means: and. Puttying must be done special mixtures for wood. The use of compounds not suitable for wood is strictly prohibited.

When the putty layer has dried, we begin sanding the surface. Grinding takes place in two stages. The first stage is rough, also called superficial. After that you need to wait a few days. You will notice that lint forms on the surface of the wood. Blow them with air before the second sanding.

After completion grinding work the board will become perfectly flat and smooth. Now feel free to start applying the first coat.

Before you start painting, apply a coat of primer to the wooden stairs. And it’s better to choose a primer that matches the paint.

When choosing paint, focus on alkyd or urethane types of coating. These paints are ideal for flight of stairs. From color range choose lighter colors.

If desired, instead of paint, you can use, or use stain or varnish. The advantages of stain are that it perfectly emphasizes and highlights the unique grain of wood. Your staircase will look perfect. Choose a stain along with a varnish. And don’t skimp when purchasing. The better the quality of the coloring composition, the longer the staircase will last you. Wood stain is not only decorative finishing, but also protection from various factors.

After the paint has dried, apply finishing layer varnish Choose matte or semi matte varnish. Varnishing is carried out in three stages. Moreover, before each subsequent application, the previous layer of varnish must dry. If air bubbles form on the varnish, simply sand them down after painting.

If you plan to make a wooden staircase with your own hands - step by step instructions with photos, videos and installation projects posted on this portal will be an excellent guide in this matter. To prepare for the process, you need to stock up necessary tool and materials.

Materials and parameters

Lumber: board 40 and 25 cm wide, 4 to 2.5 cm thick, beams 5x5 cm, wood glue, paint and varnish materials, galvanized tie rods, screws and corners. The equipment used includes a hand-held circular saw, a screwdriver, brushes, abrasive sandpaper, a clamp, a chisel, and a grinder.

For correct placement, the slope is determined to be 25 - 40 degrees. The gap between the steps is 19 cm. The tread width is 25 cm or more. The height of the handrails is 90 cm. The string of the structure is made on the basis of pine edged boards with parameters 40 cm wide and 4 cm thick.

Installation of a regular straight staircase

Here you can find out the best way, which is used to create a wooden staircase with your own hands, a video with step-by-step instructions will allow you to build the structure as quickly and correctly as possible:

Marking of areas for installation of treads is provided by means of a circular using a template. To do this, cuts are made 1 cm deep. Using a chisel, the mass of wood between the cuts is removed. The finished bowstring is mounted on the workplace.
The strings are fixed to the floor surface using self-tapping screws. To do this, you should stock up on a screwdriver and galvanized metal corners.

Steps are cut out of boards 25 cm wide using a circular saw. The thickness of the steps is adjusted to the width of the span, not less than 2.5 cm. The end parts for more reliable fixation with a bowstring is processed with a grinding machine.
The steps and strings are assembled using wood glue. The end parts of the steps and the grooves in the bowstring are smeared. Galvanized rods with threaded ends are used for the screed. Nuts with wide spacers are screwed onto them.
Two boards are fixed to the installed rack at a level of 90 cm. They will provide the functions of handrails.
3.5 inch steel stand.
Solid wood 1x8.
Wooden elements 1×12.
Connectors in the form of racks.
Supports for handrails.
Handrails with specified parameters.
Metal base for steps.
Welding machine.

Spiral staircase: Materials for making

Step-by-step installation

In the design under consideration, the distance between the floors is 3 m. Then the total height is divided by the selected size of the steps and their number is obtained: 300 cm ÷ 18 cm = 16.6 pcs.

The top position will end with the 17th step (rounded result). The width of the steps along the inner edge is 10 cm. Calculation of the outer edge begins with determining the outer diameter of the stairs without handrails.

The middle post and 2 steps form a cross-section of 172 cm. To determine the circumference, you need to multiply the diameter of the staircase by 3.14. Then 172 cm x 3.14 = 540 cm. Since 17 steps are to be installed, 210 ÷ 17 = 32 cm. To create an overlap of 2.5 cm, the width of the steps on the outside is 35 cm.

Support part

The screw device is created using a central metal support and bases for the steps. For B-pillar with a diameter of 20 cm, 400 cm are cut. Of these, 300 are allocated for 17 steps, 90 cm for the fence at the top and 10 cm protrude for the reserve.

The pillar is marked at the points where it is planned to erect steps, that is, every 17.64 cm. Upper part crowned with a thick round plate welded to the post. At the bottom, a square platform is created with a height of 1 cm and dimensions of 30 by 30 cm. Gaps are made at each corner of the platform for anchors and fixed to the base.

Placement of steps

The steps are attached to the central support in the marked areas. Each subsequent step overlaps the previous one by 2.5 cm so that the supports for the connection can be fixed. They attach one step to another. This can be done using metal or wood. Then all the bases of the steps are fixed to the central support. Wooden steps are placed on the bases. Gaps are made in the places connecting the supports.

Then you can screw 3 railing posts onto the step so that there is a gap of no more than 10 cm between them. After installing the posts, you can fix the handrails. When purchasing material, it is important to observe the ability to form bends in the direction of the stairs.

When implementing decorative processing, you can paste over the metal support wood materials. Used for finishing steps varnish coatings. They are applied over a primed surface.

