Explore practical advice and clear guidance designed to support you through the staircase buying process, from early design considerations to final installation.
Any timber i.e. walnut or pine
Express Stairs Yorkshire build staircases for many self-build people, all we need is:
Click here to download the Express Stairs Yorkshire Measure Sheet
From this Express Stairs Yorkshire will complete all your drawings and check headroom, risers and goings of the staircase to check compliance with building regulations.
Express Stairs Yorkshire sell staircases in many designs, if you require further assistance regarding measuring your staircase, don’t hesitate to phone us, we are a very friendly company, phone Express Stairs Yorkshire on 0113 4571775.
Below is a guide of how to fit a timber newel post to your new Express Stairs Yorkshire staircase.
Please note all our newel posts are dry fitted in our workshop as we build every staircase and all risers have been pre-fitted and labelled.
Any newel posts that run to the floor that the staircase bottom tread sits on, you will find we have marked a floor line cut all around the newel post. Prior to cutting, you must check that your floor is level or site allowances will have to be made accordingly.
All our posts have been dry fitted. If you follow our cad drawing which is supplied with our delivery note paperwork, you will see that all newel posts and Tenon’s on strings are numbered. Once you are happy everything is in the correct place, then move onto the next stage. Using plenty of glue, slide the newel post into place and either using screws or dowels fix the newel post tight to the Tenon shoulder, (please note we Tenon our strings in the center to create a double shoulder which enables this process to be a little easier), then make sure your newel post is square to the tread.
Before you begin to fix any of the staircase risers, all additional winder treads and bottom shaped treads, if ordered, i.e. bullnose tread or curtail treads must be fitted. Once these are fitted then proceed to fit all the risers. As before you will find these are numbered as they have been dry fitted. Use copious amounts of glue and fit all wedges and glue blocks supplied. Please wait until all glue is dry before walking on the staircase, this will stop any squeaks in the future as the glue will need time to go off.
This is the number 1 rule in staircase assembly, Once the staircase assembly is complete and glued, leave them for a while until the glue has set, make sure the glue is fully set before you walk up and down your timber staircase, This may not sound important but if you do not follow this first rule your staircase may squeak.
All your straight treads & risers are pre-cut to length & width, so please do not amend or trim anything, If you are unsure please do not hesitate in contacting our technical department on info@expressstairs.co.uk
The following guide is specifically only useful for the assembly of the straight element of a timber staircase, if your staircase has a turn comprising of winder treads then please also see the following guide ( how to fit winder treads)
Please do not leave any gaps during assembly of your staircase, All treads should fit tight into the trench in the string and wedges must be fitted tightly.
The first thing you do is lay down your strings on the floor in a pair, please note if your staircase has newel posts then the treads will be notched, the notch goes where the Tennon is. Dry Fit 3 treads down the flight, knocking the wedge in a bit, With the aid of some help if required turn that section over and place into the corresponding trenches in the second string, again knock 3 wedges in to secure treads.
Lay the flight down ( Nosing’s facing downwards ) Measure over all string and make sure it’s the width on your cad drawing, check the staircase for square using a tape measure from reference points, we use the trenching points at the top and bottom of the flight for this, and adjust if necessary. Once you are happy place all the other treads into position, Place sash clamps across the staircase using packers so not to bruise the outer face of the strings, Glue wedges and nock home tight.
Know its time to fit the risers into place, Please note the bottom riser is smaller by the finished thickness of the staircase tread, so make sure this is used for the first riser, then place the risers into the strings, ( please note our risers are cut 3mm shorter in length to make this operation easier ) once all dropped into place glue the wedges and hit them home tight.
Remove the sash clamps and screw your risers to the back of the treads, using a chisel prize open a slight gap between the tread and the riser, then run a small bead of PVA along the back edge of the tread where the riser will meet. Beware not to use too much glue especially if the staircase is not to be carpeted as the glue can be difficult to remove from the face of your staircase. It is important to run the bead of glue from the underside of the staircase. You are now ready to screw the back of the riser to the back of the tread, if your treads are mdf we recommend 40mm mdf wood screws, we use five, please take care not to over tighten causing the screw to spin, if this happens then re fix at the side in a slightly different position, if your treads are timber then please pre drill using a 2-3mm diameter drill bit, then once you have screwed all your risers you are known ready to fit your glue blocks, fitting 3 per tread use copious amounts of glue and rub into place..
Staircase assemblyWhen a staircase arrives from Express Stairs Yorkshire, the winder on the staircase has been dis-assembled. The straight legs of our staircase remain assembled. This will allow you to manoeuvre the staircase through the front door into its correct position.
Click here to download our Installation Guide
If you have ordered MDF treads for the winder box, then you MUST NOT use standard wood screws. Using normal screws designed for hard or softwood can cause the MDF to bulge and eventually split.
For MDF treads and risers, a slightly different approach is needed. No pre-drilled holes are needed for MDF, as it is recommended to use special MDF screws. These have the added benefit of not splitting the MDF board, which can occur when drilling pilot holes or using unsuitable screws. The secret of the MDF screw lies in its structure; a serrated thread means it cuts cleanly through the board without bulging or splitting the wood.
