Stairs

Any house built on more than one level has at least one staircase that serves as its vertical thoroughfare. There are, of course, many different kinds of stairs, differing by their materials, construction methods, general shape, design and a number of other features.

In most situations, a staircase is an integral part of the home's design and style. Stairs may be steep or gradual, narrow or wide, purely functional or grand and showy. Some are built in place by woodworkers, finish carpenters or stairmakers; others are factory manufactured, shipped to a building site and installed by carpenters.

A stair's design is heavily affected by its function. An entry stairway that handles all up-and-down foot traffic and is placed in a highly-visible location is bound to be much more grand than a stairway to a hardly-ever-used basement or where economy is imperative.

Regardless of type, all stairs have the same fundamental parts, as shown here. It is how these parts are built and combined that gives a stairway its style and individuality. Of course, not all stairways have all of these parts-for example, some stairways have open risers (no risers).

Stairs are built according to basic rules and principles intended to make them safe to use. These rules, governed by building codes, stipulate the permissible heights of risers, depth and width of treads and construction, placement of handrails and similar concerns.

Because they are relatively economical and take up minimal space, spiral stairs are popular where access is needed to newly-remodeled basements or attics or added spaces away from the home's central staircase core.

Some spiral stairs are made in one piece, others are installed as kits. They're made from steel, aluminum, hardwood or a combination of materials.

MORE ABOUT:
/ Stair shapes / / Moldings / / Wood floors / / Carpeting / / Cabinets /

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