Let’s take a look at a great pro stair builder app that comes with a free version that’s perfect for one-off and occasional projects.
It’s called StairDesigner.
As well as coming in a pro version, it’s available as a useful free stair calculator app.
Download a free version of StairDesigner here to get started on your project.
But what can you actually do with the free version of StairDesigner?
- Can I view my stair in 3D?
- Can I draw stair plans?
- Can I get a perspective drawing of stairs?
- Can I use StairDesigner as a stair stringer calculator?
We’ll give you a clearer picture of the possibilities of the free version of this stair builder app and the essential differences between the free version and the full version.
The free version gives you access to all design features. It will do everything except print and export files for manufacturing. So you will be asking if I can’t print what good is it to me?
Well you’ve got a staircase design app that will do just that, design your stair in full…and we have a very effective way for you to get all the manufacturing documents without needing to buy this pro level software. See below for details!
Stair calculator app walk through
Let’s calculate some stairs. Say you want a straight flight 3.50m long and 800mm wide, and a floor to floor height of 2.60m.
First set your working units.
Go to the Tool menu then select Units.
For our example choose your working units as mm, imperial is also available.
Click on the New stair icon and keep the Model tab open.
For our straight stairs model type, the floor height we’d like is 2600mm so this is added as a parameter as shown below:
Then continue with the basic dimensions we’ve chosen:
- The length of the flight in our example is 3500mm
- And type in flight width, 800mm in our case
- Type in the width of the landing step (the last step flush to the 1st floor), 100mm
We’ve also chosen which components to add, so stringboards on both the left and right of the flight, and a handrail and newel posts on the right only.
All of these settings and components can be adjusted later on if required.
Our stair calculator app will now do the maths for you and determine the number or steps, although in fact the riser number is shown.
You’ll see that StairDesigner gives a default number of 14 risers for this stair:
The riser height is calculated as 185.7mm, and the tread width as 261.5mm and Stair Rule is 633mm.
There are no warnings beside these parameters so in fact our stair fits our control values well and meets the Stair Rule.
Let’s update the riser number to 17, now we have a warning to show that the stair doesn’t fit into the limits of our controls, the Stair Rule is now in red.
So it’s very simple to modify the number of risers to ensure the stair is as safe and easy to use as possible.
We could adjust the stair flight length too if needed to get the right balance across all parameters.
From design to 3D renders
Now let’s click on the 3D button and StairDesigner shows the staircase as a 3D render:
Rotate and zoom in to check on the construction details, both in wireframe and solid render for more clarity.
Stair design app extended features
A huge range of parameters can be easily modified, either for the whole stair or individually, for example:
- Remove all risers from your stair
- Adjust the thickness of the stringboards, so there is more space between the step and riser housing and the string edge
- Change newels from square to round to diamond
- Enter a special editing mode to manually shape stringboards and steps
- Fine tune how all components fits together, for example how the handrail fixes into the newel post
In the image below, we can adjust the penetration and configuration of the stringboard into the upper newel post:
This is a super short preview showing you how to draw stairs in the free version of this stair app. All design features are available in this version to very quickly and accurately create a stair project and view in 3D and wireframe to assess ease of build and aesthetics.
Need to make a change? Just edit top level parameters like flight width or test micro adjustments like step to riser construction preferences.
The entire staircase will be recalculated and can be assessed again.
The affordable way to design and build your stair
So what isn’t possible with this free stair building app?
Without the paid pro version you won’t be able to access the cutting list and part by part plans.
However, if you’re just building your own staircase, it’s not economical to buy StairDesigner. So we’ve created a manufacturing output service which is available along with expert advice to help you with your project.
Use the free version of StairDesigner to design your staircase. Sign up to a very affordable Premium Support subscription (no long term commitment at all!) and request the manufacturing output for your stair when you’re ready to go.
Click here for start your design with our StairFile service
The perfect way to access our pro stair builder app!
Where is the form on the right sidebar to download the software ???
Hi John,
Please download StairDesigner here – thanks
Regards, Ness
Please Help I need Stair Design Software Now i have used Demo Version
Hello,
thanks for your comment on our website.
Click here to buy the full version of StairDesigner from our online store.
If you only need a one off set of manufacturing drawings please use the StairFile service.
best regards
Ness
Hi, I installed the software, went to help, and could not register because it said that I needed to be an administrator. Thanks.
HI Bob,
To use the software in demo version you don’t have to register just click demo mode in the activation window.
If you can’t run the software, click right on the run icon and choose “run as administrator”.
Hope this helps
All the best
Ness
Hi Jim,
To save and print the plans and 3D images from the demo version of StairDesigner you can use screen capture software like Fastone Capture.
You can download a free version from the Free downloads page of this website.
@Jim
Hi, I am currently trying out the stair designer software. How can I save a 3D drawing of the staircase i have designed into a printable format?
hi
I live in Damascus Syria I would like to use this software to help my students in learning how to design a stair.
Hello Khaled, The easiest way to use StairDesigner for your students would be to buy the educational version, please contact me directly for the prices. If you are short on finances you can just buy one full educational version and use the demo version to teach students.
hope this is helpful.
all the best
Ness
plz send me a demo
Hello Vijeht,
To receive the demo version please fill in the form on the right side bar.
If you have any problems email me.
all the best
Ness
is it possible to draw a stairs and change dimensions and view in 3d without paying money if so could you tell me how as i am finding this very stressfull
Hello Joe, The demo version is free and allows you to draw the stair and gives a 3D view. The only limitation is that you can’t get all the dimensions and you can’t print or export manufacturing files.
The demo version does all the calculation of the stair just like the full version and you can capture the drawings and use them as a base to build your working drawings using free CAD software that is downloadable here.
If you need the full working drawings in printable format you can use the StairFile service.
hope this is helpful.
all the best
Ness
please help me with this good software
Hi Abuagla,
To get going using StairDesigner I suggest you download and follow through the free tutorial that you can access from the “Free Downloads” page of this web site .
Once you have understood the basics of how the program works download a stair template and try making it fit to your project. To understand how to use the output from the program for building a stair you should also download the How to use StairFile document.
Hope this is helpful.
all the best
Ness
EDIT: these documents have now been archived, please watch our Getting Started stair video tutorials for the latest advice on using the software.
thank so much for help me
When I completed the download…and clicked on HELP ==> ACTIVATE. The response I get is YOU DO NOT HAVE ADMINISTRATION RIGHTS.
What should I do. Nobody else uses this computer of mine.
Hi Jim,
If you’re using Vista, to start StairDesigner click right on the icone and in the mouse menu “select run as adimistrator”
This should solve your problem.
Have fun
Ness
I NEED FREE VERSION
Hello Mahdi, To get the demo version you have to fill in the form on the right hand side bar and you’ll be sent the down load link.
All the best
Ness
Hello
I need the free version oplease of spiral free StairDesigner version
regards
Issam
Hi Issam, Just fill in the formular on the right side bar and you’ll get the download link.
regards
Ness
I want free stair design software
Hello, To get the fre version you have to fill in the formular on the left and you will receive a download link.
Have fun and a great new year.
Ness
hai sir pls send me spiral stair calcultion software
i need download free version of stairdesigner.
thanks
Hello vmrg70, you can down load a demo version using the subscribe box on the right.
all the best , ness
Hi, please send me free StairDesigner.
Hi Sachin, To down load a version of StairDesigner just fill in the form on the right and you’ll get a download link.
all the best,
ness