How to Create Stairs
Whilst anyone can use a predefined Stair assembly, you’ll have far more luck with modelling of Revit Stairs if you understand how deep the rabbit hole goes. Let’s begin with understanding the Structure of the Stair System.
Types of Stairs
Assembled Stair
Component based stairs with Supports
Cast-in-Place Stair
Monolithic Stairs
Precast Stair
Monolithic Stairs with Notches/Joins
Stair Components
Stairs consist of the following elements.
Runs
Monolithic
Non-monolithic
Landings
Monolithic
Non-monolithic
Supports
Stringer
Carriage
Railings
Rails
Top Rails
Terminations
Handrails
Supports
Terminations
Balusters/Posts
Runs
The Run contains the Risers and Treads. These can have separate finishes applied to them.
Landings
Landings are created automatically between Runs or by selecting 2 Runs, or by creating a custom sketched Landing. These can have separate finishes applied to them.
Supports
Supports can be placed on the Left, Right or Centre of the Run/Landing. They are created automatically with the Run or by picking a Run or Landing edge. They consist of Stringers or Carriages. Carriages are located underneath the stair whilst Stringers are located to the side of the Stair.
Railings
Railings are automatically generated during creation or placed later.
NOTE:
Railings are their own complex beast and will not be discussed in this page.
Stair Properties
Understanding of the main Stair properties will help with the basics of constructing a stair.
| Base and Top Levels Stairs are based on selected levels that already exist in the project. You can add an offset on these levels if required. |
| Desired Stair Height Total distance between the base and the top of the stairs, including offsets. |
| Desired Number of Risers Automatically calculated by Revit, dividing Stair Height by Maximum Riser Height. You can change this number, which will modify the stair slope. |
| Actual Number of Risers The number of risers you have modelled so far. |
| Maximum Riser Height Riser height for your stair will never go above this value. This parameter is set on the stair type. Usually on par with code requirements. |
| Actual Riser Height This distance is automatically calculated by Revit, dividing the Stair Height by the Desired Number of Risers. |
| Minimum Tread Depth On the stair type, specify the minimum tread depth. When you start modelling your stair, you can go above this number, but not below. |
| Actual Tread Depth By default, this value is equal to minimum tread depth set in the stair type. However, you can set a bigger value if you want more depth. |
| Minimum Run Width Set on the stair type, you can specify the minimum run width. This does not include support (stringers). |
| Actual Run Width By default, this will be the same as the minimum run width. You can set a higher value than the minimum, but a lower value will result in a Warning. |
Where to find the Stair Properties you need?
So we understand the components involved and the important properties we need to control our stair. But where do we find all these settings? Below outlines all the Type properties and what components they apply to.
Stair Types
Specify which Components/Parts it uses,
Run Type
Landing Type
Specify the Support Settings
Left, Middle & Right Support
None, Stringer or Carriage
Type
Lateral Offset
Landing Types
Sam as Run
Materials
Monolithic
Tread
Tread
Yes/No
Thickness
Profile
Nosing Length
Nosing Profile
Nosing Location
Front, Left and/or Right
Stringer Types
Material
Section Profile
Flip Profile
Structural Depth on
Landing
Run
Total Depth
Width
Run Types
Underside Surface
Smooth or Stepped
Structural Depth (Throat)
Materials
Monolithic
Tread
Riser
Tread
Yes/No
Thickness
Profile
Nosing Length
Nosing Profile
Nosing Location
Front, Left and/or Right
Risers
Yes/No
Slanted or Vertical
Thickness
Profile
Connection
Behind Tread, Under Riser or All Joined
Carriage Types
Material
Structural Depth on
Landing
Run
Total Depth
Width
Stair Creation
Now that you have an understanding of the main Stair properties you can begin the steps to modelling the Stair.
1. Set Minimum and Maximum Values
Select Architecture ► Circulation ► Stair, then from the Properties Palette choose Edit Type. For the selected Family and Type the first section in the Parameter List is the Calculation Rules. If necessary, adjust these parameters for any specific Project requirements but do not adjust them outside of the code requirements.
NOTE:
In the Company Template, these values are already configured appropriately for most Project requirements to satisfy the code requirements of the region.
2. Set Base and Top Levels (Constraints)
The next step is to define where our stair will be located vertically.
Select the Base and Top Levels and the required Offsets.
