Everyone wants their home to look fantastic and comfortable. But, the thing is, people have their differences in tastes when it comes to interior design. This why architects and interior designers do their best to create various styles that can satisfy different clients’ preferences.
It might be surprising to you just how small details can change the look of your home. One excellent and practical addition to a home is a mezzanine. It’s convenient if you have a high ceiling or would want more usable space. Many homeowners prefer to have mezzanines instead of another floor because it gives them the option of extra space without making it look too cramped.
But, one thing people seem to forget about is the design of the stairs. It’s easy for it to become an afterthought because the idea of a mezzanine is very exciting. As you can imagine, the stairs are probably the most important consideration because there’s no way to get up to the mezzanine without them. Furthermore, the stairs will take up some space, so the design must be appropriate for the room.
Nonetheless, there are other aspects, such as mezzanine code requirements, that you need to know. It’s also essential to learn more about mezzanines and their stairs before deciding on getting them done in your home. But, if you have a mezzanine and you feel like the stairs can be improved, you’ll also need to know your options and what would be the right fit.
It can be a daunting task, but when you finally have your mezzanine and stairs built, it’ll all be worth the hard work. The list below is a great help to know everything about mezzanine stairs and what kind would be right for you:
1. Match the Mezzanine’s Purpose
Whether the mezzanine is for a home or a business, you’ll need to consider its purpose. For instance, some use it for a bedroom, office, entertainment area, or even a studio.
Whatever the purpose is, you need to match the stairs with it. If it’s going to be a busy area, stairs that are easier to climb in a rush ought to be considered. On the other hand, if it’s a more relaxed area such as a home, more intricate staircases can be used.
2. Safety
Even if it’s an area for relaxation, safety should always be your number one priority. Regardless if it’s for a loft or not, any kind of staircase should be safe enough to use. This means that it should be built correctly up to code. There have been all kinds of accidents on stairs, and a considerable number were fatal. To keep safe, there are different aspects to consider.
3. Have the Right Measurements for Nosing on Treads
One of the critical considerations for safety is getting the correct measurements. To keep people from tripping on the steps, the nosing measurements should be 25mm or less. Any more would likely cause accidents. Many homeowners prefer to do without the nosing altogether, just to avoid any mishaps. However, if you still like the nosing for aesthetics, keep it within the said measurements.
Furthermore, the nosing should be obvious. You can do this by using contrasting materials between the tread and the riser, which should both be measured at 55mm wide,
4. Doors Should Not Open to the Landing
When you’re walking up or down the stairs, you don’t want any surprises that could cause you to fall. One surprise you definitely wouldn’t want is a door swinging right at you when you’re at a landing. If there are any doors located at a landing, they should open inward to the room.
5. Handrails
It’s easy to lose your footing on any staircase, so handrails are essential. It keeps people stable while they’re on their way to or from the mezzanine. According to the legal requirement, you should keep the height of handrails at 900mm to 1100mm. Handrails should also have an extra bar halfway to make sure nothing falls in between. The clearance should measure between 60mm to 75mm between the handrail and the wall.
You’ll also need handrails on both sides of a flight of stairs and each landing. Understandably, people want to leave the handrails out because they don’t like how it looks. But, you’ll be surprised at how many different and creative railing ideas are out there. For consistency, you can keep the handrails the same as the rest of the mezzanine’s edge protection.
6. Materials Make a Difference
Missteps aren’t the only things that you should be wary of. Even if you have good balance, a slippery surface can be a considerable hazard, especially on stairs. Therefore, when it comes to mezzanine stairs, you should opt for materials that aren’t slippery or prone to getting slippery. One extra safety measure you can take is to install carpeting on the stairs to provide extra grip.
7. Matching Your Architecture
Everyone’s home is based on different architectural styles. Matching the interior with the exterior makes a huge difference and keeps your home looking well-designed. It’s no different when deciding on what kind of mezzanine stairs would be right for you. There are plenty of industrial-style homes and apartments that perfectly show how excellently mezzanines and stairs could match the rest of the architectural style. Industrial styles make use of solid lines and exposed beams. Using a dark railing, metal materials, and exposed staircase structures can underscore the industrial architectural style.
But, mezzanines aren’t only for industrial homes. It can be adapted to different architectural styles such as modern, contemporary, rustic, and many more.
8. Keep it Within Your Budget
Any interior refurbishing will cost a significant amount of money. See what materials, design, and services that will match your budget. However, you must remember to never trade in safety and quality for a low price. Nonetheless, if you search well enough and do your research, you’ll definitely find a gorgeous staircase design that’s also affordable.
Conclusion
All in all, mezzanine stairs should be safe, and the best way to do this is to make sure it’s built according to code. Keep in mind that measurements and materials should be the main focus of keeping it safe for people to use. But, after setting the safety regulations down, you’re free to be creative and to let your inner interior designer out. There should be no worry about trading in style for safety because there are many ways for your stairs to be well-designed, aesthetic, and stylish.