Do-it-yourself half-log staircase - welcome to a fairy tale! Wooden stairs made of logs: what they are and how they are made

Wooden stairs have a lot of advantages, among which, first of all, the environmental friendliness of wood and its strength should be noted. Choosing a log for constructing a staircase is quite original idea. This staircase is suitable for a special stylistic interior. Most often, log stairs are made for wooden house or in an interior made in country style. Let's look at how to make a staircase from a log yourself below.

Advantages of constructing a staircase from a log

A log staircase has an original appearance and is not suitable for every home. Such a staircase can be built both indoors and outdoors. However, it should be remembered that the tree must undergo careful processing various compositions, extending its service life.

The log staircase has an original appearance, looks exclusive and attractive. Among the advantages of this design, we note the following characteristics:

  • the complete environmental safety of wood makes this material popular in the manufacture of furniture, decoration, houses and also stairs;
  • wood makes the atmosphere of the room comfortable, since this material is able to absorb moisture when there is excess moisture in the air, and release it when necessary;
  • a wooden staircase looks stylish, and the log gives it some elegance;
  • it is possible to paint such a staircase in any color or vice versa, preserving the natural structure and color of the wood, in which case it is coated with transparent varnish;
  • there are many options for making such a staircase, in relation to its shape, type, number of steps and slope;
  • wood is a fairly easy material to process, so to build such a staircase it is enough to have a special set of basic tools and initial skills in working with them.

If all standards and technological requirements are observed during the manufacturing process of such a staircase, it will serve you for decades.

Log staircase photos and varieties

There are several options for manufacturing log stairs, depending on the type and location of the steps. If the staircase is installed between two walls, then it is possible to install log steps inside each wall. Thus, it is possible to achieve the effect of them floating in the air. However, this design is more suitable for low stairs, since with 5 steps or more, it becomes unsafe.

It is possible to construct a staircase on which there are steps-blocks installed in a cantilever version. Some craftsmen make bowstrings made of logs, between which log-type steps are also installed.

Vertical hanging structures with steps made of round timber are excellent for a log house. However, such steps are quite inconvenient, so they can be replaced with rotating flat options.

The process of making a staircase from a log with your own hands is quite complex, and the cost of the result is difficult to determine. However, expenses such as the purchase of logs, their processing, coating with antiseptic compounds and paint solutions are mandatory. If you do all the work yourself, the cost of the staircase will be significantly reduced.

The scope of application of log stairs is quite diverse. They can be found in log houses, wooden baths, indoors and outdoors. In addition, wooden stairs made from logs will be an excellent addition to a wooden porch.

To make the staircase described below, we use a half-log, which will give it solidity and massiveness. Such a staircase will last more than ten years, and does not lose its qualities even during long-term use. This version of the staircase harmonizes perfectly with country style.

There are several options for making such a staircase. To install half-log steps, a powerful bowstring or stringer is used. This staircase is installed not only outside the building, but also inside its premises.

Before starting work on it, you should calculate the slope of the stairs, the optimal number of steps and their size. In addition, the correct support and fastening elements must be selected. During the work you should use certain regulations, according to which the load on the stairs and its angle of inclination are calculated.

Staircase in a log house photo:

However, wood also has certain disadvantages. Over time, it changes color, fades, and is susceptible to excessive moisture. In addition, in order to build a large staircase from logs, you need certain skills in working with this type of wood.

In order to calculate the total length of the stairs, you must first find out the height between the ground floor floor and the ceiling. It is optimal to build a wide and flat staircase, since a structure that is too steep can be hazardous to the health of people living in the house.

The determining parameters in the calculation of a staircase are its height, type, size, area, steepness, length and height of each step. When determining the number of steps for a staircase, you should also take into account the presence of a finishing coating on the floor. Also, do not forget about the thickness of the coating on the second floor. The width of the steps should be comfortable for the average person to place their feet on, optimal value from 25 to 30 cm. If the width of the tread is too large, then a person will lose his step when climbing the stairs.

