Staircase can be considered not only a useful addition while designing a house in Toronto but also a decoration. This means that building a staircase if for instance it has to be done as part of a new home construction project or during a remodeling exercise on a home architecture means it has to be well designed and constructed. This practical guide is intended to guide you through the basic principles of constructing a safe and beautiful staircase as well as being durable. OK, let’s take a closer look at what you can do in Toronto to construct the stairs that are functional and attractive.
- Planning and Design
Like any other construction project, it is critical that you map out the design of your staircase before the construction work starts. Depending on the design of the flights there are straight, spiral or curved staircase designs to consider. As for the choice of design I would like to state that it will be defined by the space required for the construction of the yacht, style of the house and, of course, the client’s preferences.
Key Factors to Consider:
Rise and Run: The “rise” is the vertical distance between consecutive steps while the “run” is the width of the taking as measured horizontally. All these measurements should also be safe standard measurements. In Toronto, depending on the comfort level needed the rise should be between 7” to 8”.
Width: Widely, the standard width of a staircase ranges from 36 to 42 inches, and can be more or less depending on space and requirement.
Material Selection: Select parts that give a better appearance of your home using materials that suit the kind of building you have. Wood is appreciated for warmth and class, steel or glass – for minimalistic and high-tech look.
- Gathering Materials and Tools
Once you have the design in mind, go gather all materials and tools you will need for constructing your stairs. You will need:
- Cross members used as stringers (support structure) will be of wooden material.
- Treads and risers (steps)
- Handrails and balusters
- Screws, nails, and adhesives
- Equipment including a saw, drill, measuring tape and a level.
Make sure to invest in high quality material that will meet or exceed the code design requirements found in your local building code. Depending on what your custom staircases will be made of, it might be beneficial to talk with a professional that can help you find good-quality wood or other material for your design.
- Constructing the Stringers
The stringers are the frame of your staircase and they support the treads and risers. To construct good stairs in Toronto, you should ensure that you have well-fixed stringers together with measured stringers.
Steps to build stringers:
Measure and cut the stringers: The number of stringers that you will require will depend with the width of your staircase. Specifically, while a typical width can cover with three stringers a larger stair case might need more of them.
Cut the notches: They intended a groove on the treads and risers to settle on the notches and the notches must be accurate. These cuts will be possible engaging a circular saw and jigsaw tools.
Secure the stringers: Place the stringers on the ground as planned then use screws or nails to fix them in that position. Make sure that stringers are levelled and they are of equal distances.
- Step by Step: Putting up the Treads and Risers
Finally, with the stringers now in position, how to proceed with treads and risers?
Attach the risers first: Each riser should be affixed to the stringer by means of screws or nails. Check the top of them to ensure that they sit tight to the stringers and are level.
Install the treads: At the center of the building the treads are added on top of the risers. Make sure the treads protrude from the risers a little bit for a more polished surface. You can also use a little bit of wood glue where they’re going to join for better support before fixing them.
- Call for more handrails and balusters
Specially, handrails are an important component of stairs and balconies because sometimes there are children or elderly persons in the family. In Toronto, the local authorities demand the installation of handrails in any building with staircases featuring more than three steps.
Install the handrail brackets: These are normally fixed on wall or newel posts at the lower as well as upper end of the staircase.
Attach the balusters: Handrails have vertical post called balusters which serve to reinforce the structure. Be certain they are uniformly placed with the greatest degree of adhesion.
- Finishing Touches
After you have the design of your staircase to fit your home well, try to put functional finishing on the structure.
Sanding and Staining: Sanding of any rough surface and varnish or paint that felt suited the house interior should be applied. Staining is a process of enhancing the natural look of wood and paint offers a new sleek and vibrant appearance to wood.
Add trim and molding: In order to enhance the look of the stairs and for convenience when painting, fit a trim at the edges of the treads or around the handrails.
- Final Inspection
As much as it may be tempting to complete the exercise and call it a day, you need to evaluate your completed staircase for strength and durability. As well make sure you check the steps, the heights of the handrails, and sizes of gaps and other pieces that should not wobble. When these professional have been hired to build stairs in Toronto it will also do a physical check to ensure the stairs meets the laid down building code in Toronto.
Conclusion
Staircase construction is one of the examples of an interesting and effective home improvement task which serves a purpose and looks great. If you follow this strategy, you are assured of having best stairs in Toronto that are safe and well designed. If you are in doubt about the design or construction, I suggest consulting a professional contractor who deals with construction of stairs in Toronto. Of course, if you would like a more traditional staircase to have a wooden stair case of some sort but it doesn’t even stop there its only limited by your imagination.