Wood is one of the most popular materials for making stairs. Among its advantages, we note the affordable cost and high strength, environmental safety and aesthetic appeal. However, in order for the ladder to serve you for a long time, it should be properly designed and installed. On the features of the installation of stairs made of wood, we will consider further.
Benefits, manufacturing and installation of wooden stairs
Wood products are all around us. This is primarily due to the availability of this material and its low cost. When choosing a staircase that is installed inside the house, its wooden version is one of the most successful.
Also, the tree is easily processed, so the stairs can be made in any shape or design idea. In addition, the tree has a special texture, smell and texture elements. Therefore, its use in the interior enriches it with comfort and creates an atmosphere of coziness.
Among the main advantages of wooden stairs, we note:
1. Durability and reliability - such a ladder is quite durable, it can withstand heavy operating loads. However, the lifespan of a staircase also determines the type of wood it is made from.
2. Ecological safety is another important advantage of a wooden staircase. Wood is a natural material that is not prone to adverse effects on human health. Wooden products give the room comfort, since when the humidity is too high, the tree absorbs moisture, and when it is low, it gives it away. If the staircase is made of pine, then it also has antiseptic properties that heal the air in the room.
3. Affordable cost - the cost of building a staircase made of wood is much less than the manufacture of a metal or concrete staircase. In addition, there is always a choice: to go for cheaper options such as larch or pine, or to prefer more expensive, but at the same time powerful oak.
4. Light weight - due to this advantage, the transportation of material to the object is much cheaper. In addition, the staircase does not load the total weight of the building, and specialized equipment is not needed for its construction and installation.
5. Ease of changing the appearance is achieved by painting a wooden staircase or transforming it.
6. Attractive appearance allows you to install such a ladder in any interior. Since wood, being a natural material, is combined with almost everything.
Varieties and installation of stairs in a wooden house
The staircase is not only an element of communication between two floors, but an aesthetic part of the room. It is wooden stairs that have an attractive appearance and decorate the room in which they are installed. Carved elements, beautiful railings, balusters, wood texture - give the stairs beauty, chic and decoration.
In order to make such a design on your own, you will first need experience with carpentry tools, as well as efforts to process wood. Before starting work, special calculations should be made to determine the optimal angle of inclination of the stairs, the number of steps, their sizes, etc.
In addition, stairs can be made entirely of wood or of combined materials such as glass, metal, concrete, forging, etc. However, as part of any staircase there are its main components, in the form of: steps, stringers, bowstrings, supports. To decorate this design, elements in the form of fittings, handrails, balusters, risers are used.
If you plan to install wooden stairs with a complex configuration, then you should think about certain difficulties that arise during its operation. First of all, it is difficult to carry large furniture on a turntable. Balusters should be located at a distance of at least 15 cm between each other.
In relation to the manufacturing method, wooden stairs are:
- marching;
- console;
- spinal;
- screw;
- combined.
The simplest staircase design is a marching one. It consists of one or more marches that perform the function of combining floors with each other. This version of the stairs is straight and rotary. The most common option is the lower part of the stairs, made of monolith, and the balusters, steps and railings are made of wood. This ladder is very durable, well withstands heavy operating loads and at the same time very convenient, as it is found everywhere: in schools, hospitals and other public institutions.
A console-type staircase is airy and light, but less safe than a marching one. Such a staircase seems to hang in the air, as there is an unfilled space between the steps. However, in fact, the steps are fixed to the wall surface with the help of anchors, which make the structure quite durable. Among the advantages of the stairs, we note the absence of the need to install it.
The spiral staircase is small in size, so it can be easily installed in the smallest room. It includes both rectilinear and curvilinear march sections.
The wooden staircase of the ridge type is distinguished by its similarity with a real ridge. Since this design includes separate elements, for the connection of which only their sequential order is used. This design combines various marches of a rotary, spiral, running type. However, the process of its construction is quite long and laborious. After installing the steps, a fence is constructed, making the structure more holistic. In this case, the use of flexible type handrails is appropriate. This version of the stairs is distinguished by a high price, which is several times higher than the price of standard stairs.
In the process of manufacturing and assembling a wooden staircase, you should carefully read the available information on the implementation of this process. The selection of materials should be made with special care and seriousness, because the life of the stairs directly depends on the quality of the wood.
