INTERIORS


Take design up a level


Staircases are fundamental to the ow and functionality of a home. Richard arding of British Spirals  Castings discusses what to consider when choosing a design for your property


S


taircases are situated at the heart of many homes, and are often one of the first things you see when


you open the front door. Despite their prominence its surprising how often these features are almost an afterthought in the design process. By giing some careful thought to your staircase at the start of your project, you can not only achiee an aesthetic which is tailored to your taste but also optimise the ow and sizing of the spaces across your home.


The most fundamental decision when selecting a staircase is its style and layout. This will impact both the footprint of the staircase, the size and the dimension of the opening needed on the upper oor. There are a range of staircase styles aailable which can suit different homes.


STRAIGHT


Straight staircases are the most common choice for homes of all sizes. Their long linear footprint makes them a good option for narrow halls but they can eually work well as a statement piece when centralised in wider spaces.


KITED & COMBINATION These add a quarter turn at either the foot or head of a straight staircase or both). These turns reduce the linear length of the staircase  making them a good option for more rectangular hall spaces.


The uarter turns can also proide clear benefits for loft conersions helping to minimise any loss of liing space at the foot of the staircase and ensuring the upper steps run out into the centre of the attic allowing you to maintain the minimum headroom of at least 2 metres beneath pitched roofs.


HALF-TURN


s their name suggests these staircases incorporate a full half-turn at the mid-point of a straight staircase. n addition to creating a more rectangular footprint this mid-leel landing can also act as a resting spot for occupants or een a display area for faourite decoratie pieces.


SPIRAL Winding around a central pillar spiral stairs proide a solution when you need to keep the footprint of the staircase to an absolute minimum. This is not only beneficial when oerall oorspace is limited but also proides a great option if the staircase sits in an open-plan space,


making a beautiful talking point. HELICAL


elical staircases feature a owing cure but without a central pillar. This means the radius of the cure can be adusted to your preference either proiding a gentle cure with a linear footprint or a tighter turn similar to a spiral design. A bespoke manufacturer or joiner can also work with you to deelop designs which may combine different elements of one or more of these styles. This can be particularly beneficial where you need to work around obstructions in an eisting space such as the location of doors fied furniture or the pitch of a roof.


To ensure the staircase is safe and easy to walk up, it is recommended that the maximum pitch for straight stairs is 42 degrees


58 www.sbhonline.co.uk mar/apr 2024


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