Although your standard set of straight stairs is a design that you commonly find in most buildings, and perhaps a spiral staircase now and again, there are actually many other staircase designs. Each staircase design will suit different environments better than others, which will be explained in this blog post. There are many companies that can install a range of staircases, in both homes and public buildings, including the Stairfactory.
The Most Common Stair Designs
Straight Staircase
The straight staircase is the design that you will find in most homes, that runs straight up and down. Most of the time straight staircases are installed by the side of a wall, with a banister running along the opposite side. However, straight stairs can also be manufactured to be stringer-style or floating. They are generally very easy to install, as the stairs only need to be attached at the top and bottom, without relying on other supporting structures.
Cantilever Staircase
Cantilevers or floating stairs have become increasingly popular in new builds and modernised homes, as they have a minimal design that gives the appearance of the stairs floating in mid-air. To install this staircase, the treads are attached to a metal structure that is hidden in the wall. Cantilever staircases can make a room seem a lot bigger and more spacious, as more natural light is able to flow through.
Spiral Staircase
Although not as popular as straight staircase designs, spiral staircases are used in many buildings, especially in spaces that are smaller. Spiral stairs offer a very compact design, with treads that are attached to a central pole, to form a helical arc formation.
Curved Staircase
Similar to the spiral design, curved staircases also form a helical arc, however, the radius of the treads is a lot larger. The treads on a spiral staircase are quite tight and compact, whereas curved staircases have treads which extend further out, to form a curve.
L-shaped Staircase
As the name suggests, L-shaped staircases are installed similarly to an L-shape, with a square landing point positioned somewhere in the middle of the treads. If your stairs need to be fitted around a corner, L-shaped staircases can be fitted with a bend, which is usually around 90 degrees.
Winder Staircase
Winder staircases follow a similar concept to L-shaped stairs, as they fit around corners. However, instead of a square landing that breaks up the staircase, there is a triangular landing which creates the transition. As winder staircases follow the shape of the wall, they can be installed pretty much anywhere.
U-shaped Staircase
Again, the same as L-shaped staircases, the U-shaped design has a landing platform somewhere in the middle of the treads. However, instead of a bend of 90 degrees, U-shaped stairs have a full 180-degree turn.
Bifurcated Staircase
Bifurcated or split staircases are the ones you see in grand hallways and larger buildings such as museums and mansions. It is designed with a wide set of stairs, that separates into two narrower stairs going in opposite directions, with a landing partway in the middle.
There is more to staircases than meets the eye! Installing different designs of stairways can enhance your interiors, in a way that can make a visual impact. If you are looking to get a new staircase installed, make sure to check out a staircase specialist.
Content provided by Piranha Solutions
