Types of Staircases

What is a 'stair', exactly? The stairs definition itself is of Germanic origin, from the Old EnglishstĒ£ger, significant to 'climb' from a base of operations.

The many dissimilar types of staircase are at present popular features in the contemporary abode project, and even in the modern interiors of commercial institutions. There are many different types to choose from, ranging from more modernistic, architectural styles (floating stairs, for example) to the more antiquated and periodic designs.

Here are some of the nigh popular types of staircases, the ones in most demand, today:

The Spiral Staircase

A spiral staircase is an attractive, durable, and space-saving choice for a habitation or office edifice. Space saving is, of course, one of the greatest benefits of any spiral staircase.

Unlike traditional staircases, a screw staircase does not have a large footprint and can exist installed in minor spaces, making it an uncommonly practiced choice for smaller homes or apartments. The solid construction makes the pocket-size spiral staircase an ideal pick for safety and durability. Installing a staircase of this kind, a home possessor or builder can better the aesthetic of a room or dwelling house without taking up excess space for a larger staircase structure.

Spiral staircases are a beautiful design feature which will give a long lasting visual appeal.

A black spiral staircase A red spiral staircase

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Helical Staircases

Helical staircases are sometimes referred to as curved staircases every bit they lead yous upstairs in a flowing arc.

Helical or curved stairs are ideal for commercial backdrop such as retail, showrooms and other public spaces, but, they likewise look glamorous in an office or residential location. Helical staircases are a statement, oft used equally a primary staircase or sectional staircase. These stairs frequently consists of two rolled stringers, with the treads attached between them. Helical staircases do non have a central column setting it autonomously from spiral stairs. Past combining various materials and designs the possibilities for helical staircases are about unlimited.

Helical floating staircase float 2

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Straight Staircases

Straight stairs tin be divers every bit one having a single, directly flight of stairs that connects two levels or floors in a building. In its most basic class it is a simple design with no turns and is used in most homes — although the style can be played with. An open tread staircase, for example, instantly stands out, fifty-fifty if is still only a 'directly staircase'.

(If you are unsure what a 'tread' is, exactly, on a staircase, then see our terminologies department below.)

A straight staircase A straight staircase

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L-shaped stairs

50-shaped stairs — also known as the 'quarter plow' stair or, more only, simply as 'turning stairs' — are flights of stairs with style. The proper name comes from the shape, and refers to the change in direction of the staircase mid-flight. They tin be useful when the infinite required for a straight staircase is not available, and it gives the possibility of locating the staircase in a corner.

L-shaped stairs also give the provision of a resting identify and reduced distance of autumn, a actually great feature, particularly for elderly users.

L-shaped stairs l 1

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U-shaped stairs

U-shaped stairs are Fifty-shaped stairs to the next level, hence their other name 'double 50 shaped stairs. U-shaped stairs provide two flights of steps parallel to each other: joined past a large stairs landing requiring the climber to turn 180-degrees. It is because of this landing that U-shaped stairs are also referred to as the 'half landing staircase'.

u 2 A U-shaped staircase

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Winder stairs

Sometimes known equally 'kited stairs', winder stairs tin can greatly reduce infinite requirements for those with storage bug and are particularly popular for basement access. Winder stairs are available in a pie-shape, which tin can do without the landing — this frees up more room and takes upwards less space than those required with 50-shaped or U-shaped stairs. The double winder staircase is too popular.

A winder stair case A winder stair hallway

More than Staircase Terminology

There are many unlike parts of a staircase — more than than you might imagine. So we put together a brief guide to some of the specific words and components that are used to refer to the different sections and features. Hither is all the stair terminology that you should need in social club to know the ins and outs of stairs:

Step

The pace is equanimous of the tread and riser.

Tread

The office of the stairway that is stepped on. It is synthetic to the same specifications (thickness) every bit any other flooring. The tread "depth" is measured from the outer border of the step to the vertical "riser" betwixt steps. The "width" is measured from i side to the other. The thread is the most primal of the parts of stairs.

Riser

The vertical portion betwixt each tread on the stair. This may be missing for an "open up" stair effect.

Nosing

An edge part of the tread that protrudes over the riser beneath. If it is present, this means that, measured horizontally, the full "run" length of the stairs is non simply the sum of the tread lengths, as the treads actually overlap each other slightly.

Starting step or Bullnose

Where stairs are open up on one or both sides, the first stride above the lower floor may be wider than the other steps and rounded. The balusters typically form a semicircle around the circumference of the rounded portion and the handrail has a horizontal spiral called a "volute" that supports the pinnacle of the balusters. Besides the cosmetic appeal, starting steps allow the balusters to course a wider, more stable base for the terminate of the handrail. Handrails that simply end at a post at the foot of the stairs tin can exist less sturdy, fifty-fifty with a thick post. A double bullnose tin be used when both sides of the stairs are open.

