A staircase is not only a design for visiting the second floor, but also a functional complement to the interior. Creating it yourself is not so simple, in this business there are many features and nuances. The design should be reliable and at the same time fully comply with the interior. First, the material is selected, the project is done, and only after that the work begins.
If you follow the instructions, you will create a staircase with your own hands in the shortest possible time. Having mastered the basic aspects of the construction process, you can proceed directly to business. Carefully follow all the tips and do not skip a single step so as not to violate the proportions and the process of work.
How to choose a design?
So that the staircase built with your own hands does not disappoint you subsequently, the project is considered at the first stage. In a private house, this can be any option. Even if you build an attic staircase with your own hands, which will not be visible from the outside, you also need to work fully. Not every construction is within the power of an inexperienced master. However, there are several quite accessible designs:
- One-flight. In such a staircase, the steps are fixed in one line and go one after another. They are the simplest, but they will require more free space.
- Rotary. They have several running steps - this is how they turn. Its direction is selected, depending on the location.
- Two-flight. The advantage of such designs is that they do not require a lot of free space. They are two marches, which are fixed by a platform with a turn of 90 or 180 degrees. Although there are direct models (but they are rarely used in private homes, as this requires more space).
- Screw. Suitable even for a small room. Although the masters say that such a staircase will be less safe and convenient than its counterparts.
As you can see, there are enough options, and it is important to decide what is right for you. For example, if you plan a staircase in the country, built with your own hands, a screw design will be appropriate. Now it’s clear that before starting work it is worth considering every little thing. True, there are experienced craftsmen who are ready to help. But you have to pay for it.
What materials are they made of?
Do-it-yourself stairs can be made of various materials. Each of them has its own characteristics and lifetime. Here are some options to choose from.
- Wood. This is the most common and affordable material. Various options are used - boards, logs, chopping blocks, while there are also many opportunities for decoration. Such stairs are durable, and the house creates maximum coziness and comfort. Although you should not forget that this material lends itself to decay. However, such a nuisance is simply eliminated: you need to use only well-dried material, and after installation process it with the necessary compounds. This includes varnishes, antiseptics, antifungal agents, etc.
- Metal. Constructions of any complexity are made of it. As a result, the self-constructed staircase turns out to be beautiful and elegant. At the end of the work, you can use another material for cladding, although a number of structures are left unchanged. Forged models are the most beautiful, although stairs are made of steel no worse. The main difficulty of metal structures is the assembly of all components. Without a welding machine, nothing can be done. In addition, the metal has its drawbacks, for example, it can rust. For this reason, at the planning stage, you need to think through every moment and eliminate undesirable consequences.
- Concreting. Many believe that this design is the most complex. But a similar staircase to the 2nd floor, made with your own hands and properly thought out, will turn out to be reliable and durable. Before starting work, you will have to make a formwork. It is clear that its quality will depend on the selected composition of the concrete mix. It flows into the created formwork and undergoes vibration. If this is not done, voids and cracks may appear in the concrete over time. Do not forget also that it takes a lot of time (at least 30 days) to dry the fill. And this is the stop of the finishing work. Consider all these parameters at the planning stage.
Everyone can create a completely original staircase. For example, apply several materials at once in one design. As a result, the staircase, made skillfully and accurately with your own hands, is very attractive. In addition, you can supplement it with glass or something more original. In short, there are enough materials, and each of them has its own characteristics during installation. Observing simple rules and avoiding mistakes, you can create a reliable design that will last for many years.
Preparatory work
So, as noted earlier, you must first think through the entire project. The most accurate calculations should be done - without this, it will not be possible to create the required staircase with your own hands, whether it be made of wood, metal or concrete. Everyone can develop a project and draw a diagram, knowing what parameters will be involved in the process.
Necessary calculations
- Height. It is necessary to measure the distance from the floor to the ceiling, as well as to the first step. Calculate the hypotenuse - the length of the structure. Measurements should be performed with maximum accuracy, otherwise it will not work to create a reliable ladder that can last for many years.
- The number of future steps. Masters believe that the most suitable option is an odd amount. In one march there should be no more than 15 pieces. These are generally accepted rules, although sometimes they are violated, which can make the design less reliable and complete.
