The Dramatic Effect of Stairs and Staircases - A Flight of Fancy?

By Regina P. Brown

Photos at https://www.pinterest.com/realtyproadvisr/stairs/

Picture a gracious lady in a stunning evening gown slowly descending a magnificent staircase, pausing for effect at just the right moment. Wouldn’t you agree that a luxurious winding staircase broadening to a grand foyer can lend ambiance to your listing. Buyers crave the look that evokes a classic Hollywood movie scene unfolding in their new home.

Does your new listing boast the “stairway to heaven”? How do you highlight in your advertisements? Stairs are classified by their path and direction. In today’s topic, we show you 4 types of staircase flights: straight, landing turns, curving, and winder. We discuss various staircase era styles along with some of the noteworthy stair features you may encounter while showing property. In showing homes to buyers, feng shui fans may insist that stairs cannot be facing the front doorway.

Straight Flight Stairs

The most functional set of stairs is one that offers a straight path between levels. Each tread is built in a straight line from entrance to exit of the staircase without turns. Typically, 16 is the maximum number of treads between floors.

No Landing A straight staircase with no landing simply goes from top to bottom with treads (steps) each the same height, size, and distance. This most basic type of staircase is often seen in residential houses because it’s the simplest and least expensive to build.
Intermediate Landing When the straight staircase pauses in the middle of the stairs with a landing platform, that is known as an intermediate landing. By dividing the flight of stairs, it makes the climb easier for people who may need to pause and catch their breath. Inserting a landing absorbs more space from the floor plan, however.
Compact Stairs (Goose Steps / Sambo Stairs) When space is extremely limited, the builder may construct a shorter staircase made with “goose” steps, wherein the tread is larger on one side than the other. The steps alternate with the large part of the step being on the right, then left, then right again. Compact staircases may be seen in basements, utility rooms, or areas infrequently accessed. People must be careful to place each foot on the correct step for the sake of safety to avoid the hazard of falling.
Pulldown (Attic Ladder) An attic hatch opens to reveal a complete staircase hidden in the ceiling. The 2 types of attic access stairs are: slide-out ladders (telescoping style) or fold-up ladders (accordion style fold). The treads are narrow and caution should be exercised, just as when climbing a ladder.

Landing Turn Stairs

Straight stairs with a landing that turn the direction of the stairs are known as landing turn stairs. They can rotate the stairway by a quarter, a double, or a half turn.

Quarter Landing Stairs Stairs with a quarter landing have a platform half way up, and form an “L” shape as they make the 90 degree corner turn. The landing is typically a square shaped platform.
Double Quarter Landing (Double L) Similar to a quarter landing, a double landing staircase has 2 landings, each with a 90 degree corner turn. Together, they make a 180 turn, but with stairs in between the 2 landings.
Half Landing Stairs (U Shaped) A staircase that make a 180 degree U-shaped turn is known as a half landing staircase because it makes a half turn. The 2 half-flights of stairs run parallel to each other. The landing platform is typically larger than a quarter landing because people must make 2 turns. It’s easier to walk up the flight of stairs with a pause in the middle.

Curving Stairs

A curving staircase curls in a circle or an arc pattern, either gently or sharply. The three types are arched, curved, or spiral staircases.

Arched Stairs Arched stairways curve gently as they rise in one direction. Each step (tread) is wider on the outside of the arch and narrower on the inside; therefore each step is a slight trapezoid wedge shape. These graceful and luxurious staircases are crafted with custom workmanship. Think “Gone With the Wind” era.
Curved Curved staircases twist around in a full circle. Each tread is trapezoid shaped so they are not as easy to walk up or down as a straight staircase. Either modern or sophisticated home styles bode well to curved stairs.
Spiral Stairs Staircases that wrap sharp circles around a vertical beam are known as spiral. They are the most difficult type to maneuver because of the pie-shaped treads (steps) and are generally reserved for tight spaces or when the stairs will not be accessed frequently. Most are welded from steel metal. Spiral circular stairs are built attached to a central pole in the middle and commonly seen in lofts.

Winder Stairs

Winder stairs turn at a 90 degree or 180 degree angle around corners but do not have a landing platform. Therefore, the steps that turn corners are trapezoid shaped — wider on the outside and narrow on the inside. It occupies less floor space than staircases with landings. They boast graceful, fluid styles, as compared to the square look of landing staircases. Because of each tread’s unique size, winder stairs are more difficult to design and more expensive to build.

Single Winder Stairs Single winders are staircases that make a 90 degree right angle turn (quarter turn) without a landing. In other words, the stairs go around the corner following the same pattern with treads at approximately the same intervals.
Double Winder Stairs Double winders are similar to single winders, except that they turn by 180 degrees in a half circle. This half turn may also be achieved by building 2 quarter turns (90 degrees each). Larger treads are easier to climb but take up more space.

Era Styles

Various period styles include traditional, modern, classic, contemporary, and feature stairs. The design style often reflects the architectural character of the house when it was built.