Stringer

The staircase stringer is a structural member that supports the treads and risers. There are typically two stringers, 1 on either side of the stairs; though the treads may be supported many other ways. The stringers are sometimes notched then that the risers and treads fit into them. Stringers on open-sided stairs are often open up themselves so that the treads are visible from the side. Such stringers are called "cut" stringers. Stringers on a closed side of the stairs are closed, with the support for the treads routed into the stringer.

Winders

Winders are steps that are narrower on one side than the other. They are used to alter the management of the stairs without landings. A series of winders form a round or spiral stairway. When three steps are used to plow a 90° corner, the center step is chosen a kite winder as a kite-shaped quadrilateral.

Trim

Trim (due east.one thousand. quarter-round or baseboard trim) is normally applied where walls meet floors and often underneath treads to hide the reveal where the tread and riser meet. Shoe moulding may be used between where the lower floor and the first riser run into.

The railing system

The balustrade is the system of railings and balusters that prevents people from falling over the edge.

Banister, Railing or Handrail

The angled member for handholding, as distinguished from the vertical balusters which hold information technology upward for stairs that are open on one side; there is often a railing on both sides, sometimes merely on one side or not at all, on wide staircases there is sometimes likewise one in the middle, or even more. The term "banister" is sometimes used to hateful just the handrail, or sometimes the handrail and the balusters or sometimes but the balusters.[1]

Volute

A handrail end element for the bullnose step that curves inwards like a screw. A volute is said to exist right or left-handed depending on which side of the stairs the handrail is as one faces up the stairs.

Turnout

Instead of a complete spiral volute, a turnout is a quarter-turn rounded end to the handrail.

Gooseneck

The vertical handrail that joins a sloped handrail to a higher handrail on the balcony or landing is a gooseneck.

Rosette

Where the handrail ends in the wall and a one-half-newel is not used, it may be trimmed past a rosette.

Easings

Wall handrails are mounted directly onto the wall with wall brackets. At the bottom of the stairs such railings flare to a horizontal railing and this horizontal portion is called a "starting easing". At the top of the stairs, the horizontal portion of the railing is chosen a "over easing".

Core rail

Wood handrails often have a metallic cadre to provide actress forcefulness and stiffness, particularly when the rail has to bend confronting the grain of the wood. The primitive term for the metallic cadre is "core runway".

Baluster

A term for the vertical posts that hold upwardly the handrail. Sometimes but called guards or spindles. Treads frequently require two balusters. The 2d baluster is closer to the riser and is taller than the starting time. The actress tiptop in the second baluster is typically in the eye between decorative elements on the baluster. That way the bottom decorative elements are aligned with the tread and the summit elements are aligned with the railing angle.

Newel

A large baluster or post used to anchor the handrail. Since it is a structural element, it extends beneath the floor and subfloor to the lesser of the floor joists and is bolted right to the floor joist. A one-half-newel may be used where a railing ends in the wall. Visually, it looks like half the newel is embedded in the wall. For open landings, a newel may extend below the landing for a decorative newel driblet.

Finial

A decorative cap to the elevation of a newel postal service, particularly at the finish of the balustrade.

Base Runway

For systems where the baluster does non start at the treads, they get to a base rail. This allows for identical balusters, fugitive the second baluster problem.

Balcony

For stairs with an open concept upper floor or landing, the upper floor is functionally a balcony. For a straight flight of stairs, the balcony may be long plenty to require multiple newels to support the length of railing..

Flight

A flight is an uninterrupted series of steps.

Floating stairs

A flight of stairs is said to be "floating" if there is nothing underneath. The risers are typically missing as well to emphasize the open up event. There may be only one stringer or the stringers otherwise minimized. Where building codes allow, there may not even be handrails.

Landing or Platform

A landing is the surface area of a floor about the height or bottom step of a stair. An intermediate landing is a small platform that is built as part of the stair between main floor levels and is typically used to allow stairs to change directions, or to allow the user a residuum. A half landing is where a 180° change in management is made, and a quarter landing is where a 90° change in direction is fabricated (on an intermediate landing).

As intermediate landings consume floor space they tin be expensive to build. However, changing the management of the stairs allows stairs to fit where they would non otherwise, or provides privacy to the upper level as visitors downstairs cannot simply look up the stairs o the upper level due to the change in direction.

Mobile Safety Steps

Can be used every bit temporary, safe replacements for many types of stairs

Spandrel

If there is not another flight of stairs immediately underneath, the triangular infinite underneath the stairs is chosen a "spandrel". Information technology is frequently used as a closet.

Got an idea for a staircase in mind? We can make it.

We can design, manufacture, and install whatever ready of stairs that you demand for your home, concern, or project, all to meet the correct staircase regulations. Head over to our customisable Staircase Solutions page, where y'all can make your plan, choose your cloth, go the designed model that yous crave, and build your quote.

Whatever questions? So delight don't hesitate to contact us where we tin can discuss it further, and become started on your ideal staircase.