Learn What Types of Staircases Are Out There

The types of staircases vary according to their construction and the materials they are made from. It can be a wooden or metal stair case. Most staircases are built from wood, but there are some that are made from metals as well. Regardless of the type of material, most staircases are built to accommodate the user's feet, making it easy for them to move up and down the stairs.

One type of staircase is the l-shaped staircase. These staircases consist of two flights of stairs that are symmetrically arranged. They are usually built with balusters at the bottom and hand rims on the top flight of stairs. Some staircases are even built with hand rails on the top flight of stairs.

Another type of staircase is the spiral staircase. A spiral staircase consists of two flights of stairs that are connected by a narrow passage. The first flight of stairs travels up to the ceiling while the second flight of stairs goes back down to the floor level. Since the staircase is traveling up and down, the staircase must have handrails on both flights.
Handrails are essential parts of a staircase. The number of handrails depend on the number of flights in the staircase. For example, if there are five flights in a spiral staircase, each flight will have one handrail on each. There are also staircases that do not have any handrails, although, there are a few of these that do. The railing that comes attached to each rail is called balustrading.

Staircases that are straight have treads. The treads have platforms that allow the individual to step onto the rail at the bottom of the stairs, and a string along the top of the staircase that enables the person to climb up to the railing. The treads are generally made out of wood, although, some of the more expensive staircases may be made out of glass.
Most staircase designs are L-shaped or U-shaped. A L-shaped stair design has a middle section that is longer than the sides. The middle segment of the L-shaped stair design typically has a rail that travels up and down the length of the deck. The deck of the L-shaped stairs landing can be made out of wood or carpet, and most likely is covered with carpet. These types of staircases are easier for home decorators to incorporate into their home's design plans.

A U-shaped staircase has a long side extending from one end of the deck to the other end. The end of this long side of the staircase typically has a railing that travels up and down the entire length of the deck. Because the staircase is made in such an intricate manner, it takes more time and planning to build. In contrast, the L-shaped staircases can be built much faster because they are simpler in design.

Regardless of which type of staircase a home owner chooses, both l-shaped and I-shaped staircases require extra care to ensure that they are safe for everyone who use them. Homeowners should take special precautions when installing l-shaped or u-shaped stairs. Homeowners should never install carpet on the l-shaped or u-shaped portion of the staircase, and they should only use non-skid adhesive on the stairs that run up to the outside wall of the home.

A handrail, also known as a balustrade, helps keep people from falling down from their own staircase. When a person is walking up a staircase, he or she tries to keep balance by balancing on at least one of the two balusters that make up the handrail. If a person is not properly balanced when walking up or down a handrail, he or she could injure his or her legs. A standard handrail will have two treads or steps.

Treads or steps make up the railing portion of the balustrade. When installing a newel post, homeowners should ensure that they install a newel that is at least one foot higher than the previous baluster. To avoid injuring your children, it is important that the railings are installed according to safety standards. When choosing a newel post, it is important to choose a post that is made of solid wood and has smooth surfaces. When the newel posts are assembled, they must be placed directly to the studs in the stairwell.

The last type of staircase is the vertical risers or handrails. These are the most common type of railing because they are easiest to install. They are typically made of wood with rubber treads or steps. The rubber treads prevent the individual steps from slipping off the risers. Handrails are available in different widths to fit the width of the stairwell.