Staircases are an integral part of any home or building that is more than a single floor. But there are many types of stairs, so picking a style can be a challenge.
At The Reno Superstore, we believe the right staircase design plays a vital role in making your home functional as well as aesthetically pleasing. Just be sure to speak with your contractor or architect before going ahead with any design. You can find stairs and other accessories such as railings and posts at The Reno Superstore.
So here are some popular staircase designs along with their advantages and disadvantages.
Let’s get started.
Top Staircase Designs and Their Pros & Cons
Choose a staircase design that suits and improves the functionality of your home. Here are some common stair designs along with their pros and cons.
1. Straight Stairs
These are one of the most common designs found in homes and commercial properties. Basic, common and simple, these staircases are available pre-cut or pre-fabricated in any home improvement store, including ours. Therefore, this design tends to be affordable as well.
Pros
- Railings and handrails are easy to install in this design.
- It does not require extensive structural support other than the attachments at the top and bottom.
- It is easy to customize this style as per your preference.
- It is minimalist and easily suits any decor.
- It allows easy ascent and descent.
- There is no need for a landing provided that the riser is kept under 16 feet (4.88 m)or the overall vertical height is less than 12 feet (3.66 meters).
Cons
- It requires prior planning. This style of staircase requires a fair amount of linear space prior to building it.
- They do not offer privacy.
- They can be risky as there is a long fall in case of accidents.
2. L-Shaped Staircase
Also known as the dog-legged or quarter-turn staircase, the L-shaped staircase is a variation of the straight staircase. In this type, there is a bend achieved by adding a landing, from where the staircase disperses to either the right or left side. The bend is often (but not always) 90 degrees. It depends entirely upon the space.
Pros
- An L-shaped staircase is usually more interesting visually.
- They help provide a visual barrier between floors and are therefore better for privacy.
- This staircase design is considered safer as there is a central landing, so it helps to break a fall.
Cons
- L-shaped staircases are typically more difficult to build than linear ones.
- This type of staircase needs a supportive structure.
- Handrails or other types of posts require planning and are slightly more challenging to install.
3. U – Shaped Staircase
This type of staircase design is where you take a 180-degree turn in the walk line. This design also goes by the name switchback or half-turn stairs.
Please note: selecting any type of staircase depends on your existing floor space, therefore it is important to plan this beforehand.
When choosing a staircase, it is important to consider your lifestyle or business needs first. Just as it is critical to select the right flooring for each room in your home, it is important to select the right stair design.
Pros
- The design is quite aesthetically pleasing.
- It has a wide landing which makes ascending and descending more comfortable.
- These designs are excellent to save space and can be installed in corners.
- The wide landing serves as an extra space for you to decorate and use as you see fit.
Cons
- This design is slightly more difficult to build.
- While it is easy to move up and down these stairs, it makes it difficult to transport furniture or other large objects the same way.
4. Winder Staircase
This style is similar to the L-shaped staircase. Instead of a landing, however, there is a triangular or pie-shaped stair at the turn. This helps to create a seamless and continuous flight of stairs without any stops. Of late, this type of staircase is making a comeback due to the rise in tiny home projects.
Pros
- It is excellent for tight spaces and requires less space to build.
- Since it offers a more seamless transition, it is visually attractive.
Cons
- Winder staircases are trickier to navigate and therefore tend to be prone to accidents.
- It is more difficult to design handrails for these types of stairs.
5. Spiral Staircase
A little cinematic, these compact spiral designs are commonly installed in spaces that are tight on floor space. This design is built around a central pole and requires no landing other than the top. A novelty design, they have a massive visual appeal, but what does it bring to your space?
Pros
- It is ideal for loft-style spaces or tight spaces.
- Visually appealing, the spiral staircase looks like a perfect circle when viewed from the top.
- It is easier to build this type of stairs.
- The steps go around a central pole so this design requires less technical support.
Cons
- These staircases are difficult to navigate.
- It is hard to move furniture and other things up and down.
6. Split Staircase
Love a grand entrance? Then this style is for you. Nothing gives your home or business a grander appeal than the split staircase style. Also known as bifurcated stairs, this style was common in grander mansions and large hotels or businesses.
Here the stairs are typically wide, which leads to a landing from where the stairs split into two narrower sets to either side. Please note: this style of staircase needs a lot of space.
Pros
- This type allows one staircase to function as two. As the split stairway leads to different directions of the building, it makes it more accessible.
- They are visually impressive and lend a grand air to any space in which they are installed.
- These staircases are ideal for large homes or commercial buildings.
Cons
- They require a significant amount of space.
- Building this type of stair can be more expensive, so make sure you have the budget for it.
7. Curved Stairs
Much like a spiral staircase, curved-style stairs follow a helical arc. They do not make a full circle and tend to have a much larger radius. These are an ideal way to add elegance to your home or business.
Style tip: Make sure to match your stair treads with your floor for a more cohesive look.
Pros
- Visually impressive curved staircases make great first impressions.
- It is easy to walk up and down them if the radius is large.
Cons
- Curved stairs are very difficult to build and need a large space for a more relaxed style of stairs.
- They are expensive.
Your staircase is functional and should be built as per your needs. Consider lifestyle challenges such as ease of walking up and down and space considerations, before saying yes to a particular style. Please note that staircases require significant planning before finalizing the final design. Get in touch with us to discuss your next project.