Straight stairs L shaped [or sometimes called quarter turn] U shaped Stairs (or sometimes called half turn stairs or switchback stairs) Winder Stairs Spiral stairs Curved stairs Ladder

2.  A stairway, staircase, stairwell,
flight of stairs, or simply stairs is a
construction designed to bridge a
large vertical distance by dividing it
into smaller vertical distances,
called steps
 Stairs may be straight, round, or
may consist of two or more straight
pieces connected at angles.

3. STRAIGHT STAIRS
L SHAPED [OR SOMETIMES CALLED
QUARTER TURN]
U SHAPED STAIRS (OR SOMETIMES
CALLED HALF TURN STAIRS OR
SWITCHBACK STAIRS)
WINDER STAIRS
SPIRAL STAIRS
CURVED STAIRS
LADDER

4.  Straight stairs are certainly
one of the most common
types of stairs found in both
residential and commercial
properties.

5. 
Straight stairs tend to be the
easiest to go up and down or
ascend/descend as we say in the
industry.
They are typically the easiest to
build however this depends allot on
the level of detail in the design.
Straight stairs only need to be
connected at the top and the
bottom (no intermediate supporting
structure is required).
They work well with minimalist
designed homes due to their
inherent simplicity.
ADVANTAGES
OF STRAIGHT
STAIRS

6. By selecting thinner treads,
open risers and thin metal
stringers, straight stairs can
be made more transparent
than other types of stairs
allowing less obstruction to
the view beyond.
No landing is required if the
number of risers are kept
under 16 or the overall vertical
height is less than 12 feet
Its relatively easy to build
railings and handrails for
straight stairs.
Measuring for railings is
simpler also.
ADVANTAGES
OF STRAIGHT
STAIRS

7. Straight stairs use up a fair
amount of linear space which
has to be planned for in your
design.
Some of the other stair types
create a privacy barrier
between the floors of your
home. Straight stairs do not
offer this privacy.
A stair 12 feet high requires
a landing to break up the
span. The addition of a
landing will use up allot more
space and therefore these
types of stairs are seldom
used in residential
construction. You will see
these more frequently in
large commercial buildings.

8. 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 bend 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.

9. L Stairs can be more visually
interesting.
They provide a visual barrier between
floors so they can add some privacy.
Also L Stairs can help somewhat with
sound transmission between floors if
the stairs are contained within walls.
Some believe they are safer than
straight stairs as the central landing
reduces the number of treads one
could fall in a given flight.
The landing can provide a place to
stop and rest while ascending.
They can be located in a corner of a
room if this works better for your
design.

10. L shaped stairs are a bit
more difficult to build.
A support is typically
required for the landing in a
L type stair.
Handrails for these types of
stairs require more skill and
planning to construct.
In climates where
basements are used, stairs
are typically stacked over
each other for efficient use of
space. Since basements are
often used for storage, large
items can be difficult to move
in and out of the basement.

11.  U Shaped stairs are basically 2
parallel flights of straight stairs
joined by a landing that requires
180 degree turn in the walk line.
If a third flight is inserted into the
middle of the stairs, it would
become a double L stair (or
quarter landing).

12. U shaped stairs can be
easier to fit into an
architectural plan.
They offer some
architectural interest.
The landing(s) can offer a
resting point part way up
the stairs.
DISADVANTAGES
OF U SHAPED
STAIRS:
 These
types of
stairs are
a bit
more
difficult to
build.

13.  Winder stairs are a variation
of an L shaped stair but
instead of a flat landing, they
have pie shaped or triangular
steps at the corner transition.

14. The main advantage of winder stairs
is that they require less space than
many other types of stairs. They are
very common in older homes, often
used as a secondary staircase where
the grand staircase may have been in
the entry and the winder used as a
access to the kitchen.
They have more visual interest.
Winder stairs seem to create a more
seamless transition, visually, as they
meander around corners. For this
reason they have gained popularity in
modern homes. Their compactness
has also made them attractive in
sustainable home designs.

15.  Winder stairs are a little harder
to navigate than L stairs.
 It can be more difficult to add a
handrail to these than some of
the other types of stairs.
 Like L shaped stairs, a center
support is typically required.

16.  Spiral stairs are a often
confused with curved stairs.
Although, both types of stairs
follow a helical arc (like the
shape of a spring), spiral stairs
usually are made very compact
and the treads radiate around a
center pole.

17. One of the key advantages of spiral
stairs is their compactness. They
are very popular on beach front
decks where space is at a premium.
They are also used extensively on
city lofts for the same reason.
Spiral stairs can be attractive and
there are may variations on railings
styles which can have a major
impact on the overall appearance of
the stair.
Since the center pole and landing
typically provide the structural
support for the stairs, they do not
need much in the way of extra
support structures making
installation easier than many other
types of stairs.

18.  Spiral stairs are more difficult
to navigate than other types of
stairs.
 It is difficult to carry large
items up spiral stairs.
 Only one person can go up or
down the stairs at the same
time.

19.  Curved stairs add elegance to
home or business. For this
reason they are almost always
located at the entry where it
makes the best first
impression. Curved stairs, like
spiral stairs are helical
however, they tend to be on a
much larger radius and
typically do not make a full
circle.

20. Curved staircases are often
very elegant and traditional
but this type of design can
equally be adapted to
contemporary designs.
They are relatively easy to
walk up (if the radius is
large).

21. Curved stairs are by far the
most difficult to build of the
various types of stairs. In fact
building curved stairs
represents a pinnacle of
achievement for any stair
builder or fabricator. For this
reason, they are the most
costly to build

22.  Since the definition of a stair is a
series of steps leading from one
floor to another, we would be
remiss if we did not include
ladders. Library ladders or loft
ladders are becoming more
popular to conserve space in
smaller, sustainable designs.

23. The most compact way to
get from one floor to another.
Very cost effective due to
their simple design.
Can have wheels or fold up
to move them out of the way
when not in use or to prevent
access.
Can be used to access
shelves that would be to high
too reach normally.

24. Ladders are the most difficult
to climb, especially while
descending.
Can not be used as a
primary staircase.

25. THE
END