Step-by-step instructions for self-manufacturing a wooden staircase. Self-made stairs to the second floor from wood Wooden stairs in a private

Starting the construction of a large, multi-storey cottage, many people often do not think about such an important element as a staircase. After that, already in the process of construction, they begin to puzzle over the issues of its design, engineering and other things. The staircase can be made simple and almost invisible, or it can be turned into a real work of art that can attract the eyes of all the guests of the house.

Designing stairs is considered one of the important stages of building a house. Stairs are able to favorably emphasize the space of a living space, becoming its highlight. With a competent approach to solving this issue, you can get an unsurpassed option.

The project of a wooden staircase in a private house

Stairs can be divided into external and internal. Internal stairs are located between the floors of a residential building, providing unhindered movement from one room to another. External stairs carry the function of ennoblement. In addition, it is taken into account what type it will be, so that the staircase is fully correlated with the house (that is, its dimensions are taken into account in relation to the surrounding space).


External stone staircase project

There is a huge variety of shapes and sizes of structures that sometimes amaze the imagination, but, in general, it is customary to divide all stairs into two types.

Drawing and diagram of the device curved stairs

For the design of street stairs, it is necessary to choose a material resistant to corrosion due to prolonged exposure to a large amount of moisture and sudden changes in temperature. Bronze is considered an excellent material for this type. But due to the fact that the metal is quite expensive, the availability of such a structure becomes limited.

An alternative to such a metal staircase can be a cast-iron version. The metal used for manufacturing has good characteristics, and at a relatively low cost, stairs become more accessible to a wide class of consumers. Also, as an alternative to metal, you can use wood treated with various impregnations.


A wooden staircase can be made a highlight of home design

The choice of materials for stairs located inside the house

Currently, thanks to the mass of various technologies, it is possible to build stairs using stone, wood and metal. Stairs designed by combining metal and wood or metal and stone look very concise. In the first version, the steps are made from specially processed boards of wood of various species, and the handrails are made by forging in foundries, and then the structure is assembled together on site.

Combined forged curly staircase

In the second version, the steps are laid out with stone. It should be noted that marble stairs with wrought iron railings can rightfully be considered a work of building art.


Marble forged stairs amaze with their splendor

Perhaps the most common material used in the manufacture of stairs is wood, which must be handled very carefully. Ash, beech or oak need one treatment; larch, birch and pine - in another.

Calculation, drawing and design of wooden stairs

Before you start designing a staircase, you need to answer some questions. It should be determined whether the designed structure will successfully fit into the area of ​​​​the ground floor area, which is intended to start the ascent? In addition, the staircase must match the configuration and area of ​​the opening in the interfloor ceiling, through which the ascent to the second floor will be completed.


Drawing of a wooden spiral staircase to the second floor

For example, a single-flight staircase requires at least one square meter of free space on the floor and above itself - an opening that partly repeats its rectangular appearance, but is somewhat reduced due to the part hanging over the first steps. These points should be foreseen even before the design of the structure.

Let's say the ceiling height is 280 cm, and the ceiling thickness is 20 cm, the result will be 300 cm. The height of the steps is 18 cm. Thus, we divide 300 cm by 18 cm and get the height of the steps 16.6 cm. Do not forget about that it is necessary to calculate the maximum allowable overhang of the ceiling over the initial steps of the stairs. To do this, subtract 190 cm from 280 cm (the average height of a person with a small margin), after which the resulting number (90 cm) is divided by the height of the steps (16.6 cm). The result will be 5.4. This number is rounded up to 5 and we get exactly the number of steps above which there can be an interfloor overlap, after which the opening area begins.


Drawing of a wooden staircase to the second floor of the house

After that, you need to get more accurate parameters, which include the width of each step. The width should be such that the step fully fits the foot of an adult in its natural position (that is, perpendicular to the length of the step). The ideal option in this case is considered to be 30 cm. 30 cm is multiplied by 5 (number of steps) and get 150 cm. Thus, it turns out that the opening of the interfloor floor with dimensions of 4.5 m by 1.56 m should begin 150 cm from the start of the ascent up the stairs and end 90 cm after this mark.

The total length of the stairs is calculated using the Pythagorean formula - the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the legs (3 2 + 5.4 2 = 38.16). The square root of this number will be 6.18 m. Accordingly, the total length of the stairs will be 6.18 m. In fact, on these calculations, the process of creating a staircase design (with the exception of the railing) can be considered completed.

This video shows how the detailed design of the internal wooden stairs to the second floor of the house takes place.

Design of metal stairs

This type of design is quite common. This is due to the fact that metal stairs are ideal for office buildings, and with a certain design project, they will also decorate a residential building.

