Ladder Spban independent magazine about staircases in the home

An independent magazine about staircases in the home. Not a manufacturer or a shop, and not connected with the former site on this domain; we neither make nor sell staircases. Design and installation of load-bearing stairs is for professionals only.

Planning

Planning the work

A staircase can hardly be changed without major rebuilding, so decisions about it are best made early and with care. Where it will go, who will use it, what will have to be carried up it, how it will be lit: these questions matter more than the colour of the treads. Calculations and design are a professional's job, but it helps to know in advance what to ask.

A staircase is not something you can return to the shop. Its dimensions are built into the floor, the walls and the whole family's habits, so the most valuable time goes into thinking it through, not installing it.

— Editor's note

How this section works: we describe the general order of work on a staircase and the questions worth discussing with a professional, without dimensions or code references. Requirements for stairs are set out in national building codes, which differ from country to country, and for a private house the design is agreed with a designer.

How to approach a staircase project

  1. Purpose and location

    Write down who will use the stairs every day, whether furniture will need to go up them and how often they will be used at night. Identify possible locations: along a wall, in the middle of a room or in a separate stair hall.

  2. Stair type

    Match your needs to the types: straight flight, turning with a landing, winders, spiral or cantilevered. The more compact the type, the more compromises in comfort. The final choice depends on the opening and the structure of the house.

  3. Balustrade and handrail

    Decide what the balustrade will be: balusters, panels or glass. The handrail should run the full length of the flight. If there are small children in the home, think ahead about safety gates and making sure they can't squeeze through or climb over the balustrade.

  4. Materials

    Choose materials for the structure, treads and finish with noise, care and the style of the house in mind. Remember non-slip tread surfaces and how the material will behave as humidity changes.

  5. Design by a professional

    The designer calculates the structure, the rise and going of the steps, the loads on floors and fixings, and checks the solution against current building codes. Ask to see the drawings and discuss them while changes are still easy.

  6. Installation and handover

    A load-bearing staircase is installed by professionals according to the design. At handover, walk up and down, check that the steps are even, that the handrail and balustrade are rigid, that there are no creaks or play, and that the lighting works. Record any issues in writing.

Blondel's step formula

In the late 17th century the French architect François Blondel, in his Cours d'architecture, described a ratio linking the dimensions of a step to the human stride. Twice the riser height plus the tread depth roughly equals an adult's stride, about 60–64 cm.

The idea is simple: the higher the step, the shallower the tread should be, and vice versa. When the ratio is off, climbing is uncomfortable, and you find yourself either shuffling or overstretching. That is why Blondel's formula is still cited when people judge how comfortable a staircase is.

It is important to understand the limits of this rule. It is a classic comfort guideline, not a building regulation. The actual step dimensions, flight width and balustrade height are set by current codes and by the designer, taking into account the purpose of the staircase and the features of the house.

Questions for your designer

  • Which stair types are possible in this opening, and what are the drawbacks of each
  • How the chosen step dimensions relate to comfortable stride and to current requirements
  • Whether the floor and wall can carry the load and what fixings that will take
  • What the balustrade and handrail will be like and how to keep small children safe
  • How the staircase will be lit and where the switches are best placed
  • Which tread finish is planned and how slippery it is
  • Ideas

    Straight, landing, winder, spiral and cantilevered stairs, space-saving solutions for the attic, plus a little history.

  • Materials

    Solid wood, laminated panels, metal, concrete and stone, glass balustrades and tread finishes, in general terms. The article catalogue lives here too.

  • FAQ

    Answers about the magazine, choosing and designing a staircase, safety and care.

Sources

  • F. Blondel, Cours d'architecture
  • Encyclopedic sources on the history of architecture

Information about staircases is given in general terms, based on works on architectural history, encyclopedic sources, manufacturers' technical documentation for finishing materials and EMERCOM of Russia safety leaflets. The specific requirements for the staircase in your home are set by building codes and your designer, and the care of a finish by the manufacturer's instructions.