Attention! Widely used wooden steps in combination with glass, metal and plastic handrails.

For installation of structures, adhesive compositions with different types fastenings. However, their design may place too much stress on the product.

Very often country houses built on two floors or even more. Yes and on summer cottages, where there is often an urgent need to save space for planting, a swimming pool or a recreation area, two-story buildings are also no longer a rarity. But any building above one floor already requires the installation of a staircase.

A wooden staircase can be made with your own hands after choosing one of the existing structures, carefully calculating all the parameters, and, of course, if the owner of the house has high, stable skills in working with carpentry and plumbing tools.

If this element is not installed in a country house small house, and in a large country mansion, you need to immediately select and efficiently install a reliable and durable structure. It must easily withstand the lifting of massive and very large furniture. In addition, the staircase should be convenient for ascending and descending, especially if there are small children or people with disabilities in the house. Therefore, it is recommended to make it as flat as possible, of course, if the area of the room where it will be installed allows. In addition, for safety reasons, the stairs must be equipped with a guardrail.

To do right choice, you need to start not only from its design and the area of the room where it is planned to be installed. It is imperative to understand standard designs, the names and purposes of all the main parts and assemblies.

Staircase design elements

A staircase consists of one or more flights or flights. The march is the section of the staircase between two landings.

Any flight of stairs (flight) consists of a number of basic elements, each of which has its own name and functional purpose.

Miniature	Item name	Functional purpose of the element
		This is a load-bearing beam with a comb cut out on top, onto which steps and risers are attached. This element must have special strength, since it bears heavy loads.
		Instead of a stringer, a bowstring is sometimes used, which also performs a load-bearing function. If a bowstring is chosen to secure the steps, then it is carefully marked so that the steps are installed perfectly horizontally. Spacer bushings or cross bars serve as a stand for them. Most often, this support is used if one of the sides of the staircase is adjacent to the wall.
	stage	Any staircase cannot do without steps that are fixed to one of the selected load-bearing beams(stringer or bowstring).
	Radius stage	This type of step has not a straight, but a curved leading edge. The parts can be semicircular, have rounded corners or be sawn in a “wave”.
	Winder stage	This type of step has a non-standard shape and is installed at the beginning of a flight of stairs.
	Riser	This element is optional, but you need to take into account that it gives the staircase increased strength, since it is a part that supports the middle of the step. They cover the space under the step. The riser is secured to the spacer bushing.
	Radius riser	The radial type of riser is installed under steps that have a semicircular shape.
	Radius curved riser	A curved riser is installed under the platform between flights or under steps that have the appropriate shape.
		Balusters are posts supporting handrails, which create a side railing for the flights of stairs. They can have different shapes, depending on the style of the staircase.
	support pillar	Support pillars are installed at the beginning and end of the stairs, as well as along the edges of the platforms between flights. They are the outermost supports for the handrails and give strength to the entire fence.
	Ball	The balls are installed on top of the support posts. They are decorative elements. In addition, they cover the sharp edges of the bar from which the post is made.
	Handrail	It is impossible to do without this element when constructing a staircase, especially if the structure has several flights. The supports for the railings are support posts and balusters. This part must have a perfectly smooth surface so that, when holding it, you do not injure or splinter the palm of your hand.
	Spacer sleeve, block	Stands-bars are necessary in the design of any staircase that has two or more flights. Even if stringers are used to install steps, support bushings are needed when installing platforms between flights.

Main types of staircase designs

Always the first thing to consider when choosing a staircase design is the size of the area allocated for it. And the second criterion can be called the convenience of the design, the comfort of climbing and descending along it, especially if the staircase will be used in everyday life not just once in a while, but constantly. The third thing that should influence the choice is the aesthetic appearance of this interior element, since it should fit perfectly into the design style of the room.

Stairs made of wood are divided into two main groups - marching and staircases. To understand what they look like and what they are, you need to briefly consider each of the options.

Spiral staircases

Spiral staircases have enough complex design, but their main advantage is that they take up a minimum useful place indoors.

Spiral staircases take up minimal space, but are not always convenient to use

It must be said that they are not installed often enough compared to marching ones. This is explained simply - because they are much more difficult to assemble, and it is not very comfortable to climb up and down them, and even more so to lift large-sized pieces of furniture or household appliances to the upper floor.

At the same time, they also have a lot of adherents - screw designs can become a real interior decoration because they have very elegant compact shapes.

To reliably construct a spiral staircase structure, you need to make a lot of complex, precise calculations, otherwise you can get serious injuries during its operation.

The article is largely devoted to staircases. And yet, for those who love DIY at home, here is a detailed video instruction on assembling a spiral staircase. By the way, the author shares his first experience in this area - there is an opportunity to discuss with him.

Video: first independent experience in making a spiral staircase

Marching stairs

The main design is more reliable than the screw design. Despite the fact that any of the flight stairs occupies a much larger area, they are built much more often.

Such staircases can have several flights, however, in small private houses, one- and two-flight options are most often installed. These interior elements also feature a wide variety of designs.

So that the stairs take up as little space as possible usable area premises, rotating double-flight structures are often chosen. The turns of the stairs can be arranged at an angle ranging from 90 degrees to 180.

