Example Staircase Projects in Irving

Scope of work

Deck height and the driveway slab checked, the galvanized spiral set beside the garage door, the column plumbed and anchored to the slab, the top platform bolted to the deck frame, the landing railing joined to the deck railing, and the Irving permit. The deck itself is priced separately.

Project overview

In this example, the owners of a 1970s brick ranch in Irving are adding a steel roof deck over the garage and need a way up from the driveway. A straight stair would run across the garage door, so a spiral takes the corner beside it.

Galvanized steel suits a stair that stands in the sun and rain all year. The base sits on the driveway, so the slab is checked before the anchors go in, and the top platform is bolted to the deck frame rather than to the railing.

The goal

The goal is a stair to the roof deck that leaves the garage door and the driveway clear.

Process

1. Planning Deck height measured, the slab checked and the stair drawn for the Irving permit.
2. Order Diameter and tread count chosen to fit the height and the corner by the door.
3. Install Column set plumb and anchored, treads and balusters fitted, platform bolted to the deck.
4. Handover Railings joined, bolts checked and the permit inspection booked.

Planning right

• Exterior stairs need the same Irving permit as indoor ones.
• In Valley Ranch and other planned areas, the architectural review comes first.
• Check the clear width and headroom in the specs, not just the label on the box.
• Galvanized steel can be painted later, but bare zinc needs no paint.

Scope of work

Measured drawings from the framed stairwell, curved stringers, oak treads and painted risers built to the winder rules, a curved starting step, an oak handrail with a volute, iron balusters on the stair and the balcony, installation and the drawings for plan review. The plaster under the stair is the builder’s.

Project overview

In this example, a family is building a two-story house in Southlake, and the plans show a curved stair rising from the foyer to a balcony. The builder frames the stairwell; the stair itself comes from a stair shop.

Because the treads wind, each one is measured on a walkline 12 inches from the narrow side, where it has to be at least 10 inches deep. Southlake reviews plans under the 2021 code, so the drawings cite those sections.

The goal

The goal is a curved stair that fits the framed opening the first time and passes plan review without changes.

Process

1. Framing Stairwell and floor heights checked against the drawings before drywall.
2. Drawings Curve, treads and rail laid out to the winder rules and sent for plan review.
3. Shop work Stringers, treads, risers and the rail built and fitted.
4. Install Stair set, balusters and rail fitted, balcony railing joined.

Planning right

• The opening, floor heights and the framing around a curved stair are fixed at framing. Changing them later costs far more than drawing them right.
• Contractors working in Southlake must register with the city.
• Balusters are spaced so a 4 inch ball cannot pass between them.
• Pick the tread stain before the floors are finished, so the two match.

Scope of work

The kit checked against the opening and the floor-to-floor height, the column set plumb and anchored to the slab, treads spaced for even rises, balusters and handrail fitted, the top landing leveled and anchored to the floor framing, and the packaging taken away.

Project overview

In this example, the owners of a 1990s house in Coppell are finishing a new office room and have bought a steel spiral kit to reach the bonus room above. The remodeler has framed the opening and hung the drywall.

A kit only fits if the opening and the height match it, so those are measured before anything is unpacked. Then the column goes in plumb, each tread is set for an even rise and the top landing is fixed to the floor framing, not just the drywall.

The goal

The goal is a spiral that is plumb, even underfoot and firmly fixed at the top, ready for the remodel to finish.

Process

1. Check Opening, headroom and floor-to-floor height measured against the kit specs.
2. Base and column Column set plumb and anchored to the slab.
3. Treads and landing Treads spaced for even rises; landing leveled and anchored.
4. Rail Balusters and handrail fitted and tightened.

Planning right

• Measure before you order, and confirm with Coppell Building Inspections which code edition sets the width and headroom.
• Every contractor working in Coppell must be registered with the city for the current year.
• Ask Coppell Building Inspections whether the stair is part of the remodel permit.
• Install the stair before the walls are finished, so any scuffs are painted over once.

Scope of work

Floor-to-floor height and the walkway framing measured, a steel spiral with oak treads made to that height, the column anchored to the slab, the landing fixed to the walkway framing, the walkway railing cut and joined to the stair rail, and the Irving permit.

Project overview

In this example, the owners of a 2010s house in Irving have a loft over one end of the living room, reached only by the stair on the far side of the house. They want a second, shorter way up that takes little floor.

A spiral lands at the edge of the walkway, where a short run of railing is opened up for it. Oak treads on a black steel frame match the floors and the railing already there.

The goal

The goal is a quick way up to the loft that takes only a small circle of floor.

Process

1. Measure Height, walkway framing and the spot for the column checked.
2. Drawings Diameter, tread count and landing drawn for the permit.
3. Install Column anchored, treads and balusters fitted, landing fixed to the walkway.
4. Rail Walkway railing opened and joined to the stair rail.

Planning right

• The 26 inch clear width is measured inside the handrail, so the stair is wider than that overall.
• Big furniture is easier to carry up a straight stair than a spiral.
• Oak treads can be finished to match the floor below.
• Irving needs a building permit for a new stair.

Scope of work

The opening and the headroom over each tread checked, a steel spiral kit ordered to the height, the column anchored, treads, balusters and rail fitted, the top landing fixed to the attic floor framing, trim around the opening, patching where the old ladder was fixed, and the Irving permit.

Project overview

In this example, a 1960s house in Irving has an attic room that was finished years ago but is reached by a steep ladder through a square opening. The owners want something they can climb with their hands full.

A compact steel spiral fits the existing opening if there is 6 ft 6 in of headroom over every tread, so that is checked first. The black frame and diamond-plate treads suit the room and need no finishing.

The goal

The goal is a stair to the attic room that is easier and safer to climb than the ladder it replaces.

Process

1. Check Opening size and headroom over the turn measured.
2. Order Kit sized to the floor-to-floor height.
3. Install Old ladder out, column anchored, treads and rail fitted, landing fixed to the attic framing.
4. Finish Trim around the opening and patching.

Planning right

• If the headroom is short, the opening may need to move to the high part of the roof.
• Rises can be no more than 9 1/2 inches, which sets how many treads the kit needs.
• Diamond-plate treads grip well but are cold underfoot. Wood tread covers are an option.
• A finished attic is still a room under the roof. Check that it is insulated before using it daily.

Scope of work

Floors covered, the wood spindles cut out, the holes in the treads and handrail cleaned and sized, iron balusters cut to length and set in epoxy with shoes at the top and bottom, the landing railing done the same way, touch-up paint, and cleanup.

Project overview

In this example, the owners of a 1990s house in Irving like their curved oak stair but not the white wood spindles. They want black iron, keeping the oak handrail and treads.

On a curve, each baluster is a slightly different length, so each one is measured and cut on site. The work goes from the bottom up, and the landing railing is done last, so the stair stays usable throughout.

The goal

The goal is the same curved stair with black iron balusters and the oak rail and treads kept.

Process

1. Measure Baluster count and lengths taken along the curve and the landing.
2. Protect Floors and treads covered.
3. Swap Spindles out, iron balusters cut, set in epoxy and capped with shoes, from the bottom up.
4. Finish Landing railing done, touch-up and cleanup.

Planning right

• Ask Irving Inspections whether a railing-only change needs a permit.
• The spacing still has to stop a 4 inch ball passing through.
• Keeping a sound oak handrail saves a large part of the cost.
• Plan the work so the stair is never left without a rail overnight.