Which Stair Type Is The Best For Your Home? Whether you’re planning to renovate your two-story home, adding on a second floor or just revamping your main floor entrance/foyer, your staircase becomes the focal point and a main architectural feature of the space it occupies.
While planning the renovation and addition, it becomes clear that the run, shape, style and details of the staircase, is incredibly important to the overall style of their home. Before you begin styling your stairs you first need to determine the run or stair type that best fits into your floor plan. And ask yourself – how much space you have to work with?
Typically there are five stair types to consider when planning or renovating your home. Which stair type is the best for your home?
1. Straight run stairs. Straight run stairs are typically used in new home construction where space is at a premium and budget a consideration. There are no turns or landings on this stair type as the name implies.
2. L-shaped stairs. The L-shaped stair has a 90-degree turn at the landing. Depending on the space you’re working with, this shape could use long or short legs, and occupies about the same amount of space as a curved staircase. A variation of this type is the L-shape with winders which when short on space takes the typical landing area and adds angled treads to ascend in a shorter run.
3. U-shaped stairs. Either a wide or narrow U-shape can be designed for your space. As the stairs ascend, they switch back from the landing headed in the direction of the run below. This stair design is quite useful in tighter floor plans and can be stacked for multi-level structures.
4. Spiral stairs. Everyone loves a spiral staircase – and at its best – it occupies a minimal amount of space. The treads radiate out from a center pole, with a curving center support and are often used as a secondary stair in a family home. If you’re space is limited, position the spiral in the corner of your room and reserve it for low-traffic areas. Since each tread is tapered, it makes climbing a bit tricky.
5. Curved stairs. The curved stair or winder can be contoured in multiple shapes, and ascends in a broader curve from level to level. It typically has a more open center diameter than the spiral stair. Therefore the treads are more generously dimensioned and proportioned qualifying it to serve as your home’s main staircase. This type of design is spectacular free standing on its own – or nestled in to a curved wall.
These are just a few of basics. Keep in mind that each and every one of these 5 stair types can be customized and modified to fit right into your home’s personality.
