Metal stairs: Theory and Practice

Most popular among the private house-building, metal ladders are in second place after the timber, due to their versatility and high performance. Metal is durable, long-lived, it can be created from any of several configurations, based on the dimensions of the space allocated for them.

Although there are also all-metal interior staircase, the more they are suitable for the street, as it is less exposed to the aggressive environment. It is much more likely to make stairs for the house combined - metal frame and wooden steps. Having the skills to work with metal and necessary tool, you can manually make a ladder, saving a substantial amount on the order of the professionals. And receives the bulk FORUMHOUSE participants, renowned for their wit, diligence and golden hands.

A bit of theory

Metal stairs, whole or combined, as well as their wooden counterparts and reinforced concrete, there are several types:

• Marching - Direct flight with the same steps.
• Bent - bent at a certain angle, in the construction of all or some stages of modular stairs - narrowed to the center.
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• Screw - twisted spiral around the support column at an angle of 270⁰.
• With turntable - between spans a rectangular area for sunset or descent on the next march.

Structurally, metal stairs are different in the frame apparatus and method for mounting:

• On kosour - one or two girders, steps are mounted on top of them, by means of bearings and metal pads or "fillies" stringers themselves are mounted in the Seine, and on support.
• On the string - two girders, steps mounted between them.
• Cantilever (on byaltsah) - without external supports, steps mounted on the wall by concealed fasteners (bolts, studs, embedded channel).

According to a method for manufacturing metal ladders are welded or forged, the most in demand first, as their technology to make it easier. Forging involves the same skill, not an amateur level. In addition, the stairs are open and closed. We open all the constructive remains in plain sight, so are increased requirements for finishing. For closed, which later will be "sewn" in surfacing materials, can dispense with protective measures - cleaned and primed.

Depending on the expected load stringers and stringer can be made of an I-beam, channel or a metal tube with a rectangular or square cross-section. For the most commonly used steps glued wooden panels of different species, selecting resistant to abrasion and distortion.

Functional ladders is not attached to the material from which it is made, so the standards of comfort and safety apply to metal structures:

• Opening width - not less than 1 meter.
• The steepness of the stairs - to 45⁰, it is desirable not abut the maximum.
• step width - from 250 mm to 300 mm.
• step height - from 150 mm to 200 mm.

Since between the outside quite a large range of variation, and the convenience of descent and ascent could affect 10 mm, it makes sense for design does not rely only on the typical dimensions, but also on the mean pitch formula (Blondel formula) - S = a + h x 2 600 ≤ a + h x ≤ 2 640 where:

• S - mean pitch value;
• and - the width of the tread;
• h - height of lifting stage.

The optimum value for security: a + h = 460 mm, the optimal value of convenience: a - h = 120 mm. Moderator portal Vit1959 It offers the calculation parameters.

Vit1959 (FORUMHOUSE Moderator):

Knowing the size of the height from the finished floor one floor to the finished floor of the second floor, we can estimate how many steps we have together on this segment. Suppose the height between floors - 3000 mm and a height convenient range of steps - from 150 mm to 200 mm, with an average of 175 mm is obtained. Dividing the total height of the average, we get: 3,000 mm / 175 mm = 17.14 degrees. Knowing the minimum width of the tread band, we can determine the minimum length of a comfortable middle line of march: 250 mm x 17,4 degrees = 4285 mm (length of the middle line of the march). Checks on our formula mean pitch - 600 ≤ 250 + 2 x 175 ≥ 640.

Naturally, there are a lot of intermediate results as falling within the limits and go beyond them, but Vit1959 does not recommend the design with the parameters is lower than in the above calculations.

For the manufacture of welded structures needed tool. Experienced forum users are advised not to save on equipment and acquire branded, powerful tools. The amount spent is justified and the quality and speed of work. You will need a standard set, which may expand, depending on the complexity of the design and materials used:

• welding machine;
• Bulgarian;
• electric drill;
• clamps;
• Brush on metal.

Life examples

Gameday implemented a large number of metal stairs, focus on a few that represent the most popular varieties.

Stairs to one of three stringers march

Krot73 (Member FORUMHOUSE):

Here, muddied this option ladders - three march kosour of metal sheets - a pipe, a square cross section of 100 x 4 mm, without supports in the floor (attached to the wall), height - 3 m Steps:. 18 pieces of direct, 2 playgrounds for 45⁰ (Rotary); span length - 3.5 m Glasses -. In the same tube, welded to the stringers at a right angle (for convenience walking) under steps - lists 150 x 450 mm, 5 mm thick (think enough). The slope of stringers - 38⁰, step height - 160 mm.

As for the installation of horizontal supports, Krot73 rejected them, arguing that the thickness of the metal sheets and five attachment points, two lower and three upper, enough to stairs not "walk". Visually, the design of this, in his opinion, it looks more advantageous than with supports. In the future planned rail at the edge of the steps for safety and beauty.

Staircase with zabezhnymi steps on the stringers and supports

Validating Johan planned order finished wooden staircase, but voiced issue price of 80 - 120 thousand rubles forced to tighten and make their own skills. The idea was podsmotrena in the manual for the construction of wooden stairs, the project fit in size and functionality. Taking his source, using a computer program to accurately calculate the design.