If the layout of the room allows (and sometimes even “requires”), then the staircase can have a curved design. When planning the location of the stairs, the main thing is to create comfortable conditions for the residents of the house to enter it.

A smooth turn in the design of a curved staircase is ensured by installing turning steps.

Such steps are also sometimes installed in double-flight staircases instead of platforms between them.

To imagine what such stairs and their elements look like, you need to consider the most popular types in the interior.

Regular one marching staircase

A single-flight staircase is the simplest option, as it has a fairly simple design. The flight of stairs can be located against the wall or in the middle of the room.

As a rule, the area located by a flight of stairs is also used functionally. For example, if the staircase is fixed to the wall, then by covering the area under it with a partition and installing a door, it is quite possible to get a small utility room for storing old things or tools.

It should be noted that this type of staircase to the second floor is the most durable, as it has reliable support in the form of walls.

Single-flight curved design

This type of staircase is mainly used in rooms with a large area, as it should even emphasize the spaciousness of the hall. For little ones country houses this design is not suitable, as it takes up quite a lot of space and is unlikely to fit into the interior.

The staircase turns out to be large due to a smooth turn and steps widened on its outer side (it even looks like a spiral one), but it is these features that give it respectability, so this element of the interior will decorate the spacious hall of a large mansion.

Single-flight curved staircase in a rectangular doorway

If, when planning the construction of a house, the location of the stairs is taken into account, then to climb to the second floor the best option there will be a single-flight curved structure that fits well into a rectangular opening. It is quite compact and aesthetic, and also quite comfortable for climbing and descending. In addition, a small storage room can also be installed on one of its sides on the ground floor.

Single march with lower turning steps

A single-flight staircase with rotating lower steps is sometimes necessary in a room due to the specific layout of the room, or to maintain the chosen architectural style. For example, if there is a window on the wall designated for the installation of a staircase landing, which you do not want to cover with a two-flight structure.

Due to the smooth rotation of the lower steps, and the fences and handrails repeating this direction, the staircase becomes a real decorative decoration created interior, without losing any functionality.

Two-march simple design.

A staircase that has two flights with a turning platform between them is convenient in that it can be installed above front door, thereby saving space and limiting the hallway area.

Compact two-flight staircase - convenient when there is a lack of space

In addition, it is quite compact, and the space under it can also be used to arrange a small closet.

This design is quite reliable, simple and suitable for almost any interior, if you choose the right color and shape of the fence balusters for it.

L-shaped double-flight design

This staircase also has two flights, but its location perfectly saves space in the room, since the entire structure is compactly located in a rectangular opening along two walls perpendicular to each other. It can be used to install one of the pieces of furniture or to install an entrance door.

The staircase is easy to use, compact, and fits perfectly into the interior design of the room.

U-shaped two-flight staircase with turning steps and an upper platform.

This design is installed in luxurious country mansions that have very large area hall As can be seen from the massiveness of the structure, it is not suitable for country houses, and its design in them will look simply ridiculous.

This is more likely from the interior of some palaces

Three-flight staircase with two landings

A three-flight staircase structure is often installed precisely in order to save space in the halls, but in order for its elevation angle to be convenient, a high ceiling height is required.

If at the place of its installation there is no overlap between floors, then the area of the second floor will be greatly reduced.

This staircase option is also more suitable for a mansion with spacious rooms.

Staircase calculations

If the installation location staircase design determined, then before starting to manufacture parts for the selected option, it is necessary to make accurate calculations, make a drawing and put all the resulting parameters on it. If you are not sure that everything will work out perfectly, then you can entrust this work to specialists in the design and manufacture of wooden stairs, working in specialized companies.

Stair height

To determine this value, it is necessary to measure the distance between the floor levels of the first and second floors. Let's say the ceiling height on the first floor is 2700 mm, and the thickness of the ceiling between floors is 300 mm. This means that the total height of the stairs will be:

N = 2700 + 300 = 3000 mm.

Riser height

Experts have calculated the approximate standard height riser, which is based on the size of a person’s step that is most comfortable from an anatomical point of view. This height can vary between 150 and 200 mm. It is considered optimal because if the step is made lower, then when climbing the stairs the step will be lost, and you can simply stumble and fall. With a higher riser height, it will be much more difficult to climb up the stairs and uncomfortable to go down.

The table shows the calculation data - if you wish, you can simply use them:

Riser height depending on the total height of the staircase and the planned number of steps

Floor height in mm	Number of steps (pieces)
	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26
2100	191	175	162	150	140	131	124
2400		200	185	171	160	150	141	133	126	120
2700				193	180	169	159	150	142	135	129	123
3000					200	188	177	167	158	150	143	137	130	125	120
3300							194	183	174	165	157	150	144	138	132	127

If it is possible to set aside at least 1.5 square meters for installing stairs on the floor of the first floor. m, then it will do, which will not take up much space (this has already been mentioned above).

If there is a clear lack of space, you will have to build a screw or one similar in design

The size of the opening in the ceiling will depend on the angle at which the flight of stairs is installed. For example, an extension or folding ladder requires a very small opening for a hatch. For a gentle, most comfortable slope, the opening will have to be made large enough, since the distance at any point throughout the entire ascent between the ceiling and the surface of the stairs must be at least 1.95 ÷ 2 meters.