Express Stairs Yorkshire sell a number of products to finish your staircase. Remember if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us about your staircase finish. We are a friendly company and you can telephone us on 0113 4571775.
Whilst Express Stairs Yorkshire highly recommend that a qualified joiner should fit your staircase. DIY enthusiasts may attempt the task themselves. This is a guideline to fitting the staircase.
1. Check critical dimensions before proceeding:
2. Always fit your staircase from top to bottom.
3. Cut the top newel to fit onto trimmer.
First cut out the top newel to fit onto the trimmer. DO NOT fix the newel at this stage.
Put the riser temporarily into position. Scribe line the thickness of the riser to determine the depth of the saw cut.
After marking your line, allowing for the thickness of riser, make saw cuts with a cross cut saw for easy removal with a mallet and chisel.
Using a mallet and a chisel, remove slithers of cut wood to leave a recess to fit onto the trimmer.
4. Cut the bottom newel to the correct length.
Cut the bottom newel to the correct length. If the floor is not level it is possible that the newel may differ in length. Newels are always delivered longer to allow for this.
Fit and glue the bottom newel onto the string. The dowel holes are drilled slightly off-centre to pull the newel and string tightly together.
Taper the dowel slightly for easy insertion. Once the piece is pulled up tight, cut off the excess dowel and sand back.
5. Fit Bottom Riser.
With the bottom newel fitted, slot the riser into position and mark the bottom riser in line with the bottom of the newels. Take the riser out and cut to the correct length.
You can now fit the riser into position by screwing into the riser and then newel, also use glue.
On the string side the riser needs to be kept in place with a wedge.
Please ensure that plenty of glue is applied to both edges and the inside face of the wedge.
Tap the wedge firmly into place and remove any excess glue with a chisel.
6. Fit The Glue Blocks.
View looking underneath the staircase, showing glue blocks.
The majority of these blocks will already be glued on your staircase.
Once the bottom riser is fitted the blocks will need to be fitted.
We recommend about 3 or 4 blocks per tread.
Use plenty of glue and when positioning the blocks, move back and forth to remove all the air.
7. Fit The Top Newel.
Fit the top newel using glue and dowels.
Glue and dowel top newel onto strings.
Taper dowels slightly for ease of entrance.
Tap snugly into place with a mallet.
Cut off excess dowel and sand back.
Use plenty of glue.
8. Fit The Top Riser and The Top Nosing.
The top nosing may have to be cut to suit.
9. The Staircase Is Now Ready To Be Put Into Place.
When you are sure it is in the correct position, check the stairs for level.
Secure stairs by fixing to wall.
Place staircase into position ensuring the treads and risers are level – use a spirit level to check.
When the staircase is in the correct position fix it to the trimmer and wall at several locations.
10. Fit Base Rail On The Rake Of Stairs.
11. Fit Return Handrail Apron, Nosing and Cover Mould.
Fit apron, nosing and cover mould.
12. Fit Spindles And Infill Pieces.
Please note – These tips are only a guideline and fitting different styles of staircase may vary from the above.
Express Stairs Yorkshire sell staircases in all shapes and sizes but remember if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us about your staircase choice. We are a very friendly company and you can telephone us on 0113 4571775.
Stringer (string)
The structural component that houses the staircase treads and risers.
(We finish our strings in 220mm x 32mm 5ths Redwood. We believe the thicker string is better, it looks more attractive, is stronger and gives more room for plaster finish so that the string is not buried behind plaster which can happen with 28mm strings).
Tread
The staircase component that is stepped upon whilst climbing the staircase to bed.
(We finish our treads to a thick standard and only use a minimum 22mm MR MDF).
Go (Going)
The individual going is the dimension taken from face of riser to face of riser.
Riser
The staircase component between each staircase tread, this can be missing but only to suit building control. As in the case of staircase spindles you can only have a maximum gap of 100mm, so care has to be taken when selecting this option.
Rise
The rise is the vertical measurement taken from the top of the tread to top of the tread.
Nosing
The staircase nosing is the front part of the staircase tread that overlaps the staircase riser face. It is usually bull-nosed, this is for both aesthetic reasons and carpet fitting as it stops the carpet splitting on the edge. A staircase nosing can be eliminated if required, please ask for details.
Please note the drawing shown is a cross section through a typical timber staircase.
Newel Post
The newel post is commonly attached to the staircase, as it allows for stair handrails to be built into them. Sometimes they can be used on landings where you don’t want to mitre handrails round corners etc. Half newels are used against walls where you want to attach handrails.
Handrails
Handrails are the timber capping used to house the staircase spindles. These can also be used against the walls carried by metal brackets etc. Continuous handrails can be used as our image shows but are most commonly used between newel posts with the newel posts being around 50mm larger than the top of the handrail for aesthetic reasons. This can be cut higher to suit personal preferences.
Base Rails
Base rails are the timber base plate used to house staircase spindles. The only time the base rail would not be used is when you are producing a cut and metered staircase. At this point, the spindle is commonly dovetailed out of the staircase tread. The image below shows various handrail options.