The composition for tinting must meet all quality norms and standards. If the ladder is installed inside the house, then you should take care of the environmental safety of the substances that process the wood. Since some of them can cause allergies. Also, you need to decide on the type of varnish and tinting for the stairs.
All parts of the stairs must be painted in clean conditions with a spray gun. Thus, it will be possible to achieve a perfectly even structure and color. The wooden staircase is assembled after painting and complete drying of each of the parts.
Wood is a material that is unstable to moisture and temperature changes, so the room should always have moderate humidity and optimal temperature. Otherwise, the tree begins to become moldy, rot, or simply deform.
When choosing hardwood for the manufacture of wood, one should be guided by the fact that it is strong enough, but at the same time labor-intensive in processing. Beech, oak, ash, maple - a tree that perfectly tolerates high operational loads, mechanical damage, strength. I choose coniferous varieties of wood for the manufacture of stairs, it should be borne in mind that they contain resin that purifies the air and has an antiseptic effect. The cost of such wood is an order of magnitude lower, however, the aesthetic appeal is at a lower level than that of oak.
When choosing the design of a wooden staircase, try to make it fit into the overall style of interior design. Railings, handrails, balusters should be in harmony with the overall style. You should also pay attention to such subtleties as choosing the color of the wood, calculating the stairs that are optimally convenient for moving and determining the shape of the stairs.
Installing steps on a wooden staircase
The type of mounting steps on the stairs depends primarily on its shape and configuration. There are two main versions of the stairs: on a bowstring and on a stringer. Kosour - a place for installing steps from above, and a bowstring means installing it on the side of the stairs and mounting the steps between it and the wall or between two bowstrings.
Kosour - is an element that perceives the total load, so the installation of steps on its surface implies its fixation and protection against vibration and displacement.
The easiest way to install a step in this case is to fix it on the surface of the stringer with a drill. Self-tapping screws should have decorative heads that twist into the inside of the steps. It is also possible to mount decorative plugs made of polymeric materials. This fastening is appropriate if the staircase was built independently, without the involvement of specialists.
Please note that only a feather drill and a high-speed drill are used to fix the steps, thus avoiding the appearance of bevels. If the staircase is open and does not imply additional sheathing, then a hidden method is used to install the steps, that is, cotter pins. In this case, these elements are installed on the surface of the stringer and fixed with glue. However, for a ladder with a high operational load and mobility, this option is inappropriate, since the steps will quickly fail.
Installing wooden stairs with your own hands is a rather laborious process, which requires special skills. Among the main ways of fixing the steps on the bowstring, we note:
1. Fixing on the bowstring of the support bar under the step.
2. Steel brackets installed under the steps and fixed with self-tapping screws and bolts.
3. Overlays and ribs, installed on the inside of the bowstring, in a zigzag kosour.
4. Production of groove elements for steps on a bowstring.
The most popular and simple are the first two ways to fix the steps. If the staircase will withstand heavy loads, then it is better to give preference to the last two options.
The use of bars and overlays is appropriate if the stairs will be sheathed in the future. If the staircase is not sheathed, then the fixing points of the self-tapping screws must be hidden.
Wooden staircase installation video:
Another option for mounting steps is to fix them in the wall. To tighten one side of the ladder, steel studs or bushings are used, and the second is fixed to the wall surface.
Wooden steps are installed in the wall by mounting them on supporting elements, which are bars, corners, decorative turned elements. Anchor elements are also used to fix the steps. In addition, steps should be milled, in relation to the width and depth of their installation in the wall.
Installation of balusters on a wooden staircase
During the installation of balusters, certain rules should be followed:
- the minimum value of the height of the staircase fence is 90 cm;
- the minimum interval for installing racks is 15 cm.
If there are small children in the house, the latter indicator decreases to 10 cm. Among the main elements of the baluster, we note the presence of:
- main part;
- central part;
- handrails.