This is necessary so that a tall person can move freely along flights of stairs without the risk of hitting their head.

To do this, when marking the location of a single-flight staircase that will be installed against the wall, the following measurements are taken:

The angle at which the staircase will be installed is determined on the wall.
Having established the lower point near the floor and the upper one near the ceiling, connect them with a solid line - along this line the supporting elements for the steps will subsequently be attached.
Next, on the drawn line, the place where the distance between it and the ceiling will be the required two meters is determined.
From this point, exactly level, a line is drawn to the joint between the wall and the ceiling - it will determine one of the boundaries of the opening being made in the ceiling.
Then, exactly at right angles to the mark at the junction, on the ceiling a line is drawn, the length of which will be equal to the width of the stairs. The second side of the rectangle of the opening in the ceiling is marked in the same way.
On the floor, exactly under the ceiling rectangle, you need to draw exactly the same one, and then, using a plumb line, check the correctness of their relative position.
This will determine the size of the ceiling opening, which will allow you to calmly climb the stairs, without any risk of accidental head injury.
Next, you need to cut the intended opening in the ceiling before installing the stairs.

Stringer length

To calculate the length of the stringer, you need to use the familiar formula of the Pythagorean theorem from school, which accurately determines the relationship of the sides of a right triangle:

L² =F²+H², therefore L = √ (F²+H²)

L– determined stringer length;

F– length of the staircase in plan (determined above);

N– height of the stairs (also already found earlier)

By using previously defined parameters and substituting them instead of symbols in the formula, you can set the desired length.

L = √ (4930² + 3000²) = 5771

As a result, it turns out that the length of the stringer will be 5771 mm or 5.77 m

Materials for wooden stairs

Once the calculations have been completed and a drawing of the future building has been drawn up, you can proceed to the purchase of materials.

To work you will need:

Boards of different thicknesses and lengths:

- for the manufacture of stringers or bowstrings - approximately 250 mm wide, 50 mm thick, and the required length is determined by the above formula;

- for steps - at least 20 ÷ 25 mm thick;

- for risers you will need material with a thickness of 30 ÷ 40 mm.

Balusters and handrails can be purchased ready-made or. make it yourself. However, for this you will need to have special equipment(lathe, planer, milling machine) and timber 150 × 150 and 100 × 100 mm. It should be noted that the manufacture of these elements is a rather complex task, and in the absence of experience it is better not to undertake such work, since you can only unsuccessfully transfer the material to sawdust.
In addition to lumber, you will need nails and screws. It is quite possible that for the installation of some elements you will also need reinforcing metal corners.

Manufacturing of parts and installation of stairs

Using a prepared and carefully calculated drawing, the staircase elements are manufactured one by one according to the dimensions indicated in it and immediately installed.

Bowstring or stringers

On the boards prepared for making stringers, the required length is marked and the excess is sawed off.
The next step is marking the “comb” according to the calculated dimensions. For this purpose you will need a square and a long ruler. Remaining untouched strip boards - the one below the “comb” should never be less than half the total width of the board.

Marking the stringer for cutting out the “comb”

Stringers should be marked taking into account the angle at which the stairs will be mounted. Therefore, the base for the first step and the lower cut for installation on the floor must be compared with the slope line marked on the wall. It is important that they are placed in horizontal planes, without “blockages” in or out.

Then, focusing on these parameters, the entire comb is marked and cut out - for this, using the first step, you can make a template that will simplify the work.

The next step is to attach a limiting stop beam to the floor along the line where the staircase will begin.

In order to install stringers to a beam, you can use two methods - by making cuts in the form of grooves in the beam itself, or vice versa - on the stringer.

Next, the stringer is installed on a support beam on the floor, pressed tightly and secured to the side wall, as well as in the ceiling opening.
Then a second hanging string is attached to the block on the floor and in the opening along the width of the staircase and secured.

It should be noted that sometimes for the rigidity of the structure, not two, but three or even four stringers are required - their number will depend on the selected width of the staircase.

In the ceiling opening, stringers must also be connected with a reliable block.

The bars on which the base of the staircase will rest and rest must be “tightly” fixed to the floor and in the ceiling opening.

It is very important to install all stringers perfectly level in relation to each other, otherwise the steps may have an undesirable slope to the sides.

Installation of risers and steps (treads)

On on Once the stringers are securely installed, the risers are installed first. They are made in such a length that should be equal to the width of the stairs.

After the risers are secured, installation of pre-milled treads (steps) begins. The length of the boards for them should be greater than the width of the distance between the two outer stringers by 10 ÷ 20 mm, and the width should exceed the protrusion of the comb by 20 ÷ 30 mm.

The treads are secured to the stringers and risers with self-tapping screws, so that the heads of the fastening elements are completely recessed into the thickness of the wood.

Installation of support posts and balusters

And the pillars are not such an easy task as it might seem initially. Its solution requires very precise marking and adjustment.

Along the edge of the steps, the places where the prepared balusters and support posts will be installed are marked.
The hole in the step for installing the dowel is located at a distance from the edge equal to half the width of the base of the baluster, so that its edge coincides with the side cut of the step.

