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services : advice
For advice on UK Building Regulations, recommended sizes, models, general guidance and FAQs.
Frequently Asked Questions FAQs
Q How do we check what size will fit in our home? A It is often quite difficult to visualise a staircase, whether it's replacing an existing staircase or as a brand new feature, and it is important to make sure that you have enough space to install your choice of stair. A good idea is to draw a quick sketch (it doesn't need to be a professional plan or drawn to scale) with all the relevant measurements clearly shown. The key measurements are:
- Floor to floor height
- Floor to ceiling height
- Size of the stairwell opening
- Available floor space on the lower floor
- Available floor space on the upper floor
- Any doors, windows, walls or obstructions which might affect how you can use the stair
When you have all the measurements, it will be easier for you to decide what size staircase you can use. If you are planning to install a spiral staircase, the ceiling opening can be round, square or rectangular, and it should be a minimum of 100mm (4") larger than the diameter of the spiral stair so that you can use the handrail safely.
The floor to floor height will give you an indication of how many treads your staircase will need. The distance between the treads, the tread "rise", is usually between approx 213mm and 220mm for the Arkč range; other staircases in our portfolio can have a wider range of tread rises available. The UK Building Regulations stipulate a maximum tread rise of 220mm. The Arkč brochure is produced in Italy and shows configurations which are outside UK regulations; however, we are always happy to advise on the best solution for your project.
Spiral staircases are covered by a British Standard (BS5395 Part 2) in the UK which identifies the size of staircase required for specific uses e.g. to access a loft, to use as a main staircase or commercial use, etc. Generally speaking, a spiral with a 1500mm diameter usually complies with Category A of this standard and will be suitable for use to access a single room. If you would like a spiral as your main staircase i.e. to access more than 1 bedroom, the diameter will probably be between 1830mm and 2100mm.
For straight staircases, such as the modular stairs shown on this website, the regulations are different. In general, the restrictions on the tread rise are the same, the tread "going" (see the Glossary for more info) is 220mm minimum, and the pitch of the staircase should be less than 42 degrees. Again, if you have any queries about any of these requirements, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Don't forget to check that you have enough headroom for using the stairs. In general, the minimum requirement is 2 metres (6' 6") from the pitch line of the staircase. Making sure that there is enough headroom is particularly relevant if you are installing a staircase to go up into the loft area.
Q Can Oakleaf Industries advise us on the measurements? A It is important that we check your measurements so that we can advise you about your choice of staircase and make sure that you have all the necessary components. We are always happy to check your sketch to advise you on the installation options, so feel free to post, fax or email it to us. If you have any queries at all, please feel free to contact us. Don't forget to consider whether you need any matching balustrading for around the stairwell, as we can supply this to match your staircase - the perfect finishing touch. Q How do we order our staircase? A If you are buying a kit staircase, , it is quick and easy. Once you have decided on your choice of stair and the size you require, it is simply a matter of checking our current prices and filling out the Order Form which will have been sent to you.
If you choose one of the made to order staircases,
, we will work with you to make sure that the measurements and design is right for you and to provide you with an accurate quotation for the supply of your selected staircase.
Q How will our staircase be delivered? A The kit staircases, The made to order staircases,
Q Can I put one spiral staircase on top of another? A Yes, this is possible. You will need to check the position of the landing treads to make sure that your landings will be in the right place. We can always advise you on this aspect. Q I am creating a new opening in the ceiling for the spiral stair. How big should it be? A The opening in the ceiling ideally should be 100mm (4") larger than the diameter of the spiral staircase you are installing. Q Can I use the paddle-shaped staircase as my main stair in my home? A Building Regs only allow the use of the alternate tread or paddle-shaped staircase to access a single room in a loft conversion. If you are accessing more than one bedroom or if it your main staircase, you would need to use a regular staircase. Q Other websites say that the standard spiral kit with 13 risers will suit a floor height of up to 3.05m, but your website says the maximum floor height is 2.86m. Why is this? A Most of the kit stairs (spiral, modular and spacesaver kits) are made in Italy and they are made to suit the regulations for the rest of Europe - which are different from the regs in the UK. This is why the stairs can be installed with a higher tread rise than is allowed in the UK. We ALWAYS advise people how the staircase should be installed to comply with UK Building Regulations Q Why don't you have an on-line ordering facility? Other staircase websites do! A This is a very important question. We know just how vital it is that you order the correct staircase for your project, taking into account the relevant regulations, where required. It is much easier for everyone if we have a quick chat with you before you place your order so that you get the staircase you need and you don't run into problems with the regulations afterwards. If you look at the previous question and answer, you will see just how misleading some of the staircase websites can be and how easy it is to order a staircase that won't work for your project. If you install a staircase which is rejected by your local Building Control officer, this will be a difficult and expensive mistake for you to have to try and put right. We'd prefer to give you the correct information before you make your purchase. Q How easy are the DIY staircases to install? Do you offer an installation service? A The DIY staircase kits are designed for straight forward installation and are supplied with full installation instructions and many models also have an instruction video or DVD. They can be fitted by a competent person usually within 1 to 2 days. We also have some Pro Kits in our product range. These are also delivered in component form but do require some semi-professional skills and tools for the installation.
However, we appreciate that not everybody has the time or inclination to take on such projects and would rather call in the experts to make sure that they get a guaranteed quality of installation. We do offer an installation service and would be happy to provide you with an installation quote.
Q Do you have any specific information about the layouts and detailed sizes of any of the staircases? A Yes, you will find links to more information on each staircase page. You will also find loads more information on the Services Installation pages. If you have a question that is not answered on this website, please feel free to ring or email and we are always happy to advise.
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Useful Links Beautiful oak flooring www.theoakflooring.co.uk
Experienced Loft Conversion Company Really informative Architecture Website run by RIBA Would you like a link to your website here? Contact webmaster@stairsolutions.com
You'll find more information on the Installation Pages.
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