Most of the time when it comes to moving into a new home, you don’t have to worry much about the staircase; instead, you just make do with what is already there. But in situations where you are building a home from the ground up or are undergoing a major home redesign, it’s important to understand that the type of staircase you choose can make all the difference. So how do you choose between a traditional, straight staircase and a spiral staircase?
Well first off, keep in mind that a task like this is not as simple as picking a sofa. There are a number of factors that need to be considered:
Available Space – There is a major difference between a size of a straight staircase and that of a spiral staircase. Because of this, think about your floor plan and its limitations; do you have the space to allow for a grand staircase? Is there a long, rectangular opening on the second floor for those stairs to lead to? If not and you’d like to make the most of what little space you have, a thin spiral staircase may be the right choice for you.
Safety – By no means are spiral staircases unsafe – especially with proper building regulations in place – but that doesn’t mean they are suited for everyone. If you are living with small children, an elderly parent or anyone with a physical disability, keep in mind that a spiral staircase will be more difficult to maneuver.
Materials – Once your staircase is built and installed in your home, you’re going to be moving on to the rest of your interior décor and the materials used for your staircase should match that. A lot of contemporary-style spiral staircases are built using steel or plywood, whereas most straight staircases are made with hardwood or covered in carpet. Of course, you can use most any type of tread regardless of which type of staircase you choice, but keep in mind that some materials will look better on a straight staircase rather than a spiral.
Of course, if you are still uncertain about which way to go, the professionals at Acadia Stairs would be more than willing to help you decide. Regardless of what you decide, you’ll always get a beautiful staircase with Acadia Stairs; just allow us to ensure that you get the right staircase.
(Posted by Todd Norman of Acadia Stairs)
