Types of Staircases for Your Home or Commercial Building
November 5, 2014When building your new home or work space, one of your decisions may to be to choose a staircase. Staircases should always be utilitarian, but they can also contribute to the overall mood of a space. In the many residential and commercial projects Luetgert Development has completed, we have built many different types of staircases, each with their own style and purpose. As a homeowner or business owner, here’s what you need to know about each type of staircases.
Straight Flight Stairs
Straight flight stairs are the most common. They are the easiest to create and use. Each step in a straight flight staircase is uniform in size and shape. Of the straight flight stairs, there are three styles, including straight, quarter landing and half landing.
Straight stairs are exactly as they sound, straight and continuing in the same direction. They may have a landing area, but the direction never turns. Quarter landing stairs are straight in flight, but have a landing area where they can change direction by 90 degrees. Half landing stairs have a landing area, allowing them to turn by 180 degrees.
Winder Staircases
Winder stairs are harder to build because the steps turn without a landing. Each step is shaped like a wedge to accommodate for the change in direction. Precise measurements are needed to build this kind of staircase.
Winder stairs generally come in two styles: single and double. Similar to quarter landing stairs, single winder stairs turn by 90 degrees, but don’t have a landing. Double winder stairs are often more compressed than single winder to allow for a 180 degree turn.
Arched Stairs
Arched stairs are known for their dramatic look, with curved railings that wrap around the sides. Arched staircases curve with wedged steps, but do not turn sharply by 90 degrees. As shown in one of our Ocala custom homes above, this type staircase is an eye-catching feature to include in an entryway. If a homeowner has the space and is looking for an elegant effect, arched stairs are a great option.
Spiral Staircases
Like winder and arched stairs, spiral stairs require wedged steps. Every spiral staircase has a vertical post for the steps to wrap around. A railing is normally included on the outer edge of the stairs. Spiral staircases require little space, but are not optimal if they need to be used frequently.
Compact Stairs
Compact stairs are used when space is extremely limited. They generally have a sharp incline with small alternating steps, called goose-steps or sambo steps, which are big enough for only one foot at a time. While compact stairs are great for small spaces like storage rooms, they are not recommended as the main staircase in a home or office.
If you were designing your dream house or commercial building, which type of staircase would you choose? Share your favorite styles with us on social media and contact us for any building inquiries.
When #building a #home or work space, one of your decisions may to be to choose a #staircase. Here are your options: http://t.co/W8KR6kD0uk
— Luetgert Development (@LuetgertDev) November 5, 2014