Question 1

How do I clean and care for my wooden staircase?

Accepted Answer

Lacquered wooden staircases are wiped with a slightly damp cloth and mild cleaner. Oiled staircases should be treated with care oil once or twice a year. Standing water should always be avoided.

Question 2

How much does a staircase from HTS cost?

Accepted Answer

A solid wood staircase from HTS costs between 3,000 and 9,000 euros gross per storey, including installation, depending on the specification. For multi-storey projects, the total cost typically ranges from 10,000 to 20,000 euros.

Question 3

What affects the price of a staircase?

Accepted Answer

The main price factors are the stair shape, wood species, surface finish, and chosen extras such as risers or balustrade railings.

Question 4

What are the payment terms at HTS?

Accepted Answer

At HTS, 50% of the total amount is due as a deposit upon order confirmation. The remaining balance is paid after installation is complete. There is no minimum order value.

Question 5

At what height is a handrail installed?

Accepted Answer

Handrails are mounted 85--90 cm above the tread nosing. In accessible buildings, the handrail must extend 30 cm beyond the start and end of the staircase.

Question 6

What components make up a railing?

Accepted Answer

A railing consists of the handrail, the vertical railing posts, and the infill (e.g. balusters, glass panels, or wood panels). The minimum height is 90--110 cm depending on the regulations.

Question 7

What is the difference between continuous lamella and finger-jointed wood?

Accepted Answer

With continuous lamella, the wood layers consist of long, uninterrupted pieces for a uniform appearance. Finger-jointed wood is made from several shorter pieces interlocked and glued, making it more affordable.

Question 8

What wood species and finishes does HTS offer?

Accepted Answer

HTS primarily works with beech and oak, plus ash and hevea for coloured finishes. Special woods such as acacia or walnut are available on request. Finishes range from clear matt lacquer and oiling to colour lacquering and brushing.

Question 9

Do I need a building permit for my staircase?

Accepted Answer

Installing a staircase in an existing building generally does not require a separate building permit. However, the staircase must meet structural requirements and comply with DIN 18065.

Question 10

How many steps can a staircase have without a landing?

Accepted Answer

According to DIN 18065, a straight-flight staircase must have an intermediate landing after no more than 18 risers. In winder staircases, the winder treads replace the landing.

Question 11

What are secondary and primary staircases?

Accepted Answer

Primary staircases connect habitable rooms and serve as escape routes with strict dimensional requirements per DIN 18065. Secondary staircases lead to ancillary areas such as attics and may be more compact.

Question 12

What is the difference between clear room height and floor-to-floor height?

Accepted Answer

The clear room height is the distance from the finished floor to the underside of the ceiling. The floor-to-floor height extends to the top of the floor of the next storey and additionally includes the deck thickness.

Question 13

What measurements are needed for choosing a staircase?

Accepted Answer

To choose a staircase, you need the floor-to-floor height, clear room height, size of the deck opening, deck thickness, and the floor area of the available space.

Question 14

How quickly can my staircase be ready?

Accepted Answer

The standard lead time at HTS is 4--6 weeks from order confirmation to installation. For urgent projects, express delivery in 5--7 working days is available.

Question 15

Is the on-site survey free of charge?

Accepted Answer

The on-site survey costs 150 euros plus travel. However, a free preliminary phone quote is available at any time with just 3--4 key measurements.

Question 16

What area does HTS serve?

Accepted Answer

HTS provides full service including consultation, on-site survey, and installation within a 75 km radius of Witten. Beyond that, delivery is available throughout the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland).

Question 17

What does the ordering process at HTS look like?

Accepted Answer

The ordering process at HTS includes phone consultation, on-site survey, final quote, order confirmation with 50% deposit, manufacturing in 4--6 weeks, and installation in a single day.

Question 18

Can I have my concrete staircase clad with wood?

Accepted Answer

Yes, HTS fully clads concrete staircases with solid wood. The cost is 200--280 euros per step, depending on the chosen wood species.

Question 19

What stair shapes does HTS offer?

Accepted Answer

HTS manufactures straight, quarter-turn, half-turn, and three-quarter-turn winder staircases, as well as staircases with landings in U, S, and Z shapes. Faltwerk staircases, cut-stringer staircases, Berliner Stufen, and central-post staircases are also part of the range.

Question 20

When should I retreat my wooden staircase?

Accepted Answer

Lacquered staircases generally do not need retreatment. Oiled surfaces should be refreshed once or twice a year with care oil to maintain protection.

Question 21

Why does a wooden staircase creak?

Accepted Answer

Creaking noises are caused by the natural movement of wood in response to temperature and humidity fluctuations. Connections loosen minimally and components rub against each other.

Question 22

What warranty applies to HTS staircases?

Accepted Answer

All HTS staircases come with the statutory two-year warranty on materials and workmanship. This requires professional installation by HTS and proper maintenance.

Question 23

What diameter should a handrail have?

Accepted Answer

In residential settings, diameters of 40--45 mm have proven ideal. The handrail must be easy to grip and maintain a minimum clearance of 5 cm from the wall.

Question 24

How important are low-emission materials and environmental protection for staircases?

Accepted Answer

For a healthy indoor climate, low-emission lacquers and oils should be used. HTS uses high-quality surface treatments that comply with European environmental standards.

Question 25

Where does the wood come from?

Accepted Answer

HTS primarily uses domestic woods such as oak and beech from European forestry. Short transport distances and controlled quality are standard.