When designing metal stairs, you should decide what type of structure you would like to see in your interior. It can be a spiral staircase, a staircase with bowstrings, a cantilever staircase or a staircase with stringers.

A spiral staircase or, as it is often called, a circular staircase will save space, its steps can be made of any material with steel handrails.

Stairs on kosour are also quite often used (the kosour is the main support of the march beam and is attached to the step). Structures on bowstrings, as well as on stringers, are a kind of marching type of stairs. Bowstrings are inclined beams, treads are attached from the inside, but look like stringers.

Drawing and diagram of the staircase on broken side stringers

The cantilever staircase is made with the help of anchor fastening without the use of stringers and bowstrings, which creates the impression of airiness and lightness (when replacing the floor, dismantling of such a staircase is not required).


Cantilever staircase to the second floor of the house

Designing stairs in private homes is best done with the help of professionals. This process requires special knowledge and skills. Specialists will provide you with an option that will best fit into your design project and will not take up much space, and most importantly, will be safe for you and your family.

The design of stairs in private houses can be preliminary and complete. In the first option, a 3D model is developed, where you can view the virtual layout of the future staircase and change some elements. In full design, a model is also developed, plus documentation is also compiled (for example, a specification of elements and drawings of parts).

If you decide to contact a company operating in another city or region, it is possible to order such a design online, the calculation in this case will be made by bank transfer.

It is highly undesirable to plan the construction of stairs with a deviation from the standard dimensions of the stairwell. If a single-flight staircase project is being created, then it must be at least 1x3 m; screw with a central post - at least 2 m in diameter. Decreasing these figures may affect some technical parameters (eg the angle of inclination or the height and width of the steps).


Drawing of a simple project of a wooden single-flight staircase to the second floor

The stairwell should ideally be insulated by volume. If there is no separation of floors by doors and walls, then warm air will rise unhindered, thereby causing a thermal imbalance.

When arranging stairs, it is undesirable to use massive materials (balusters, steps and railings). In the manufacture of staircase elements, it is recommended to give preference to glued wood, which in the future will avoid the appearance of cracks in the structure. For the same purposes, small gaps should be left between structural elements.

It is best to purchase the components of the structure from the same manufacturers, as this will allow you to choose the material not only of the same color, but also of identical processing.

Installation of stairs in a wooden house should be carried out no earlier than 10-12 months after the start of operation of the building. The reason is that a wooden structure during this time can shrink up to 10% of the height, which, of course, will affect the design of the stairs as an interfloor connecting element.

The slope of the flight of stairs must be at least 20 degrees, the width of the steps must be at least 100 cm, and the tread depth must be at least 25 cm.


Comfortable walking angles for stairs

The distance between the balusters should not exceed 15cm, and their most acceptable height should be between 85-90cm.

The optimal distance between the balusters of a wooden staircase

For tinting wooden stairs, it is recommended to use only those coatings that are intended for finishing parquet and furniture. Those products that are used to protect wood from weathering can be too toxic.

Two-story houses or cottages should be equipped with reliable stairs. Wood is most often chosen as the material for the manufacture of these structures. Wooden stairs to the second floor can be purchased ready-made or made independently. By choosing the second option, you will reduce your material costs and do exactly what you really need.

Types of structures

To build a ladder structure, you must be able to use the tool, know the rules for constructing sketches and drawings. This will allow:

  • design all the constituent elements of the structure;
  • take into account potential weaknesses and correct shortcomings at the design stage;
  • calculate the dimensions of the steps so that it is convenient to climb and descend.

For the manufacture of stairs, it is best to use wood. This building material is environmentally friendly, practical, malleable in work, which is especially important for novice craftsmen. With the help of a special tool, you can make a staircase of such a shape that would ideally fit your interior:

  • straight or rounded;
  • simple or decorative;
  • heavy or light.

There are the following popular types of designs of wooden stairs:

Choosing a Stair Pattern

For a private house or a village cottage, both marching and spiral stairs are suitable. However, one should not forget that spiral structures require very precise installation, as well as special elements (for example, rounded railings). To make them, you need to master the technology of professional installation.

This is especially true for more complex staircase structures, which at the initial stage can only be used as a model for inspiration, not imitation. Do not rely on ready-made schemes, as they do not take into account all the features of your situation.

As for mid-flight stairs, it is much easier to make and install them with your own hands. They come in various configurations:


  • U-shaped two-march;


When placing stairs to the 2nd floor, with more than 10 steps, it is recommended to divide it with a platform with a turn, after which it can go up along the wall at an angle of 90 or 180 degrees.

The choice of one or another model depends on your taste and features of the layout of the house.

Preparation of materials

Before you make a wooden staircase to the second floor yourself, you need to decide on the choice of building material. The most popular types of wood are pine and larch. In terms of performance, larch products are better, as they are less susceptible to decay.

