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Stairs Guide

Everything you need to know when ordering new stairs

Stair Services
Stair Projects
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Table of Contents

Here’s everything you need to know about stairs – whether it’s choosing a style or materials, perfecting measurements or getting the basics on installation.

Step-by-step process

1. Design consultation meeting

To start off, we’ll have a design consultation meeting with you, where we

  • define the scope of the project
  • establish what style you like
  • problem solve any issues
  • and answer any questions you have.

If you have architectural plans, we would love to see them.

2. Taking measurements

Normally, we will measure your site during the design consultation phase, but if you would prefer to do it yourself, there are several factors to consider:
  • the floor-to-floor height
  • the maximum horizontal distance available from the slab to the first step where the stair lands
  • the width of your treads
  • slab thickness
  • the thickness of tiling or carpet on both levels
  • and the thickness of your treads.
You should also ensure you allow enough space on the stairs to install a balustrade. If you do it yourself, please be aware that you will be responsible for the accuracy of measurements.

3. Creating a fabrication drawing

We then create a fabrication drawing, which is a detailed schematic of the design. At this point, you should feedback any changes or refinements you have on the design.

4. Design approval

Once you approve your design, we use it to guide the fabrication process.

5. Making your stairs

This is where everything comes together and we turn your vision into reality. During the fabrication process, our team will prepare required components and fabricate them as per the chosen design and measurements. Then, our team completes a thorough product review for quality assurance. Depending on your choice, we can either install them or you can pick them up.

Choosing your stairs

  • When deciding what stairs best suit your needs, there are a few key decisions to make. These include:
  • what materials your stairs will be made from
  • what kind of layout suits your space
  • the profile of your staircase
  • and what material your treads will be made from.

Types of stair layouts

First you must choose the materials you want the structure of your stairs to be made from, and this should be guided by both aesthetic and practical considerations (such as will your stairs be inside or outside). Your options include:

  • mild steel (a long-lasting, low-carbon steel designed for manufacturing) that can either be painted or galvanised
  • stainless steel
  • timber – such as Jarrah, Taji Oak, Malaysian Cherry and more
  • or MDF

Types of stair materials

Stairs can come in a number of different layouts to suit your project.

Straight stairs

Stairs can come in a number of different layouts to suit your project.

Straight Stair
L-Shape Stair

L-shaped stairs

Essentially, these are straight stairs with a small landing and an angle (usually a right angle that makes the ‘L-shape’). They can give more privacy by providing a barrier between floors.

U-shaped stairs

Like L-shaped stairs, but with a 180º turn. They are ideal for tight spaces.
U-Shape Stair
Floating Stair

Floating stairs

This is a contemporary style where the stairs are cantilevered so it appears like they are floating. They look fantastic in modern homes, with the main structure hidden in the wall.

Ladders

For non-habitable rooms, such as attics, architectural ladders can look great and save a lot of space.
Ladder Guide

Stair profiles

Twin-Stringer

Twin stringer stairs

Twin stringers stairs have two stringers (the support beams that runs under the stairs). Those stringers can be either beams, flat bars or PFCs (Parallel Flange Channels, structural steel in a C-shape).

Single stringer stairs

As the name suggests, they have just one stringer. Single stringer stairs look great in modern and mid-century homes, allowing minimal obstruction of light and your view.

Single Stinger
Spiral Stair

Spiral stairs​

These stairs spiral around a central support. They take up very little space but can be difficult to get up and down. They look good in both modern and traditional homes.

Open rise stairs​

With this style of stairs, the vertical gap between stairs isn’t filled in with timber or other building materials, but left open. Open rise stairs let through light and don’t block your view, whereas closed risers can accommodate built-in storage but block light.

Open risers
Winders

Winder stairs​

Winder at one end of the tread than the other, winders wind around a central point to change the direction of a staircase without using a landing. They are ideal for a tight space.

Types of stair treads

Timber treads

Timber treads come in your choice of various timbers, such as Jarrah, Tasmanian Oak, Malaysian Cherry and more.

TImber Tread
Perferated Guide

Perforated treads

Perforated steps are steel treads with a consistent ‘dot pattern’ of small holes that creates a slip-resistant surface. They allow airflow and some light to get through.

