How to Measure for Stair Rods
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How to Measure for Stair Rods
Every staircase is different, so once you've chosen your ideal stair rods, it's important to take accurate measurements to ensure the perfect fit.
At Flooring Supplies Co, all stair rods are made to measure. The size you need will depend on the style of installation you choose, whether you have a stair runner or fully fitted carpet, and the type of bracket fixing you prefer, such as runner, front-fix, or side-fix brackets.
When placing your order, you’ll need to provide the total finished length of each stair rod from end to end, including the finials. Finials are the decorative end pieces fitted to many stair rods and can range from simple rounded ends to more decorative designs. There’s no need to separately calculate the rod and finial lengths though, as we manufacture the rods to the exact overall size you provide.
It’s also worth noting that stair widths are not always consistent throughout a staircase. Even on straight staircases, features such as newel posts or other obstructions can reduce the available space between the runner edge and the skirting board or spindles. In these cases, one or more rods may need to be shorter than the rest.
For winding staircases or stairs with half-landings, each individual step around the turn should be measured separately, as these stairs often require different rod lengths for a proper fit.
For the cleanest and most professional finish, we always recommend fitting a stair rod on the bottom step as well, whether your staircase is straight or curved. Be sure to include this in your measurements and order quantity.
Our stair rods are available in four different diameters. The table below shows the recommended calculations for choosing the correct stair rod length depending on whether you have a stair runner or fitted carpet.
Measurements for Stairs with Runners
| Rod Diameter | Order Runner Width Plus |
|---|---|
| 10mm (⅜") | 75mm (3") allowing 37.5mm (1½") each side |
| 12.5mm (½") | 100mm (4") allowing 50mm (2") each side |
| 16mm (⅝") | 125mm (5") allowing 62.5mm (2½") each side |
| 19mm (¾") | 150mm (6") allowing 75mm (3") each side |
Please note: “Plus” refers to the additional measurement added to the width of your stair runner.
Measurements for Stairs with Fitted Carpets
| Rod Diameter | Front-Fix Brackets – Order Stair Width Less | Side-Fix Brackets – Order Stair Width Less |
|---|---|---|
| All rod diameters | 100mm (4") allowing a 50mm (2") gap between the finial tip and skirting board or spindle on each side | 12.5mm (½") allowing 6.25mm (¼") clearance each side for easier fitting (side-fix brackets do not use finials) |
* Measure from skirting board to skirting board, or spindle to spindle.
Please note: “Less” means you should subtract the measurement shown above from the total stair width to calculate the correct rod size.
Once you’ve calculated your stair rod measurements, simply pass them to our team and we’ll take care of the rest. Flooring Supplies Co stocks a wide range of premium stair rods, runners, door bars, underlay, carpet accessories, and flooring essentials to help complete your staircase project.
For additional fitting advice and inspiration, explore our other guides and resources, or contact our team for assistance with your next project.