Build Spiral Stairs
A spiral staircase can add an element of unusualness or elegance to any home or building. If you are interested in having one and have the construction knowledge, here are some steps which provide general information about building spiral stairs cases.
Steps
- Plan your staircase's measurements and design. Consider where the staircase will be located (indoors or outdoors) and whether there would be any problems concerning the staircase's rotation, placement or space.
- Find the height of the spiral staircase by measuring from floor to floor, ignoring carpeting.
- Choose a larger diameter or distance across for your stairs to increase the space of the treads, the flat part of the steps you walk on. Allow for a clearance of at least 2 inches (5.1 cm) from walls and floor openings in calculating your diameter to give room for using the handrail.
- Hire an architect or use a computer-aided design (CAD) program to draw the plans for your spiral staircase. Check that your staircase's plans fulfill any building code regulations if necessary.
- Buy and prepare materials and tools to build the staircase as suited to your plans. Spiral staircases can be constructed of wood, metal or even a combination of the two. A band saw can be used to cut the wood needed for your staircase. Spiral staircase kits are also available for purchase and assembly.
- Use a plumb bob to reference where the staircase's center pole will be by hanging it from the top landing to the floor below. Mark the location where the plumb bob touches the floor.
- Place a center pole where your staircase will be located. The steps will wind up around and beside the pole. Secure the pole with clamps.
- Follow your drawn plans and weld or attach the treads of the staircase to the pole. Start from the bottom up and arrange the treads in a rotating spiral fashion. If needed, use steel hangers or other material capable of supporting hundreds of pounds (kilos) of weight to support the weight of the staircase against a side wall.
- Put in risers if using them. Risers are the vertical panel pieces of a step. Install any needed vertical balusters and the stair railing next to the steps.
Tips
- You can calculate your staircase's dimensions using your own measurements and online tools found on spiral staircase manufacturers' websites.
- Oak is a good choice of wood for constructing staircases. Pine can also be used.
- Spiral staircases come in a variety of styles, including deco and stacked spiral staircases.
- Choose thick treads over thin ones to better support body weight when the stairs are used.
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Ladder
- Plumb bob
- Architect or CAD program
- Architectural drawings
- Wood or metal
- Band saw
- Welding tool
- Center pole
- Clamps
- Steel hangers
- Treads
- Risers
- Balusters
- Handrail
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