The Stairway Makes an Unforgettable First Impression

No other architectural element makes a stronger statement about a home than the main stairway. Whether grandly traditional or clean and contemporary this classic feature makes an unforgettable first impression and sets the tone for the whole house. More than a means of walking from one floor to another, the stairway is a fundamental part of the interior design, visually linking and expanding both horizontal and vertical spaces.

Staircases come in many different shapes and sizes, reflecting the overall spirit and style of the home and the square footage available. Straight is the most common type, forming a clean, straight line and working particularly well in tight areas. This includes “L” shaped stairs, which rise to a landing and then turn left or right, and “T” shaped stairs, which turn in both directions at the top. Circular stairways sweep gracefully and elegantly into the room, often showcasing elaborate balustrade details. Elliptical stairs are also curved, but on a tighter and more irregular radius, usually in urban homes that are long and narrow. The spiral staircase, which curves straight up and down is built for form, not function. It is perfect for secondary spaces, such as lofts, library mezzanines, and wine cellars.

Regardless of the style, the stairway is an important focal point in a house, according to Pierre Nogues, Master Stair Builder for Woodmeister Master Builders, and the last thing homeowners change. “The stair becomes a piece of furniture that’s built into your home. You walk in the door and there it is. It’s graceful and majestic.” He says that a beautiful, well-designed stairway blends seamlessly and artfully with the millwork and structural lines of the room. “It should look as if it grew there.”

At Woodmeister, the process of creating a stairway begins with ideas from the client, usually in the form of photographs and magazine clippings. Designing this major architectural feature to meet the homeowner’s tastes and desires is key, says Nogues, who has been building custom stairs for thirty years – the last ten with Woodmeister. As an example, he recounts how one client asked for a spiral staircase just like the one in Henry Higgins’ library in the movie, My Fair Lady. Nogues spent hours watching the film and sketching the stairs so that he could reproduce it.

However, while the client’s inspiration and dreams may drive the creative process, the first consideration is meeting safety and building code requirements. According to Nogues, there are several safety factors that must be taken into account when designing a stairway. The first is the walk line, or the natural path up and down the stairs that most people will follow. Nogues says it must be even and comfortable with a safe riser height and tread width to eliminate any trip hazards. This is particularly important with curved and elliptical stairs.

The second issue is railing width, which should be an adequate thickness for all size hands to grasp securely. Balustrade spacing is another crucial detail. The balusters must be close enough so that a child cannot fit his or her head through the gap. Head room must be sufficient so that people will not hit the ceiling when using the stairs. Finally, a safe stairway should include ample lighting. Nogues, says, illumination need not be restricted to walls and ceilings, but can be built right into the stair units. Newel posts can be hollowed out to accommodate wiring and lamps, and lights can be installed in the risers and millwork.

Once all of these factors have been considered, the project architect, working with the interior designer, will produce design and engineering drawings, and work with the client until every aspect is exactly what the homeowner wants. According to Nogues, the stairway is a place to showcase craftsmanship and custom details, regardless of the style. “No matter how simple the design, details are still important,” he says.

These custom elements include the use of materials and finishes. In addition to traditional woods, such as oak, mahogany, and maple, homeowners today can choose from wide variety of exotic wood species, which can be painted, stained, or left natural. Ornamental iron, metal, glass, and stone are also widely used. Hand-finished details, such as carvings, columns, and turnings, as well as alcoves, built-ins, and hidden niches, are further ways that stairways can be customized.

Stair fabrication techniques can have a significant impact on how well the stairs fit into the available space and their overall durability and strength. Nogues says that at Woodmeister, all stairs are crafted and preassembled in their factory, using the latest equipment and technology. Housed stringer construction, which features mortised tread and riser supports cut with a computerized numerical controlled (CNC) machine or precisely hand routered, ensures a flawless fit, superior strength, and no squeaks or gaps. Once completed, the stair unit is delivered to the home, installed, and finished with the ornamental details.

Even after creating hundreds of custom stairs over the course of his career, Nogues is still passionate about his work. For him a great stairway has proportion, perfect integration with the rest of the house, and, always, beautiful details. “Even if you’re building a log cabin, the details matter. You could have half cut logs for the treads, beaver stick balusters, and a birch railing – and it would look great,” he says. “Stair building is an art form It’s been around a long, long, long time.”