L Shaped Staircase Details
Astryd Boschee
The fundamental aspect found in buildings enabling access comes in different types of staircase designs and tastes. Some are a sight to behold. Others are as basic as their sole use, designed to bridge a large vertical distance by dividing it into smaller vertical distances known as steps. In the ancient days, stairs were made for several reasons, some were to protect the community from attacks made as a form of a burglar alarm.
Literally, as its name, it has no bends. It qualifies for a linear flight with no change in direction. A straight staircase is the most common and affordable type of staircases. The design does not need any support, an attachment at the bottom and the top is all it needs. The bonus point of this design is its ease of installation of staircase railings and handrails. It is easy to move on them and it is friendly for toddlers and the aged due to its non-steep nature. Its simple appearance makes it suitable for minimal designs.
However, it does not have to be boring. The addition of open risers, modern materials, and metallic railings can work the magic. Its drawbacks are it utilizes more linear space which, may affect the house design. It lacks privacy as compared to other types and straight staircases with more than 12 feet will require a landing. It has limited room for more designs and creativity.
A high-ceiling room or a staircase with more than 16 risers will require a staircase that is 12 feet high with a special landing. Its drawback is that it requires a larger space hence is applicable in commercial buildings than in private ones.
A shaped Staircase is basically a straight staircase with a turn or a bend. It can be either in the middle of a close end to another. The bend is usually 90 degrees, although it is not fixed to be 90 degrees. It is also known as a quarter-turn stair as its landing is either closer to the top or the bottom. An L-shaped staircase utilizes less space and is easier to navigate due to its wider landing. It is visually appealing and offers privacy due to the breaking barrier. It is safer as the central landing reduces the number of treads that one can fall.
The landing provides space to rest while ascending and it can be located at the corner of a room and restricted spaces. L-shaped stairs can also help with sound transmission if the stairs are contained within walls. However, building the stairs can be hectic, its handrails require more skill to construct and they are installed in segments, support is required for landing and where basements are used, the stairs tend to be stacked over each other for storage. Hence, it can be difficult to move items in and out of the basement.
The U-shaped Staircase is two parallel flights of stairs joined by a 180-degree turn landing. They are also known as the switchback stairs or the half-turn. U-shaped stairs are easier to fit in an architectural plan, the flat landing provides resting points when ascending, and are architecturally pleasant to view. They are the easiest to incorporate in a small space and are complex to build as compared to the other designs. U Shaped Staircase drawbacks are they are complex to measure and build and they require additional support structures for landing.
A spiral staircase is a grand staircase designed around a pole such that if one looks at it from an aerial view, it forms a perfect circle. It is a no-go zone for the clumsy. It is compact but difficult to navigate. They are perfect for minimal spaces such as beach houses and city dwellings. The center pole and landings provide structural support for the stairs as they do not need extra support. Its drawback is that only one person at a time can navigate it as the footing requires caution and the inner portion of each step is steep. The spiral staircase is also difficult to move items using stairs.
The Curved staircase is continuous forming a helical arc and acquiring an amazing architectural view. It has a larger radius but does not form a full circle. It adds elegance to a house thus, is always located at the entryway to make an impression. They are easy to navigate when they have a larger radius. However, they are the most difficult type to build. It is in fact a pinnacle of achievement for any builder or fabricator. The curved staircase obviously makes it the most expensive to build distinguishing it from the different types of staircases.
The Ladder Staircase can serve as a means of access however, building codes do not allow them to serve as a primary source of access. In residential homes, they are found mainly as a connection to the kitchen. This is because they utilize the little space to enhance movement. Ladder stairs are also applicable in libraries, docks, and lofts. They are the most compact way to get from one floor to another and are cost-efficient due to their designs. Ladder staircase may also have wheels or folds to move them away when not in use or to restrict movement. Their drawback is that they are difficult to navigate when descending.
Winder Staircase is a variation of an L-shaped stair but with a pie-shaped landing and triangular-shaped steps that transition at the corner. Balustrades can also be used instead of rails. They require less space than any other type of stairs and are very common in older homes. The winder staircase is mostly used as a secondary stair. It mostly links the backdoor movement or accessibility to the kitchen as the primary stairs are located at the entrance of the house. The winder staircase has gained popularity in modern homes as it creates a seamless transition meandering around corners. Its compactness makes it more attractive. However, it can be harder to navigate than the L-shape. Winder types of staircases can also be difficult to add a handrail and it requires center support.
The Circular Staircase goes around and is tapered. The stairs originate from medieval times but they have been modified to add to their sleekness. The circular staircase, otherwise known as the glass staircase, is surrounded by glass instead of railings to add to its beauty. Vanish is applied to the wood to create a luster and uniqueness. Its steps are easier to navigate and it is more comfortable than a spiral stair. The circular staircase is also known as the helix stair, or the Loretto Chapel staircase. It is suitable for individuals with a delight in vintage items. Maintaining it is relatively easy as the fundamental aspect is preventing warping on the wood. Its drawback is that it needs more space and it is costlier to build.
The space-saving staircase is efficient for a compact home. One can incorporate stairs that are steeply pitched, ribbon-styled, or narrower in a smaller space. The ardent readers can utilize the space by creating a library at the bottom of the stairs. They will have saved on the space and still add a touch of elegance to space. With proper lighting or the availability of natural light in the space, it further beautifies the area. The only drawback of space saving staircase is that it may create a disturbance to a reader who needs privacy as the rest of the members use the stairs.
The under-looked area beneath the stairs can be utilized by converting it into a storage area. Cabinets can be built underneath the risers or each riser can be turned into a drawer. Balustrades can be incorporated rather than rails to enhance its style and differentiate it from the common styles. One can store their necessities under the risers hence, utilizing the ignored space and creating room for additional items.
Especially in winter, one can store additional food items or emergency first aid equipment and necessities. The only drawback of the storage staircase is that the users will need to frequently check, clean, and maintain if they have stored food items to avoid rodents and pests. Lighting is also necessary to enhance safety. Moisture should be avoided to keep off mildew and bad smells.
Stunning it is, yes you are right, the stairs are made from bent metal and wooden treads. The bent metal staircase is so light and slender but sturdy and durable. The more adventurous individuals will delight in this type of stairs as it creates an adrenal rush as one ascends. The architects designed it specifically to intrigue your mind and appeal to your sight. The metal adds to its sleekness and enhances its space efficiency.
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Keuka Studios offers various types of stairs and can also design custom cable railings, glass railings, or metal railings for new or existing staircases. When talking with customers regarding stairs and railing projects, we try to verse our clients in stair design terminology. To learn more about the stair types we offer and what terms we use throughout the design process, take a look at this list of popular stair styles:
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.
Like spiral stairs, curved stairs follow a helical arc. However, they tend to have a much larger radius and typically do not make a full circle. Curved stairs add elegance to any home or business. For this reason, they are almost always located at the entry where they make the best first impression.
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.
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..
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