Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems
ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
The best staircase for a remodel is the one that fits the available floor opening, gives people a comfortable and safe route between levels, and works with your structure and local code. A straight run is simplest to build and use, while L-shaped, U-shaped, winder, spiral, curved, open-riser, and space-saving forms solve different spatial or visual problems.
The nine labels below are not all the same kind of classification. Some describe the stair’s path in plan, some describe how a turn is made, and others describe construction or appearance. Treat them as a homeowner’s shortlist, then have a qualified stair designer or building professional verify the geometry, structure, permits, and code requirements for your jurisdiction.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →What “nine types of stairs” actually means
BuildingSMART’s stair taxonomy distinguishes configurations by flights, turns, winders, and landings. In everyday remodeling language, however, “type” can also mean a visual treatment such as floating stairs or a compact form such as alternating treads. That is why two stairs can share the same plan shape but look and perform very differently.
For example, a straight stair can have closed risers and a solid skirt, or it can use open risers and visibly separated treads. An L-shaped stair can use a square landing or tapered winder treads. These choices affect circulation, headroom, furniture movement, privacy, structure, and the amount of custom fabrication required.
#1 Best Overall
- COMPLETE 5-PIECE BRUSH SET FOR EVERY PAINTING TASK — Includes 1 Inch Flat, 1.5 Inch Angle, 2 Inch Flat, 2 Inch Angle Stubby, and 2.5 Inch Angle brush giving you every size professional painters use daily. Get all 5 for less than the price of a single brush from hardware store brands — professional grade performance at a fraction of the cost. Perfect for walls, trim, cabinets, doors, furniture, and detailed cutting-in work on any project.
- ZERO BRISTLE LOSS — GUARANTEED BY PRECISION ADHESIVE BONDING — Every bristle is locked in place with precision-set adhesive that keeps them in the brush — not in your paint job. The coated steel ferrule provides structural support while the adhesive bond ensures clean performance on every stroke. Premium SRT synthetic filaments load more paint and release it evenly for a smooth streak-free finish on walls, ceilings, and trim. Works with latex, oil-based paint, primer, sealer, and wood stain.
- INCLUDES THE ANGLE STUBBY MOST SETS LEAVE OUT — Professional painters know the 2 Inch Angle Stubby is the go-to brush for tight cabinet interiors, window sashes, inside corners, and detailed trim where standard angle brushes are too long. Combined with the 1.5 and 2.5 inch angle sash brushes you have precision cutting-in covered at every scale — baseboards, crown molding, door casings, and ceiling lines.
- FLAT BRUSHES FOR BROAD SMOOTH COVERAGE ON ANY SURFACE — The 1 and 2 inch flat brushes deliver even coverage on walls, furniture, shelving, doors, fences, decks, and wood surfaces. Ideal for applying primers, stains, varnishes, polyurethane, and specialty coatings. Solid wood handles provide all-day comfort and control for both professional contractors and weekend DIY homeowners tackling interior or exterior painting projects.
- TRUSTED BY PROFESSIONAL PAINTERS AND CONTRACTORS NATIONWIDE — Pro Grade delivers professional-grade results at a price that makes sense for crews who go through brushes on every job. Ideal for property managers, remodeling contractors, apartment turnover crews, maintenance teams, and commercial painting operations. Backed by thousands of verified reviews from working painters. Washable and reusable for multiple projects.
The nine stair types to consider
1. Straight-run stairs
A straight-run stair is one flight with no turn and no winder. It is the clearest layout to explain, walk, frame, and finish. The uninterrupted line can make a narrow hall feel orderly, and a closed version provides a useful wall for a handrail or artwork.
The trade-off is the amount of uninterrupted length it consumes. The floor-to-floor rise, permitted riser and tread geometry, headroom, and landing clearances determine how long the run becomes. The upper-floor opening must also be positioned so that a person does not meet a low ceiling while walking up. A long straight flight can be tiring for some users and may be awkward when carrying bulky furniture.
2. L-shaped (quarter-turn) stairs
L-shaped stairs use two flights that turn 90 degrees, usually at a level landing. The turn lets the stair route around a corner instead of occupying one long axis. It can separate the stair from a front entry or create a visual break between floors.