Johan (Member FORUMHOUSE):

After sorting options, it was decided to cook kosoura frame of steel profiles in the frame It took three six-meter square tube 40 x 80 mm and two iron sheets of 4 mm thickness, 150 x 60 cm. Outdoor gathered welding jig in the form of two orthogonal beams, it moved the dimensions of the first frame unit (length and elevation). Fastened to the lower bar to a base plate, excised in two tubes frame size set to fit their slope and welded to the base plate.

There have also been welded supports for the steps, and the top (third) unit of the ladder, before the production of mid-span done "fitting." In the garage, mounted vertical support and collected segments ready to properly cook the middle span. The resulting design - dismountable, bolted, a separate section is easily carried by one person. Making the frame took teams of two men and a half days.

Validating himself actively participated in the process not only as a controller and supplier, but also as an extra hand. Stair has been used fanfold batten on a plywood board covered with varnish for yachts. Metal railings decorated ready wrought decor of the building supermarkets and rails of laminated veneer lumber. Each span kosoura further strengthened metal support at the floor for stability.

AtamaN_UA (Member FORUMHOUSE):

Same story, voice acting after the price of production of the stairs, I realized that we cook together with the godfather. I do not want to make one central, I think, two on each side of the steps will be easier. In my stairs there will be two of the march and the intermediate space. The first march - along the wall 4.2 meters long, he kosour - about 5 meters long.

The only thing that was not defined forumchanin - a cross-section must be in the profile to the design was static and did not vibrate with each step. He intends to use the profile cross section of 100 x 100 mm and asks JohanAs already held the ladder manufacturing process and actively uses it to advise. Answer was exhaustive.

Johan (Member FORUMHOUSE):

Two kosoura 100 x 100 mm more than enough, just like you they will be fixed to the floor or the walls? This gives the basic rigidity, I fixed with two supports to the floor without fixing to the walls, because the house is wooden and more sets.

Cantilever metal ladder

Member of the forum under the nickname Pacific 23 I chose a very "light" and "air" kind of metal stairs - console.

Pacific 23 (Member FORUMHOUSE):

Do cantilevered stairs to start channel 22 imbedded in its wall and fastened through pins D18 (brick wall), and in chemical anchors, wherein silicate blocks. Metal all bought, a channel for the site is already installed. By u-walled to the top and bottom of the shelf is welded corner so that it can later be cover up in the corner will be a hole for the pin 12, in the wall Drill the holes and secured chemical anchor. Steps - from the metal profile section 50 x 50 mm with a wall thickness of 4 mm is welded to the conductor. frame length - 170 mm, top planned wooden cover 15 mm thick, so the frames made by two jumpers.

As the fence is planned to use a special tempered glass or laminated glass. Their choice in favor of consoles Pacific 23 It explains the decorative part.

Pacific 23 (Member FORUMHOUSE)

Chosen because of the appearance as a staircase located in the living room, I do not want it to be massive. Upon entering the building can be seen the bottom of the ladder, so abandoned central metallic kosoura. It will also be seen steps fastening elements, and in this embodiment this will not.

Will look like a staircase in finished form, can be found by tracing the progress of work in the subject of Default "Cantilever staircase".

Stairs to two kosour

Again, due to the cost of finished models, and user forum SergeyI I decided to create a metal ladder with wooden steps on their own.

SergeyI (Member FORUMHOUSE):

I too would first like to order the stairs: nice, do not say anything, but the bites, he decided. First I draw, then marked out, sawed, and then cooked. Metalloprofil section 100 x 50 mm, wall thickness - 3 mm. Had to use ingenuity, because the behavior of the structure after welding, and it is necessary to make it smooth. Screw the plate to the plates overlap, then welded it to the cross member, mounted stringers. Cleaned out, filled, he welded simultaneously collected, glued, sawed, sanded, painted stages, gradually get results.

The staircase from the second floor to the attic was made similarly, the estimated savings to get a solid craftsman, even taking into account the acquisition of a corporate tool. For three years the ladder properly perform their duties, only to hand railing at the owner has not yet reached.

From the forum users who are just planning to engage in its own metal ladder, SergeyI shares the intricacies of welding.

SergeyI (Member FORUMHOUSE):

Although the metal up to three millimeters allowed to cook without cutting edges, I did a breaker. Pre grinder chamfer at 45⁰ the entire thickness of the metal. Because foresee that it will be necessary to strip joints.

Metal ladder, combined with wooden elements or other material that will fit into any decor and will serve for decades. And most importantly - make your own hands, it will be exclusive, which is not the standard of finished projects.

The portal to the topic metal ladders a lot of interesting ideas, photo reports and best practices, look down. Information on structures made of wood collected in the section wooden stairs. Article of welding help deal with the intricacies of the technology. Material of cold forging will help for those who want to decorate their metal ladder exclusive decor. The video about ladder with zabezhnymi steps you can get acquainted with the principles of the creation of this type of design and choice of materials - a private matter.

Discuss the article and read other materials devoted to country life you can on the websiteFORUMHOUSE.

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