8 Types of Stairs to Know for Your Remodel

Bifurcated Stairs: Grandest and most dramatic style often found in historic estates and luxury hotels, featuring a sweeping flight leading to a landing, then splitting into two smaller flights heading in opposite directions, creating an impressive architectural statement.

Cantilever or Floating Stairs: Modern staircase type with treads having no risers, typically mounted to the wall for a minimalist look, though some designs may feature a visible support structure or glass risers, adding spaciousness and visual interest to the room.

Circular Stairs: Form a circle with a single center of curvature, easier to navigate than spiral stairs due to a less sharp curve, requiring more open space and higher construction costs.

Curved Stairs: Continuous sets of stairs built in an elliptical or oval shape, making a striking architectural statement with a crescent shape, popular for formal entries but challenging and expensive to design and build.

L-Shaped (Quarter Turn) Stairs: Straight stairs making a 90-degree turn, creating an L-shape and typically used when wall support is on one side, offering less space consumption, aesthetics, and privacy but requiring a support structure.

Ladder Stairs: Very steep stairs ideal for tight spaces, saving floor space and often equipped with wheels or folding elements for versatility, though less safe and not suitable as the primary means of access.

Spiral Stairs: Featuring wedge-shaped steps spiraling around a central, vertical support, space-saving and ideal for compact spaces but challenging to navigate and not recommended as the primary staircase due to safety concerns.

Straight Stairs: Single linear flight of steps going straight up, the most common type for both residential and commercial spaces, relatively easy to design and construct, but may require an intermediate landing for taller heights and offer limited privacy between floors.