Choosing material for a staircase to a log house

The choice of logs for the stairs should be given Special attention, because their service life will depend on their quality. Logs with high moisture content will harbor mildew and mildew. After drying these logs, they will eventually crack, lose their shape and possibly become deformed.

In some cases, logs from disassembled log houses are used, however, in the process of cutting them, you should pay attention to the presence of old fasteners in the form of nails on their surface.

After the purchase required material for stairs, you should carefully prepare it for work. If there is blue discoloration or mold on the logs, then special chemical bleaching compounds are used to treat them. Next, the wood is sanded and cleared of knots and other deformation formations.

For additional protection of wood, solutions with an antiseptic effect are used. Next, the ends of the material are coated with resin. Logs that are placed directly on the ground are processed. Since in the process of contact of wood with soil, it is destroyed faster.

If a log staircase is installed outside the building, then the entire structure must be coated with resin. In addition, after installing the staircase, it is painted with varnish or paint to protect it from moisture.

The choice of the type of wood from which the staircase will be constructed directly depends on the individual preferences of the owners of the house, their financial situation and the operational load on the tree.

If the staircase is under constant operational load and will be located inside the house, then it is better to choose hard wood, such as oak, beech. For external stairs, it is sufficient to use pine or coniferous wood, as they contain a large number of resin, it protects the wood from moisture and has an antiseptic effect.

Larch is an inexpensive, but at the same time durable material for creating log stairs. In addition, in order to save money, half-logs protruding through the cuts of the treads are used to make steps. With proper processing and selection of logs, the staircase will delight you for many years.

The appearance of the staircase also plays an important role in its design. Logs can serve only as steps or as load-bearing elements. It is possible to make a staircase from solid wood, however, such a staircase will cost several times more.

Treads can be located both in longitudinal and transverse directions. Preparation of material for the construction of stairs consists of several stages, which are described below:

  • Initially, the logs are cleared of bark - a special device is used for this process;
  • then the material can be specially dried, the level of moisture in the wood should be average, wood that is too wet will become moldy, and wood that is too dry will become deformed and begin to crack;
  • to ensure that the wood does not rot or become moldy, it is treated with antiseptic compounds;
  • Next, it is recommended to cover the wood with moisture-proof paint, which will protect it from high humidity;
  • if the ladder is installed outdoors or comes into contact with the soil, the wood is treated with resin, and roofing felt is used for additional insulation.

During the work process, you will need to have certain carpentry tools. You will also need a gas or electric saw, which can be used to perform longitudinal and transverse cutting of wood. For additional processing of the material, a grinding machine is used.

The amount of time spent on making a staircase from rounded logs depends primarily on the complexity of its design. In some cases, steps are installed directly inside the wall, thus increasing the speed of work. At the same time, the strength and power of the structure increases.

For additional decoration of the staircase, you can make a stringer in the form wooden branch. Thus, the staircase will acquire a fabulous appearance. Please note that the steps must be firmly attached to the surface of the stringer. To seal holes from self-tapping screws, special wooden nozzles or wood putty are used.

It is possible to fix the steps not only with self-tapping screws, but also with wood glue. In some cases, the stairs are laid directly on the ground, in which case the lower sections of the steps are treated with resin.

DIY chopped log staircase

Work on a chopped staircase should begin with its design. Next, you need to buy materials for its construction. Next, follow the instructions below:

  • start making steps according to the previously made drawing;
  • for this, the logs are sawn into identical parts, each of which has its own cut;
  • Next comes the installation and fixation of the support pillar;
  • for the steps, supporting elements are made from strong wood;
  • install the steps into the previously installed column and fix them in the required position;
  • install side supports on the stairs.

Beautiful wooden handrails are used to decorate the stairs, additional elements, increasing its attractiveness.

