How to Build a Spiral Staircase

Spiral staircases are particularly good when the available space for building a staircase is very limited. Generally, an outdoor spiral staircase is built to access a deck and the indoor ones for the loft within the house. Some people also opt for a spiral staircase simply because its great look enhances the home decor and has got a nostalgic feel associated with it. Metal spiral staircases which are commonly used are made of either wrought iron or steel. Another option is a spiral staircase made of wood. You need prior permission from the local authority in you area to build a spiral staircase in your house. Therefore, to implement your spiral staircase plans, make sure you complete the necessary formalities to obtain the required permit.

Planning and Preparation

The first step involved with the preparation is to figure out the exact spot where you would like to put up the spiral stairs in your house. Wherever required, make a hole in the flooring of the upper level. Though the wall plays a major role in adding strength to the spiral case, keep in mind that the location of the spiral staircase should not be anywhere too close to the wall. Otherwise you will face a lot of difficulty during the installation process. You have to take a lot of effort to obtain the required turn and headroom right.

The stairs should be set at such a place where there is sufficient headroom. The usual norm is that at the top stairs, there should be a headroom of 6 feet 6 inches. Take the accurate measurements of the height and diameter of the staircase which includes 2 inches of space from walls and the floor for the handrails. For the purpose of calculation of the tread height, measurements of the width of the outside of the steps has to be taken into account.

Building a Spiral Staircase

You can purchase a diy spiral staircase (or do it yourself) kit from the manufacturers after selecting the right design from their catalogs. Or else, you can order any local artisan to design a spiral staircase with a design that suits your interior designing. A spiral staircase kit consists of - a sturdy pole for the center of the staircase, steps and brackets that need to be attached to the pole, and a circular clamp for attaching the stairs to the center pole. The clamp consists of a brace to which the stairs are rested upon. The stair is further strengthened with the support of the wall.

Begin the process to build a spiral staircase by cutting all the stair risers at a time in any specific pattern of your choice. Make sure that their width is 4 inches only. You have to make use of a multiple number of wood pieces for one riser. Sand the cut marks of the wood using a sand paper to make a smooth surface, and then attach all of them together with glue.

The next step is to install the center pole into the floor. The length of this pole should be equivalent to the height of the upper level floor from the lower floor. Ensure that it is fixed up properly to the ground or else it will keep moving to and fro. To make it safe, the upper end of the center pole can be fixed up with the help of a plumb bob. The entire weight of the staircase comes on this pole, therefore it should be capable of withstand that pressure.

Firstly, the steps at the top and the bottom of the pole needs to be welded to the pole, and then the remaining steps need to be installed and attached to the pole. Installation of hand railings to the spiral staircase is a bit of a tricky task. People without proper carpentry skills may find it difficult. To avoid any kind of hassles, it is better to buy those railings that are meant for spiral staircase only form the market. They are accompanied by instructions for installations. Go through that carefully and install the hand railings accordingly.

If you plan to build a spiral staircase inside the house for a loft or hall on the second floor, the ceiling of the room should be high. Or else, it will not have enough headroom and your head can get hurt while climbing the stairs. Spiral stairs can be both sturdy and elegant at the same time, so go ahead and choose the right one for your home.