Design Guide: Planning the Perfect Bespoke Wood Staircase

The warm and refined presence of wood within the home is unquestionably transformative. One of the most impactive ways that this elegant and natural material can be harnessed is in the introduction of beautiful bespoke wooded stairs. Your dream staircase project may come in the form of a revamp of your existing staircase, or an entirely new design. Either way, Unique Bespoke Wood are here to aid you in realising your vision! Whether seeking striking hardwood stair cladding, or exploring how to create something truly unique with engineered planks for stairs, read on to discover more about the process of staircase design and construction.

A Vision of What You Want
The wooden staircase design that you arrive on will depend very much upon the space it is set to inhabit. If aiming to manifest spectacular wooden stairs from scratch, the potential of what can be achieved is largely only limited by your imagination! Of course, your wooden stairs design will need to be space-appropriate. From a structural standpoint, you will be able to consider whether your staircase will be straight or curved, or feature turns – perhaps with landings.

​One of the wonderful things about wood is the diversity of aesthetics that are available. Hardwood or engineered planks for stairs can be dark and majestic, or light and lifting. Wood may be smooth, sleek and minimalist, or decorated with characterful knots and grain patterns. You might choose to coordinate the finish of your wooden stairs with wood present in the surrounding areas – or you may wish to make a bold stand-out statement! Fundamentally, the choice is entirely yours.

​The Ins and Outs of Stair Cladding
If your aim is to makeover an existing staircase, stair cladding can deliver an astounding transformation that alters the air of your entire home. Bespoke stair cladding can be fitted to almost any existing staircase, creating the instant appearance of a solid wood staircase. Coordinated balustrades can be considered – or if going for a more contemporary look, glass panelling may be just the feature to create instant wow-factor. Once again, a near endless spectrum of wood finishes and grain aesthetics are at your fingertips when reimagining a staircase in this way. To ensure that you know how to describe your vision, stick with us as we examine the need-to-know terminology of the wooden stairs structure!
 
Going Pro With Staircase Terminology
When viewing a fantastically finished staircase, its component elements will likely be the last thing on your mind. However, when planning that staircase's design, understanding which parts are which can be incredibly useful – both in terms of communicating with anyone assisting in the design process, and the artisans bringing that polished composition to life. With that in mind, here are some of the key terms that will help you discuss your wooden stairs like a pro:

• The total rise describes the cumulative height of the steps, from the bottom to the top of the staircase.
• The riser or rises describes the individual vertical faces of each step.

• The tread describes the horizontal or top face of each step – this is also sometimes referred to as the going.
• The nosing describes the front edge of the tread. When using engineered planks for stairs, a hardwood nosing may be added if a shaped or worked edge to the tread is desired.
• The carriage describes the framework, if any, that supports the flight of steps.
• A classic balustrade is comprised of a handrail, a large vertical post called a newel at the top and bottom of the staircase's flight, and smaller vertical balusters in between.
• The supporting side components of the steps are known as ringers, and if these are covered by a full-flight screen, this is known as string capping – as opposed to a cut string.
• A flat area part way up a staircase is called a landing. A 90° turn requires a quarter turn landing, while a 180° turn calls for a half landing.
• Steps that are wider at one side than the other, known as winders, may be used to create a turn. When three winders are used together, this is known as a kite winder!
• Unsurprisingly, a complete set of winders creates a spiral staircase.

 
Navigating Building Regulations
If overhauling with stair cladding, in all probability you will not need to navigate the technicalities of building regulations. However, if designing something entirely new, it is best to know what can and cannot be done. You may enlist the help of an architect, or indeed a talented joiner from our team here at Unique Bespoke Wood, to assist in the design of your staircase. They will understand that there are a few rules that must be followed when planning a bold new staircase design, each implemented with safety in mind.

• Staircases should have a maximum pitch of 42° – this describes how steep the staircase is.
• Rises should measure between 190mm and 220mm, and all rises within a flight should be the same height.
• The tread, or going, should have a minimum depth of 220mm.
• If less than a meter wide, staircases should have a handrail on at least one side. If wider, there should be a handrail on both sides.
• Head room should be at least 2m, all the way up the staircase.
• Balusters should be no more than 100mm apart.

 
Wood Provides Quality At Every Step
With the above information at hand, you should be able to begin exploring the possibilities of your destined staircase design. By opting for wooden stairs – either with stair cladding, solid wood, or engineered planks for stairs – you will certainly ensure longevity. Hardwoods are a perfect choice for one of the most trafficked areas of your home, providing optimal durability while serving as a timeless aesthetic focal point. By partnering with professionals who can turn their expert eye to manifesting your staircase design, you can also achieve the flawless finish and functionality that you hope for.
 
If you would like to discuss the many incredible options available to you for your upcoming staircase project, don't hesitate to contact our team. We are always thrilled to advise, and steer you towards the result you desire!