Measuring a staircase is an important step in its planning and production.
Determine the position of the staircase start, specifically the front edge of the first tread = define the length of the starting staircase flight.
This is usually specified in the project documentation. If not, the following guideline can be used:
An optimally designed staircase requires approximately 165 mm of horizontal floor space for every 100 mm of height. With a height of 2800 mm, this results in approximately 4600 mm of staircase length.
A steep staircase requires approximately 140 mm of floor space for every 100 mm of height, resulting in approximately 3900 mm for a 2800 mm height.
A very comfortable staircase requires approximately 190 mm of floor space for every 100 mm of height, resulting in approximately 5300 mm for a 2800 mm height.
IMPORTANT: These dimensions apply to the walking line (also called the line of travel = the natural walking path on the staircase). Therefore, if the staircase length is measured along the outer side of the staircase, approximately one meter (one staircase width) should be subtracted from the measured length.
Check the right angle of the staircase’s top edge in relation to the length measured in the next step. If the angle is “closing in”, this must be taken into account and the deviation subtracted from the measured horizontal length.
Now measure the length of the upper stair flight L2 – drop a vertical line from the exit point down to the lower floor (ideally along the wall next to the flight, if available), and from there measure the distance to the outer corner of the staircase. If there is a wall directly beneath the exit edge down to the floor, the measurement is easier. However, always check vertical alignment and correct if necessary. If the exit edge is “set back” behind the plane of this wall, do not forget to add the difference.
Then continue from the outer corner and measure the length of the lower stair flight L1 = from the corner to the front edge of the first step.
Be careful about the presence (including future installation) of door casings next to the staircase start – due to possible collision with the stringer. It is also recommended to measure openings, doors, and other elements in or on the surrounding walls and again assess possible collision risks.
Measure the size of the structural opening (usually the width) and determine the staircase width accordingly. We recommend a minimum width of 1 m, while the limiting factor is typically the width of the finished structural opening itself. It is also necessary to take into account the thickness of any ceiling cladding and leave approximately 40 mm of space along the future handrail for finger clearance.
For a correct understanding of this dimension, it is important to consider the relationship between the lengths of the staircase flights and the position of the exit edge. In some cases, the lower flight is short, and the length of the upper flight L2 is then limited in width by the opening. In other cases, if the lower flight L1 runs along the length of a rectangular opening, the length of the upper flight L2 corresponds to the width of the opening.
To compensate for possible wall unevenness, we recommend reducing the staircase width by 5 mm.
After measuring the lengths of flights L1 and L2, it is very important to verify that they form a precise right angle. If they do not, the deviation must be correctly accounted for when entering the dimensions of the rectangular layout.
When measuring the height, it is recommended to follow these guidelines: take measurements at the center of the width of the future stair tread front edge (to eliminate floor unevenness). Using a long straight batten and a spirit level, check the horizontality of the lower floor between the staircase entry and the point below the staircase exit where the vertical height is measured. Correct the measured staircase height for any deviation.
Ideally, the height difference should be measured between finished floor surfaces. If the final floor finishes are not yet completed but their composition is already defined, it is best to simulate the future thicknesses (parquet, tiles, marmoleum, etc.) and again measure the difference between finished floor levels. This helps avoid mistakes caused by adding or subtracting floor thicknesses.
The final important staircase dimension is the headroom clearance. This exists only for staircases where the entry is located beneath a ceiling in a room. It is measured as the clear vertical distance between the lower edge of the ceiling opening and the tread directly below it. The ideal clearance is 220 cm or more.
If it can be derived from the project documentation, it should definitely be verified.
When designing two staircases positioned above one another, it is necessary to consider the size of the opening beneath the upper staircase during the planning stage. This prevents a situation where the staircase would partially “fall into the opening.” We therefore recommend that the upper staircase overlaps the opening below by 100–150 mm.