The main decorative element is just the center of the baluster. There are several ways to install a railing on a wooden staircase, as well as mounting balusters:
1. Holes are drilled for balusters. The lower and upper parts are cut off. Use a miter saw to make cuts.
2. Install the studs inside the holes, drill holes inside the bowstring.
3. Install balusters made of wood with studs already built into them.
4. The top installation of the baluster is also done. Next, the entire structure should be glued to the handrail.
The second option for installing balusters involves the use of dowels. Since the racks do not lend themselves to heavy loads, this method is quite appropriate. Holes are drilled under the dowels, as well as under the studs, but their diameter is slightly larger.
Dowels must be coated with glue, installed inside the balusters and fixed in them with glue. Next, the base is mounted on the surface of the bowstring. For additional fixation of the baluster, anchors are used, which are installed from below.
Also, to fix the balusters, self-tapping screws installed on the steps are used. This method is quite simple, but less reliable than fixing with studs.
Installing balusters on a wooden staircase video:
Installation of a wooden staircase is a long and responsible process. Incorrect calculation or incorrect installation of parts can significantly reduce the reliability and durability of the structure. For this reason, the installation of wooden stairs must be carried out in a certain order, observing certain rules. Before assembly, you need to carefully calculate all the steps.
It takes place in stages: first, some elements are mounted, the second ones are attached to them, then the third, fourth, etc. Therefore, before installation, you should familiarize yourself with the names of the details of the stairs:
- steps - elements on which there is a descent or ascent;
- tread - the horizontal part of the step;
- riser - a vertical detail of a step;
- kosour - a carrier beam on which the steps are installed from above;
- bowstring - a supporting element with cutouts for steps;
- railings - a ladder railing that prevents a fall;
- baluster - the vertical component of the railing (in other words - a column);
- handrail - the horizontal part of the railing;
- platform - free space dividing the stairs to the second floor into 2 or more parts;
- support beam (so-called zero step) - a beam or crossbar against which load-bearing elements abut;
- rack - the main bearing element of the screw structure.
Construction types
Reliability, durability and ease of use of stairs to the second floor largely depend on the shape of the structure.
In the modern world, screw and marching products are especially popular.
A distinctive feature of screw structures is the radial type of the arrangement of steps. That is, the steps are attached around the post (central axis) and supported on the other side by auxiliary elements (wall or load-bearing beams). However, the design and installation of such structures is particularly difficult, and the convenience of using a spiral staircase leaves much to be desired.
Marching stairs are much more common. They are more reliable and comfortable to use. Their only drawback is the high requirements for free space. However, ease of use, reliability and a good span have made marching varieties the most popular on the stair construction market. Building such a staircase is much easier than a spiral staircase, even if we talk about.
Preparation for work
Installing stairs to the second floor is a long and costly process. To make it as easy as possible, you need to properly prepare.
For greater convenience, the preparatory work before the arrangement can be divided into 3 stages:
- design (creation of a drawing);
- selection of necessary materials;
- preparation of tools.
At the first stage, it is necessary to produce the highest quality scheme. For greater information content, it should be performed in three projections: from above, from the side and in front. In this case, in the top view, it is necessary to indicate the location and direction of the flight of stairs. Creating a drawing is usually done on drawing paper.
Advice!
If you prefer to work at a computer, there are a couple of convenient and completely free programs for designing stairs and other structures on the Internet.
We design a staircase in the Compass program
The next step is quite simple - based on the calculations, consumables are purchased in the required quantity. In this case, it is better not to be stingy and purchase materials with a margin.
Also, for the installation of stairs to the second floor, you will need certain tools. In particular:
- pencil;
- level;
- square;
- clamp;
- plane;
- a hammer;
- drill or screwdriver;
- Grinder;
- saw;
- fasteners (usually wood screws are used).
Installation order
After the preparatory work, you can proceed to the installation of the structure. As mentioned above, the installation of the stairs takes place in a certain order.
load-bearing beams
First of all, you should make cutouts for the steps. If you plan to install a ladder on bowstrings, it is necessary to make cutouts for steps on each support beam (minimum distance from the edge is 5 cm). It should be borne in mind that the grooves of the two supporting elements must be mirrored to each other.
Creating cutouts on stringers is different:
- the beam is divided into 2 equal parts;
- in the upper half, with the help of a corner and in accordance with the drawing, future cutouts are marked;
- the marked notches are sawn out;
- repeat steps 1-3 for another beam.