Larch is not afraid of moisture; moreover, when liquid is absorbed, the structure becomes stronger. This is a fairly significant advantage, since there will always be a little humidity in the house. For the construction of stairs, oak, cedar, beech and other types of wood are also suitable, but at a cost this is not the cheapest pleasure.

The life of a tree largely depends on how the lumber is dried. The limiting degree of wood moisture should be no more than 12%.

Well-dried boards are more expensive, but this is more than offset by the durability of the stairs.

If the lumber is wet enough, you will have to dry the wood yourself. To do this, it is placed in a well-ventilated room with a constant temperature regime for a period of at least 3 months.

Calculation of the main parameters of the stairs

Width

Standard staircase width - from 90 to 150 cm. But when calculating this indicator, the following points should be taken into account:

  • how convenient it will be for two people to walk towards each other at the same time;
  • whether the width you have chosen allows you to carry large items (furniture, appliances) up the stairs.

The comfortable range of staircase width for a private house is 1100-1300 mm. Less - difficulties in carrying furniture; more - an excess of occupied space.

Length

To calculate this indicator, you will need to take the size of the steps and count their number. Experience shows that when drawing on paper on your own, mistakes are made. As a result, the staircase in reality becomes longer than in the picture. You can get out of this situation as follows: include several winder steps in the staircase structure.

Height

Determining the overall height, inexperienced craftsmen often make mistakes. They take into account only the distance from the subfloor to the ceiling of the upper floor room. This is not entirely correct. When drawing up a drawing, it is necessary to take into account the finishing mark of the 1st floor and the thickness of the floor on the top floor, along with the finish.

Floor opening parameters

It is important to leave enough space between the steps and the ceiling of the upper floor. As a rule, it is equal to the height of the tallest person and is approximately 190 - 200 cm.

Stair slope

To build a wooden staircase to the second floor with your own hands, it is recommended to observe the slope of the staircase structure of 40-45 degrees. If this indicator is exceeded, then it will be difficult for elderly people, small children to climb on it.


The optimal angle of inclination of the stairs is in the range of 30 - 37 °

When choosing a sloping design, the consumption of building materials increases and the useful area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room is reduced. Therefore, when calculating this indicator, one should proceed from the available space.

steps

Their constituent elements are the tread and the riser. When determining the size of the tread, it is necessary to focus on the 45 foot size. Therefore, the optimal width of the steps is 30 cm.

The size of the riser, depending on the slope of the stairs, is from 15 to 20 cm.

When constructing drawings, it is important to consider the following:

  1. All steps must be the same size.
  2. If there are more than 18 steps in the design, then it is advisable to include 2 marches in the project and provide for a platform. It is called viewing, turning or intermediate. Its location can be the center of the span or an area near the beginning of the stairs.

Online calculator for calculation

For your convenience, you can perform all calculations using a convenient. As a result, you will receive ready-made drawings and bill of materials.

Installation of a marching wooden staircase

The installation of a wooden interfloor staircase begins with the manufacture of stringers (or bowstrings), treads and risers.


Development of stairs along the wall with dimensions

Treads are cut out of the board according to a previously prepared template. Their standard thickness varies from 30 to 40 cm. If you do more, then this will be an unjustified consumption of materials and a heavier structure. The risers perform a decorative function in the building. Therefore, you can save on them by using a board of 10-15 mm.

Stringers are made from a solid board, on which there are no defects. Both stringers must be identical so that the staircase does not turn out to be asymmetrical and skewed.


Kosour markup

Assembling a bowstring with stiffeners

Frame assembly

The installation of stringers begins with making cuts on the floor beam located at the top of the flight of stairs. Sometimes the cuts are replaced by metal stops, which should be attached to the vertical of the floor with anchors. Regardless of which method you choose, the stringers must be firmly fixed to the ceiling.


On the lower floor, along the line of the very first step, a support beam is installed in the floor. Anchors are used as fasteners.


Attaching the kosour to the floor

Assembly of components

Installing the steps will not be difficult. The cutouts of the stringers are coated with glue and risers are attached to them, which then need to be aligned and fixed with screws.


Fastening risers to stringers

Treads are laid on top and fixed to the risers, stringers. Under them, it is recommended to put polymer gaskets in the form of tapes. This will prevent squeaking as a result of friction between wooden parts.



The function of the fence is performed by balusters, when mounting which it is important to properly maintain evenness. For this purpose, the upper and lower columns are installed and connected to each other with a stretched thread. It serves as a guide when installing the rest of the elements. Balusters can be attached with screws or self-tapping screws, which are masked with grout or plugs.


The handrail is installed and fixed on the balusters. It can be wood, iron or other material.

Finishing

After installation, all surfaces must be sanded, including hard-to-reach places, ends, joints. Then the design is treated with protective agents, or paint.

