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FAQ staircase

BOSTON, DUBLIN, CORK, BASEL have massive oak treads that are lacquered. Select treads under the staircase product page.
BERLIN, FRANKFURT and HAMBURG have oiled oak treads. On these 3 staircase models you can choose between white-oiled oak and oak with natural oil. All treads are of FSC certified wood.  

We have made a guide for you "How to measure for a staircase". At the same time, under each stair model, we have made technical drawings (DIMENSION) where it is illustrated how much room you need for the staircase and how large the stairwell should be to.

The Building Regulations provide guidance on how staircases should be designed at common access stairways. It is a good idea to take these guides into consideration when designing new interior stairs. The following points can be used as a guide on how to construct a good and functional staircase.

GOOD RULES TO REMEMBER - when you going to have a staircase:
1.There must be a head room above the stair of at least 2.0 meters (preferably more) – on every tread on the way up. See our dimension schemes on each staircase.

 

2.The ground G - is the tread space for a foot (illustrated below) must be so that the stair is safe and good to access. 

3. The rise height (S) difference between the treads must be between 18-21cm. Low rise e.g. 18 cm rise provides better comfort.

 

4. Pay attention to the distance between vertical balusters if you choose, the handrails called CLASSIC. You can increase safety by choosing CLASSIC III over CLASSIC II. We illuminate the distance between the baluster under the stairs.

5. You should be aware that the rules regarding the design of handrail banister differ from country to country, and therefore you can find handrail banister in the range that do not comply with national legislation. These are special requirements for the height of the handrail and the design, which may be different including requirements for climbing protection when using horizontal fillings and running handrails, as well as the height of the railing.

The strength of our stairs and guards are constructed according to Building Regulations. The stairs in the DOLLE range are space saving stairs, and they do not comply with applicable regulations for main staircases including recommendations for ground and walkway.

The height of our landing banister (balcony balustrade) is at least 100 cm, and the height of our stair handrail is at least 90 cm. It is always possible to choose a railing for the stairs or repos with vertical balusters, where the distance is a maximum of 10 cm. In our assembly instructions and dimension sheets you will find measurements on stair railing and landing banisters.  
Be aware that staircases must be secured with a railing or other reassuring guardrail. The stairs you buy from DOLLE are including stair railings, but at the top of the stairs there must also be a guardrail/ landing banister. At DOLLE we have landing banister that fit exactly in the design of the staircases. Check out our wide selection of landing banister (balcony balustrades).

IMPORTANT: It is your responsibility to ensure that staircases, handrails and landing banister are safe. If you have doubts, please contact your local building authority. 
Please check before you buy a staircase and landing banister to ensure that any approvals have been obtained. This will vary according to your application, and we advise you always to check before going ahead with the purchase of a staircase.
 

Yes, all our stairs are available as straight flight stairs. Many of the stair models are also available as quarter turn and half-turn staircases. 

Our smallest models are ATLANTA, GRAZ, ROME, BERLIN and BASEL – they take up no more space than a loft stair or mezzanine ladder but provide more comfort than a traditional loft ladder. You could consider if there is room for one of these staircases.

 

The space-saving asymmetric reversing treads provide a comfortable tread surface even where there is not much space. The models with reverse treads are ATLANTA, ROME GRAZ, BERLIN and BASEL. Among these staircases we also have the option of  a twisted staircase where the center of the staircase makes it possible to turn the staircase a bit. ROMEGRAZ, BERLIN and BASEL can be twisted staricases.

On the staircases BERLIN, FRANKFURT and HAMBURG, we have focused on the design of the stairs and the quality has been highest priority. On these staircases we have oiled treads in oak and beech for you to pick. There are many fine design details on the stairs.

Yes – we have staircases with lacquered treads and solid wood – look for the staircases: CORK, BOSTON, BASEL or DUBLIN, they have a semi-gloss surface varnish that gives a quality finish. Lacquered treads are more resistant to scratches and water. There is also minimal maintenance at lacquered treads. Often treads are chosen on the stairs according to the flooring, so that the floor and staircase match. 

