Types of Staircases

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

The many different types of staircase are now pop features in the gimmicky domicile project, and even in the modern interiors of commercial institutions. There are many different types to choose from, ranging from more than mod, architectural styles (floating stairs, for example) to the more antiquated and periodic designs.

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

The Spiral Staircase

A spiral staircase is an attractive, durable, and space-saving choice for a home or office building. Infinite saving is, of class, one of the greatest benefits of any spiral staircase.

Dissimilar traditional staircases, a screw staircase does not take a large footprint and can be installed in small spaces, making it an exceptionally good option for smaller homes or apartments. The solid construction makes the small screw staircase an ideal choice for safety and immovability. Installing a staircase of this kind, a home owner or builder tin can improve the aesthetic of a room or home without taking upwardly excess space for a larger staircase structure.

Spiral staircases are a beautiful blueprint feature which volition 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 pb you upstairs in a flowing arc.

Helical or curved stairs are platonic for commercial properties such equally retail, showrooms and other public spaces, but, they also look glamorous in an function or residential location. Helical staircases are a statement, ofttimes used as a primary staircase or sectional staircase. These stairs frequently consists of two rolled stringers, with the treads attached between them. Helical staircases do not take a central cavalcade setting it autonomously from screw stairs. By combining various materials and designs the possibilities for helical staircases are virtually unlimited.

Helical floating staircase float 2

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Straight Staircases

Straight stairs tin can be divers every bit i having a single, direct flight of stairs that connects 2 levels or floors in a building. In its most basic form it is a elementary blueprint with no turns and is used in most homes — although the mode can exist played with. An open tread staircase, for case, instantly stands out, even if is even so only a 'straight staircase'.

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

A straight staircase A straight staircase

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Fifty-shaped stairs

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

Fifty-shaped stairs also requite the provision of a resting place and reduced distance of autumn, a really great feature, particularly for elderly users.

L-shaped stairs l 1

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U-shaped stairs

U-shaped stairs are L-shaped stairs to the next level, hence their other name 'double L 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 too referred to as the 'half landing staircase'.

u 2 A U-shaped staircase

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Winder stairs

Sometimes known as 'kited stairs', winder stairs can greatly reduce space requirements for those with storage issues and are particularly popular for basement access. Winder stairs are available in a pie-shape, which can practise without the landing — this frees up more room and takes up less space than those required with L-shaped or U-shaped stairs. The double winder staircase is as well popular.

A winder stair case A winder stair hallway

More Staircase Terminology

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

Step

The step is equanimous of the tread and riser.

Tread

The part of the stairway that is stepped on. It is constructed to the same specifications (thickness) as any other floor. The tread "depth" is measured from the outer border of the pace to the vertical "riser" between steps. The "width" is measured from one side to the other. The thread is the most fundamental of the parts of stairs.

Riser

The vertical portion between each tread on the stair. This may exist missing for an "open up" stair issue.

Nosing

An edge part of the tread that protrudes over the riser beneath. If it is nowadays, this means that, measured horizontally, the total "run" length of the stairs is not simply the sum of the tread lengths, as the treads actually overlap each other slightly.

Starting pace or Bullnose

Where stairs are open up on i or both sides, the starting time footstep above the lower floor may be wider than the other steps and rounded. The balusters typically grade a semicircle effectually the circumference of the rounded portion and the handrail has a horizontal spiral called a "volute" that supports the elevation of the balusters. Besides the cosmetic appeal, starting steps allow the balusters to form a wider, more stable base for the end of the handrail. Handrails that merely terminate at a post at the pes of the stairs can be less sturdy, even with a thick post. A double bullnose tin exist used when both sides of the stairs are open.

Stringer

The staircase stringer is a structural member that supports the treads and risers. In that location are typically two stringers, one on either side of the stairs; though the treads may exist supported many other means. The stringers are sometimes notched so that the risers and treads fit into them. Stringers on open up-sided stairs are often open themselves then that the treads are visible from the side. Such stringers are called "cut" stringers. Stringers on a airtight 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 direction of the stairs without landings. A serial of winders course a circular or spiral stairway. When three steps are used to turn a 90° corner, the middle step is called a kite winder as a kite-shaped quadrilateral.

Trim

Trim (east.g. quarter-round or baseboard trim) is commonly applied where walls meet floors and often underneath treads to hide the reveal where the tread and riser meet. Shoe moulding may be used betwixt where the lower floor and the first riser meet.

The railing organization

The balcony 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 it upward for stairs that are open on one side; there is oftentimes a railing on both sides, sometimes merely on ane side or not at all, on wide staircases there is sometimes as well one in the middle, or even more. The term "banister" is sometimes used to mean 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 inward like a screw. A volute is said to be correct or left-handed depending on which side of the stairs the handrail is as one faces up the stairs.

Turnout

Instead of a consummate spiral volute, a turnout is a quarter-plough 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 half-newel is not used, it may exist trimmed past a rosette.

Easings

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

Cadre track

Wood handrails frequently have a metallic core to provide extra strength and stiffness, particularly when the runway has to curve against the grain of the forest. The archaic term for the metallic core is "core rail".

Baluster

A term for the vertical posts that hold up the handrail. Sometimes only called guards or spindles. Treads often require two balusters. The second baluster is closer to the riser and is taller than the beginning. The extra height in the second baluster is typically in the heart between decorative elements on the baluster. That way the bottom decorative elements are aligned with the tread and the tiptop elements are aligned with the railing angle.

Newel

A large baluster or mail service used to anchor the handrail. Since it is a structural element, information technology extends beneath the floor and subfloor to the bottom 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, information technology looks similar 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 tiptop of a newel mail, specially at the end of the balustrade.

Base Rail

For systems where the baluster does not beginning at the treads, they go to a base rail. This allows for identical balusters, fugitive the second baluster trouble.

Balcony

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

Flight

A flight is an uninterrupted serial of steps.

Floating stairs

A flight of stairs is said to exist "floating" if there is cypher underneath. The risers are typically missing besides to emphasize the open effect. In that location may be only one stringer or the stringers otherwise minimized. Where building codes allow, at that place may not even exist handrails.

Landing or Platform

A landing is the expanse of a floor most the top or bottom pace of a stair. An intermediate landing is a minor platform that is built equally part of the stair between main floor levels and is typically used to permit stairs to change directions, or to allow the user a residue. A one-half landing is where a 180° change in direction is fabricated, and a quarter landing is where a ninety° change in management is made (on an intermediate landing).

Every bit intermediate landings consume floor space they can be expensive to build. However, changing the direction of the stairs allows stairs to fit where they would not otherwise, or provides privacy to the upper level as visitors downstairs cannot simply await up the stairs o the upper level due to the change in direction.

Mobile Safety Steps

Can exist used equally temporary, condom replacements for many types of stairs

Spandrel

If there is not another flight of stairs immediately underneath, the triangular space underneath the stairs is called a "spandrel". It is oftentimes used as a closet.

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

We can design, industry, and install any set of stairs that yous demand for your home, business, or projection, all to meet the correct staircase regulations. Caput over to our customisable Staircase Solutions folio, where you can make your programme, cull your material, get the designed model that you lot require, and build your quote.

Any questions? So please don't hesitate to contact us where we can talk over it further, and get started on your ideal staircase.