The next step is to drill holes on the marked steps. Dowels prepared to size are glued into the holes provided. The dowel should protrude from the surface of the step by 10 ÷ 15 mm.

Then, very carefully, exactly according to the diameter of the dowel (it is usually 8 or 10 mm), holes are drilled at the base of the balusters and posts.
The pillars on a single-flight staircase are installed at the beginning and end of the flight. Only the upper pillars are installed first, the lower ones will be installed last.
Next, you need to install one or two balusters on the dowels and measure the angle top surface, attaching a handrail to them. Having determined the right line, you need to mark and cut off the excess part from all prepared elements.
Next, the base of the balusters and the hole for the dowels are coated with glue, and then placed on the protruding dowel.

The balusters are set vertically in level and pressed well against the steps, fixed, and then left until completely dry glue.

Then the railings are prepared. Their edges are cut at the desired angle - this is easy to check on site. Holes are also drilled on their sections, with the help of which the railings will be connected to the support posts.
When the glue under the balusters has completely dried, the railings are mounted on top of them. A hole drilled on the upper cut of the railing is placed on a dowel glued into the upper post.

Then, the railings are laid on balusters coated with glue on top. Thanks to the groove milled from the bottom of the railing, the balusters will be firmly fixed in in the right position. But, nevertheless, the next step is to screw the balusters to the railings from below using thin self-tapping screws.

The last to be installed is the lower support post, which is connected to the lower cut of the railing, also by gluing in a dowel.

Upon completion installation work, and after the wood glue has dried, the stairs are coated with a special primer. After it has been completely absorbed and dried, the wood is coated with a transparent varnish, preferably on water based, or paint of the selected shade.

Video: Installation of a set of wooden two-flight stairs

Manufacture and install even the most simple stairs- It’s quite difficult, especially if you don’t have the proper experience in this work. At the slightest uncertainty own strength it is recommended to seek help from specialists - at least in order to carry out even independent work, but under their vigilant leadership. Errors here absolutely unacceptable— an incorrectly designed or carelessly installed structure can lead to serious injury.

Some people believe that making stairs is a very complex and time-consuming process and is best left to professionals. They may be right, but in fact, with a little free time, desire, and a small set of tools, you can install the stairs yourself. Well, so that you don’t get confused and lose your way when building a staircase in your private home, we have prepared this article.

Types of stairs

According to their design, stairs are divided into many types and subspecies. Before you start building a staircase to the second floor, you need to decide on its type, because they are classified according to many criteria:

by purpose they are divided into basic ones, which are used regularly in everyday life; auxiliary (these include roof ladders, service and emergency ladders). There are also front, garden and park staircases, moving staircases (escalator);

depending on location distinguish between internal stairs, street stairs, intra-apartment and intra-house;
according to the material used distinguished: wooden (oak, pine, beech, larch, ash, cedar), concrete (staircases are mainly made from this material in most residential and production premises), reinforced concrete, brick, metal, forged, rope, glass and plastic, natural and artificial stones; There are also various combination options;
stairs are divided by type of construction: kosour, bowstring, on bolts, cantilever stairs(floating staircase), modular;
by presence of riser there are open, closed and semi-closed staircases;
by number and configuration of marches staircases are divided into single-flight, multi-flight, rotary (U-shaped, L-shaped stairs and screw interfloor);

depending on the shape There are straight steps, winder steps and steps called “goose step”.

A DIY staircase can become a home decoration and a source of pride. Its creation is a very exciting process, and determining the type of staircase you want to make is the most initial and very important stage construction, which will help you most fully form an idea of how the entire structure as a whole should look.

The main components of the stairs

The main details of the staircase will largely depend on what type of structure you have chosen for the construction.

A very interesting and quite budget-friendly option for a staircase can be a staircase made of logs in a country house or in a private house in the village. We'll try to in this example analyze all possible combinations and options for the necessary elements of the staircase.

List of required elements:

staircase frame - a do-it-yourself log staircase can be made on a metal frame (not quite budget option due to the high cost of metal), but this option is rarely used due to the fact that a staircase made of logs will look most harmonious when used wooden stringers, in addition to this, a design option on rails using railing posts and steps as a supporting structure is also possible;
steps - for the steps of the stairs themselves, logs will be used, they must first be sawed in half, it will be more convenient to do this with a circular saw;
marching spans and turning platforms separating them;
railings – possible various options, both wooden, forged, metal, and combined, it all depends on your design decisions;
balusters - racks for railings;
riser - using a riser in this option stairs are not advisable.

Requirements for the design of stairs

When constructing stairs, it is necessary to adhere to the standards developed and specified in GOST and SNiP. Should be paid special attention for the following indicators:

flight of stairs, if it is not followed, the staircase may be too steep;

necessary for comfortable ascent or descent, the most optimal width steps (tread) are considered to be wide enough to fully accommodate the foot on it;
(riser) is a very important parameter, by observing which you can reduce the load on many muscle groups and make ascent/descent easier;

also very important parameter is the size of the opening in the ceiling, because it also determines how comfortable it will be to climb the stairs, especially for tall people. If the opening is insufficient, when going up or down the stairs, a person will be forced to bend over so as not to hit his head.

