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Staircase Design – Rise & Tread Calculator

Staircase Design
Rise & Tread Calculator
Yagos Stokas
2 Jan 2018
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Image: Marble Staircase with Glass

Internet references for stairs are infinite, but they are limited for using it as a means of switching floors or architectural elements.

Ignoring the most important thing, that the staircase is primarily an emergency exit, it is required to be ergonomic in order to be fordable even in utter darkness. After reading this post, you will either be able to design the perfect staircase for yourself or with the given file (free refer to the end of the post) you will have a complete calculation tool with all the technical details (rise and tread) for your staircase. In both cases, however, it is necessary to read carefully the following.

So let’s start with the basic elements, which are:

  • Total Rise of Staircase
  • Total Run of Staircase
  • Ascending Inclination
  • Number of steps
  • r = Rise (the height of the step)
  • t = Tread (the width of the step)

Widely posted on the internet (and sadly reproduced by the people) incorrect “rounded” data and dimensions, while things are slightly different.

The staircase’s ergonomics consisted of a two factors combination:

  1. Staircase inclination. This should be between 26 and 33 degrees.
    For dwelling house, 30 degrees suggested.
  2. Ratio between height (rise r) to width (tread t) of the step.
    This follows the golden rule which is: 2 x r + t = 63 cm.
    i.e.: 2 times the rise plus the tread equals 63 cm with a maximum variation of ± 1 cm.

Based on the above, you could be able to design your own staircase yourself.

Data Entry Into the File

First of all, entry the data into blue cells. Calculator does the rest of the computations for you!

Automatic Stair Calculator

This table refers to a staircase that has no limitation in its length. Therefore, the staircase has the space to be extended as much as needed to have the ideal design.

Total Rise: Measure the floor height (in meters) from the floor of one level to the other floor. Caution: Not from floor to ceiling. Once entry the data your staircase appears completed with all its technical details.

Alternatively, if you want, you can “play” with its inclination (pop-up menu), which by default is set to 30 degrees. In special cases (e.g. elderly) reduce the slope to reduce the rise. As you can see, the rise decreases, but increases the number of steps as well as the length of the staircase.

Manual Stair Calculator

This concerns a staircase that is limited in its length. So, if you have no room for the staircase, select this form.

Total height: Measure the floor height (in meters) from the floor of one level to the other floor. Caution: Not from floor to ceiling.

Total Length: Measure exactly (in meters) up to where your staircase can be extend and entry the length into the corresponding cell. It will immediately calculate the optimum staircase for you!

Do not hesitate to discuss the results with your Architect or Contractor. Unfortunately, several colleagues underestimate the importance of the staircase correct layout.

If you find this post useful, please share it with your friends!

Download File

If you found this post useful and you have the kindness to evaluate us positively in Google rating, then in addition to enhancing our effort to share more technical data with you, we will send you the ladder calculation file for free. So upon your evaluation, just send us an email.

All the best!

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