Features of the manufacture of a spiral staircase

The manufacture and installation of wooden spiral staircases to the second floor is much more difficult than marching ones. But, on the other hand, they allow you to save usable space and are placed where there would not be enough space for a marching structure.

Screw structures save living space

The best option is to install a spiral structure with a central support. In this case, steps in the form of a triangle or a trapezoid are attached directly to it. To give the structure reliability, the support column with a specially attached heel is placed vertically and concreted at the base.

Holes are made in the steps from a narrower edge, with the help of which they are strung on a support pipe. Inserts in the form of a cylinder are installed between the steps, which determine the height of the structural elements. The last step on the upper tier is installed flush with the opening in the ceiling on the second floor and acts as an additional supporting element.

To make it convenient to go down and up, the vertical interval between the rows of steps should be at least two meters. And the width of the flight of stairs in cleanliness is at least 90 cm.

Often resort to more compact models of spiral staircases. This is permissible only when they do not plan to use it often. This applies, for example, to country stairs or to climb to the attic.

The most convenient tread depth is considered to be from 15 cm at the central pillar and from 35 cm from the outer edge. The height of the riser is on average about 20 cm. However, sometimes you can completely refuse them. This will make the structure more convenient, reduce its weight, and also reduce the cost of building materials.

In any building higher than a floor, a staircase is installed. Such a design requires a detailed calculation of all its components, the ability to work with metalwork and carpentry tools, and some design skills. After studying this instruction, you will learn how to design and manufacture a wooden staircase with your own hands.

A wooden staircase for a private house most often consists of one or more flights (spans), which are located between floors or intermediate platforms.

The design of the flight of stairs is a combination of various components with different functional purposes:

  • Kosour. It is a load-bearing beam made of wood with a sawn comb. Risers with steps are fixed to it, so the part must be durable.
  • Bowstring. In some cases, it becomes an alternative to the kosour, performing load-bearing functions (especially if one side of the structure is adjacent to the wall). Before installation, the bowstring must be marked in detail so that the steps are located at a horizontal level.

  • Step. The main element of any staircase, which is attached to one of the load-bearing beams. In addition to the usual ones, there are running and radius steps. The running elements have a non-standard shape and are mounted at the starting point of the march. Radius steps are characterized by a curvilinear leading edge, they can be semicircular, wavy or with rounded corners.
  • Riser. The detail is optional, but it provides the ladder with high strength by keeping the step centered. A spacer is used to fix the riser. A radius type is installed under the semicircular steps, and the curved version is mounted under the corresponding steps or under the platform between flights of stairs.
  • Poles for support. They are placed at the starting and ending points of the stairs, as well as along the edges of the inter-march platforms. The elements increase the strength of the fence and serve as a support for the handrails.
  • Balusters. These are retaining posts for the handrails, from which the side rails are formed, can have a different configuration.
  • Handrails. They are a required item. They rest on balusters and support posts. The main requirement for the element is a smooth surface.
  • Remote bushing. Such a stand is required for any design with several flights (even when using stringers).

When choosing a staircase, the main factor is the size of the area required for its construction. In second place is the convenience and comfort of ascent and descent. Here you need to take into account the frequency of use, the presence of children and the elderly in the house.

Aesthetics is also an important criterion. The staircase should be combined with the interior of the room. In addition, it is necessary to take into account the material possibilities: the manufacture of wooden stairs with a complex configuration requires more time and financial costs than options that are simpler in form and execution.

marching

are the most popular. They got their name thanks to marches (flights) - a group of combined steps. A staircase can have one or more flights.

There are direct structures (one-march and two-march, with a platform for rest). They can be freestanding or placed near a wall. But straight models require a lot of space, so in order to save usable space, two-flight options are provided with an angle of 90 to 180 degrees.

The march has a curvilinear shape with an optimal angle of elevation, then turning steps are used, which are also available for structures with two and three marches without platforms.

The most popular types of wooden stairs for a country house are:

  1. Ordinary single-march. They have a simple design with a span in the center of the room or near the wall - the most durable with reliable support.
  2. Curvilinear single-march. Installed in large rooms to emphasize spaciousness. They are distinguished by a smooth turn and steps extended from the outside.
  3. Marching with lower turning steps. Sometimes this option is provided by the layout of the room, it can support the chosen architectural style.
  4. Simple 2 march system. A staircase with two flights and with an interfloor turntable can be mounted above the door and save space.
  5. 2 march L-shaped design. It is located in a rectangular opening along perpendicular walls and saves space.
  6. 2-way U-shaped staircase with an upper platform and turning steps. The design is mounted in luxurious mansions with a large hall.
  7. 3 march system with two platforms. This type of stairs saves space, but requires a significant ceiling height.