The log ladder from the porch is in perfect harmony with wooden facade. She will not only become beautiful decoration any exterior, but will also serve its owners for many years.

Making a staircase from a log to the second floor will allow you to get a powerful, beautiful device for moving between floors. The key to comfortable ascent and descent of the stairs is its correct calculation and design.

A staircase made of logs is one of the options for moving between floors in a private house. When creating, various technologies can be used to determine how general shape structures, for example, marching or screw, and the execution of individual elements, for example, steps. The type of wood also plays an important role in the operational and aesthetic features of the staircase.

Features of log structures

Wood still remains one of the main building materials, especially in matters of finishing and construction of low-rise structures: houses, dachas and cottages. Stairs are no exception, excellent operational features and the beautiful appearance of wood, as well as the atmosphere of coziness and comfort it creates, continue to put this material in first place among other options: metal, glass, concrete and others in terms of their use for interior work. There are also many advantages to chopped material.

In addition to those already listed, wooden staircase structures have some advantages.

  • Absolute naturalness. The material does not emit toxic substances, does not cause allergic reactions, the resins present in the wood and emitting a pleasant odor, in addition, have a positive effect on health and mood.
  • Ease of processing. The tree lends itself well to sawing, chopping, planing, trimming and other processing methods. When used skillfully, the material is practically not wasted: it does not crumble, does not break, and so on.



  • Durability. When using impregnations according to the specifics of the environment in which the structure will be operated, for example, humidity, a wooden staircase will last for many decades, the main thing is the timely renewal of the protective layer of varnish, which prevents rotting, eating by bugs and insects, and more.
  • Strength. Wood, especially hardwood, has excellent resistance to abrasion, can withstand any weight loads possible in a living space, and does not break, crumble or splinter from impacts, of course, without the use of sharp objects: knives and axes.
  • Wide selection of colors and textures. Even in the inexpensive and accessible segment, you can choose from about 10 breeds. Plus, wood lends itself perfectly to painting and opening with varnish, which, in addition to its protective function, can improve aesthetics.

Excellent value for money material. If you do not take into account valuable species, for example, red, oak, cedar and the like, then the result obtained is fully consistent with the money spent.




Main wood species

When constructing a staircase, both inexpensive and accessible conifers and more expensive and exotic species can be used. For a staircase in a country house or in a house, but not the main one, but the leading one, for example, on attic space or an attic, you can choose a more economical option, for example, pine. While for the central staircase of a cottage or house, you can fork out for a more solid option, for example, oak or cedar.

In general, there are several popular varieties tree.

  • Pine, spruce. A budget option, the material requires special processing to reduce the resin content. Low hardness determines faster abrasion.



  • Oak. A premium option, the high-strength and durable wood of which is excellent for creating long-term structures with intensive use. The complexity and main disadvantage is that it is quite difficult to process due to its hard structure, but it is this that provides excellent performance. The price, like the quality, is high.
  • Larch. Good quality average price, practically does not rot, the wood is quite flexible, processing is not difficult, the only negative is a large number of small knots. We can say that larch is the “golden mean” among wood species for construction needs.



  • Birch. Like pine, it is in the economy segment; the wood is flexible and viscous, which ensures the absence of chips.



  • Beech. It is a hard and durable wood that can be easily processed by both cutting and sanding. The excellent homogeneous structure creates a calm and warm atmosphere. Beech stairs, like beech parquet, have enormous abrasion resistance, while its price is more reasonable than that of oak.



  • Ash. Excellent material with a clearly defined texture. It is superior to oak in hardness and, in addition, is very elastic; it is used in places associated with high-intensity human activity, for example, when finishing sports facilities. The main disadvantage is that drying is difficult; the wood is prone to cracking.



  • Maple. The wood has a light shade that turns slightly yellow over time; under varnish, this wood looks like amber. The material is dense and non-porous, as a result – moisture-resistant and durable. Maple is very fastidious when drying, which should be taken into account when processing with impregnations.



