[Meenal Jain]

Types of Staircases

There are 6 standard stair types that are used in most practical applications. Custom designed stairs are also available to showcase the unique décor of your home.

Box – A complete boxed in stair with housed stringers on both sides. On this stairway, the ends of each tread and riser are installed into recessed stringer routings creating a box appearance.

Open 1 Side– One side of these stairs is closed or boxed in. The opposite side is open with all returned end treads. On the open side, the wall usually runs underneath the stringer for support. These stairs are considered to be more decorative than the box type because the balusters will run directly into the treads.

Open 2 Sides– A decorative stair design, each tread is mitered and open on both sides. There is not a boxed in section anywhere on this stair type. Walls typically run beneath both sides of this stair.

Combination– These stairs have both boxed in and open sections. The amount of returned end open treads is determined by location of the finished wall line. This configuration is common when the stairs run against a wall and then into an open room.

Platform – Multiple sets of stairs that meet on a landing to meet space limitations and accommodate room layout. They are made up of 2 sets of stairs, boxed, open, or combination.

Circular/Curved – Any of the above designs can be made in a curved staircase. On this type the treads are slightly pie shaped. The shape causes the staircase to have a radius.

[shalini mittal]

Images of Box, Oneside, twoside, combination and platform staircase.

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The three main parts of a staircase are :

Tread- The part of the staircase, horizontal to the floor, that a person steps on while walking between floors. Usually has a bull nose edge finish.

Riser- Risers work as a backing to the tread to keep the foot from traveling past the edge of the tread. They are vertical to floor.

Stringer- The purpose of the stringer is to contain both the tread and the riser and provide structure to the staircase. This component runs at a diagonal from floor to floor.

[Image: stair.jpg]