What’s your pitch?

No, we’re not talking about your sales pitch! Let’s talk about your staircase pitch/angle. Whether you are framing out an entire stair or just installing treads, handrails and balusters, this critical measurement is the key to success. In this week’s blog we explore a number of related topics:

• Panels- Can I use panels with my staircase?
• Scrolls- How do steep or severe pitches effect the use of scrolls?
• Aalto Balusters/Panels- These new 8″ wide single step panels are great, can I use these on both my rake and balcony?
• Shoes- I need angled shoes for my staircase, what is their standard angle?

PANELS: Our iron panels are designed to work on stairs with a pitch/angle of up to 48-52 degrees. The Rebecca Series panels, shown below, have been used at the upper limit of steepness at 52 degrees. It is noted that most staircases range from 37-42 degrees.

SCROLLS: House of Forgings offers various scroll sizes to accommodate many rail heights and angles. Our classic scrolls are available in two size options: Differing in a total scroll height of 6-1/8”, our smaller HF16.1.25-S scroll is often used on steeper staircases to allow for greater clearance, where our HF16.1.25 scroll is used on standard staircases in the home.

AALTO/PANELS: Our Aalto Collection panels are available in both level profiles for balcony or angled profiles for rakes up to 45 degrees. These 8″ wide panels are perfect for use on a single tread or angled/closed rake staircases. It is noted the difference in design height between the Aalto level and rake panels is 8 inches. Depending on your balcony rail height, the smaller rake panels may be installed in place of the level panels if need be.

The new HF9.4.44 Aalto Panel is featured above. In stock Nov 30th, 2015!

SHOES: Standard angled shoes for use on closed rakes and under handrail are designed to be use on the industry standard 42 degree rake/pitch.