To select a specific configuration, you should correctly calculate and measure the free area for installation, draw up a drawing. A detailed guide on how to do this will be below.

screw

Screw-type structures are used less often, as a rule, with a limited area or for aesthetic reasons of the owner of a private house. They are not as comfortable as marching ones, it is difficult to transport furniture along them. To install a ladder, you will need to perform complex calculations, since with a small error it may lose its functionality.

Spiral staircases sometimes perform a purely decorative function, especially with a fence made of artistic forging. The device of such options is possible in almost any room, because. they take up less space than swivel designs. There are the following types:

  • with cantilever pinching steps on the inner column;
  • with support of steps on the inner pillar and perimeter walls;
  • with cantilever support of steps on the casing pipe;
  • based on a fence and bent bowstrings.

Spiral staircases save space

Types of structures

Before you make a wooden staircase, you should choose the best design option for your room.

The following popular types of structures exist:


The simplest is a straight staircase, which provides straight-line movement along the march.

Making a wooden staircase with your own hands with a visual step-by-step instruction will be considered in more detail. The process includes two main stages: design and installation.

Calculations of the dimensions of the staircase

Before you start designing, you need to make accurate calculations, draw a diagram and put all the data on it. If there is no confidence in the correctness of the calculations, then it is better to entrust the work to professionals who will make a competent drawing, which will allow the installation to be carried out step by step without errors.

Total height of stairs

You can determine the height by measuring the distance from the floor of the first to the second floor, taking into account the thickness of the ceiling. For example, if on the 1st floor the ceiling height is 2700 mm, and the thickness of the interfloor ceilings is 300 mm. As a result, the total height will be 3000 mm.

If there is no finishing floor, then its dimensions must be laid approximately.

Number of steps

If you know the height of the stairs and the riser, you can determine the number of steps in the structure. To do this, you need to divide one indicator by the second. For example, with a total staircase height of 3000 mm and a riser height of 175 mm, the calculation would be: 3000: 175=171 mm.

After that, you need to round the value, the result will be 170 mm. The table shows an example of the calculation:


The dependence of the height of the steps on their number at a given floor height

Riser height

According to the recommendations of experts, the optimal riser height should be 150-180 mm, in fact, this is the size of a human step. This height can be 150–200 mm. Usually the average value according to the standard is 160-170 mm.


The optimal stair slope range is highlighted in green

Step width

In order to avoid injuries as a result of incorrectly selected step widths, you need to calculate it correctly. Based on many years of practice, the width of the part should be in the range of 220 - 400 mm.

To determine a more accurate value, you can use a certain formula. You need to take the average width of a human step (600 - 640 mm) and subtract from it the height of the riser multiplied by 2, i.e. 640 - 2x175 = 290 mm. This indicator will be optimal for moving.

March width

According to safety rules, for the convenient movement of people, the span should be at least 80 cm wide, but it is better to take at least 90 cm. For convenient transportation of furniture, this indicator for a private residential building should be 100 - 120 cm.

Ladder length in plan

To calculate this parameter, you need to multiply the number of steps and the width of the tread. In our example, it will turn out 29x17 \u003d 493 cm. That is, the staircase comes out quite long and when arranging one march, a room of at least 6 meters will be required. In a small log house or a village house, you will need to make 2 flights with a 90 or 180 degree turn.

A platform is mounted between the marches or turning steps are placed. If it is not possible to perform the calculation on your own, you can use the special program presented just below, which will clearly reflect the localization of stair parts.

Ceiling opening size

When building a staircase made of solid wood, you need to remember about the calculation of the ceiling opening so that you don’t have to bend down when lifting up. Such an indicator will depend on the slope, which affects the convenience when moving and is selected individually.

A slope of 23-36 degrees is considered optimal, but it is often impossible to maintain the required angle due to the small area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room (the steeper the slope, the less area it will occupy).

The size of the opening in the ceiling area will depend on the angle of the flight of stairs. So, a folding structure will require a small opening, and a larger slope will require a larger one (up to 2 m).


The size of the opening in the ceiling is determined based on the minimum allowable value for the passage of a person

Stringer length

To determine the length of the kosour, the Pythagorean formula is used: (length of the stairs in the plan) ² + (height of the stairs) ² \u003d (length of the kosour) ².


That is, with a length of 493 cm and a height of 300 cm, we get the following: L \u003d √ (4932 + 3002) \u003d 577 cm (the indicator is taken with a margin of 580 cm).

Online calculator for calculation

For your convenience, you can use the convenient and visual.

