Custom Staircase Configurator
Choose type, materials, dimensions and finishes.
Get an instant indicative quote for your custom staircase.
Choose the type
Straight, L-shaped, U-shaped, spiral or helical
Customize
Materials, dimensions, railing and finishes
Get your quote
Price estimate with detailed breakdown
⚙ Finishes and additional options
How much does a custom staircase cost?
Prices vary widely based on type, material and dimensions. A straight beech wood staircase starts at around €3,500-5,500, while a helical stainless steel staircase with glass can exceed €25,000-35,000. This configurator gives you an indicative estimate based on your choices.
What is the minimum width for a staircase?
For residential use, building codes typically require at least 80 cm clear width. For main staircases, 90-100 cm is recommended. Commercial or public buildings have stricter requirements (120 cm minimum).
How do you calculate the number of steps?
Divide the total height by the desired riser height (typically 16-19 cm). For example: 280 cm / 17.5 cm = 16 steps. The ideal riser height for comfort is 16-18 cm, with a tread depth of 25-30 cm.
Spiral vs. helical staircase: what's the difference?
A spiral staircase has a central pole with fan-shaped steps. A helical staircase has no central pole: it's self-supporting with a structural handrail. Helical is more elegant and expensive; spiral is more compact and affordable.
Are these real prices?
Prices are indicative estimates calibrated on real Italian market data for 2025-2026, collected from sources like ProntoPro, Instapro, Cronoshare, Edilnet, and TiRichiamo. The system factors in type, material, dimensions and finish level. Actual prices may vary by manufacturer, geographic area and site complexity. Use this configurator as a starting point for requesting a detailed quote from your supplier.
How to design a spiral staircase?
Designing a spiral staircase requires three key measurements: the available diameter (minimum 120 cm for residential use), the floor-to-floor height, and your preferred rotation direction (clockwise or counterclockwise). The diameter determines the usable tread depth: a 150 cm diameter gives more comfortable steps. Enter your measurements in the configurator to instantly get step count, riser height and a cost estimate.
What is the ideal staircase slope?
The ideal slope for a residential staircase is between 30° and 37°. This translates to a riser height of 16-18 cm and a tread depth of 28-32 cm, following the Blondel formula (2r + t = 62-64 cm). Steeper staircases (over 42°) become uncomfortable, while below 25° they take up too much floor space.
How much space does an indoor staircase need?
It depends on the type: a straight staircase for a 280 cm floor height needs about 3-4 m of linear run with minimum 80 cm width. An L-shaped staircase fits in about 2x2 m. A spiral staircase is the most compact: from 1.2 m² with a 120 cm diameter. The configurator automatically calculates the footprint based on your measurements.
How to design a custom staircase
Designing a custom staircase requires balancing aesthetics, comfort and building codes. Start by precisely measuring the floor-to-floor height (from finished floor below to finished floor above) and the available floor space. These two measurements determine everything else: number of steps, riser height, tread depth and total run.
The Blondel formula is the key reference: 2 × riser + tread should equal 62-64 cm. With a 17 cm riser and 29 cm tread you get 63 cm — the optimal value for comfort and safety. If the ratio is off, the staircase will be tiring (riser too high) or wasteful of space (tread too deep).
Staircase types: which one to choose
The right type depends on available space and intended use:
- Straight staircase — the simplest and most comfortable, ideal for long hallways. Requires 3-4.5 m of linear run.
- L-shaped staircase — with a 90° landing, reduces linear footprint. Great for corners and square stairwells.
- U-shaped staircase — two parallel flights with intermediate landing. Compact footprint but requires more width.
- Spiral staircase — the most compact (from 1.2 m²), perfect for tight spaces. Less practical for moving furniture.
- Helical staircase — no central pole, self-supporting. Maximum elegance with higher costs.
Italian building codes for staircases
In Italy, residential staircases must comply with DM 236/1989 and regional codes. Key requirements:
- Minimum clear width: 80 cm (private homes), 120 cm (public buildings)
- Maximum riser height: 18-19 cm (varies by region)
- Minimum tread depth: 25 cm (recommended 28-32 cm)
- Railing mandatory if the drop exceeds 1 meter, minimum height 100 cm
- Rest landing required every 15 steps, minimum depth equal to staircase width
Materials compared: wood, iron, stainless steel
Wood (beech, oak, walnut) offers warmth and classic appeal, with affordable beech and premium pricing for fine species. Iron and steel provide strength and modern lines, ideal for industrial and minimal styles. Stainless steel is the most durable and hygienic material, but also the most expensive. Wood-metal combinations offer the best of both worlds: an iron frame with wooden treads for an optimal quality-to-price ratio.
Staircase material comparison
Each material has different strengths and trade-offs. Use this table to choose the best fit for your needs.
| Material | Cost | Durability | Mainten. | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solid wood | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | Medium | Residential interiors, classic style |
| Iron / Steel | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | Medium | Industrial style, lofts, outdoors |
| Stainless steel | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | Low | Contemporary design, humid areas |
| Wood-metal mix | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | Medium | Best value for money |
| Masonry clad | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | Low | Maximum solidity, renovations |
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