Structural types of stairs

There are two main types of stairs, radically different in their structure.

  • Marching. It can be performed as a single descent or be divided into several sections with turns of 90 degrees (standard). Between the sections - flights - there is a small platform, although sometimes, when there is a window in such a place, the platform is made large, capable of accommodating a chair for sitting or a shelf with flowers, or something else. Marching stairs are convenient, but at the same time they take up significantly more space. To save money, they are often placed in the corner of the room and made in the shape of the letter “L” or “P”. T- and W-shaped staircases are preferred by owners of spacious houses and cottages for their luxury.



  • Screw. They are more often used for auxiliary purposes of stairs, for example, to the attic or in the country house. The less convenient design is also unsafe for children due to its ability to cause dizziness during a rapid descent. The variability in these designs lies in the height and relative position of the steps, as well as the construction in a full or incomplete circle (half-spiral). The main advantage of a spiral staircase is its significantly greater compactness.


Types of fastening steps in staircases

Two classic schemes offer reliable options for solving a design issue for certain requests. Each type has bright features. For example, a bowstring is distinguished by its beauty and overall strength, while a stringer is easier to create and can withstand heavy loads.

Bowstring

One of the main types is distinguished by its simplicity of execution - boards covering the end are used as clamps, which ultimately improves the appearance of the structure. To secure the steps, grooves are cut out in the string. There are many options: these are corner grooves for steps with or without risers and overhangs, straight grooves for standard steps, stripes and grooves made of bars for steps instead of grooves, and others. The strings are fixed to the floor and ceiling; if the staircase is made in several parts, then to the flights. The structural integrity of the spans is ensured by compression of all steps with bowstrings on both sides, so none of the steps can fall out without destroying the bowstring.

The design is practical and unpretentious.



Stringers

The main load-bearing element - the stringer - is a beam or two beams located under the steps, onto which they are fixed. There are two main types: a stringer with cuts, also known as the jagged type, and a stringer with fillies. The first option is simpler and more common. In general, it is easier to make a staircase on stringers than on strings, and at the same time it can withstand much more serious pressure on the steps. Stringers can be made from solid or glued boards. First, a stringer with teeth or fillies is made, then steps are attached on top. They can be either with or without overhangs. The number of stringers depends on the expected load on the stairs.



Features of a spiral staircase

It is worth special mention because of its external dissimilarity with all types of flight stairs. Structurally, there are two main options. In the first step, blocks made of logs are inserted into grooves cut inside a vertically standing log, which in principle resembles a stringer. The second option is like a hybrid version of a stringer with one string: the steps cut into the log, as in the first option, and are supported on the second side by a bent string. This option is expensive due to the high cost of the bent element, made from flexible and viscous wood. The advantage is its beautiful appearance - the bowstring is often decorated with a carved pattern.

The main advantages of spiral staircases are: space saving, lower material costs and better aesthetic qualities.



The construction of each new facility requires creative approach. Before starting work, you will need to determine the features of the future structure, as well as select all the necessary building materials for its construction. Today the trend in the production of staircase structures is wooden structures. Do-it-yourself log stairs are perfect wooden houses, ideally emphasizing the beauty and richness of their interior decoration.

Advantages

A very original external staircase made of logs will decorate any home. After all, the main distinctive feature building such a structure with your own hands is exclusivity and high quality this building material, compared to other possible options. This design is different:

  • environmental friendliness;
  • security.

You can design absolutely any size options for such structures. If all the standards for the construction of such a staircase are observed, then it will serve its owners for a long time.


Execution options

There are several options for log stairs. Among them:

  • design with steps carved into wood, as shown in the photo;
  • a structure with steps-blocks arranged in a through cantilever manner;
  • design with two log bowstrings and flat steps-blocks;
  • vertical “hanging” structure with steps made of round timber, placed in a through cantilever manner;
  • vertical structure with two log strings and round timber steps;
  • corkscrew cantilevered design with flat steps and blocks and a 1/3 or 1/4 turn.