Assembly and installation instructions

Probably the most important thing when installing a staircase with your own hands is step-by-step instructions, because in order not to miss a single detail, you must have an exact plan of action. There are many various examples, in which people, believing that “I can do it this way” or “it should stay that way, where will it go”, ultimately face the fact that the constructed staircase is simply not suitable for use and, in order to correct the mistake, most often you have to redo a lot or even start all over again.

Your task is not just to make a staircase so that it exists, you need to make an integral part of the house that will serve for a long time, reliably and become part of the interior, so speed is not an assistant in these matters.

Below we will discuss the main points that you need to pay attention to:

preparatory stage (to determine the materials used, shape and location);
calculations (the most important stage in technically, without completing which, you risk making many mistakes that will lead to the impossibility of using the ladder in the future);
installation and assembly;
stage of processing, design, finishing.

How to make a staircase to the second floor from glass

The glass staircase to the second floor is probably one of the most unusual and interesting options staircase execution. Such a staircase looks very easy in the interior; a huge plus is that it can either be completely unnoticeable or be a key element of the interior when correct design and backlighting.

A glass staircase is probably almost the only type of staircase that is difficult to make yourself without the help of professionals.

Most of the stairs can still be made independently, depending on the type of design chosen:

on a metal frame;
on pain;
cantilever staircase.

More detailed information You can find information about each type of design on our website.

The most difficult and crucial moment is the preparation of glass steps and railings. The thing is that in order for the glass to be strong enough to withstand the required load, it must go through the stages of hardening and gluing to ensure maximum resistance to possible loads. In terms of reliability, such a staircase is not inferior to its analogues made of wood and metal.

The thickness of glass steps may vary depending on the project, but it should not be less than 19 mm.

At first glance, it may seem that the glass will be slippery and such a staircase can be dangerous; for this, the steps must undergo special treatment, the surface is made a little rough and a special coating is applied to it, which prevents slipping.

It is dangerous to use glass stairs outdoors. Moisture or frost will make the glass very slippery and this can lead to falls and injuries. It is also not recommended to use such a ladder during interior spaces with high humidity.

How to make a wrought iron staircase at home

Forging is the most beautiful and elegant material for stairs. Wrought iron staircases quite often attract attention, creating the feeling of a truly royal interior.

Forged stairs are used not only in interior spaces; very often they are installed on the veranda or terrace.

Creating a forged staircase with your own hands in most cases is only possible using the “cold forging” technology. For hot forging, you will need a special forge (furnace) to heat the metal. In financial terms, hot forging is a more expensive method and is not practical when small production at home for your own needs.

Let's consider the technology cold forging. Although it is cheaper than hot, it also requires additional tool. In the very simple version you need a vice, a gas wrench, and a hammer, but with such a set of tools it is difficult to create many similar parts for a ladder. To do this you need to use a specialized tool:

snail - with its help, it is possible to make a spiral from a rod with a diameter of up to 12 mm;

bender - allows you to bend the rod both into an arc and at a certain angle;

flashlight – with its help it is possible to make artistic elements such as lighting lanterns and baskets from rod (up to 16 mm for square section and up to 30 mm for round);

wave - by passing a round or square rod, you can get a sinusoidal element. Sizes are set individually;

twister - a rod for equipment can be bent around an axis several times. Outwardly it resembles a flashlight, it works with the same diameter of workpieces.

After all the elements have been given the necessary pattern and bend, you will need welding machine to connect all the elements. At each point where the elements connect to each other and to the frame, it is necessary to make small spot seams so that, if necessary, they can be torn off and changes made. After the railings are assembled, all joints should be thoroughly welded, cleaned and processed.

How to make a wooden staircase in a country house?

The warmest material for stairs is wood; it brings additional warmth to the cozy atmosphere of the house. Wood is probably the most pliable material with which you can make staircase elements in the most different forms and styles, from classic rectangular and strict, to carved, with various curves and shapes.

Before starting to manufacture the stairs, it is necessary to carry out complete calculations of all parameters, the width of the stairs, the height of the steps, the angle of inclination of the stairs and, of course, determine the type of structure. The type of wood that will be used for the stairs is also selected.

When making a log house in a house, you will have to go through the following stages of installing a log staircase:

The stringers in this staircase will be rounded logs. First, it is necessary to prepare semicircular recesses in the logs of the same diameter as the logs used for the steps.
The steps are available in two versions. By sawing the log into two identical parts in half, we get two steps. Or you can make a hole in the middle of the log so that the log remains round at the edges and flat in the middle. It is necessary to ensure that this flat part is of such width that two people can pass each other on the stairs.

The final stage in the installation of any wooden staircase is wood processing. Wood is susceptible to rotting, destruction is possible due to the formation of mold or insects, and wood fire is also a very dangerous moment. To eliminate all of the above points, it is necessary to treat the wood with antiseptics and fire retardant compounds. Please note that some elements need to be processed before you completely assemble the staircase, because some parts will then be inaccessible, as they will overlap each other, for example, notches on the stringers.

We have presented a version of the simplest single-flight log staircase. Depending on the characteristics of the building, the height of the ceilings, and the space for the stairs, there are many options for stairs, with turning platforms, and spiral ones. Wooden stairs also do not have to be log or carved. Depending on the design there are many modern options wooden stairs, which in their uniqueness can compete with glass stairs.

