How to build stair steps

If you plan to build a new home for you and your family there are several things to take into account. One of the most important problems is represented by the stairs and not only from an aesthetic point of view. Choosing the right size for the staircase is primordial.

If not built properly, the stairs can be the cause of multiple accidents. Therefore, you have to take into consideration the shape of the staircase (straight, spiral, L-shaped, etc.), the number of steps and the height. A well-made staircase must be safe and easy to use.

 Standard dimensions for stairs

This part of the article will present you every piece of a staircase and the proper size for each of them.

The tread is that part of the stairway that is stepped on. Thread depth is the place between the outer edge and the inner edge of the thread surface. Professionals recommend that the tread depth should be more than 11 inches to be safe. As for an aesthetic point of view, you can use what stair flooring you like to cover the tread.

The riser is that vertical section between every tread on the stairs. It is referred to as the height of the stair. A standard staircase riser should measure four, five, six or seven inches high.

A nosing is the edge portion of the tread that exceeds the dimension of the riser. People usually avoid building nosing for their staircases because they can fall when stepping on them. However, according to standard dimensions, nosing should be less than 1 ½ inches

The angle that the staircase makes with the surface of the ground is called slope. This angle should be at least 30 degrees and no more than 50 degrees.

The width of the stairs, as professionals recommend, should be 3 ft 6 inches. The wider they are the better because they are safer. Standard stairs handrails have to be more than 44 inches wide.

A landing is that platform at the end of each step flight. Professionals recommend that every staircase should present a landing at every 12 feet (at least).

The main purpose of the railings is to provide safety and prevent people from falling over the edge. They are also used for decorative purposes. Standard heights of railings vary from 30 to 34 inches; the handrail should not exceed 2 inches in diameter. Also, it is obligatory that the railings should present balusters every four inches.

When you decide to build your staircase, avoid open riser stairs and those stairs with treads that are built to form an angle because they are not safe.

If your staircase is damaged, do not try to fix the problem by yourself; ask the help of a professional to help you. In addition make sure you take into account the safety of your staircase first and then its decoration and design.

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