Designing each staircase design option requires taking into account a wide range of parameters and factors that influence the properties and service life of the staircase.

Price

It is quite difficult to determine the final cost of such a structure:

  1. Firstly, the degree of difficulty construction work can only be found out during their actual execution.
  2. Secondly, it is quite difficult to indicate the amount of costs for the preparatory processing of a log before its use. Thus, the construction of a staircase structure is a rather serious task, the implementation of which must be approached with all responsibility.

Possibility of use

Staircase structures made of logs are often purchased by owners of log houses or bathhouses. However, there is a frequent practice of creating such products in cottages built in country villages. This trend is explained by the beauty and safety of log stairs.


This design ergonomically fits into the style of such residential premises, as can be seen in the photo. Moreover, such structures are used both inside the building and outside.

Street design

Also often, products made from logs are used by designers when designing landscapes of parks and squares, as can be seen in the video.


So, in the case where the site has a hilly surface, it is important to use just such structures. In addition, they always look very aesthetically pleasing and are compatible in style with a variety of wooden buildings.


There are such designs when the logs in the steps are located across or along. The same can be said about a fence of this design. The logs can be placed along the product, one on top of the other, until the desired height is reached. Or be dug into the ground, representing a solid fence.

Now you can meet absolutely different kinds and staircase designs, and for manufacturing a variety of materials are taken according to their properties and aesthetics. One of the most popular canvases for making stairs is a log. Stairs made of rounded logs are perfect for country style, Provence and just for rustic style. Peculiarity wooden products– they have a long service life and are perfect for cottages, country houses and similar buildings.

It is quite possible to make a staircase structure from logs with your own hands, especially if you are setting up your own home.

Such staircase structures to the second floor have many advantages:

  • Beautiful appearance.
  • Optimal cost.
  • Ease of installation.
  • Possibility of applying decor, for example, decorative carvings.
  • Strength.
  • Resistance to mechanical stress.
  • Resistant to problems such as rot and pests when special treatments are used during construction.

Naturally, the choice of wood and how much of it is required will directly affect the cost of the structure. Ideal option is considered to be the use of a single log from which a house can be built.

It is important to remember that you can make a log staircase yourself, since the finished structure will be quite expensive.

For self-made You will need to prepare materials, tools and each element from which the staircase will be made.

The following elements are required:

  • Steps;
  • Handrails;
  • Support elements.

Sometimes log structures do not require additional Finishing work, since they already look beautiful, stylish and very attractive. To make the staircase more original, you can choose carved handrails, for example, from tree branches, removing excess knots and covering them with varnish and stain with a certain shade. Handrails of this type can only have a decorative function and nothing more. To make a strong support, you need to take care of installing a strong base and installing balusters strictly according to technology.

Stages of construction of a staircase to a log house

IN log house you need to make appropriate designs. Initially, if they want to install a log staircase, people tend to go to specialized stores, workshops and the like.

Doing it yourself is also quite realistic and you can:

  • Save costs;
  • Simplify construction time;
  • Make the building more unusual and different from the others.

Before purchasing materials, you must first draw up a clear drawing of the product. The actual construction of a staircase to a house from a log or semi-log is carried out in stages and it is worth looking at examples first, similar structures to know what to choose, how to do it and what it should look like.

As for the stages of work, it requires making a sketch, taking measurements of the room and making a drawing of the product. Further preparations are underway materials and tools and manufacturing of each element. After which the structure is installed in its intended place and a decorative or protective coating is applied.

Log staircase to the second floor

Semi logs are a unique material that is distinguished by its uniqueness and creative appearance. Basically they are just logs cut in half along the axis.

The steps made from half logs will look like:

  • Stylish;
  • Unusual;
  • Modern, despite the fact that wood is used in country styles.