How to build a concrete staircase in a house

If you decide to build, then this structure will be the most durable, reliable and will last longer than its counterparts made from other materials. Durability and strength are achieved subject to compliance with all construction standards, both in terms of the size of the stairs (so that the spans are not too long, sagging, without proper reinforcement), and in terms of use quality materials in the right proportions.

With a properly built structure (stair formwork), it is possible to build a wide variety of stairs - from classic straight single-flight or corner stairs to round (spiral) ones. It is also possible to build custom stairs design project with the craziest shapes.

Let's look at the step-by-step construction of a staircase in a private house with our own hands:

As we wrote earlier at the initial stage (at the design stage), in order to achieve the required structural strength, it is necessary to perform all calculations according to the selected type of staircase. The main thing to remember is that any non-standard staircase requires careful attention to calculations.
At the next stage, it is necessary to prepare the formwork; the formwork structure must be strong, so special attention should be paid to the materials used. Boards or plywood from 20 mm are best suited, beams for supports are at least 50x100 mm. If there are semicircular elements of the staircase, it is better to use a thin sheet of metal; it is strong enough, will not break under the weight of concrete and is quite elastic to give the steps a rounded shape. The weight of 1 m 3 of concrete is 2-2.5 tons. This must be remembered when selecting materials for formwork. It is better to connect the formwork elements using self-tapping screws.

The reinforced frame provides additional reliability to the staircase, the presence of which is mandatory in order to avoid the appearance of cracks in the concrete, the presence of which can lead to the collapse of the entire structure. The metal frame is formed from reinforcement with a diameter of 10-12 mm. At the stage of pouring the floor and ceilings, it is important to leave protruding reinforcement at the junction with the stairs to connect it with the metal structure of the stairs.
Finally, the pouring stage. The quality of concrete must be at least B 15 (cement quality is at least 400); the use of special stabilizers and water repellents is allowed, which increase the strength of concrete. It is necessary to fill the entire staircase at once. Subject to availability large quantity marches should be divided into spans.
After pouring, it is necessary to remove all air bubbles from the concrete. To do this you will need a special vibration tool. It is immersed in already poured concrete, under the influence of vibration the air will come to the surface, this increases the strength of the concrete, eliminating porosity.
Finally, the concrete must harden and become more durable; for this, it is necessary to periodically moisten the concrete; in hot weather, the stairs must be covered with film to slow down the evaporation of moisture. If this is not done, cracks will form due to the fact that the concrete dried out faster than it hardened. After 20-30 days, the concrete will gain the necessary strength, after which you can remove the film and formwork.

DIY metal staircase in a cottage

One of the types metal stairs We have already discussed above (wrought iron staircase), in this section we will consider a simpler option for constructing a staircase to the second floor from metal.

Of course, from of this material It is possible to build not only a simple staircase, but also the most unique one, it all depends on your project and your abilities. We, in turn, will try to describe as clearly as possible all the actions that you will need to perform so that you get exactly the staircase that you have in mind.

As with the construction of any staircase, at the initial stage you need to make all the calculations according to the chosen staircase option. Depending on the type of structure, dimensions and calculations, you should select materials for your future stairs.

In this article we will tell you about a simple one-flight metal staircase.

The stringer for the stairs will be made of a channel or a rectangular pipe 80x100 mm. Two channels must be placed on edge at a distance according to the designed width of your stairs.

If the flight of stairs needs to be made long, then it is necessary to install supporting pillars.
Next, fillets must be welded to the channel, which can be made from a channel of the same size; the fillies must be mirror welded to the channel.
In the future, steps will be laid on the previously made fillies, which can be made of different material depending on your interior and where the stairs will be used.

Painting and decorating stairs

After you have completed the construction of the staircase, you are faced with the task of decorating the staircase according to the interior of your home.

You can begin finishing the concrete staircase without any intermediate steps. There are many variations in the design of concrete stairs, the most common options are:

Decorating the stairs with wood– it can be either laminate or solid wood. Using wood to finish a concrete staircase, you can achieve such results that upon completion of the work it will be difficult to understand that the staircase was originally concrete.

Painting the stairs– it will be necessary to putty the entire staircase for painting in order to achieve smooth surface, in this option it is better not to putty the steps themselves, but to paint them right away, because under the load of walking the putty will fly off the steps along with the paint.

Tiling the stairs– there are many options for tiles: ceramic, porcelain stoneware, clinker. The choice of tiles largely depends on the location of the stairs and on environment(should the tiles be frost-resistant, anti-slip, etc.).

Homemade forged stairs and DIY stairs made of metal need to be additionally treated with a primer coating before you start painting them, this is due to the fact that the metal is susceptible to corrosion and it is necessary to prevent the formation of rust and destruction of the metal.

Wood and log stairs are most often treated with a clear varnish to preserve the grain of the wood, but whatever you choose to paint your wood stairs with, it should also be treated to prevent mold, mildew, or insects from forming.

A glass staircase requires minimal processing, although a lot depends on the design of such a staircase. If the staircase is made on metal frame, then it also needs to be processed as described earlier.