Coloured
A part of the handrail used in continuous hand railing, (i.e. over the top of newel posts), these are also used on curtailed bottom steps as the image below shows. Volutes may be left hand or right hand depending on the situation in which they are to be used. The balustrade is a means of guarding a staircase for safe use, to stop people, especially children, from falling from heights. This is usually made up of newel posts at the top and bottom of the staircase. Our base rails are grooved over the stair stringer and all spindles and infills are ploughed into hand and base rails. Spindles on the staircase should be a minimum of 900mm up from the pitch line and landing handrail must be a minimum of 900mm from the finished floor height to the top of the handrails. Express Stairs Yorkshire offer a fully assembled handrail set, please contact us for details if this is required.
Below we will explain how your staircase will be delivered, some companies will not want to say what they do or don’t do, so leaving you with more work to do on site that you had hoped for. Here at Express Stairs Yorkshire we do as much for you as we believe is possible without causing you possible problems down the road, everything on the staircase comes fully cut & trenched so all you need to do is put it together.
If you are struggling for access in your property and you chose to order your staircase unassembled then you will receive loose staircase strings, all your treads & risers and any other components for the staircase core pre-cut and trenched to size, (please see photo below) all your wedges & glue blocks will be in a box for your assembly on site.
If you have no problem with access then you may wish to order your staircase pre-assembled at no extra charge. This is where the main straight runs of the staircase will be delivered to you already assembled, strings treads & risers. The part of the staircase the comes delivered flat pack would be the staircase turn and newel posts, (please see photo below) these have been dry fitted in our work shop, the only cuts that you may have to do is trim some of the winder risers down to fit in length.
All newel posts will be delivered at the correct length with all trenching carried out ready to except any treads & risers and strings. Any load bearing newels asked for will be pre-cut to floor level, If you require any other newel posts to be load bearing please inform our sales team or alternatively please add this requirement in your notes section of our online ordering system. Please note all landing newel posts will be supplied as planed blanks 1500mm long.
All Handrail, Base Rails & Spindles will be delivered un cut, as Express Stairs Yorkshire believes this is better carried out on site, the staircase only has to be fitted slightly out of plumb and then all the cuts are incorrect, also damage can easily happen on site when moving long lengths of handrails around tight corridors and if the mite is caught then the whole length is ruined, we reflect this in our hand rail prices.
All qtr turn or half landing staircase will be delivered with a landing board, this will need cutting to suit your landing that you will have formed on site, this is because your walls could be slightly out of square etc, you then cut the board we have supplied and fit onto your joists, we also supply strings at the same section of the staircase strings so that if you wish you can follow the string line around you landing board.
We hope the above gives you an insight of your product will be delivered, if you require any more information please don’t hesitate in contacting one of our friendly sales team on info@expressstairs.co.uk or telephone us on 0113 4571775
Orders can not be cancelled and monies will not be refunded due to covid-19
If the excitement is too much that you cannot wait for your new staircase, we are the ones for you. Your made to measure MDF staircase will be ready for you to transport within 7-10 working days* after the date of order.
Upon receipt of your order to Express Stairs Yorkshire, one of our sales team will contact you to discuss collection/delivery times to best suit you.
Collect – Free
Yorkshire – £25
England – £75
Other – £100
Outlying Scotland Delivery – £200
Basic Specification for collection within 7-10 days is as follows:
Treads – 22mm MR MDF
Risers – 9mm MDF / 9mm Ply
Strings – 32mm Furniture Grade Pine
Newels – 90mm x 90mm Furniture Grade Pine / 90mm x 90mm Oak
Handrails – Furniture Grade Pine
Base Rails – Furniture Grade Pine
Spindles – 41mm x 41mm Stop Chamfered Or 41mm x 41mm Edwardian Turned
If you have a query in regards to the delivery of your staircase then please email info@expressstairs.co.uk
We will credit the delivery charge back if we are more than one day late from the last day from estimated delivery dates shown. For more info click here.
At Express Stairs we are so confident in the design and manufacture of our product that we are happy to announce that we will be including a 15 year guarantee on every new staircase sold. Our impeccable craftsmanship and use of cutting-edge machinery mean that we are able to lead the industry in the inclusion of this unique warranty on our bespoke timber stairs. This guarantee covers the structural integrity of the staircase and the components therein.
• Damage caused by storms, fire or flood
• Cracking which does not impair structural stability
• Wear and tear, neglect or failure to do proper maintenance
• Changes in colour of texture
• Alteration to any part of the staircase which may affect performance
• Damage caused when fitted by a non-competent or unqualified person
• Any use beyond that intended, be that a domestic or industrial staircase
• A staircase which has been previously advised to not comply with UK regulations
• A flight that has been improperly stored, be that in moist conditions
Step-by-step guidance for installing your timber staircase safely, including tools, prep, and best practice tips.
Easy-to-use sheet to record accurate staircase measurements, ensuring a precise fit and smooth ordering process.
Clear overview of UK staircase building regulations to help ensure your project meets safety and compliance standards.