Both internal and exterior decoration made of half-logs gives the house a fabulous feel, coziness and comfort.

If the steps are made of half-logs, curved trunks are used for railings, and thin branches are used for balusters, then the design will have such features as:

  • Strength;
  • Beauty;
  • Wear resistance;
  • Creativity.

The most important advantage is considered to be environmental friendliness, since wood, no matter what its shape, is as safe as possible, because it does not contain any impurities, much less chemicals. In addition, the logs have long term operation, they have high strength and incredible resistance to mechanical stress. A staircase made of wood strictly according to technology will comply with the known norms and standards of SNIP.

Comfortable staircase in a log house

Stairs using chopped logs from wild tree, must be made exclusively from dried and specially harvested wood.

When purchasing material from special place, you need to make sure that the canvas:

  • Possess all necessary certificates;
  • Were not saturated with chemicals;
  • Really suitable for staircase construction.

Do not think that if a log is sawn in half, its strength is reduced. In fact, if the material is really high quality, it will retain all its specifications and performance properties.

Wood treated with special compounds that strengthen the canvas and penetrate deep inside will not only extend its service life, but also make the staircase suitable for use in wild and harsh climates, for example high humidity or even with constant exposure to precipitation.

In order for the logs to be suitable for use, their independent preparation requires: drying, cleaning the canvas from resin, treating the material with a composition that contains an antiseptic, coating the wood with varnish or paint designed specifically for wood.

Features of choosing rounded logs for stairs

Craftsmen often use rounded logs. Depending on the responsibility of the manufacturer for its products, a log can be of high quality and, accordingly, not of high quality. That is why, before you go shopping for material, it is worth familiarizing yourself with a number of criteria that you need to pay attention to when choosing a canvas.

Namely:

  1. Blanks for one ladder must be made from the same type of tree.
  2. It is strictly forbidden to use logs that have wormholes, rot, or other mechanical damage.
  3. The logs must be dead wood blanks so that excessive humidity did not interfere with construction and did not cause distortion of the structure after shrinkage.
  4. The end part of each blade has a marking by which you can find out about the specifications of the wood product.

The material must be stored, transported and unloaded so that no dirt gets on it and it is not damaged.

Do-it-yourself log staircase (video)

It would seem that there are not so many requirements, but you need to inspect the purchased blanks for creating the elements of the future staircase as carefully as possible, so as not to encounter problems, and even more so the frustration of wasted funds.

In addition to fulfilling their direct purpose, stairs in a rounded house play an important role in the interior. Their types are numerous, have their own characteristics, and choosing your own staircase for a one- or two-story building is somewhat problematic. Read below about the types and materials used.

Types of structures

A rounded log house is characterized by wooden ones, as well as those made from other building materials designs.

They are different:

A professional designer will help you choose a staircase for your own home. He will calculate the required number of steps, parameters for all components and its ideal position.

The type of wood suitable for constructing a building may not be suitable for making stairs. For any type, you should select hard varieties - oak, beech, maple. Rare and expensive ones include walnut and ash.

Pine and spruce, as a rule, are not used, because the first is soft, and the second has a large percentage of knots. In the future, if it dries out or becomes mechanically damaged, such a staircase in a house made of rounded logs will pose a danger. The most durable and reliable option will be larch. It is not subject to cracking, rotting and other troubles characteristic of wood.

Stairs in wooden building can be made from other materials, and wood can also be combined with metal, stone, glass. Each of them has advantages and disadvantages:

There are folding or telescopic stairs made of aluminum or timber. But for the interior, their presence does not matter, since almost always such options are hidden and lead to the attic. Their production is mandatory, because in the event of a fire they will help to quickly evacuate.

The best option for a wooden house made of solid logs would be stairs made of rounded logs. In addition to the advantage independent work– prepare the steps and install them in the required order; this type will be characteristic of the main interior of the object and will not create dissonance.

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