The next step is the installation of a support beam in the place where the stairs to the second floor will begin. To connect the beam and the supporting beams, you can go in two ways:
- make a cut in the beam;
- make small grooves in the support bar into which the beams will be inserted.
Finally, you can start installing stringers:
- in the place where the staircase ends, install a bar and fix it with steel anchors;
- connect the supporting elements with a bar on the second floor;
- firmly press the stringers to the support bar on the floor;
- fix the bar with steel anchors.
Installation of stairs on bowstrings is different. Here, steps are first inserted, and only then the structure is moved to the wall and fixed on the support bars.
steps
After firmly fixing the supporting beams, you can proceed to the installation of steps. When creating, the length of the steps must match the width of the span. If a bowstring is used as a supporting beam - the distance between the grooves, including the depth of the hole.
First of all, you should install the risers - the vertical part of the steps. To do this, you can use self-tapping screws or special glue.
Important!
Fixation must be secure.
Before proceeding to the installation of treads, they must first be made and the surface should be properly treated with a grinder. They are installed in the same way - using self-tapping screws or using glue. It is worth noting that for greater convenience when lifting, the treads should protrude forward over the vertical elements by 2-3 cm.
Installation of steps in a staircase on bowstrings is as follows:
- the grooves of the first string are lubricated with glue;
- steps are inserted into the processed holes;
- the recesses of the second bowstring are processed with glue and the beam is connected to the steps.
railing
When descending or ascending stairs, people often lean on the railing. Therefore, the fences must be securely fixed and withstand a considerable load.
Installation of railings begins with preparatory work:
- At the junction of the steps with the carrier beam, places for the installation of balusters are marked. In this case, the side face of the column should coincide with the lateral end of the step.
- A hole of the desired diameter is made in the marked place.
- A small wooden dowel is made. The diameter of the rod should correspond to the width of the hole, and along the length the dowel should protrude 1-1.5 cm above the surface of the step.
- Holes are made in the lower and upper parts of each baluster, corresponding to the diameter of the dowel.
Marking a place for balusters
Then you can proceed with the installation:
- support pillars are mounted at the beginning and end of the stairs to the second floor;
- 1-2 intermediate balusters are installed (not on dowels!);
- the compliance of the angle of inclination is checked by applying a handrail to the balusters (if necessary, the height of the columns is adjusted);
- a dowel is inserted into the recesses from above to fix the handrail;
- the base and recesses of the balusters are lubricated with glue;
- columns are installed on dowels;
- the upper rod of the baluster is lubricated with glue;
- the handrail is tightly applied and fixed on the balusters.
Installation of balusters a drawing is made;
Installation of the finished spiral staircase
Installation of a wooden staircase requires a careful approach and attentiveness from the master. Incorrect calculation or poor-quality fixation of elements can adversely affect the strength and durability of the structure. For this reason, the assembly of the ladder structure must be carried out with special care.
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 curved 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 simpler in form and execution options.
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:
- 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.
- Curvilinear single-march. Installed in large rooms to emphasize spaciousness. They are distinguished by a smooth turn and steps extended from the outside.
- Marching with lower turning steps. Sometimes this option is provided by the layout of the room, it can support the chosen architectural style.
- Simple 2 march system. A staircase with two flights and with an interfloor turntable can be mounted above the door and save space.
- 2 march L-shaped design. It is located in a rectangular opening along perpendicular walls and saves space.
- 2-way U-shaped staircase with an upper platform and turning steps. The design is mounted in luxurious mansions with a large hall.
- 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.
Is it possible, in principle, to install a ladder made of natural wood with your own hands? Many people ask this question. For some, the assembly process itself is interesting, while others believe that self-assembly will allow them to better control the quality of work and save on hiring professional assemblers. In this article, we will try to understand the intricacies of installing wooden stairs, find out what difficulties may arise during the construction of staircases.
Design choice
The sequence of installation work largely depends on the type of ladder structure. When choosing one or another version of the design, it is necessary to take into account the area and configuration of the room in which it will be located. Also, the staircase should fit into the surrounding interior, not look too bulky, not stand out too much and harmoniously complement the design of the room. To simplify the task, consider the two most common types of structures:
- Marching modifications, consisting of one or more spans, can be equipped with winder steps and an intermediate platform. Marches can be placed at an arbitrary angle in relation to each other.