NOTE:
The Desired Stair Height is Calculated automatically.
3. Review the Dimension Properties
Set the Desired Number of Risers and Actual Tread Depth so that the Actual Riser Height is suitable. Changing these values changes the slope (steepness) of the stair.
NOTE:
Never set the Actual Riser Height and Actual Tread Depth too close to the Maximum Riser Height or Minimum Tread Depth (respectively) as defined by the applicable Code. Always allow enough for construction tolerances.
4. Review the Options Bar
Like most things in Revit, the options bar allows you to customise settings before placement. It’s often easier to do this before rather than after placement.
The Location Line (from Left to Right) can be set to:
Exterior Support: Left
Run: Left
Run: Centre
Run: Right
Exterior Support: Right
Similar to Walls, this is the position of the stair relative to the sketch line you draw. It’s also the line in which the Stair will justify around if you adjust the Run Width in the Stairs: Runs Properties.
Automatic Landings will inherit the Actual Run Width used in the Options bar during placement, so if you set this correctly first, there will be less parameters to modify later.
5. Sketch the Stair
With all the Instance Parameters pre-set and our appropriate Stair Type selected/setup we can now begin sketching out the Stair Runs. There a number of different types of Runs.
Run Methods
Straight
Full-Step Spiral
Centre-Ends Spiral
L-Shape Winder
U-Shape Winder
Custom Sketch
Typically we just use a series of Straight Runs for 98% of Stairs. So we’ll begin with a Straight Run. Revit Stair Runs/Paths are drawn Bottom to Top, so Left Mouse Click where you want the Run to Start (Best done in a Floor Plan). A ghost image of the full run is displayed showing you how many Treads are still needed to be placed to reach the desired Top Level with Offset with Text noting how many Risers have been created and how many remaining. Left Mouse Click where you want the Stair Run to End. The landing is automatically generated and the shape adjusts based on the Runs direction.
NOTE:
The Run has deliberately been offset by 1 tread. This method of stair modelling allows for a smooth transition of the handrail.
If you accidentally get the up direction the wrong way, use the Blue arrow at the top of the Stair to flip the Up direction.
6. Specify the Railing Type
Before completing your Stair, specify the Railing Type in the Ribbon to avoid the need to do it afterwards. Not knowing may result in unwanted warning messages for an unexpected Railing Type being applied that wasn’t designed to be placed on a Stair. You can also select None, and manually place the Railing aftewards.
Advanced Options
Begin with Riser and End with Riser
Use the Tab key to select a Stair Run, for each Run you can adjust the Begin or End with Riser option.
NOTE:
In Floor Plan the Line will still display, which can lead to confusion in the documentation as it will look like there are more risers than there are. If this is necessary use the Tread/Riser Numbering tool to ensure the count is very clear.
Extend Below Riser Base
Use the Tab key to select a Stair Run, for each Run you can adjust the Extend Below Riser Base option.
Stringer Cut Options
Use the Tab key to select a Stair Stringer, for each Stringer you can adjust the Lower and Upper End Cuts (if it’s not connected). This should be used in conjunction with the Extend Below Riser Base option.
Manual Landings
Landings are automatic by default between two runs. You will notice Revit has no connection between a Floor and a Stair, so the modelling looks poor and does not match reality. We can make this better by manually inserting a Landing at the top for instance.
Edit the Stairs and switch to a Floor Plan with a Work Plane that matches to the Top Level of the Stair.
NOTE:
When manually inserting Landings Revit will use the Work Plane of the Active View.
You cannot manually insert a Landing at the Base of a Stair, only Extend the Base.
You cannot vary the Landing Thickness on a given Stair.
Select Modify | Create Stair ► Landing ► Create Sketch. Then simply draw the Boundary of your desired Landing ensuring one edge joins the top of the End of the Top Stair Run.
Multistorey Stairs
It is possible to create a single Stair that traverses multiple levels and crosses over itself.
Once you have completed a Typical Stair between 2 levels that needs to be repeated up the building, switch to an Elevation or a 3D view that can see the Levels, select Multistorey Stairs ► Connect Levels, then Window Select the Levels you want to include or select a Level at a time. Then Finish Sketch. You now have a Multistorey stair.
NOTE:
The benefit of a Multistorey stair means it will remain aligned and coordinated up the building.
It is possible to unpin an individual Stair, Ramp or Landing and modify it individually for special cases.