Material selection

After all the calculations are made, you need to purchase materials. This will require boards of different lengths and densities: for steps, the thickness is 3-4 cm; for risers - 2-2.5 cm; for a bowstring or stringer, the thickness is 5 cm, and the height is 150-250 mm. It is better to buy handrails and balusters ready-made, since for their production you will need a lathe and a bar measuring 10x10, 15x15 cm. To fix the components, you will need self-tapping screws and nails, as well as metal corners for reinforcement.

Production of parts and installation of stairs

Installation technology includes the manufacture and installation of all elements of the ladder structure in accordance with the drawing.

Assembling a bowstring or stringers

On the prepared boards, you need to mark the length and saw off the excess. On the bar, using a square, mark the height of the substep and the width of the tread with a decrease of 2-4 cm.


Marking a one-piece stringer

Assembling a bowstring with stiffeners

Notches for steps are cut with a jigsaw or saw. Next, the workpiece is attached to the installation site so that the lower edge rests on the floor, and the upper edge rests on the ceiling. The cuts under the steps should be horizontal, without "blockages". After that, it is recommended to grind the surface of the bar, perform milling, rounding the outer edges.

For optimal rigidity, sometimes 2, 3 or 4 stringers may be required, the number of which is selected depending on the width of the stairs. Sometimes it is easier to order a ready-made load-bearing frame, which will include all the elements with cutouts, indicated by numbers for joining in accordance with the diagram.

Installation of steps and risers

The risers are mounted in the prepared cuts of the stringer, leveled and sanded. Fastening is carried out using self-tapping screws, which can then be puttied or covered with a finishing material.



Options for attaching steps to the bowstring

After fixing the risers, pre-milled steps are installed, the length of which should exceed the distance between the pair of extreme stringers by 1-2 cm. The width of the elements should be 2-3 cm more than the comb protrusion. Fastening steps to risers and stringers is carried out on self-tapping screws, the caps of which must be recessed into the tree.


Fastening the kosour to the upper floor. Ways to connect the elements of the stairs.
Attaching the kosour to the floor

Installation of fences

You can give the structure a complete look with the help of auxiliary parts. For this, carved, straight, figured wooden and metal fences can be used.


The installation of baluster posts is considered to be a difficult task where precise marking with a fit is required. In the step, a dowel hole is marked at a distance from the edge equal to ½ the width of the baluster base. Then holes are made on the steps and dowels are glued into them (they should protrude 1-1.5 cm from the surface).


After that, according to the diameter of the dowel, it is necessary to make holes at the base of the pillars and balusters, coat them with glue. All elements are mounted on dowels with vertical adjustment. Next, prepare the handrails by cutting the edges at the right angle and milling them from the underside. For docking with supports, holes are drilled on the cut of the element. The handrail is installed on a dowel glued into the support post.


After the glue dries, the stairs must be covered with an antiseptic primer, then the surface is treated with transparent or paint. You can put a decorative plinth. In a spiral staircase, you can decorate with an axial support in the form of a log or beam, install a bent bowstring to support the steps. The price of such a design will be high, since viscous flexible wood is used in production, but the final effect is worth it.

The ascent to the second floor in a private house can be done without problems with your own hands, having minimal skills in construction. The main thing is that it is reliable, safe and beautiful. Next, it will be considered in detail what the stairs to the second floor in a wooden house can be, options for their construction and design.

Requirements

First, it is worth describing in more detail the requirements that stairs in a wooden house should have. Since most of these projects are individual, there are no specific regulated technical standards. Some parameters are recommended for any wooden building.

The width of the stairs must be at least 90 cm, this will ensure not only ease of climbing, but also safety, including fire fighting - for quick evacuation. The slope usually does not exceed 40 degrees, a steeper one will become uncomfortable and dangerous, and with a less steep slope, the whole structure becomes more cumbersome and takes up more free space. Railings are best done 80-90 cm high.

The height of the steps in such a staircase should be 15–18 cm, so if you slip, there will be no chance of your foot falling into the opening between the balusters, even if the steps are solid, then a large value will give an uncomfortable lift. And if there are children in the house, then it is better to make a vertical distance of 7–10 cm. The number of steps per march is usually 8–15, the entire staircase will have 20–30 steps.

Structural strength is the main requirement, the ladder must withstand at least 200 kg. To do this, you need to use reliable fastenings of the frame, steps and railings, strong supports, high-quality material. If it is made of wood, then polished beams with a thickness of at least 20 mm should be taken - for steps, for the frame and supports - at least 60 mm, metal stairs must be securely welded at the joints.

All steps of a wooden staircase must be the same in length, width and height. The material must be polished and treated with varnish, so that it is smooth, does not have splinters and cracks. Beautiful appearance and original design can also be attributed to the desired requirements of such a design. Usually stairs to the second floor in a wooden house are installed in the hallway or hall.

Types of structures

By design, such stairs can be divided into the following types.