When building a house, there is often a need to build stairs. After all, most projects imply the presence of a second floor. Stairs between floors can be built from different materials. However, wood is one of the simplest, most environmentally friendly and convenient. Even a beginner can handle this material.

Of course, the work will take some time. However, the work will quickly pay off, because a design made with soul will serve for many years to the delight of its owners. In addition, building a staircase with your own hands is a significant cost savings.

Types of wooden stairs

In total, there are two main types of wooden stairs:

screw;
marching.

Marching stairs are the simplest, so it is best for a beginner in construction to take on the construction of such a structure. Spiral staircases are very complex; they require careful calculations and measurements. One mistake and the design may not work.

Marching stairs are divided, in turn, into two types: single-flight and double-flight. Both varieties are not that difficult to make yourself.

Straight staircase

Before you make a wooden staircase with your own hands, you need to purchase materials and prepare tools.

From the materials you need to take:

thick boards (they will go on the steps);
bars of a fairly large cross-section (about 40 mm);
screws.

Before you make a wooden staircase, you must definitely think through its design on paper.

It would be very unwise to build without a drawing, so before building the stairs you need to take measurements and make a rough plan.

When taking measurements, you need to take into account:

height of the stairs;
angle of inclination of the structure;
number of steps;
width.

You can create a similar diagram electronically. There are special computer applications that allow you to create such models. Professional software for construction purposes may even have 3D functionality. However, it is not at all necessary to create such a clear example when calculating a simple staircase.

Bowstring or stringer?

A simple marching staircase can be installed on stringers or on bowstrings. The difference is that the stringers are located on the side of the steps, and the stringers are located under the steps.

A simple flight staircase, as a rule, has two side strings. The steps are attached on both sides. The design described here will be arranged in exactly this way.

Installation

Painting the stairs

The entire process of painting stairs can be divided into three parts:

Preparation;
painting;
protection (varnish layer).

First you need to prepare each element of the staircase for painting. This involves two types of work: puttying and sanding. Putty is produced using special mixtures that are intended exclusively for wood. It is prohibited to use compounds that are not suitable for wood.

When the putty layer has dried, you can begin sanding the surfaces. Grinding is carried out in two stages. The first stage is rough, superficial. After that you have to wait a couple of days. Very soon it will become noticeable that fibers are rising on the surface of the wood. Before the second grinding, they must be blown with air.

After sanding, the board becomes perfectly flat and smooth. Now you can start applying the coating.

When the surface of the stairs is ready for coating, you need to decide what it will be. Before painting a wooden staircase with paint, you need to apply a layer of primer. It is better to choose a primer that matches the color composition.

The choice of paint is best made among alkyd and urethane types of coating. They are ideal for painting a flight of stairs. For flowers, it is preferable to take something light.

If desired, you can use stain instead of paint. The advantage of stain is that it perfectly emphasizes the unique grain of wood. The staircase will look just great. Natural drawing is always preferable. Why hide it with coloring compounds when it can serve as a decoration in itself.

The stain can be chosen together with the varnish. It is advisable not to save money when purchasing. After all, the better the composition, the longer the structure itself will last. Stain is not only a decorative finish. This composition perfectly protects against various factors.

When the paint has dried, a finishing layer of varnish is applied to the surface. It is better to choose a matte varnish; a semi-matte variety is also suitable. In the case of stairs, varnishing is carried out in three stages. The composition is applied three times, and before each new application the previous layer must dry thoroughly. If bubbles form on the varnish, they must be sanded down.

If you still want to make a spiral staircase in your house, then you can try the simplest installation option. The advantage of this design is that it significantly saves space.

During construction, it is important to take into account that the stairs are not too steep. If there are elderly people and small children in the house, then it is wiser to abandon such a design, because it can be dangerous.

The easiest way to install a spiral staircase is to buy a ready-made, already measured kit and simply install it. Savings on installation will also bring significant benefits.

The design of a spiral staircase consists of three main elements: a rack, a railing and steps. It is better to choose oak steps. They are not only one of the most durable, but also have high aesthetic characteristics. Stained and thermal oak also look very good.

Before purchasing, you need to measure the dimensions of the future staircase in order to choose the design that exactly suits your home. A more expensive option is to hire a specialist who will measure everything himself, and then place an order for the design. If you have construction skills, you can make the steps yourself, ordering only the stand and railings. Most often, posts with railings are metal, but there are also wooden varieties.

Staircase device

The steps on one side have a place for attachment to the rack. On the other side there is a hole for the railing.
The stand is most often metal. It has a flange to which the steps are attached.
The simplest design of a spiral staircase is “duck step”. A special shape of steps is assumed here.
The rack is mounted between floors. It is attached to the floor with anchor bolts.
When the rack is installed, you can begin installing the steps. The distance between them should not exceed 20 cm. This is necessary for safety reasons.

The spiral staircase also has a lot decorative details. Moreover, each set may have its own decorations and various fastening elements. When installing a regular flight of stairs, the calculation is carried out differently; the geometry of the opening is rectangular. In a spiral staircase, the staircase opening is a circle.

Video

You can learn more about the process of constructing wooden stairs in the following videos:

If you still decide to order the production of wooden stairs to the second floor, contact a trusted company with good reviews, compare prices for wooden stairs. Buy finished stairs or do it yourself, it's up to you.