- Stairs of spiral type. In these designs, the steps form a kind of spiral around the central axis. As a result, the staircase is much more compact and visually more interesting. However, its manufacture requires the utmost accuracy of measurements, and it is not as convenient to use it as a conventional mid-flight ladder.
The composition of any staircase design includes a certain set of functional and decorative elements that form a single whole. Before proceeding to the practical part, we recommend that you study the names of the components of the stairs and their purpose.
Preparing to install stairs with your own hands
At the initial stage, you need to take care of the arrangement of the staircase. It is placed between two ceiling beams. There are cases when adjacent beams are too close to provide the optimal span width, one of the beams is sawn out, and the opening is placed between two side beams, combining them with a beam with the same section as the beams.
To install the stairs, it is necessary to install load-bearing beams, which will take on the bulk of the structure. Recommendations for fixing load-bearing elements:
- Beams must be carefully fixed at both ends. Flooring, ceiling beams and platforms are suitable as a base (during the construction of multi-level modifications);
- For fasteners, you can use bolts, anchors and metal corners, whose dimensions are selected individually. When installing a stringer in the lower base, an additional support bar is often used;
- The seats intended for the installation of steps must be checked with a level in order to prevent discrepancies in the horizontal plane;
- Supports located at the bottom are fixed at the same interval with tie bolts to ensure a stable distance between the bearing elements after they are loaded.
- In the case of mid-flight stairs, the spans are assembled separately, which somewhat facilitates the work. Next, the finished marches are mounted on pre-installed load-bearing beams.
- When erecting a screw modification, each step is sequentially adjusted to the place allotted for it, aligned with the neighboring steps and walls.
Installation of steps and risers:
- When installing stairs on a stringer, they begin with the installation of risers, on which horizontal treads are placed. As fasteners, ordinary self-tapping screws are used;
- Instead of self-tapping screws, tongues and tenon grooves are also used - they are less noticeable and do not spoil the appearance. This method of fastening requires pre-drilling holes, then the connection is fixed with wood glue;
- If the bowstring performs the functions of the supporting element, the steps are placed in the grooves allocated for them, lubricated with adhesive, and fixed to the support bars with self-tapping screws.
Installation of stair railing:
- Each span is equipped with two support pillars (at the beginning and end of the march);
- Balusters are installed in the interval between the pillars at the same distance. They are attached to bowstrings or treads with bolts, or dowels lubricated with glue are used;
- Installed balusters are cut off at a height of about 1 meter in a straight line running parallel to the slope line of the flight of stairs;
- The installation of the fence is completed by the installation of handrails, in which a groove is made for connection with balusters.
Construction details are polished, visible defects are eliminated, the surface is covered with a layer of paint or varnish. We recommend painting the stair elements before final assembly.
Use of prefabricated staircases
Self-manufacturing of all the details of the stairs requires accurate measurements and experience with wood. The task is greatly simplified if you buy a ready-made set of ladder parts that are pre-fitted to each other at the factory. You only need to choose a model that is suitable in size and prepare the room for installation work.
Since ready-made designs are mass-produced, their cost is lower than custom-made ones. Complete with the main parts, the manufacturer provides a complete set of fittings and decorative elements, as well as instructions with all assembly steps. Thus, by assembling a ladder made of wood with your own hands, you can save money, but it should be borne in mind that ready-made options are not always combined with the dimensions and style of the room - in this case, we recommend ordering the manufacture of stairs according to an individual project.
Also on sale are kits consisting of several sections that differ in the number of steps. They can be combined with each other in different ways, as a result, assembling a staircase that is most suitable for the size of the room.
Conclusion
Wood remains the most popular material in the production of staircases. It has a natural beauty and a beneficial effect on the microclimate in the house. However, it is worth considering in advance that the installation process will require patience and attention to detail from you.
In order to acquire a high-quality and comfortable staircase system, you have three ways: to purchase a ready-made structure, to order the required model to a carpentry specialist, to make a staircase with your own hands.
Where to begin?
Before you start building a staircase made of wood, you need to think through the individual details. First of all, you need to decide on the type of design. In private homes, two types of stairs are most often used. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.
