Stairs, Windows, Doors, and Roofs

Stairs• They are subject to detailed

requirements under Building Regulations Approved Document K – in respect of pitch, width, headroom,

guarding, landings and treads. – All stairs are required to have protection

to prevent people falling from height. •This can be provided by traditional timber balustrading and handrails. ex: balustrades

Stairs

• Most stairs are generally constructed in timber, steel or concrete, although there are some fantastic glass stairs around. See our page on glass stairs for some good examples.

• Spiral stairs are useful when you have restricted space, but can be complicated to set out. Small spiral and spacesaver stairs and ladders are useful for loft conversions.

• Stringer: the long, diagonal supports that run the entire length of the stairs. – The supports are blocked, cut or notched to

accept the individual treads and risers. – There are usually two stringers, one on each

side and occasionally a third in the middle.

• Tread: is the flat surface that is stepped on; the width of the tread is equivalent to the run. 

• Riser: is the vertical component; the height of the riser is equivalent to the rise. 

• Stairs without risers are called "open" stairs.

Stairs

• The maximum height of the riser (or rise that a person needs to step up to the next stair) is 8 to 8-1/4 inches.

• The riser's height should not vary more than 1/2 inch between the shortest and tallest risers.

• The minimum width of the tread (or run) on which a person places their foot is 8 1/4 to 9 inches.  

– If a stair is more than 44 inches wide, a handrail is required on both sides.

Stairs

• Tread should be level with a maximum deviation of a 2% slope.  

• To ensure stability, the minimum width at any point of stringer should be 3-1/2 inches.

• A vertical clearance of 6 feet 8 inches needs to be maintained between the stair and ceiling at all points.

• The stairwell must be a minimum of 36 inches wide.

• Landings– Most fire codes do not allow stairs to rise more

than 12 feet without providing a landing.

– The length of the landing should be at least equal to the width of the stair tread.

• Balustrade– According to the 1996 COBE code, the openings

between balusters is to be no greater than 4 inches.  Smaller holes reduce injuries to young children.

– The balustrade is topped by a handrail 30 to 38 inches above the top of the stringer; the handrail's grip size is between 1¼ to 2 inches. 

– If the handrail is mounted on a wall, a space of at least 1½ inches must be left between the edge of the handrail and the wall.

Example of Stairs in Homes:

• http://www.adamsstairworks.com/

Doors

– Situation: internal/external – Opening: inward/outward – Types: single/double doors/folding/sliding/stable – Performance: fire rated/smoke seal – Material: timber/aluminium/steel/uPVC – Construction: ledge and

braced/panelled/solid/veneered – Finish: painted/stained/lacquered/self finish – Glazing: fully glazed/half glazed/solid also

clear/frosted – Frame: doorset or loose assembled – Other: weatherstripped/water bar/letterbox/catflap

Doors

• For examples of Doors and Windows:

– http://www.milgard.com/getting-started/window-and-door-styles.asp

Windows

• Double or single hung windows– Opens virtically

• Sliding windows – Opens horizontally

• Casement or rollout windows – Hinged on sides and opens outward

Windows

• Awning or hopper windows– Hinged on top and opens outward– Usually found in basements

• Louvered windows – Several strips of glass that are tilted open to

allow ventilation– The glass is maneuvered with a rollout type

handle or a lever

Windows

• Bay

• Box bay

• Casement

• Circle Bay

• Label Mold

Windows• Ribbon Windows

• Oriel

• Paired windows

• Hood Mold

• Palladian

Roofs

• Bonnet:

• Cross gabled: often used for Tudors and Cape Cods

Roofs

• Front gabled: Used for Cape Cods and Colonials

• Gambrel: Either front- or side-faced; used in Dutch Colonials

Roofs

• Hipped: Used in 1 and 2- stories and four square bungalows

• Mansard: Often found in French colonial and Ranch styles

Roofs

• Pavilion-hipped: Featured in Cape Cod, Colonial, and Ranch styles

• Side-gabled:

• Salt Box: Featured in two-story colonials; common in the eastern United States

• http://www.thehouseplanner.co.uk/staircases.html

• http://www.sizes.com/home/stairs.htm• http://www.usinspect.com/Stairs/StairsMain.asp• http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/home/

windows/window_styles.html• http://www.realtor.org/rmomag.nsf/pages/arch34• http://www.novaexteriors.com/4%20Doors/

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