Stairways do more than just provide a way of one getting from one floor to another. If properly designed, a stairway can help increase the beauty and design in homes. Indoor staircases are without a doubt as important as other fixtures in your home and the input of an interior designer in their installation is highly recommended. The choice of the stairways depends largely on the availability of space. Here are a few types of stairways:
- Elliptical stairs
For a royal feeling and a touch of sophistication, one may consider the Elliptical stairs. They run along a curved wall and a long stretch; at the bottom of the staircase, the steps are short in length and get longer with each step as one goes up. At the middle of the staircase, the steps start decreasing in length with the last step at the top the size of the first at the bottom. This obviously transforms to a generous amount of space.
- Floating staircases
When it comes to creating an impressive look, floating staircases are in a class of their own. That may explain why they are so popular and intriguing. The floating treads are attached on one side preferably to a wall or stringer, hence giving the impression that they are floating. One advantage that comes with then is that they save on space since the space underneath may be used for storage or something else.
- Helical or circular
Circular stairs have a pole at the center with handrails on the sides. They also have the benefit of a uniform tread width as compared to the spiral staircases. Such stairs can also be designed on an oval platform, double circular are possible, by having the circular stairs in the same space, which is vertical.
- Spiral stairs
Spiral stairs are mostly recommended if the room is spacious and big enough. With the steps built around an axis, enough space from the axis to the outer railing is required especially when one is moving bulky stuff. These stairs are however, an architectural masterpiece.
- Straight stairways
Despite the simplicity of straight stairways, it is easy to go up and down. It is also easy to carry things to the next floor. A straight staircase can be designed in two different ways; the first goes from top to bottom, the second is L shaped; it goes up and turns either right or left at a landing. The third one makes a T; it goes up straight and turns both right and left for a landing.