- The device of a wooden staircase of a spiral type will take up much less free space. However, such systems are difficult to implement. Moreover, the stairs themselves come out relatively narrow, it will be difficult for a “large” person to walk along them (not to mention the transportation of various items or large-sized furniture).
- The most popular version for a private house is a wooden staircase. Such systems can be easily built with your own hands. They are comfortable to use and quite spacious. Marching stairs can have one or two spans. But there is no significant difference in the construction of each type.
- what area can you allocate for the installation of stairs;
- what is the height between floors;
- what maximum load the ladder structure will have to withstand;
- what is the structure of the structure (type of steps, their height and width, type of fences, etc.);
- What is the intended appearance.
Calculations
After you have decided on the above tasks, you can begin to calculate the future staircase and create its drawing. Let's calculate all the parameters first.
- The height of the entire wooden structure. This parameter is defined as the distance between the level of the final floor of the first floor and the level of the final floor of the 2nd floor.
- March width. There are no limits for the largest march width. This parameter is set according to available space and demand. But on the other hand, the smallest size should be at least 600 mm - otherwise you may not part with the person walking towards you, moving along the narrow stairs will be extremely uncomfortable.
- The height and number of steps. In accordance with some regulations in construction, the height of the steps is taken from 15 to 20 cm in size. Usually, an average of 17 cm is used. The number of steps is set as the quotient of dividing the height of the entire structure by the height of each of the steps. If the result is an uneven amount, then you can lower the height of the lower step.
- The width of the top of the step (tread). There are also some rules here. This value should be between 22 and 40 cm.
- The size of the steps. The length of these steps is not so important, and the angle of rotation of each step does not matter. It is important that the narrowest place in width makes it possible to go down it, holding on to the railing. The size of the tread in this place should be more than 220-250 mm, and the line of movement along the middle part corresponded to the conditions provided above - otherwise it will be unsafe to move up the stairs.
- Distance between balusters. The distance between adjacent vertical poles should be no more than 300 mm (so that a person cannot slip between them when falling).
- The length of the stairs. It is calculated by multiplying the width of the top of the step and the number of steps. Sometimes the value obtained can be excessively large and not fit in the allotted area. In this case, you can reduce the width of the top of the step or make a two-flight staircase.
- fence height. Railings should be at such a height that it is convenient to hold on to them. So, on a flat area, this value should be 1050–1100 mm, and on a site with a slope of 900–950 mm.
- Among other things, it is necessary to calculate the clearance above the stairs. When climbing stairs, there must be free space above your head so as not to hit your head. But the length of the supporting structure of the flight of stairs (kosour or bowstring) is also calculated.
Material selection
Knowing all the characteristics of the design, you can proceed to the choice of materials. Stairs can be made from various types of wood. Most experts recommend using beech, oak or larch. But this wood is very expensive. As a rule, conifers are used. They are very strong, easy to process and have a low cost.
When purchasing wood, you need to pay attention to the level of its quality. Boards should not be deformed, have places of decay and fallen out knots. Wood must be thoroughly dried.
Accessories
To install a wooden staircase in the house, you need quality materials.
- Bars for the supporting structure of the flight of stairs - they must be at least 50 mm thick, and commensurate with the size of the steps in width. The footage of the timber should be enough for the entire length of the flight of stairs, it is impossible to connect two bars.
- Boards with a thickness of 40 mm for the manufacture of treads.
- Boards 30 mm thick for the manufacture of risers.
- Balusters, handrails and other additions are better to buy ready-made, they will look more aesthetically pleasing.
- Galvanized fasteners - screws, self-tapping screws, dowels and anchor bolts.
Along with this, you need to prepare the following tools for work:
- devices for measuring and marking (building corner, tape measure, ruler);
- to form holes, you will need a drill (electric drill);
- hacksaws for iron and wood;
- screwdriver or screwdriver with a set of nozzles;
- a set of chisels and a hammer for making grooves;
- electric planer (can be simple);
- sanding skin.
And, of course, a detailed drawing should be at hand.
Production technology
We will analyze the process of manufacturing a wooden staircase in a private house with our own hands using the example of the most common type - a staircase on stringers.
How to do the work so as not to violate the rules and regulations established for the selected staircase design, what procedure and manufacturing techniques - you will learn from the step-by-step instructions.
