How To Measure Your Staircase

You'll need to determine Measurement A to accurately assess the lengths of the handrail and base rail required for your measured run. It's important to measure this on the inside, between the newel posts, while disregarding any newel caps.

Measurement B helps you calculate the 'going' or depth of each stair step. Together with Measurement A, you can work out the staircase's slope or angle. Once these two parameters are known, you can determine the number of spindles your staircase will require. While Building Regulations stipulate a 42-degree pitch for staircases, it is possible to construct steeper stairs, often referred to as space saver staircases or paddle stairs. These are typically employed in areas with restricted space.

Measurement C is crucial to establish the precise lengths of the handrail and base rail required for each distinct landing run you're assessing. This measurement should be made on the inside, between the newel posts, without considering any newel caps. If your staircase has multiple landings, ensure that you supply separate measurements for each. This will ensure a proper fit for the handrails and base rails on each landing.