The cheapest stairs are those that have multiplex treads such as ATLANTA and DALLAS or veneer treads like GRAZ and ROME. But if you are looking for slightly larger stairs with good comfort, it must be said that all DOLLE's stairs are really good value for money. On one hand, it is do-it-yourself staircase that you can easily build yourself with the instruction videos available on the website. On one hand, our stairs are in standard dimensions that can be adjusted to fit your application. 
 

Multiplex treads are a plywood plate that either has a painted surface or has a top veneer in beech or oak. Multiplex treads are robust and stable in construction.  
 

Our staircases do not require much maintenance just regular cleaning. If your staircase has lacquered treads and handrails, they can be cleaned with a hard-wrung cloth and a mild soap. If the stair has oiled treads and handrails, the cleaning should be done with a soap which is recommended for oiled surfaces. 
 

DALLAS, BOSTON, DUBLIN, CORK, FRANKFURT, HAMBURG in addition to our classic wooden staircases: PARIS, LYON and NORMANDIE.

We have 4 staircases available as half-turn stairs: DUBLIN, CORK, FRANKFURT and HAMBURG. A half-turn staircase swing 180°. It allows you to build a staircase that does not take up much space in length. In turn, several treads are cut "crooked". Half turn staircases are often chosen as the space saving and minimalist solution, which should not appear too much.
 

Yes. Stairs must be secured with a railing or other guardrail, above the stairs. Check out our wide selection of landing banisters (balcony balustrade). Each staircase have a matching landing banister - or see it under each staircase scroll down to "GOES WELL WITH".
 

When choosing an interior staircase for the home, it is important to consider the need for the upcoming staircase and its function. How often will you use it? How steep can it be? How wide should it be? How much space is there above the stairs (headroom). How much space can the stairs fill at the top and bottom?

Use

Staircase to loft, to bedroom or office? We have staircases that will fit. On the other hand, if it is a staircase to the 1st floor of the home, which you use several times a day, the need for comfort and quality is bigger? Here you should look at HAMBURG, alternatively PARIS or CORK which takes up less space in the room. UK building code has different requirements and specifications for primary and secondary staircases.  Primary staircases have stricter requirements where secondary you may have the option of a cheaper more space-saving option.  Contact us if you require more information.  

Space and location

It is important that you think about how much room the stairs take up? You may want to mark with tape on the floor so that you can get a picture of how much floor space it will take up. It is not only the size of the staircase itself that must be considered when choosing a staircase. There must also be space to get in and out of the stairs. How much space is there at the foot of the stairs and how much space is there at the top – see our elaborate technical drawings (DIMENSION) under each staircase.

Material

A staircase consists roughly of treads. Wooden treads generally feel soft and comfortable to walk on, we have both oiled and lacquered wooden treads. Often wood and surface treatment are chosen after the flooring, so that the floor and staircase match.
 

There are 3 things that determine whether a staircase is comfortable.


1. The treads must have the right depth. In jargon, you talk about the grounds (G) of the stairs (illustrated below), which is the tread surface you have when you walk down the stair. A Ground (G) of more than 18 cm provides good comfort, but a main staircase typically has a larger Ground of about 25 cm.

2. A comfortable distance for the stairs (climb height (S) is the height difference between the treads) and it should be between 18-21 cm. Low rise e.g., 18 cm provides better comfort than 21 cm.

 

3. The width of the stairs. A good width on a staircase is 80-100 cm – it provides comfort when walking on the stairs, and it allows two people to pass.  

The space taken by a staircase can result in a compromise where space-optimised staircase should be considered. We make staircases that are as comfortable and space-saving as possible – from large to small treads. Check out our large staircase assortment.

 

Treads and handrails must not get damp or otherwise get wet. It is important to avoid wood parts from getting damp because otherwise they will start working. 
Put wooden parts inside. If they got damp, let them dry completely before you start putting up the stairs.

 

The stairs are for private use only.

 

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