  • screw- are the most compact and often the cheapest, as they require a minimum of material and simpler installation work. You can install them even in a tiny country house, and they always look very original. But the disadvantage is the inconvenience of lifting, and if there are children and the elderly in the house, spiral staircases can also lead to injuries.

  • Marching straight lines- the most traditional version of the stairs to the second floor. When properly installed, they are comfortable, safe, and look great. The main drawback is the large space that stairways occupy in the room.

  • Turning stairs at the same time convenient and take up less useful space in a wooden house. The marches in them are usually located at an angle of 90 degrees and are adjacent to the adjacent walls of the room. Such designs also add originality to the interior of the building.

Execution materials

Materials for stairs to the second floor differ in cost and complexity of installation work. But in order to decide what to build a future structure from, it is necessary to consider in more detail the properties of each. Wood is the traditional and most popular material for the manufacture of stairs in a private house, which it confidently remains today.

This is due to a number of its advantages:

  • it is cheap and easy to process;
  • wood parts are easy to attach to each other;
  • it is a natural and environmentally friendly material without harmful impurities;
  • a wooden staircase always has an attractive and cozy look;
  • if necessary, wooden structures are easy to dismantle.

From wood, you can build a staircase to the second floor in almost any style: rural, classic, high-tech or modern, the main thing is to choose the right shape and color. Most often, marching straight and turning stairs for 2 spans are made of wood. Steps and railings are fastened to nails or wood screws; to save money, often one of the load-bearing supports of the structure is the wall of a wooden house.

For the most elite and beautiful stairs, such types of wood as oak, beech, ash, cedar are chosen. They have noble shades with pronounced textures and excellent durability. More budget wood materials are pine and birch. When properly processed, seasoned and dry wood has excellent physical properties and durability.

Metal stairs are more durable and can last a long time. Aluminum alloys are most commonly used, copper and cast iron are also popular. The disadvantage is the complexity of installation, for strength, welding of the frame, steps and railings is usually required. An excellent option for a wooden house are all-metal stairs. The screw type of various metals is the most popular.

You can build in a wooden house and stairs made of natural or artificial stone. The cost will be high, but the view of such lifts to the second floor is very impressive. The advantage is their environmental friendliness, long service life.

How to do?

Before you build a lift to the second floor with your own hands, you need to decide on the choice of location, type of construction and materials of manufacture. In this case, it is worth considering where the hatch or door to the upper room will be located in order to connect the upper span with it. In order to correctly determine the amount of raw materials and fasteners in advance, it is worth creating a sketch that indicates the width and height of steps and spans, supporting elements, attachment points to the wall and floor, and the dimensions of the railing.

For the construction, it is necessary to prepare in advance the site where the structure will be mounted, as well as the adjacent walls. To prepare the material, installation and finishing, you will need: a hacksaw, a pencil, a ruler and a tape measure, a drill, a screwdriver, a square, a building level, a hammer and a brush.

To build a turning staircase with two flights of wood, you will need 8 steps with a width of 250 mm, a step height of 200 mm, a span of 900 mm and a platform of 900x900 mm. The railing can be of the simplest design, the main thing is that the distance between adjacent vertical posts is at least 400 mm. The installation begins with sawing the polished beams, for the frame it is good to choose them with a section size of 60 by 120 mm. The installation of the platform on vertical supports takes place in the corner of the room, then the bowstring of the lower march is made - inclined boards on which steps and railings will be attached. Fastening to the ceiling, that is, the existing wall of a wooden house, is carried out on metal screws, self-tapping screws for wood, at least 60 cm long.

When the platform on vertical racks and the bowstring are fixed, then the finished steps are placed and attached to the cutouts of the latter. After that, a railing is mounted to the lower span. Then, in the same way, proceed to the installation of the second march. His bowstring is already attached to the ceiling and the second adjacent wall. The second span turns out to be longer; for reliability, somewhere in the middle of it, it is worth installing an additional support beam.

Such a ladder is easy to install and convenient, but on a smoothly polished and varnished surface, the steps often slip. To avoid this, you can fix rough notches made of metal or other material on the stairs. After the design with the railing is ready, it is worth taking care of building a damper or an opening hatch to the second floor.

It is also easy to make a spiral staircase, which, with a floor height of 2.4–2.7 m, will require 12–15 steps. Its main forming element is the central vertical support, around which steps will rise in a spiral, they, unlike straight stairs, have the shape of a trapezoid. There are a huge number of design options and materials, including natural wood.

Making marches

Painting stairs made of wood can be made from any transparent quick-drying varnish. It is best to choose odorless varieties for indoor use. These can be alkyd varnishes, which have a relatively low cost, alcohol varnishes with good strength and moisture protection, environmentally friendly acrylic or polyurethane varnishes with high wear resistance.

