Types of Staircases You Need to Know

Types of staircases for your home

A staircase is an essential feature of the architecture of a house with more than one floor. Read on to learn about certain types of staircases available.

Why make stairs our adversaries when they are our best allies? Stairs have been with us humans for as long as we can think. It transports us to greater altitudes or elevated ground. It is important to know that there is a distinction between stairs and staircases: the former refers to individual steps, whilst the latter refers to a network of stairs that links one floor to another.

If you’re having trouble deciding which type of staircase is ideal for you and your family, here are some options for you to consider.

1. Straight Staircase

This is the most prevalent of all staircase kinds. It is intended as a straight flight with no changes in direction. It is the simplest to build since it simply requires attachment to the top and bottom levels and does not require any intermediary supporting structure. Furthermore, railings and handrails are quite simple to build. Ultimately, its straightforward look makes it an excellent choice for minimalist designs.

One of the downsides of this style of staircase is that it takes up a lot of straight areas in our homes. Furthermore, in contrast to other sorts, it does not provide much privacy.

2. Floating Staircase

With a little imagination, you can transform a boring straight staircase into something more intriguing. This form of staircase consists of stair treads that are mounted to the wall so that the support structure is not visible. It exudes openness and has a contemporary appearance. However, this is not recommended if you live with children or elderly people since it is prone to accidents due to the open areas beneath. If you intend to continue with this, make sure to examine any plans for the design to manage weight and pressure.

3. L-shaped Staircase

This staircase, in contrast to the straight one, has a change of direction, a 90-degree bend or curve. It is also known as “Quarter Turn Stairs”. The landing lies in the center of the staircase and can be continued on either the left or right side. It is more aesthetically pleasing than a straight, bare stairway. It also takes up less space and is recommended for usage in corner areas. Furthermore, its landing has several benefits: (1) it gives privacy by acting as a visual barrier and misdirection to the next floor, (2) it reduces the number of stairs to tumble down in the event of an accident, and (3) it provides a place to rest.

On the contrary, these staircases are more expensive and complex to construct, necessitating the requisite competence for the work. Furthermore, due to the turn, big items to be moved up or down may be difficult to hoist.

Read Also: How to maximize small spaces

4. Winder Staircase

This one is similar to an L-shaped staircase, although it does not have a landing and instead has triangular steps at the corner transition. Additionally, in older homes, it is frequently used as a secondary staircase if there is already a grand main stairway. However, because it takes up less room and is a sustainable design, it is increasingly often utilized in modern homes. For its cons, adding railings will be difficult, and a central support structure should be constructed.

5. U-shaped Staircase

This type of staircase, also known as “Switchback Stairs,” includes a 180-degree bend or a half-turn curve that changes direction. It also provides resting areas and is pleasing to the eyes. It is recommended for use in places with limited spaces. On the contrary, it is difficult to construct since it needs additional structural support for the landing, and it is also difficult to move goods in this type of staircase.

6. Spiral Staircase

By its compact form, this style of staircase follows a helical arc with stairs attached to a central pole. It is also commonly applied in tiny places. It is also visually appealing and offers a variety of design options. Its installation is also straightforward because it does not require a landing and must be connected between two stories.

However, for safety considerations, many construction rules prohibit this sort of stairway depending on the type of building. Furthermore, it can only hold one person at a time. Large goods are also incredibly difficult to move up or down on this style of stairway.

7. Curved Staircase

In comparison to the Spiral staircase, this style of stairway also has a helical arc, but it has a considerably broader radius, making it easier to walk up, and it does not form a complete circle. For its attractive design, it is frequently used in contemporary architecture, and it is nearly always situated at the entry for the visitor’s first impression.

Its downside is that it is tough to construct and requires skill. As a result, it is luxurious, which signifies a status symbol.

8. Split Staircase

Remember the party scene in the film “Titanic” that included a famous staircase? That is an illustration of a split staircase. This type of staircase is also known as “Bifurcated,” as it begins with a big set of stairs and finishes with a landing with two narrower sets of stairs in opposing directions. This is typically utilized in a building where a large number of people go to various portions of the structure and make them conveniently accessible. It is frequently utilized as a grand entrance. Unfortunately, this form of staircase needs more architectural support during building, is more expensive, and takes up a lot of space.

9. Ladders

A ladder staircase can be useful in tiny dwellings with limited room, such as bungalows. It is one of the modes of helping people to move from one floor to another. Because of its construction and steepness, it is difficult to maneuver, which is why most building codes prohibit it from being used as a primary staircase. It can be utilized as a backup, particularly in an emergency. It is cost-effective and might be relocated if movement is restricted or if it is not in use.

And at last, the type of staircase you choose should highlight your and your family’s safety. It is critical to consider their needs while preparing, especially if they require specialized treatment. It should only come after physical attractiveness and social prestige. It is also critical that we talk with our architect friends about this so that we can reduce expenditures in the case of blunders. When renovating our homes, we should keep Po’s mantra from Kung Fu Panda in mind: “There is no charge for awesomeness or attractiveness.”

You’re probably persuaded about what type of stairwell to utilize. Suppose you’re still uncertain about where to buy that affordable house and lot or condominiums. Then we are still here to assist you. You may contact us here on our page for a consultation, and you could be the next proud Bria Homes owner.

Written by Vincent Sanchez