Designing & Installing a Bespoke Curved Staircase in the Cotswolds
This project required a complete redesign of the staircase layout and WC area. For the old existing straight flight staircase and WC area to be removed then replaced with the newly manufactured bespoke staircase with understair WC incorporated into the design. The design was to combine a traditional “cut string” style stair with geometric handrail and steel balustrade for a contemporary touch.
Before
After
First Survey Stage
Upon first visit to where the project is taking place we aim to take key dimensions of existing walls and room layout which we can then use to generate a working design from. Often in refurbished Cotswold stone buildings walls, floors, timber beams doorways etc are expected to be out of level or non-square. It is essential that all these varying elements are considered carefully at this stage and accommodated for in the design stage.
Methods of surveying include but not limited to:
Physical dimensions taken by tape measure
Level sets
Laser levels
Laser distance finders
Taking photographs and videos for reference
3D scanning
The Design Phase
Design Details
Here at Cotswold Staircases & Joinery we are happy to work with architects, building contractors or completely design your one off staircase from scratch for private customers.
”The Cotswold Staircase” combined initial concept ideas from the customer to final approved plan drawings and 3D CAD photographic rendered models before manufacture began. The design was to include under stair WC with utilities to be allowed for.
On this project the left hand wall was at a significant angle and not square with the rear wall of the building which the staircase needed to be built around. This was accounted for at the design stage incorporating six large oak “winder treads” to be cut and ‘scribed to the plastered wall allowing the correct number of treads for the desired height (rise) and width (going) to be achieved. This also enabled us to lose the typically visually seen “stringer” section of stair where the plastered wall meets the treads and risers creating a minimal clean aesthetic look.
Choosing The Material
The Tread
A key part of any bespoke staircase design are what materials you choose to have it manufactured in. European oak was specified for the treads and handrail, oak is a very popular choice when it comes to staircase design for its durability, warm textures and distinct grain. Once finished in the desired oil finish you can be rest assured you have invested into a lifetime product!
European oak treads showing natural grain and character a popular choice
”The Cotswold Staircase” combines oak for the treads and handrail whilst a painted finish being selected for the “risers” and “butt and bead paneling detail. When choosing a painted finish, tulip wood provides a defect free timber ideal for painted applications and provides a high end finish.
We provide staircases and all other bespoke joinery in any type of desired timber species hardwood and softwoods including but not limited to sapele, pine, elm, European oak, Ash, Cherry, American walnut. Samples can be provided of all the above.
The Balustrade/Spindles
Working closely with specialised metal fabricators we are able to offer all types of metal work specifications both structural, aesthetic or both combined.
In this example the 16mm round steel bar spindle offers the full structural strength of steel whilst giving a clean modern aesthetic look. Prior to installation the raw steel is prepared and cleaned before being coated in a “matt black” spray finish. Once applied this offers full protection to the exposed surface area of the spindles and protects them from future knocks and bumps from the Henry vacuum! Powder coating is also available upon request.
Careful consideration at the design stage needs to be given upon installation of steel spindles to ensure structural strength and rigidity is achieved, also building regulations are met!..
Spindles in their raw form ready for preparation and spraying.
The Cut String Staircase
This type of design offers a traditional look but also opens up the staircase making it less enclosed than the “closed stringer” type design. It usually comes with “scotia” mould detailing to the underside of the oak tread. Cut string staircases can also incorporate “stair brackets” which can vary from very ornate to plainer designs.
The “cut string” type stair and “scotia” moulding detail to underside of treads and landing area.
“Butt & Bead” Curved Pannelling
When opting for a curved staircase and giving your home the true “wow” factor attention to detail at the design stage is essential, on “the Cotswold stair” we can see how adding in curves to the design rather than square details adds to its overall soft and pleasing aesthetic.
In this case a combination of “kerfed” plywood (kerfs being cuts made in the wood) allow it to bend to the curve required, with the bead moulding machined using tulipwood. We choose tulipwood for our painted products as it has minimal defects such as knots and shakes. This allows for a smooth surface ideal for spray finishing or in this case hand painted after installation was completed.
Handrail Design
A fully bespoke geometrical handrail was specified taking initial concept ideas to final approved design before manufacture commenced.
Here we can see the bespoke “crown moulding” on the oak handrail designed with a very bespoke “flared turnout” bottom section of the handrail.
Bottom handrail flared turnout
One particular feature on this staircase was where the oak stair tread and painted riser meet on the wall side of the staircase. To give the stair a cleaner more appealing aesthetic the “stringer” has been removed terminating the tread and riser directly into plaster which in this case occurred on the bottom section of stair and into the top section where the wall had been clad with “butt and bead” clad boards.
Oak treads and risers terminating directing into clad boards which needed to be fitted at the same time the treads and risers were being installed to ensure a clean finish.
The Manufacture Stage
The risers of the staircase being machined on the spindle molder
The curved inside stringer being erected into position
The Installation Stage
Here you can see that the structural carpentry work is underway for the under stair WC and first floor gallery landing areas. The existing first floor needed to be “levelled up” as the oak floor boards needed to match landing heights of the oak stair treads to ensure a smooth transition between the staircase treads and first floor landing.
Protecting the stairs during other renovation works
Upon successful installation of your new bespoke staircase it is essential to protect it as much as possible. Often we are commissioned to work on renovated or new build projects where further building works are being undertaken including on the upstairs of properties. The staircase provides easier access to working areas (rather than using ladders) as these are inconvenient, unsafe and impractical to use, it is preferred to have stair access for safe install or removal of items.. To ensure your stair meets the highest standards of quality and finish we protect all aspects of the flight that we deem necessary this can include tread protection using thin cuts of MDF or proplex sheeting vital to for continued use of shoes to be worn during building works. Newel posts can also be cladded to protect from knocks and bumps that may occur during works. When necessary it may be deemed best for temporary flights to be erected. On new builds careful consideration needs to be given at what point to commence plaster works, plaster works affect the overall dimensions of the stairwell and requires careful protection of your new stair.
To protect the handrail from knocks, spills and greasy finger marks where required handrails are foam and cling wrapped until all building works are complete or when removal is desired. Products delivered to site are also fully wrapped and protected.
Finishing of Handrails
From painted finishes to many different types of oil finish including “french polishing” all desired works can be undertaken. ‘The Cotswold Staircase” is finished in a raw interior oil especially designed to keep the oak handrail and treads loooking as natural as possible whilst ensuring it has a layer of protection from damaging UV rays to finger marks. Samples can be provided to ensure you are one hundred percent satisfied with how your stair will look in its finished form. Oil finishes include a vast range of shade colours provided in Matt, satin or gloss. Product suppliers include “Osmo, Rubio and Danish oils”
The Handrail Flow Test
When a bespoke staircase or hand railing project is completed the best way to test the natural flow of the handrail is to do the handrail flow test. This we do on every completed project to ensure that the handrail runs smoothly and that there are no kinks or sudden changes of direction.
Placing our hand on the handrail at the top of the stair closing your eyes then descending the stair all the way to the bottom, this is the best way to pick up if anything needs a bit more sanding or fine finishing!
