The winding spiral staircase in the maisonette or just three small steps in the garden: If you build your own staircase, you can save money and decide on every detail yourself. However, in Germany there are clear regulations on how stairs must be designed. So before you start building your staircase, you should know the following things.
DIN regulations and specialist knowledge of stair construction
You can set the three steps mentioned in the garden without much preparation, but from a certain size and depending on the purpose, you have to observe the specifications of the German Institute for Standardization (DIN) if you want to build your stairs yourself. For example, the step height is standardized: the maximum height is 19 cm and the depth of the step is at least 26 cm. There are also standards for noise and fire protection. To see beautiful picture frames, please check bestcraftblog.
So if you want to build your own staircase, you should have extensive knowledge of the building regulations, the design rules and load-bearing components. Craftsmanship and a well-equipped workshop are indispensable. Making the individual stair elements by hand is very time-consuming. If that’s your plan, you should compare in advance whether the time and costs really pay off. Also note: Every state has different rules when it comes to building stairs. It is therefore essential to find out in advance from the relevant building authority about the state building regulations.
Are you still in? Then let’s take a look together at the different materials that come into question.
Build wooden stairs yourself
It is tempting to build a wooden staircase yourself. After all, you have countless design options: You not only decide on the color and grain, but you can also fit the staircase perfectly into your home – also as a space-saving stair variant. Incidentally, you can then integrate storage space under the stairs , for example for a small work area or with the help of custom-made shelves .
Before you start building a wooden staircase yourself, you must determine the number of steps and the inclination and calculate the exact dimensions of the staircase. Then you can saw the boards for the stringers and the individual steps. The stringers are fastened with metal brackets, the steps are firmly anchored in incisions in the stringers with assembly adhesive. With the help of threaded rods you can also create a secure hold.
If your stairs are intended for outdoor use, the wood needs to be well impregnated so that it lasts a long time. If you want to build a staircase yourself, but use it inside and not in the garden, the wood should also be treated accordingly – after all, you will be walking thousands of steps on it.
Build stairs yourself with stone or concrete
With a little DIY skill, you can build a short concrete staircase yourself – for example to reach a raised terrace or to open up a small hill in the garden. You should leave larger staircases to a specialist, because here too there are extensive regulations that must be observed.
Concrete is easy to work with and will last for decades. It is important that your stairs stand on a stable, frost-free foundation. To do this, you first have to dig a pit and then fill it with gravel or similar material, which is then compacted. Then you use boards to form the formwork for the first step, which you then pour with concrete. You repeat this process until the staircase is complete.
Alternatively, you can build your stone staircase yourself. A concrete foundation makes sense here too, but the steps – block steps or steps – can be made of granite, sandstone or limestone. This opens up great possibilities for garden design.
Build metal stairs yourself: only for professionals
As a rule, you will not build metal stairs yourself – at least not every single part. For the necessary welding work, you need specialist knowledge that goes far beyond operating a welding machine. Because of the heat, the metal parts warp and deform. Here you have to be very familiar with topics such as statics in order to end up with a usable staircase – not to mention the applicable regulations.
However, you have the option of building your own metal staircase from prefabricated parts. These prefabricated components are manufactured exactly to your specifications. All you have to do is measure precisely and then connect the finished parts on site. Note that the assembled metal staircase can be extremely heavy. You should therefore mount it directly where it will be used.
Incidentally, there are also kits for all types of stairs, which make the project much easier. So if you don’t have extensive specialist knowledge, this can still be a way for you to at least partially build your staircase yourself and design it according to your wishes.