Question 26

How do I identify a left-hand or right-hand winder staircase?

Accepted Answer

The winding direction is determined from the perspective of ascent: a right-hand winder turns clockwise to the right, while a left-hand winder turns anticlockwise to the left.

Question 27

How should I approach planning my staircase?

Accepted Answer

First determine the location and use, measure the key room dimensions, and contact HTS for a preliminary phone quote. With 3--4 key measurements, you receive a free initial estimate.

Question 28

What does 'projection' mean for a staircase?

Accepted Answer

The projection refers to the horizontal space a staircase requires -- measured from the first step to the exit edge. It determines how far the staircase extends into the room.

Question 29

What measurements matter for an attic staircase?

Accepted Answer

For an attic staircase, the floor-to-floor height, deck thickness, and especially the size of the deck opening are decisive. HTS does not build loft ladders but manufactures full staircases to the attic if the opening is large enough.

Question 30

Can I install my staircase myself?

Accepted Answer

HTS installs all staircases on-site -- self-installation is not offered. For DIY enthusiasts, however, HTS provides individual treads for replacement on existing structures.

Question 31

Does HTS renovate existing staircases?

Accepted Answer

HTS does not offer sanding and re-lacquering of existing staircases, as this is not cost-effective. Instead, complete replacement, solid wood cladding on concrete, or step replacement on metal structures are available.

Question 32

How long does it take to build a staircase?

Accepted Answer

At HTS, the manufacturing time is 4--6 weeks from order confirmation. On-site installation takes one day with 3--8 hours of work.

Question 33

Is installation included?

Accepted Answer

HTS installs every staircase on-site -- installation is included in the price. There is no kit delivery without installation.

Question 34

What information does HTS need for a quote?

Accepted Answer

For a preliminary phone quote, just 3--4 key measurements such as floor-to-floor height and deck opening are enough. For the final quote, HTS conducts a precise on-site survey.

Question 35

When is express delivery available?

Accepted Answer

HTS offers express manufacturing in 5--7 working days from order confirmation to installation. The surcharge is 20% on top of the standard price.

Question 36

Can treads on a metal structure be replaced?

Accepted Answer

Yes, HTS replaces treads on existing metal structures. The cost is 180--210 euros per step for new solid wood treads.

Question 37

What are Berliner Stufen?

Accepted Answer

Berliner Stufen are cantilevered treads mounted on one side to the wall via a metal substructure. HTS handles the complete wood cladding of the treads.

Question 38

What do 'exit tread' and 'going depth' mean?

Accepted Answer

The exit tread is the topmost step of a stair run at the transition to the upper floor. The going depth refers to the depth of the tread surface, which must be at least 26 cm for primary staircases.

Question 39

What is a central-post staircase?

Accepted Answer

A central-post staircase is the HTS alternative to a classic spiral staircase. It has a central support post but a rectangular rather than round construction, with the outer sides running along the walls.

Question 40

What is a Faltwerk staircase?

Accepted Answer

A Faltwerk staircase is a cantilevered construction that is bolted into the wall on one side and supported by the handrail on the open side. It is part of the premium segment starting from approx. 9,000 euros.

Question 41

What is a landing on a staircase?

Accepted Answer

A landing is a horizontal platform within a stair run. It serves as a resting point, direction change, or access to adjoining rooms and is required by DIN 18065 after no more than 18 steps.

Question 42

What is a spiral staircase?

Accepted Answer

A spiral staircase is a round winding staircase with a central column. HTS does not build spiral staircases but offers the central-post staircase as a space-saving alternative with a rectangular construction.

Question 43

What is the difference between a housed-stringer and a cut-stringer staircase?

Accepted Answer

In a housed-stringer staircase, the treads are routed into the stringer, creating a classic appearance. In a cut-stringer staircase, the treads sit on top of the stringer and project beyond it.

Question 44

How do I clean and care for handrails and railings?

Accepted Answer

Wood handrails are wiped with a slightly damp cloth and mild cleaner in the direction of the grain. Oiled handrails should be regularly retreated with care oil.

Question 45

How long is an HTS quote valid?

Accepted Answer

An HTS quote is valid for 14 days. Within this period, you can confirm the order at the stated terms.

Question 46

Can a railing be retrofitted to an existing staircase?

Accepted Answer

Yes, railings can be retrofitted in most cases. The prerequisite is sufficient space and load-bearing capacity of the existing staircase for the post fixings.

Question 47

How do I mount a handrail on the wall?

Accepted Answer

A wall-mounted handrail is fixed with brackets at intervals of 80--130 cm to load-bearing fixing points. The brackets must be chosen to suit the wall type (concrete, brick, stud wall).

Question 48

What end finishes are available for handrails?

Accepted Answer

Wood handrails can be lacquered, oiled, or colour-treated. Ends are typically rounded, chamfered, or fitted with end caps.

Question 49

Which handrail bracket do I need?

Accepted Answer

The bracket type depends on the handrail profile: round handrails need brackets with a curved cradle, profiled handrails need brackets with a flat cradle. Adjustable brackets adapt to the staircase angle.

Question 50

Can a staircase be installed with underfloor heating?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a staircase can be installed in rooms with underfloor heating. However, no heating pipes may be laid in the area of the staircase fixings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Top questions

Care & Maintenance

Costs & Pricing

Handrail & Railing

Materials & Finishes

Planning & Dimensions

Process & Service

Stair Types & Construction