Choosing Sizes and Steps for Spiral Staircases

Spiral staircases are considered a fashion statement especially nowadays with such fancy architectural designs. For children, they add a touch of adventure in a home while they save space and money for adults since they are easier on the pocket than regular staircases. You will be amazed at the variety of shapes and sizes available. Choosing a spiral staircase is no easy matter, following are some guidelines.

Step 1 - Assess Location

You will have to decide where exactly you plan on putting up a spiral staircase and if it is possible. Do you want your staircase indoors or outdoors because the outdoor ones are specially designed for that specific use. Once that is confirmed, you will have to pick the material of the staircase, whether it should be made of wood, metal or a blend of the two.

Step 2 - Measure the Area

Wherever your spiral staircase is going to be placed, you need exact measurements from the floor to the ceiling and the diameter of the staircase. If a staircase is to be placed under an opening directly to a floor or ceiling above, it should be a 3 or 4 inches narrower than the opening for a better fit.

Step 3 - Get a Ready-Made Staircase Kit

You can choose a staircase kit that you like from a dealer that sells these. These kits are shipped in an unassembled form and are available with complete instructions on how to reassemble them. The only things you will need are the basic hand or power tools along with some helpers when you are ready to put the staircase up.

Step 4 - Spiral Staircase Plans

If you are confident that you can build a spiral staircase from scratch yourself, you don’t need lots of fancy equipment, all you need is a good wood planer and a table saw. A project like this is manageable providing you have strong clamps and a good set of spiral staircase plans.

Whether you build a staircase from plans, assembly kit or purchase a ready-made spiral staircase, you have to make sure you meet the building codes of the area you live. Every location has different building codes, so make sure you know what the requirements are.

Step 5 - Consider Custom-Made Spiral Staircases

You can also have a spiral staircase made especially for you. This is costly because it is made to order and you can choose from a variety of spiral staircases. If money is not a factor, this is the best option. You can collect a few pictures or sketch your ideas and leave the implementation to the experts. The dealer will give you an estimate of cost and time for assembly.

Step 6 - Search for Dealers Online

Make sure you choose dealers that have a good reputation. Check with Better Business online and select a few companies. Study their websites, then have all your queries ready along with the measurements. Also inquire about any extra costs, like shipping rates.