Manufacturing of stringers
To create a kosour, a well-dried, knot-free, flat board 40 mm thick and 300 mm wide is taken. Now you need to mark up the cutouts for the steps (steps) on the stringer.
In order for the markup to turn out correct, you need to make a special template. It can be made from a sheet of plywood in the form of a square with angles equal to 90 ° and two slats.
We measure from the corner of the plywood sheet a distance corresponding to the width of the step and the height of the riser. We connect the obtained labels with each other with a straight line. After that, we nail the slats directly along the drawn line on each side of the plywood sheet.
Using the template made, we mark the cutouts on the stringer for the steps and risers. After the markup is completed, let's cut out nests (cutouts) for the installation of steps.
All sawn areas should be located strictly parallel to each other, and between the riser and the step there should be an angle of 90 °. To do this, cutouts and corners are carefully and carefully processed with a grinder or rasp.
If a flight of stairs is planned, based on two stringers, then the prepared stringer is laid on the board, and the cutouts are duplicated.
For stairs with steps narrowed at one end and widened at the other (winder steps), stringers will have a different configuration: steps with a wide edge are mounted on the outside, and narrow ones on the inside. Washdowns in such stringers must be carried out according to the size of each step. So, the kosour is ready, we install it in place. It is fixed to the floor and to the beam of the staircase (upper floor).
Making steps
The manufacture of steps for stairs on stringers is a cutting (blank) of rectangular steps from a board with a width of at least 300 mm. The thickness is determined empirically - at least 40 mm.
To obtain a staircase from individual smooth steps, upon completion of work, a protective coating for wood should be applied to the surface of the manufactured elements in at least 3 layers. It is advisable to use a wear-resistant varnish for parquet.
Balusters
Depending on the design, balusters can have a different geometric configuration.
Wooden balusters can be made in three ways:
- turned balusters- the most popular method, which is carried out on a lathe using specialized cutters;
- milled- on the racks of such parts there are cuts in the form of a braid, screw or other decorative elements;
- carved balusters, in other words, poles on which there are thread elements; multi-axis CNC machines are used to create them.
Making wood balusters is a complex process that requires certain skills and equipment. Therefore (it is said above) balusters, handrails and other additions are better to buy ready-made.
How to install yourself?
After completion of the preparatory work, you can begin to assemble the structure. The installation of the stairs is carried out in a certain order.
We mount the support beam at the place where the beginning of the stairs will be, and to the top floor. To connect the bearing stringers with a bar, you can go in two ways:
- make cuts in the beam;
- make small grooves in the support bar into which the stringers will be inserted.
We proceed to the installation of stringers:
- at the end of the stairs we install a bar and fix it with steel anchors;
- we connect the load-bearing elements with a beam on the top floor;
- tightly press the stringers to the support bar on the floor;
- fix the beam with anchors.
steps
After the load-bearing beams have been firmly fixed, we proceed to the mounting of the steps. In the manufacture of stairs on stringers, the length of the steps must correspond to the width of the span.
First of all, you need to install the vertical part of the steps - the risers. Separately, it must be said about the methods of attachment. Elements - risers and treads are connected to each other and to stringers by means of screws and special glue.
You can fix the risers and steps in various ways:
- by means of glue and screws flush with the surface;
- connection in a groove using glue;
- metal corners;
- with triangular rails.
It must be said that for greater comfort when lifting, the treads should protrude 2-3 cm forward above the risers.
railing
When climbing or descending stairs, people often lean on the handrails. As a result, the fence must be tightly fixed and withstand a large load.
Installation of the railing begins with preparatory work.
- At the junction points of the steps with the carrier beam, we mark the places for mounting the balusters. In this case, the side face of the baluster should coincide with the outer end of the step.
- In the intended place, we drill a hole of the required diameter.
- We make a small wooden hairpin of round section (dowel). Its diameter should match the width of the hole, and along its length it should look out 1-1.5 cm above the surface of the step.
- In the upper part, at the base of each of the balusters, we drill holes in accordance with the diameter of the dowel.
- Installation of balusters made of hardwood is carried out by means of metal studs, having a cross section of 6-10 mm and a length of 60-100 mm or dowels made of wood 50-80 mm long and 8 to 14 mm in diameter.
Consider the procedure for installing the fence.
