Spiral staircases are great design elements that add a unique, modern touch to any space. They are especially suited for open concept living rooms and add panache to contemporary homes. Building one requires some carpentry skills and materials, but the results will be worth it. A spiral staircase can elevate a room’s look with just a little bit of effort.
To begin, you should know that spiral staircases are not as difficult to build as they may seem. All you need is a few tools and some woodworking knowledge, along with some effort. Usually, the time it takes to build a spiral staircase depends on how much practice you have and how strong your design skills are.
If you’re thinking about building your own staircase, you’ll need to prepare in advance and follow a few steps to ensure that your project is done correctly. The first step is to check the building codes in your area regarding staircases, as they vary from location to location. Once you know what types of materials are required for local building codes, it’s time to get started. You’ll also want to make sure you have drawings of the space so that you can create a staircase that fits properly. Next, measure your space and create a floor plan for where you want to place the stairs. Then, add in the stairs by drawing an arc on your plan and cutting out the shape with a jigsaw. If the stairs are too long or short then adjust them by adding or removing pieces of wood
Cut the treads to size.
Once you’ve cut all of your treads to length, you need to make sure that they are all the same width. To do this, measure from one side of one tread to the other, and then divide by three. Use this measurement as a guide for cutting the remaining treads down.
The next step is to mark where each stair will be joined together with dowels or some other method. The easiest way is to simply drill holes at these points using a ¼-inch drill bit (this will allow room for expansion when glueing). If you’re using dowels or another joining method like mortise/tenons, now would also be an appropriate time in which case we recommend cutting the notches on both sides using a jigsaw or handsaw according
After marking where each stair will attach together, use a router with a straightedge guide attached on top of it so that it cuts along those lines perfectly without leaving any gaps between them
Cut the handrail and balusters.
Next, use your miter saw to cut the handrail (A) and balusters (B). The best practice is to first cut all of the balusters, then finish up with the handrail. If you’re cutting more than one length of wood at once, it’s important that each piece is lined up properly so they fit together seamlessly.
Use a table saw or circular saw if you don’t have a miter saw handy. Mark out where you need to cut using a tape measure and pencil before making any cuts on your table saw.
Install the treads
To finish the stair, you need to install the treads.
- Use a router to cut a rabbet into the edge of each tread. A rabbet is a notch or groove that creates an edge where two pieces of wood can be joined. The piece on top will fit into this slot and be held in place by screws driven through from underneath.
- Attach each tread to its respective stringer using glue and screws, making sure that it sits flush with both sides of the stringer (i.e., if there’s a gap between one side of your stair and the flooring, it should also have a gap between it and another side).
- Attach each top rail onto its respective stringers with glue and screws at every joint where they meet up with one another you should have three total: two at either end plus one in the middle connecting them all together—and then apply glue along every seam as well (in essence creating one solid piece). You’ll want this done before attaching any other parts because you won’t get much leverage once everything else is in place.
Attach the handrail and balusters.
Step 4: Attach the handrail and balusters.
Once you have your stringer attached to both sides of your stairs, position it so that it’s in line with the top of the stair treads. Then use a level to make sure that both ends are flush with them (this will ensure that there are no gaps between treads or risers when they meet). Use a drill bit one size larger than what fits on your screws or bolts and use that to attach each baluster securely to the handrail. You can also use this method to attach each other end of your handrail if you find yourself working with longer pieces or have multiple runs of stairs in mind.
Attach post caps to the railing.
At this point, you should have the post caps in place. It’s a good idea to attach these before attaching the handrail and stair treads, or else they might be difficult to get into position later on. You may want to use a nail gun for this step if your posts are very large; otherwise, hammering them into place will suffice.
Now it’s time to install your stair treads that is, the part of each step that you actually walk on! For most staircases, wooden treads are used; however, metal or concrete options are also available if you decide that wood is not for you (or perhaps because it isn’t allowed by local building codes).
Stain the wood.
Stain the wood before you install it. This will ensure that your staircase matches the rest of your home’s decor, and it will also make sure that any stains or dings in the wood are covered up before you put it into place.
If possible, stain with a semi-transparent stain (like Minwax stain) or an oil-based semi-transparent stain (like Varathane). These stains dry to be very thin and will blend well with other finishes in your room. If you prefer to use a water-based stain instead of oil-based, make sure to choose one that’s UV resistant because sunlight can fade out some watery stains over time if they’re not protected by another finish like lacquer.
If there’s any chance someone might spill something on the stairs sometime after installation—like maybe during an open house party where guests will be carrying drinks while walking up and down them all night long—it’s best to pick a waterproof finish like Thompson’s Waterseal Wood Stain & Urethane (this is not just for decking).
Before you get started, it is important to research building codes that pertain to spiral staircases in your area
Before you get started, it is important to research building codes that pertain to spiral staircases in your area. In some jurisdictions, a permit may be required before construction can begin. The following are some of the agencies with whom you will want to consult:
- Your local fire marshal. In addition to approving your plans and inspecting the finished product (and possibly providing suggestions), he or she will also provide information regarding restrictions on placement of exits and other construction issues related to safety.
- Your local building inspector and/or planning department or zoning board should be consulted if there are any questions about setbacks from property lines or other such issues; they will also let you know if a permit is required for this type of construction project in your area. If so, their help will make sure that everything gets done properly.
Final words
Spiral staircases have been around for a long time and serve as both functional and architectural elements to homes. They are also a great opportunity for showing off your love of woodworking by handcrafting them yourself rather than purchasing prefabricated ones. This article will walk you through the steps needed in order to create one from scratch using basic tools that most people already have access to such as measuring tape, saws (circular or table)
