TYPES OF STAIRCASES
1. Straight
This one is straightforward (literally). Straight stairs feature a single linear flight with no change in direction.
What are straight stairs?
Straight stairs are stairs without any changes in direction. They are certainly one of the most common types of stairs found in both residential and commercial properties. Below are examples of straight floating stairs made with a variety of stringer styles, railing types, and wood species.
What are straight stairs with a central landing?
On longer flights of stairs, a landing is inserted to break up the flight. Building codes require this for floor heights above 12 feet. Especially in commercial buildings, straight stairs often have platforms halfway up the run of the stairs.
2. L-shaped (a.k.a. quarter-turn)
What are L shaped stairs?
The L shaped stair is a variation of the straight stair with a bend in some portion of the stair. This bend is usually achieved by adding a landing at the transition point. The bend is often 90 degrees, however, it does not have to be. If the landing is closer to the top or bottom of the stairs it is sometimes referred to as a long L stair or a quarter turn stair.
3. Winder
The slightly more complicated sister to the L-shaped staircase. A set of winders—treads that are wider on one side than the other—takes the place of the landing to save space.
4. U-shaped (a.k.a. half-turn)
If you’ve ever promised yourself you’d take the stairs every day at your office, you’ve seen this back-to-basics style. The bend is taken even further to form a full U shape, and similar to the L-shaped staircase, a landing separates the two parallel flights.
What are U shaped stairs?
U shaped stairs are essentially two parallel flights of straight stairs joined by a landing that creates a 180-degree turn in the walk line.
5. Spiral
A compact design centered around a single pole, so that if you looked at it from above, it would form a perfect circle. Something to consider: A spiral staircase’s narrow wedge-shaped treads aren’t the easiest to traverse. (Avoid them if you’re clumsy.)
6. Curved
Unlike winder or L-shaped staircases, a curved style has no landings. Instead, the stairs are continuous, following the bend of the banister to make a striking architectural statement
7. Bifurcated
The grandest of them all—this is the style of the iconic Titanic staircase—bifurcated stairs include one sweeping set of steps that splits off into two smaller flights going in opposite directions.Split Stairs are also known as bifurcated stairs typically have a wide set of stairs starting at the bottom that ends at a landing partway up the flight. The stairs split at the landing into two narrower sets of stairs leading in opposite directions.
8. Ladder
No explanation needed here. Small-home owners desperate for even the tiniest extra sliver of square footage could go this route.Ladders, like stairs, can serve as a means of access. However, building codes do not allow ladders to serve as a primary means of access. Keuka Studios can design custom ladders for applications such as libaries, lofts, and docks.
9.Cantilever
What are cantilever stairs?
Cantilever stairs are made to have the stair treads appear to be floating in the air without support. The stair stringer will be attached to one end of the treads and can be hidden or exposed. Cantilever stairs add interest and spaciousness to any room.
