Steps for stairs - shape, material, design features

If you are planning to build a house with two or three floors, then you should think about arranging a staircase. Its modern types differ in both size and design features.

In this article, we will look at how to choose the right steps on the stairs, taking into account the size, material and design features.

Steps as the main element of the staircase

In a "traditional" ladder structure, the main load when walking falls on the steps, transmitted by the stringer beam and treads. That is, there is some load distribution here. However, there are also types that do not provide for additional elements, in which case the entire load falls exclusively on the steps, which in some cases are reinforced with metal tubes.

In order to understand what we are talking about, it is necessary to consider the features of this structure.

What does the staircase consist of?

If you do not take into account the railings and balusters, which play a purely supporting function here, thenthe staircase consists of such load-bearing elements:

1. Kosuornaya beam. Most often it is made in a sawtooth shape, on the formed teeth and the steps are laid.
2. Tread - the upper part of the steps, directly in contact with the feet of the person walking up the stairs. Together with the riser, it forms a step, but since in modern staircase structures most often there are no risers, this element has become associated with a step.
3. A riser is an element located immediately below the tread. In the classic version, the risers are indispensable elements, since, in addition to the bearing function, they also play a decorative role here, closing the gaps between the steps.

The shape of the steps

Today the staircase can be of various shapes, but the most common are rectangular and wedge-shaped shapes, dictated by the characteristics of the structure. Therefore, in order to determine the shape that a step for a staircase should have, you should consider options for staircase structures.

To communicate floors in private houses, the following stairs are used:

1. Marching.
2. Helical or spiral.
3. On the bolts.

According to the types and shape of the steps:

1. For marching structures and staircases on the bolts, the same shape of steps is used. In this case, these are ordinary rectangular steps, which can be of various sizes and shapes.

• The marching version in the traditional form consists of a stringer beam, a riser and a tread. Most often these are wooden structures of the classic type. They are the most common ones due to their reliability and ease of use.

The following instruction will help you create a reliable and easy-to-use structure:

• The step of the ladder should be about 18 cm in size. This size is considered optimal. With smaller elements, there is a risk of stumbling and losing balance, while larger ones make it difficult to move between floors.
• The height of the step of the stairs usually varies between 17-19 cm.

Advice! Correctly chosen height is very important, since a small value will facilitate the transition between steps, but their number will increase, which will lead to a waste of energy. If the elements are too large, it will speed up the rise, but make it difficult for the elderly and children.

• The number of steps in the march should not exceed 15 pieces. If there are more of them, then it is recommended to divide the stairs into two flights, since climbing it will be tedious. Marches are separated by a special platform.
• On the bolts.They also use rectangular steps, but they do not have a stringer beam and risers.

Advice! Since the entire load in this case falls on the tread, this element can be reinforced with a metal pipe passed under it. It is better to choose treads for stairs on bolts from thick sheets of metal, granite, durable tempered glass or hardwood.

The name of this type comes from the German language, in which the word means "bolt". The steps are fixed to the wall with rubber-padded bolts.

2. Spiral staircases use wedge-shaped steps. This form is due to the peculiarities of the structure, the basis of which is a pillar, to which the steps are attached with the narrow side. Balusters are attached to their wide side.

Advice! Such structures are inconvenient to operate and are not suitable for homes where elderly people live.

Several requirements:

• For the convenience of using the stairs, the central width of the steps should be at least 25 cm.The widest part usually does not exceed 40 cm.
• The smaller the spiral opening, the steeper the staircase will be.

Material for steps

To date, staircase structures are made from a wide variety of materials. So, steps can be made not only of wood or metal, but also of plastic, granite, marble, concrete, glass, etc. In this case, the main criterion in the choice should not be the appearance, but the durability of the material, because the tread falls the largest part of the load.

The material must have the following characteristics:

• Abrasion resistance.
• Immunity to footprints.
• Ability to withstand increased mechanical stress.
• The least sensitive to temperature changes and humidity.
• The material should not be afraid of direct sunlight.

Consider the most popular materials used in the manufacture:

1. Wood. The most durable wood is teak, mahogany, dussie, walnut, ash, wenge, turbidity, cabreuva, etc. These species are highly resistant to various natural factors, in particular, excessive moisture, they are hard materials that do not tolerate mechanical damage.

Also hardwoods include beech, maple and oak. Wood steps for stairs are a traditional option that is in great demand today, since wood is durable and affordable. In addition, this is a very flexible material in work, and therefore many people make wooden stairs with their own hands.

2. Metal. The most durable material in the metal range is stainless steel. Its service life is 40-50 years.

Conclusion

Steps are the basis of a staircase, so their choice should be approached very carefully, taking into account the size, height and material. Depending on the structure of the staircase, their shape may differ.

However, it should be remembered that, first of all, it is a functional element designed for convenient movement between the floors of a building. In the video presented in this article, you will find additional information on this topic.