Checker plate treads

Check plate treads have a regular stamped pattern for increased slip resistance. They are perfect for industrial settings, or they can look fantastic in modern homes. Work well for external and internal stairs.

Checker Guide

Safety standards

Generally, staircases must comply with the Building Code of Australia.
There are some cases not covered by the codes, such as stairs to non-habitable
rooms like attics, but they must still comply with Australian Standards. We’ve put
together this comprehensive guide to help, but it is essential that anyone
measuring up or installing your stairs ensures they comply with the Building Code.

See the Australian Building Code

See the Australian Standard

Residential stairs must comply with the following;

  • in each flight, all treads and risers (the height between the top of consecutive
    treads) must be a consistent size (no greater than +/-5mm in variance)
  • stairways must be at least 600mm wide from the inside edges of the handrails
  • the pitch angle must be between 26.5ºand 45 degreesº
  • goings (the distance from the edge of the nosing to the edge of nosing on consecutive risers when measured from the side) must also be a consistent size (no greater than 10mm in variance)
  • there must be a 750mm2 landing area every 18 risers
  • a single flight must not have less than two risers or more than 18
  • after 36 rises in consecutive flights, there must be a change of direction
  • if the drop from the stairs to the level below is over one metre, there must also be a balustrade; the balustrade height, against the pitch of the staircase, must be at least 865mm from the nosing line and on a landing, balcony, etc, it must me above one metre
  • in open rise stairs, the gap between stairs cannot allow a 125mm sphere to pass through
    • and head clearance should be at least 2000mm vertically above the nosing line (the protruding edge of the step over the riser).

Dimensions for a private staircase

RiserGoingQuantity (2 x risers + going)
115mm – 190mm240mm – 355mm550mm – 700mm

Public properties must comply with extra regulations:

  • stairs treads must be covered in a slip-resistant coating or have a non-slip strip at the front edge
  • for a required stairway, you cannot use winders instead of a landing
  • The width of stairway is over 1000mm, there must be a handrail on each side of the staircase
  • treads must be solid (not of perforated materials) if the staircase is over 10m high or connects more than three storeys
  • the going should be less than the tread depth plus up to 30mm.
  • a continuous smooth handrail is required for the length of the stairs, with no obstructions that will break a handhold and have minimum 50 mm hand clearance.

Dimensions for a public staircase

RiserGoingQuantity (2 x risers + going)
115mm – 190mm250mm – 355mm550mm – 700mm

Maintaining your stairs

Regular maintenance of your stairs will increase their life span and maintain the aesthetics. Here are our recommendations:
  • polish timber treads if required
  • regularly clean stainless steel parts to increase their lifespan, especially in coastal areas
  • clean powder-coated steel or painted steel with a soft brush and a mild detergent in warm water (do not use solvents)
  • and periodically visually inspect all nuts and bolts.
Find Out More About Our Stairs

Please be aware all the information on this page is provided as an introductory guide. If you design,
fabricate, measure or install your own project, Aussie Balustrading & Stairs takes no responsibility.

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Why You Should Choose Our Stairs?

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Locally Made

Like all our work, our stairs are made right here in Perth, Western Australia.

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Beautifully Crafted

With years of experience, our team strives for perfection with each and every job, and they make sure they always maintain the highest standards.

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Fully Compliant

All our projects fully comply with all Australian standards and Building Code of Australia (BCA) requirements.

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Complete Solution

We offer the complete solution, from measuring up your project, right through to installation, and we do it to the highest possible standards.

What Our Customers Say

AshaAvailed Staircases
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“Sukhy & his team are such professional, courteous and thoughtful people. Our stairs was exactly as planned, perfect in every detail and fitted without any hitches or holdups, right on schedule. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for quality workmanship. It has been our pleasure working with you all. Fantastic work, wish you all the very best for the future. Very happy with the final results.”
LeslieAvailed Staircases
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“Thank you Aussie Balustrading Team. Fantastic job guys. We are very happy with the finished result.”
YifeiAvailed Staircases
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“Aussie Balustrading did a great job for our 16 units development. Great service and outstanding workmanship. Definitely will continue work with them in our future jobs.”

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Manufacturers and installers of high-quality residential and commercial stairs in Western Australia.

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