DIY Spiral Staircase as a Space and Cost Saver

Developments in material durability have made spiral-staircase DIY kits popular because of the small space they occupy, their functionality and their relatively low cost compared to custom-made spiral staircases. They come in several standard sizes, in a variety of materials, colors and styles to suit your decorating and budget needs. A DIY spiral staircase makes an excellent home improvement weekend project and, with the help of an assistant, you can install it in about one day using a few common tools. This procedure applies to a second floor with an opening ready and a structure that offers a way to safely secure the staircase.

Plumb line
Measuring tape
Spiral-staircase kit
Pencil
Electric drill
Drill bit set
Ratchet
Socket set
Level

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the vertical distance between the upper and lower floor where you intend to install the spiral staircase, using a plumb line and measuring tape. Then measure the diameter of the space -- from side to side -- available for your staircase using the measuring tape. Make sure your staircase will be at least 2 inches away from the nearest wall after installation. Use these measurements to buy the correct spiral staircase kit for your home or building.
- 2
  Locate the point where the staircase center pole will be located on the lower floor. Place the center-pole steel mounting plate that came with your kit on this point and use a pencil to trace the mounting holes you have to make to fasten the steel plate to the floor. Drill the steel plate mounting holes using an electric drill and the appropriate bit for the type of floor you have. Insert the plastic anchors that came with your kit into the mounting holes, then fasten the steel plate to the floor with a ratchet and socket using the mounting screws that came with your kit.
- 3
  Position the center pole in the steel mounting plate.
- 4
  Slip the first riser and tread over the center pole, in that order, with the help of an assistant. Make a pilot hole(s) on the floor, if necessary, using the electric drill and fasten these components with the hardware that came with your kit using the ratchet and socket. Slip the remaining risers and treads, alternately, on the center pole and secure them to the structure using the ratchet and socket.
- 5
  Position the landing plate over the upper end of the center pole. Use a level to position the plate in line with the upper floor level. With the help of your assistant, position the plate-mounting bracket against the underside of the plate and the surface you will be attaching the plate to, and trace the bracket mounting holes with the pencil. Drill the mounting holes using an electric drill and the appropriate bit for the surface. Insert the plastic anchors in the holes and secure the plate using the ratchet and socket.
- 6
  Install the balustrade and secure it to the structure using the installation hardware that came with your kit, the ratchet and socket.
- 7
  
  When you are finished, make sure the staircase is perfectly fixed.
  
  Place the handrail that came with your kit over the balusters and secure it with the fasteners provided with your kit.
- 8
  Install any other mounting brackets that came with your spiral staircase kit to help secure the upper end of the center pole to the second floor. Usually you will need to attach two or more brackets between the landing plate and upper floor and/or wall, depending on your particular kit. Use the electric drill, ratchet and socket to help fix the structure safely in place.

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