Wooden stairs can be painted in any opaque color. At the same time, the pleasant texture and shade of natural wood are lost, but this way you can achieve, for example, the maximum combination with the rest of the interior or create a certain style. So that after painting there is no pungent smell in the room, you should choose resistant and high-quality acrylic, alkyd, emulsion paints.

Whatever the varnish, it should be carefully applied with a new brush with soft bristles. It cleans up after use. Even if the finishing material is odorless, it is better not to be inside the work area for a couple of hours and check the house.

Style and design may vary depending on the preferences of the owners. The most popular rural or country style for small wooden houses. It is based on maximum naturalness and simplicity. Therefore, it is worth choosing simple straight forms of steps and railings, using natural wood bars covered with transparent varnish. You can not treat the surface of the boards with decorative coloring agents at all, but only polish them as much as possible.

The classic style is typical for spacious rooms with a chic interior. It is best to choose noble dark woods for it. The railings of stairs in this style can have curved shapes, complex vertical racks of many elements, equipped with stucco molding. The main thing is not to overdo it in the number of decorative details and harmoniously fit the stairs into the interior of a country house.

In a house where there is more than one floor, one cannot do without a staircase. At the same time, it should be durable, functional, and, of course, attractive. A wooden staircase is appropriate in any style of interior, although, of course, it must resonate with the general interior idea. Wood, as a material, brings an atmosphere of comfort and sophistication to the atmosphere, and also has characteristics that are most suitable for residential premises. An alternative solution for a residential building, administrative or industrial premises is concrete staircases, which, after installation, are lined with various materials, including wooden steps and balusters.

Wooden stairs are eco-friendly and allow for an endless number of variations. To preserve the structure and give the desired properties, the tree is subjected to special processing.

The design of stairs is now carried out using special computer programs that allow you to see the future product "in all its glory" in three-dimensional form even before construction.


What type of wood to choose?

The type of wood from which the staircase will be made, of course, affects the characteristics of the structure and its price. The most budget option includes stairs made of coniferous species. Their service life is the shortest, in addition, they need deresining.

Pine is most often used for country stairs or bathhouses, but, depending on the model, a pine staircase can look very dignified, so that it will not be visually inferior to those made from more valuable species.

Oak adds luxury and elitism to the interior. Such stairs have the longest service life, resistance to destruction under the influence of various factors, hardness, therefore it is considered the most valuable, including with regard to price.

Processing oak is more difficult due to its structure, but today scientific and technological progress has solved this problem. Larch has some properties of oak, which is cheaper.

The beech staircase also has good characteristics, but requires constant temperature and humidity parameters. Birch is a more affordable and widespread material, besides, it is not so capricious to the conditions in the room. Ash is less common, surpasses oak in some respects, while its cost is much lower.


What should be the stairs?

Stair design should take into account building codes, which will eliminate dangerous situations. In a two-story house, the stairs are usually single-span. The transforming staircase is acceptable only for the attic or basement floor.

The steps should not be narrow, and their number in one march is usually odd, their angle of inclination should be more than twenty degrees, and the difference in height should not exceed a centimeter. The entire staircase must be adequately illuminated.

Types of stair structures

Mid-flight stairs are the most structurally simple, suitable for any interior. They are recommended for such cases when there are children or elderly people in the family.

However, they require space, so they are not suitable for small rooms. But under such a design it is possible to equip an auxiliary room, for example, a pantry or dressing room.

Spiral staircases take up less space, as they have a spiral design, which can be round, square, rectangular. In addition to saving space, curvature brings style to the design.

The goose step staircase also takes up little space and is most often auxiliary (for the attic and basement). It is recommended in low rooms, and has a different width of steps, as well as their location relative to each other.

Photos of stairs will help you decide, but the visual component is just one of the factors that you need to consider when choosing the type of stairs.


Styles of stairs

A wooden staircase should organically fit in, match the overall style. The staircase in the "classic" style can be said to be universal in this sense. This type is characterized by rigor, symmetry, solidity.

In different variations, it can look completely different, for example, be minimalistic or neoclassical, with decor or be simple.

Victorian style is appropriate in terms of luxury, and has the appropriate decor. Most often they are made of oak.

The "village" staircase is simple, without frills, and is more appropriate for a country house, a summer residence. Brings an element of comfort into the general atmosphere.

The Art Nouveau staircase is an option that is perfect for many interior solutions, such as hi-tech, minimalism, loft. It includes a combination of wood, glass, metal and can have a lot of options that are radically different from each other, which allows you to fit into almost any style solution.

What to consider when buying a ready-made option? In this case, we are not talking about exclusivity, but such stairs will cost less. In most cases, the stairs are mounted in the corridor, hallway, living room.

Photo of wooden stairs

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