Starting treads.
Here we have guides to the different styles of feature treads or starting steps that are commonly available. These range from the very traditional and ornate “commode curtail” through to the more simplistic “D” tread.
From here you can choose the start to your staircase, these treads will normally be used at the main entrance level to the property to give the grandeur that shows off the stairs. Traditionally this would be the only level to have these elaborate treads, as you move up or down through the property the stairs become less fancy. In modern years these treads are getting added into other areas of the property. The feature tread is one of only 2 places that the stairs will sit onto the landing or floor. The only other position this happens is at the bottom of a flight with no further run of stairs set underneath; this could be at the lowest level of the property or if the stairs continuing down are in a different location.
Interactive feature tread design guide.
One of our interactive design tools. Download this feature tread design tool and take it with you to design meetings. In this image, we have a few of the designs available. A design tool to help select the feature tread design your client would like, you can turn the different tread designs on and off to get the design intent for the start of a straight flight. Watch the video below to get an introduction to how this works.
feature tread Design aid.
Still testing.
We are testing this 3d model and hope to have it running properly soon. at the moment all layers come on when loading, By selecting the hamburger you can turn all the treads off and just select those that you want. the other issue is when you select one of the elevations the model zooms in, if you pan out with the mouse wheel it will then move between views without resizing.
We hope to have these issues sorted soon.
“D” Tread.
The “D” tread end is a fairly standard tread design, this design may be used with many different handrail terminations. It is suited more to the offset termination such as the Monkey’s tail or offset opening cap. you may also find this style with a newel post termination to closed string stairs: The newel would sit on top of the first tread and connect to the stringer at the second riser.
Stacked “D” treads.
The “D” is an ideal tread for carrying the feature farther up through the flight. On the smaller domestic flights this detail normally only extends to the second tread. The positioning of the treads over each other may change dependant on personal choice.
“D” tread commode.
The “D” tread may be further enhanced by adding the commode front to it. As with other styles of tread that have a commode front the commode may be carried farther up the flight to add more magnificence to the start of the flight.
The curve to the commode increases in radius thus reducing the projection of the curve from the standard until it becomes straight.
These commode front “D” treads are very often stacked as per the straight front “D” tread.
Curtail step ends.
The curtail tread ends are one of the fanciest starts to a stair, they are designed solely for the Monkey’s tail and the curves in the tread match the curves in the handrail. This is one of the harder treads to manufacture. The Monkey’s tail will normally be set on either a cast Iron newel post or a “Bird’s cage” of spindles. Here again you will need to draw the handrail or in this case the Monkey’s tail before manufacture: To get everything working correctly. The ends of these treads will normally be solid so you can bolt the post down through the tread.
Commode Curtail tread.
The commode curtail tread is a way to give a softer look to the curtail tread, the commode front may also be used if you want to bring the curtail ends back in tighter to the stringers in situations where you have narrow hallways.
The commode front to the treads may continue farther up the flight, in domestic properties this is normally only carried on for 2 treads. In Larger wider staircases this may travel farther, many of these flights are fantail in design.
Bullnose ends.
The bullnose end is created with a radius to the front corners of the tread, the radius for the corners is will be up to 1/2 a going. The tread will set forward of the newel post that is positioned at the second riser. This style of feature tread is generally used in corridors with limited space.
Tower ends.
The tower end is an unusual style of feature tread, the tower is set with its centre being in line with the centre line of the spindles, this will allow for a newel post to be set over the tower without the need for a newel block.
The tower will be of solid construction that the newel post may be either bolted down through or doweled into: Dependant on wether a timber or cast newel is being used.