- At the beginning and end of the structure, we install supporting balusters.
- We mount 1-2 intermediate pillars.
- We control the compliance of the angle of elevation (tilt) by applying a railing to the initial posts (if necessary, adjust the height of the posts).
- We insert a dowel into the holes on top to fix the railing.
- We apply glue to the base and recesses of the pillars.
- Balusters are mounted on dowels.
- Apply glue to the top of the post.
- Upon completion of the installation of all vertical elements: balusters, decorative elements, we proceed to the installation of the staircase handrail. To do this, we cut the upper segment of the two extreme pillars at the required angle, attach a rail to them and designate a place for cutting the rest. We saw off all the tops according to the intended level. We press the railing tightly and fasten it to the balusters.
- The final step will be cleaning the finished structure. It is necessary to process the protruding parts with a sandpaper, putty the gaps, clean them from dust and sawdust. Wipe the entire surface of the structure with a damp cloth.
After that, the fence must be allowed to dry well, and then you can start varnishing or painting.
To avoid errors when creating a structure, as well as when installing it in a private wooden, frame house, you must follow the recommendations of professionals.
- In the manufacture of stairs, it is desirable to use a separate room (if possible). In order to assemble the structure as accurately as possible, as well as not harm furniture, household items, it is necessary to determine a separate place where it will be convenient to assemble the future product, control dimensions, and eliminate errors.
- Do not carry out finishing work in the house until the installation of embedded components, basic structural elements. In order not to dismantle the already installed drywall, all kinds of elements, it is necessary to install embedded components in advance in places that are subsequently planned to be faced.
- Take into account the dimensions of the assembly components. If the ladder is not made at the place of its installation, then it is necessary to provide for its movement, delivery to the premises. It is better to divide the structure (make it a team) into such fragments that can fit in the elevator (if the staircase is in a multi-storey building), pass through the doorways.
- Mount ladder securely. The most important factor in installation is rigidity. It is required to carry out well not only the installation of mortgages, but also to connect all the elements of the stairs to each other, if necessary, to perform structural reinforcement.
- Calculate the fastening of elements made of glass. In order for the glass to adhere securely to wood, metal, it is necessary to install gaskets made of silicone, rubber or fluoroplastic bushings - only with the use of seals can glass be bonded to other materials.
- Properly install stairs in a wooden house. A wooden house tends to shrink, as a result of which the staircase should be fixed to the concrete floor in the main part, and connected with the logs in such a way as not to affect the appearance of the products (grooves, specialized holes must be provided). At the same time, the design of the stairs must be adjusted in height - in order to compensate for the change in the difference in heights between floors.
- When choosing a railing painting method, consider the special properties of wood, since each breed reacts in its own way to the influence of paints and varnishes. In particular, it is desirable to cover pine exclusively with transparent varnish. If you try to treat it, for example, with a stain, then the railing will become stained, because the pine in different areas absorbs the composition differently due to the fact that the resins inside the wood are unevenly distributed.
Therefore, before proceeding with a full-scale treatment of the railing, test the chosen product on a small area of \u200b\u200bwood, let the product dry and see the result.
You will learn more about how to install a ladder with your own hands in the following video.
Beautiful examples in the interior
Let's see beautiful and interesting wood staircase designs.
- Elite stairs. For a long time, such structures made of ash, noble oak and beech wood were a kind of indicator of luxury and prosperity, indicating the well-being and aristocratic nature of their owners. The staircases, stunning with their own architecture, were the decoration of palaces, estates or simply rich merchant houses.
- Traditional. An inseparable wooden staircase attracts with its ingenuity. The solution, in which the beam of the supporting structure is cut in the form of steps, and the horizontal surface of the steps of the stairs is superimposed on it - the sidewall of a straight and long march looks reliable and beautiful.
- Tape. The tree is able to take the form of a spiral without problems. The bentwood handrails descending in ribbons reproduce the pattern of the flight of stairs and give the structure characteristic Art Nouveau features.
- Economical. Identical material and railing, integrated into a spectacular design, give this staircase the appearance of a transportable element, prepared for installation in a place predetermined for it.
- In this case, an architecture studio from Mumbai used a curious staircase design in the living room of a multi-level apartment. The originality of her design is that her steps turn into railings, moving from one position to another.
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