Traditional Staircases that reflect an old-fashioned era in which a house was built are referred to as traditional. They capture the house’s essence and the period in which it was constructed.
Modern Clean and sleek, the minimalist style is best known as modern. It has simple lines and neutral colors.
Classic The elegant look of a classic style stairway imparts a formal mood to the house. Intricate details such as custom carved wood echo the creative flair of the past.
Contemporary Bold and outstanding, a contemporary staircase radiates a confident vibe into the house. Its breathtaking design draws attention.
Feature A feature staircase makes the home’s distinctive interior stand out because visitors recognize the exceptional architecture instantly. Its one-of-a-kind style blends artistic design in a unique way and dominates the home’s entrance.

Staircase Construction

The following terms define stair pieces and parts you may need to reference in your daily real estate business.

Baserail The baserail is the bottom horizontal plank of the handrail. The spindles sit on top of it and form the base of the railing.
Bullnose Step Bullnose steps project horizontally from the top of each step, over the face of each riser.
Cap Similar to a finial, a cap is a wooden square placed at the top of the main posts on the handrail. Its purpose is decorative.
Finial (Newel Cap) A finial is a decorative ornament at the top of the main posts on the handrail. They are typically a similar design to match the spindles, either wood or metal.
Freestanding A freestanding staircase is open underneath. It is not supported by walls, or built on top of a structure. The design concept is to convey a modern, elegant look.
Handrail (Guardrail) The handrail is used as a guide for people to hold onto when ascending or descending the stairs. It is a safety feature. The handrail is supported by spindles.
Landing A landing is a large, open platform either within the staircase, or at the top/bottom. Landings within the flight of stairs are a resting place for the stair climber, or allow the steps to change direction.
Open Risers On a freestanding staircase, when the risers of each step are non-existent they are called open risers. There is an open space between each stair. Builders use open risers to create a spacious, airy design feature.
Pie Stairs (Kite Stairs) The 2 or 3 large triangular-shaped treads that round a corner in lieu of a landing are called pie or kite stairs. They are built when there is not enough room for a landing to turn the corner. Pie stairs can be dangerous to climb if people are not careful to watch their footing.
Riser A piece of wood inserted vertically between each step, known as the face.
Spindle (Baluster) The vertical rods, usually wood or metal, that connect the baserail at the bottom of the sides to the handrail.
Stairwell The stairwell is the space left open by the builder in which the stairs are inserted. It refers to the “footprint” encompassed by the stairs. Generally, staircase spaces and voids are calculated as living space within the house.
Step A step refers to both the tread (horizontal wood surface) and the riser (vertical wood surface between the treads).
Tread The top of each step on which people place their feet is called the tread. It is a horizontal surface, usually built from wood.
Wall Rail When a handrail is attached to the wall with brackets rather than sitting on top of spindles, it is referred to as a wall rail.
Under-Stair Storage Surprise storage, or even a children’s play house, may be tucked away under the stairs. Some under-stair areas enclose a guest bathroom. Imaginative designers use the space between treads as a bookcases, or the back of a freestanding staircase for shelving. The most clever concept, however, is when each stair actually contains a pull-out drawer for storage!

Conclusion

In an art deco style house, you may see unusual staircases such as floating stairs (attached to the wall on only 1 side) or suspended staircases (hanging from above). Last but not least, you may come across emergency escape stairs in a multi-level stair format (usually on the houses’ exterior). But no matter what house you list for sale, or what home you view with your buyer clients, you now have the confidence to describe every type of stairway you encounter in your real estate career.

Article is also published in The San Diego Realtor® magazine, pages 26, 27 & 33.

Read more in our "Learn the Lingo" series:

1) Backyard & Outdoor Structures: Learn the Lingo
2) View From the Windows: Learn the Lingo
3) Architectural Styles: Learn the Lingo - Part 1
4) Architectural Styles: Learn the Lingo - Part 2
5) Learn the Lingo: Luxury Bathrooms
6) Learn the Lingo: Fences & Gates
7) Learn the Lingo: Vintage Features of Historic Homes
8) The Kitchen: The Heart of the Home Can Be Gourmet
9) The Gourmet Kitchen: Everything and the Kitchen Sink
10) Open the Door of Possibilities (Exterior Doors)
11) The Difference a Good Door Makes (Interior Doors)
12) Tiles
13) Sustainable and Eco-Conscious Home Features (Part 1)
14) Sustainable and Eco-Conscious Home Features (Part 2)
15) Sustainable and Eco-Conscious Home Features (Part 3)
16) Roof Architecture – Don’t Let it Go ‘Over Your Head’
17) Let There Be Light Fixtures ... And There Are Many!
18) A Discussion of Ceilings Will Have You Looking Up
19) Fireplaces: Literally the Hearth of the Home
20) Learn the Lingo of Walls
21) Apply Your Knowledge to Major Appliances
22) Don't Be Floored By this Topic: It's Right Under Your Feet
23) HVAC / Mechanical Lingo
24) Rural Properties - A Sustainable Life "Off the Grid"
25) Land Usage, and Showing & Selling Rural Properties
26) The Dramatic Effect of Stairs and Staircases - A Flight of Fancy?
27) Electrical Components - Get Wired for Understanding
28) Learn the Lingo: Plumbing Fixtures (Part 1 of 2)
29) Learn the Lingo: Plumbing Fixtures (Part 2 of 2)
30) Swimming Pool and Spa Lingo