Simply Stairs: The Definitive Handbook for Stair Builders

After purchasing Simply Stairs some time ago, I have now used Mark's expert guidance provided in this well written and clearly illustrated book on producing three different sets of stairs. Being from the bespoke cabinet side of the industry it has been many years since I last made a staircase (15 years ago at college during my apprenticeship). After being asked to construct a fairly simple flight of stairs for a regular client, I decided I needed to brush up on my knowledge and so dug out my old college books. After hearing about "Simply Stairs" on twitter from other joiners I decided to purchase myself a copy, all I can say is I don't know why I didn't buy it sooner. There isn't a better book which covers so much on a subject which is often avoided by people for being "complicated or daunting", myself included. Mark simplifies the process and terminology and takes you through the numerous scenarios of stair construction and layouts. From measuring up & conforming to building regs, to marking/setting out, gluing up and then installation. It is the complete package! Finally all I can say is a big thank you to Mark, I now feel confident in my ability to construct staircases. I can't begin to imagine how difficult it must be to process such a complicated subject and yet put it down on paper in a step by step guide in such a clear and precise manner that no other book has managed to do! (On a note to Mark, perhaps you could follow this up with a book on Sash Window and Period Joinery) :-)

I’m a firm believer in “you can learn something new every day” and this book has proven that, it’s a great read I’ve learnt quite a lot from just looking at the pictures but it covers everything you need to know about staircases from angles to building regs and different tools and materials it really is a great book. I would definitely recommend it to anyone learning all things stairs 👍🏻

I run a successful building company in Harrow on the Hill North-West London, called London Building Renovation.. I have an extensive library of building books. I purchased Mark's book on stairs, despite having fitted a sizeable number of staircases over the last 25 odd years. I felt my knowledge was not as good as it could be and thought I would buy the book to improve. With very happy consequences! On a recent project I had to design three staircases to a very awkward conversion from a Victorian two-storey church building to a four-storey domestic building. Without Mark's book can honestly say I would have cost myself thousands of pounds in wasted time. Perhaps, even incorrectly designed 3 tricky staircases. With Mark's book I was able to get around design issues and come up with a better, unique staircase for each floor. I was also able to have a much more informed discussion with my joinery company. The end result is that the client is exceptionally happy and impressed with all my work on the job. My knowledge has grown from when it was more than adequate for my business. I have been able to educate carpenters who work for me and I have used the book to give Toolbox talks to my men. As an added bonus I was overjoyed when I contacted Mark via Twitter to ask a particular question about a difficult dogleg staircase and he replied back almost immediately. I got some very practical help!. If you are interested in construction, you are working in joinery, you are keen capable DIY or self build enthusiast, this book must take pride of place in your joinery section. I cannot believe anyone would not learn something from it. It is clear, concise and well illustrated. A must have.

Firstly one of a kind, older books are very confusing and official text for apprenticeship are not great. Clearly the work is one of a professional and experienced stair maker and builds confidence in what can seem a daunting joinery task. Weakness in the writing and pedogogy are a loosing of the methodical approach from the very first page. I would suggest this is because the author was cramming an awful lot of material into what is a small tome. It would be great to create two volumes which allowed for a slower paced development of ideas; setting out etc. For example the geometry of circular joinery. Again a more detailed (drawings) of the setting bout process would enrich the experience and build confidence, note the joinery edge and facing and pencil setting out is difficult to see on the page and some supplemental notes would suffice. However this is by far the most practical and honest production of joinery in stair making I have seen, and, I process a number of joinery books being a Carpenter of some thirty years. I would highly recommend this fine piece of work to apprentices, teachers and joiners et Al. The information has increased my knowledge (I'm not a stair maker) and I would have no hesitation in tackling any staircase.

I am a professional joiner who owns my own joinery workshop, and this book is "simply" fantastic! As you can see from the photos, we have made some tricky staircases with curved strings and handrails. This book gave me all the information I needed and more. Takes you through every process involved with making staircases. I couldn't recommend this book enough.

Great book with everything you want to know

I purchased this book after reading a review in Professional Builder magazine who rated it highly and I fully agree. I am not a builder but I am in process of restoring a 5 storey building so plenty of stairs of various forms. This book is one of the best "how to" books I have read on any subject, and the instructions on measuring and laying out for construction are superbly clear and straightforward. Although I will employ a carpenter to make my stairs it gives me the knowledge not to be bamboozled by experts, and to know how a properly designed and built stair should be constructed, what work can be done in the workshop, and what needs to be done on site. It also allows me to make allowances for fitting the stairs where I am working on the adjoining work. If I had the time this book gives the instructions and the confidence to have a go myself.

I’ve owned this book for a few years now and have to say it’s has the most self explanatory text along with pictures. A must for any aspiring apprentice or seasoned Carpenter & Joiner. There are many books on stairs which are either too complicated or in imperial measurements they are still good I think to understand those you would need to purchase this first as it really does break down what can seem like a daunting task into a enjoyable methodical one. Luke R