8 steps to a successful staircase installation
1. Choose the design and style
The first step to planning a staircase is to envisage what you want it to look like and work backwards from this. A good place to start is to look at interior design websites and stair parts manufacturers’ brochures for inspiration.
If you’re having trouble deciding what style is best, consider the age and style of your home:
Top tip
When a staircase is delivered it often comes with the newel posts in situ. Consider getting these newel posts in the same wood and design as your staircase so they complement each other.
- Is your home classic or contemporary?
- Do you want the staircase to complement the era of your house or create a striking contrast?
- Do you want the staircase to be a design focal point or is it purely functional?
- Are there any major issues with your existing staircase or are you simply looking to update the style?
If your new staircase is for an extension or a loft conversion and you want it to match your existing stairs and landings, you’ll need to give the existing timber and style details to the manufacturer of your new staircase.
2. Decide if the staircase needs replacing or if it can be repaired
Even staircases that have had a lot of wear and tear may not need completely replacing—worn treads, broken or missing spindles or loose banisters can all be fixed or replaced without incurring the cost of a complete staircase replacement.
Specialist woodturners such as Jackson can copy existing designs to match spindles, newel posts and balustrade bases, if you can’t find the exact style you need. This is a particularly good idea if you’re keen to maintain the period features of an older property.
If your staircase is in a good condition but you’re not happy with the design, replacing the balustrade or even just the spindles can give your staircase an instant update at a fraction of the cost and effort.
You can find out more about renovating a rundown staircase with top tips from woodwork professionals here.
If you’re not happy with a fundamental aspect of the staircase, it might be best to replace it.
Common reasons for replacing an entire staircase include:
- Repositioning the staircase to another part of the house
- Steps are too steep and/or too narrow
- Staircase is affected by woodworm or dry rot
- Changing the material e.g. replacing concrete stairs with timber
- Having a new extension to the property, such as a loft conversion
The bonus of replacing or updating a staircase is that it’s a great opportunity to make the most of the space available by converting the cupboard under the stairs or transforming the area with innovative lighting.
3. Choose the right material for your staircase
The broad range of materials available, from traditional timber to modern glass panels and sleek metal accessories, means there’s something to suit everyone’s budget.
It’s worth doing your research and looking at how different materials look in homes similar to yours. We have some real home staircase transformations on our website to give you some inspiration.
Timber is likely to be the main material used in your staircase so choosing the right wood will be a key decision.
Options include:
Softwoods
Softwoods tend to be more affordable than hardwoods and are ideal for painting or staining.
- Hemlock
- Pine
Hardwoods
Hardwoods are strong, durable and offer a luxurious natural finish.
- Ash
- Oak
- Walnut
If you’re not sure which timber is the best choice for your home, read our detailed guide to wooden stair parts. You can find out more about oak stair parts by viewing our oak stair parts FAQs.
4. Get the right advice and information
Renovating or replacing an existing staircase, or fitting a new one, can be a daunting task. So if you’re unsure it’s always best to get professional advice.
Top tip
Is your staircase closed string or cut string? How will you design your balustrade—with spindles or panels? Some of these terms might seem unfamiliar when you start planning your new staircase so check out our stair parts identification guide for help.
Show your builder or staircase manufacturer the design and style you want to achieve, so they can cost and manufacture your chosen look and material preferences.
If you need inspiration or have a question about stair parts and live in the Sheffield area, you’re welcome to pop into our showroom to see the different styles and designs on offer.
Alternatively, you can take a tour of our showroom online or call us on 0114 272 1228—we’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have.
5. Measure your staircase
To help you select the correct quantity and size of the stair parts you’ll need, it’s best to measure what you currently have installed.
Staircases comprise two main parts:
- The steps—these are made up of treads (the part you step on) and rises (the vertical section between the steps)
- The balustrade—this includes the spindles or panels, handrail, base rails and newel posts
Although these two are very distinct parts of a staircase, thinking of them as one ensures the balustrade not only complements the design of the staircase but is measured to fit it correctly too.
Use our how to measure your staircase guide for help. If you need to work out the number of stair spindles your new balustrade will need, our handy spindle spacing calculator makes it simple.
You can also find out what kind of configuration your current staircase has using our staircase configuration guide.
6. Choosing a budget
Renovating an existing staircase will be the least expensive option, and replacing your balustrade provides a quick and easy solution.
If your existing staircase is badly positioned, you may need to move it. This could add to the cost significantly since you’ll probably need to consult an architect or specialist builder for advice.
If you’re just looking to revamp your existing staircase, these three options will keep your costs low:
- Simply swapping wooden square spindles for characterful metal spirals will instantly transform your balustrade from dull to dramatic.
- Save money while maximising the ‘wow’ factor of your staircase by splashing out on a beautiful oak handrail and newel post. Combine these with cost-effective white primed spindles for a smart, contemporary look.
- If you’re going to carpet the stairs, consider having a relatively cheap flight of stairs made as the treads and risers will be covered.
To help you plan your budget, you can find an overview of the average cost of stair parts here.
7. Ensure your staircase is safe
It’s essential that your staircase meets safety requirements as stated by the current building regulations. Your staircase will need to meet a number of specific regulations covering measurements—for example, the height of a stair riser should be between 150 mm–220 mm. There is more information on measurements for building regulations in our staircase measurements and configurations FAQs.
If elderly people or children are going to use the staircase, this might affect the style you go for.
If you’re fitting a new staircase as part of a loft conversion, you’ll need to ensure it complies with fire safety building regulations.
8. Shop for stair parts
If you’ve decided just to update your balustrade rather than your entire staircase, shopping for stair parts online is easy. If you’re not sure which components you require, you can always refer to our stair parts identification guide or contact our friendly team for advice.
You may also find our in-depth guides to key stair parts helpful when making your decisions.
Many of our stair parts are available in sets—for example, ready-to-install handrail kits including connectors and end caps—to simplify the purchasing process.
If you have any questions at all, we’re always happy to help, so just give us a call on 0114 272 1228 or email [email protected].
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Stair parts identification guide