- Bias. It is clear that each staircase has its own indicators - this is an individual approach. Here you have to connect your knowledge and calculate the sine of the angle of inclination (within 40 degrees). However, these simple calculations are worth it to get a beautiful staircase as a result.
- Width. The parameter can be any, but do not forget about convenience. The ideal option is 80 centimeters, but this indicator can increase, depending on the handrails. Do not make the stairs too narrow. This reduces usability.
- Depth. It is clear that this figure will be affected by the size of the legs, but there are averaged indicators from 23 to 30 centimeters. It is better, again, to take an individual approach, but "by eye" is better not to do so that the operation is subsequently convenient.
- Step height. Average values range from 17 to 20 centimeters.
Each digit of your calculations will have a close relationship with another. Therefore, changing something in the process, you will have to recount everything else. The planning process should be taken with care so that the structure does not lose stability and serves for a long time. Some acquire an already completed project or ask experienced craftsmen to make the necessary calculations. After that, according to ready-made data, it’s much easier to work.
DIY wooden staircase
The reader can see photos of examples of wooden stairs in our article. This design has its own characteristics. Basically, on each side there are specially measured and sawn-in cloves (kosour).
These details are the first that the craftsmen are working on. They are fixed strictly in order - for this, a wall or auxiliary beams are used.
Steps
When the preparation is completed and the design is in place, you need to do the steps. To create them yourself, you have to arm yourself with a saw and boards. Although many people have more modern facilities on the farm, which makes the process much easier. Make sure that the size of the kosour matches the width of the march.
How to make a wooden staircase with your own hands? For mounting parts, any available fasteners can be used. The main thing is reliability and durability. But the side frames can be connected by a common lock - a spike groove. But nevertheless, in such a design, adhesive compositions will also have to be used so that the strength of the stairs does not decrease. Do not forget about the risers. Without them, the work would not be complete.
The process of making steps and risers usually takes a lot of time. Making steps and supports from wood is not as easy as it might seem at first glance.
Metal staircase
It’s even more difficult to work with metal. The fact is that when creating the design, you will have to use a welding machine, and not everyone can do this. Still, to build such a ladder, you will need a pipe or channels.
In order for the frame to be in place, several work options are possible.
- Installation of the main support. In the middle, you can use anchors as fasteners. After special welded sides are welded - they are required under the steps.
- Direct bowstrings. The method is comparable to the first, but two profiles are used on the sides. Components are purchased in hardware stores or ordered from masters.
- Kosoura. This design is welded together with all the constituent elements. For example, in many houses a staircase made of metal to the second floor is made by hand. In this process, a standard sheet of iron can be used, from which some components are made.
How is a spiral staircase made? First you need to create a support, after which the steps themselves begin to fix around it. To do this, you need bolts or a welding machine. Of course, the second option is more reliable, but it is not available to everyone. Steps can also be metal. Sometimes a base (frame) is made with corners, where wooden installations are attached after.
Concrete staircase
As mentioned earlier, this is the most complex design. The point is not only that you have to wait for the concrete to dry. The process itself takes place in several stages - first the formwork is performed and only after that is the fill. Since the concrete is heavy, it must be fixed as reliably as possible so that collapse does not occur. Be sure to use fittings around the perimeter for reliability.
Instruments
What you need to have on hand to create such a project?
- A sufficient amount of cement.
- Sand.
- Plasticizers.
- Small crushed stone.
- Boards for formwork.
- Fittings of various lengths.
Getting to work
The process itself begins from below. To prevent air streaks from forming in the concrete, additional components are used - a rule or a roller with iron spikes. When the formwork sets in about two days, this element is removed.
Many say that in one day to create such a design will not work. And really - everything is done gradually, without rushing. Do not immediately knead large volumes of sand-concrete mix, which then will not dry out. By the way, for those who value time above all else, there are additional substances that make the steps durable and quick-drying.
This staircase is then subjected to additional decoration. It can be tile, wood or leveling mortars.
Conclusion
So, we figured out how to make a ladder from various materials with our own hands. It remains only to choose the most suitable option, depending on skills, financial capabilities and the desired result.