FAQs about Custom Spiral Staircases

Spiral staircases are very interesting and can be a great addition to any home or property. However, they need to be built well to be safe for use. They also need to fit in with the overall décor and architecture of your property. Sometimes, custom spiral staircases look out of place and ugly, no matter how well they’re constructed. At Boston Ironworks, we often get a number of questions about these structures and we address some of them below:

1. What determines the size and elevation of the stairs?

The size, shape, and elevation of the custom spiral staircases are decided by the floor to floor height. The number of treads and rotations in the structure depend on the height; because the stairs need to be comfortable to climb. If the stair is too steep and the rotations are too tight, they can cause accidents. The 4’ 0”, 4’ 6”, 5’ 0”, 5’ 1”, and 6’ 0” spirals will turn at about 30°, which is very comfortable and standard for most spiral staircases.

2. How do I plan the location of the staircase?

There should be at least 2” to 4” of space around the perimeter of the staircase, no matter where you install it. The structure should be positioned in such a way that it doesn’t obstruct the movement and flow of the room. It shouldn’t interfere with doors, windows, thermostats, interior trim, receptacles, and light switches. That would give you a general idea of where the staircase should be placed.

3. What is floor to floor height?

Many people confuse floor to floor with floor to ceiling height. There’s a distinct difference between the two. Floor the ceiling height is only from the surface of the finished floor to the surface of the finished ceiling. However, the floor to floor height is the height between the surface of the finished floor in the lower level to the surface of the finished floor at the upper level.

4. What is Stair Orientation?

The orientation is the direction in which the stair turns when it spirals. Some custom spiral staircases are right hand stairs with railings on the right. You can also install left handed stairs with railings on the left. The choice depends on your personal preference and the aesthetics.

If you want to know more about custom spiral staircases, you can call Boston Ironworks at 617 657 3117. You can also fill in this contact us form. We’ll get in touch with you as soon as possible.