Stair types
Straight flights, stairs with a landing, winders, spirals, cantilevered stairs, attic and loft ladders: how they differ and where each one makes sense.
an independent magazine about staircases in the home
Ladder Spb — a magazine about staircases in the home
A staircase is one of the few parts of a home we use every day and barely notice, as long as it is comfortable. Let the steps turn out uneven or the handrail stop short of the end of the flight, and every trip upstairs becomes a small ordeal. We explain how staircases are built, what they are made of, why some types are more comfortable than others and how to keep a staircase safe for years to come.
You hardly feel a comfortable staircase underfoot: your stride falls evenly, your hand finds the rail on its own, and light reaches every tread. Everything else is decoration.
Where to start
Materials
Solid wood and laminated panels, metal, concrete and stone, glass balustrades and tread finishes: the strengths and weak spots of each.
Safety
A handrail along the whole flight, steps of equal height, non-slip surfaces, good lighting and safety gates wherever there are small children in the house.
Care
How to look after lacquer, oil, metal and stone, what to check during a seasonal inspection and when to call a professional rather than doing it yourself.
Magazine sections
- Materials
Solid wood, laminated panels, metal, concrete and stone, glass balustrades and tread finishes, in general terms. The article catalogue lives here too.
- Ideas
Straight, landing, winder, spiral and cantilevered stairs, space-saving solutions for the attic, plus a little history.
- How-to
How to stand safely on a stepladder and how to refresh the lacquer on wooden treads. And what not to do yourself.
- Planning
How to approach a staircase project, what Blondel's step formula is and which questions to ask your designer.
- Tools
What comes in handy for staircase care and small repairs, with no brands, plus protective gear.
- Care
Caring for lacquered and oiled wood, metal, stone, glass and carpet treads, plus a seasonal check.
- FAQ
Answers about the magazine, choosing and designing a staircase, safety and care.
How to assess the staircase in your home in five steps
Walk it slowly
Go up and down a few times at your normal pace, then with a bag in your hand. If you have to shuffle, overreach or watch your feet on every step, the stair's stride is uncomfortable. Note the steps where your rhythm breaks.
Check the handrail
The handrail should run the full length of the flight without gaps and sit comfortably in the hand. Give it a shake: noticeable play is a reason to inspect the fixings. Look at what there is to hold on to on the landing and at the turns.
Assess the lighting
Switch on the lights at the bottom and the top of the stairs: every step should be visible, with no harsh shadows on the tread edges. It helps to have a switch on both levels and a separate soft light for the staircase at night.
Look at the tread surface
Walk the steps in socks and in house shoes. Slippery lacquer, polished stone or worn tread edges are dangerous, especially on the way down. Watch out for loose stair pads and chipped edges.
Think about children and older relatives
If there are small children in the home, you need safety gates at the top and bottom of the stairs and a balustrade a child cannot squeeze through. Older relatives are often helped by a second handrail and brighter light. Discuss any change to load-bearing parts with a professional.
Common questions in brief
Do you make staircases?
No. Ladder Spb is an independent magazine. We do not make, sell or install staircases, we do not visit sites and we do not take orders.
Can you design a staircase for my house?
No. Calculating and designing a staircase is the job of a designer who can see your house, its floors and the stairwell opening. We explain the general principles so that your conversation with them is more productive.
Do you name manufacturers and prices?
No. We write about stair types and the properties of materials in general terms, without brands, rankings or prices.
Can I build a staircase myself?
Simple ladders and stepladders are best bought ready-made and used as their labels say. Load-bearing stairs between floors are designed and installed by professionals only.
About the project
Ladder Spb is an independent magazine about staircases in the home; this is its English-language edition. The domain once belonged to another organisation and later carried unrelated advertising. The magazine's editorial team has nothing to do with either the former owner or that advertising.
We write about stair types and their history, materials for treads and balustrades, comfort and safety, staircase care and how to use a stepladder. We do not make or sell staircases, we name no brands or prices, we do not invent regulations and we do not give instructions for building load-bearing stairs.
Related sections
- Ideas
Straight, landing, winder, spiral and cantilevered stairs, space-saving solutions for the attic, plus a little history.
- Materials
Solid wood, laminated panels, metal, concrete and stone, glass balustrades and tread finishes, in general terms. The article catalogue lives here too.
- Care
Caring for lacquered and oiled wood, metal, stone, glass and carpet treads, plus a seasonal check.
Sources
- F. Blondel, Cours d'architecture
- Encyclopedic sources on the history of architecture
- EMERCOM of Russia — home safety leaflets
Information about staircases is given in general terms, based on works on architectural history, encyclopedic sources, manufacturers' technical documentation for finishing materials and EMERCOM of Russia safety leaflets. The specific requirements for the staircase in your home are set by building codes and your designer, and the care of a finish by the manufacturer's instructions.