Staircases

Staircases are no more in the unnoticed corner of a house ,they are now taking centre stage in the house. They have became show pieces and add  luxury to home. So staircase designing needs more attention.

There are different types of staircases. According our taste and the available space and budget we may select any among this.

Straight – The most popular and common type is the straight staircase. It could be a straight line from top to bottom, else and L shaped staircase .It goes straight up and them turns left or right. The other makes a T shape,goes up and turns right and left from the landing.

Spiral – Spiral staircases are perfect for small spaces. There is a central pole with stairs around it

Circular – This type is also good for small spaces.They curve around a continuous radious

Elliptical –this type of  staircase follows along the side of a curved wall. The elliptical staircase is narrower at the bottom and at the top and wider in the middle.

Single –Open user- It is straight and open underneath. One side is attached to the wall.

Freestanding- This means that you can walk beneath them. All staircases can be freestanding. It depends on the structure. Every spiral staircase is freestandingThey do not attach to a wall, allow you to completely pass underneath.Only the top ans bottom steps are attached.

The material that we use for the staircases area also important in deciding the look of it. You can make  concrete,wooden,stone,brick,glass or even metal staircase. Wooden staircases give a traditional look. Usually in Kerala the stair floors are of the same material that we use for the flooring , stair posts and hand rails are wooden. Using glass between stair posts have become a recent trend and entire stair can also be done in glass with etched glass painting between posts.

While thinking of a staircase you should not only think about the beauty of it but also the space utilization. You may make storage cabinets, bookshelf, showcase, workspace, garden, parking or even rooms under the stairs. Vasthu instructs to have rising stair steps going up in North South direction or West East direction in a clockwise direction