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 Sliding windows Opens virtically Sliding windows Opens horizontally Casement or rollout windows Hinged on sides and opens outward

Windows Awning or hopper windows Louvered 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/precision_door_styles.jpeg