Replacing staircase timber vertical support with steel Re-generate an old or tired space and give it a fresh breath of life. Click here for answers, information and tips

[SurreyDude]

Hi

On the middle floor in my townhouse, the staircase to the upper floor is supported with a timber 170mm x 70mm x 2400mm

I am renovating the entire house and the handrails will be steel; I'd like to replace the support with a steel one - it will be slimmer and match the ironmongery.

Can anyone tell me:
- How to calculate the load (that the timber can bear)
- What the equivalent steel would need to be (square or circular cross-section)
- Where I might get a support made

Thanks in advance