Clockwise or Anti-Clockwise Considerations for Spiral Staircases
Deciding on whether your spiral staircase goes clockwise or anti-clockwise is not necessarily the first thing people consider.
There is an assumption they all go the same way, but you can choose to have a stair in either way. What are the factors affecting this decision?
What feels natural:
The direction of a spiral staircase is very important for many reasons. About 75% of spiral staircases ascend anti-clockwise (right hand on handrail as you go up), perhaps because most people are right handed and this would be more subconsciously natural. There is some evidence that in the southern hemisphere this is the opposite, but there is no clear reason why. It could it be the rotation of the earth or the way water swirls down the plughole depending on which hemisphere you are in. What feels natural in one, may not in another. Architects should ask clients which way feels more natural to them and explore the reasoning, they may be surprised by a left handed Australian living in London!
The position of the spiral staircase in the property:
The start and finish positions of a spiral staircase are critical, and the direction of travel can be used as a starting point to achieve the optimum results. You never want to enter or exit a staircase facing a wall, for example - there should always be a logical flow to the use of a stair. Most spiral staircases kits rotate between three quarters and one full revolution, so careful thought should be given to the direction of travel.
Another important consideration is headroom, the factor that gets forgotten more than any other when designing a staircase. To comply with Building Regulations, and to avoid banging your head, you should have a minimum of 2000mm clear above the pitch line (that’s the front edge of the steps). You also need good headroom when you walk under or around the stair, something that is often forgotten. Here is where 3D modelling comes into its own to help you visualise your stair in the setting of the building. Your 3D model can show both clockwise and anti-clockwise options in the same space. The choice of one or the other may solve your headroom or entrance and exit dilemmas.
Our stair kits can be customised in many ways to fit your property, both internal and external staircases of straight or spiral orientation, with a variety of finishes. Take a look staircase kits or contact our sales team if you need some help deciding on what's right for you.