Measure the width and depth of both runs, the landing, and the upper opening together. Doors, corridors, windows, and furniture paths can make an apparently generous corner unusable. A landing is also a convenient pause point, but it adds framing and finish work compared with a single straight flight.
3. U-shaped (half-turn or dog-leg) stairs
U-shaped stairs reverse direction through a 180-degree turn. The common dog-leg arrangement has two parallel flights joined by a half-space landing, producing a compact footprint for a substantial floor-to-floor rise.
Rank #2
- Great Value Pack Artist Paint Brushes: Soucolor 20 brushes in 10 sizes professional paintbrushes set — no shedding, holds paint well, cleans easily, Acrylic, watercolor, oil, gouache, Halloween pumpkin decoration & face painting, rock painting, ceramics. Fantastic high quality gifts for creative, artistic siblings to share!
- Awesome Set of Paint brushes: Professional paint brushes can cover all of your needs. The multi-purposed brushes are ideal for Watercolor, Oil, Gouache, enamel, Acrylic Painting, Body, Nail, Face Painting, Miniature, Model, Wood, Glass, Cup, Ceramic, Fine work, Art class, Craft Art Painting, DIY Art Crafts etc.
- Soft and long-lasting: The bristles are soft and strong, with nickel metal ferrules and blue wooden handles. After cleaning, the bristles will become soft and fluffy again and will not fall off.
- Easy to clean: it’s very convenient to Wash well in soap and water. Retain shape after drying. the brushes hold up very well. Nice selection to beginners and professionals. Keep them clean and they last a long time.
- Halloween Pumpkin Ceramic Crafts Supplies: A Great painting gift for family, friends, kids, girls, women, student, classmate, teacher. For using in school, travel or used in the home and office.
Because the runs sit beside one another, this form can fit where a straight stair would be too long. It may improve privacy by hiding the upper floor from the entry. The central void, landing framing, guard protection, and clearance between parallel flights need careful coordination. Check where the stair starts and ends before assuming the parallel arrangement will work with existing doors or beams.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →4. Straight stairs with an intermediate landing
This is a landing and flight arrangement rather than a wholly different plan shape. Two or more straight flights continue generally in the same direction, with a level landing dividing the rise. The landing can provide a rest point, break a tall wall, or make a long stair easier to use.
It still needs more length or depth than a single uninterrupted run, depending on how the landing is arranged. The landing must be large enough for the intended circulation and must not create a pinch point at a doorway. Treat the landing as part of the complete opening and headroom calculation, not as a piece that can be added after the stair is laid out.
5. Winder stairs
Winder stairs turn by using tapered treads instead of a flat landing. The treads are wider at the outside of the turn and narrower near the inside corner, allowing an L-shaped or U-shaped route to fit in less space.
The narrow inner portions require consistent walking geometry. A person naturally follows a line of travel rather than stepping against the tightest inside corner, so the usable tread depth must be checked where the code requires it. Do not assume every winder is automatically acceptable: local rules can limit where winders are permitted and how their dimensions are measured. A landing may be easier to navigate for children, older adults, and anyone carrying items, even when winders save space.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Rank #3
- 【All sizes of art brushes】: The 10 sizes of multi-functional brushes have various shapes, making the mixing color easier, which is very suitable for artists, students, teenagers, children and painters at all levels. Wonderful Present ideas for friends and family who like painting!
- 【general brush set】: Professional paint brush can meet all your needs. Multifunctional brush is very suitable for watercolor, oil, gouache, acrylic painting, body, nail, face painting, miniature, model, ceramics, arts and crafts painting, etc.
- 【high quality process】: It is designed with anti falling bristles, anti-rust nickel ferrule and solid wood handle. You can use the brush to focus on the painting and always be creative.
- 【easy to maintain】: After using the brush, it is very convenient to clean the brush with warm soapy water and reshape the tip of the brush. Air dry the brush and place it on top of the top for long use.
- 【100% satisfaction guarantee - buy now】1 packs of set brushes, you can also get friendly customer service, any questions feel free to contact us, within 24 hours to help you! There is no risk in buying our paint brush kit.
6. Spiral stairs
A spiral stair winds around a central newel or column. Its circular footprint can preserve valuable floor area and provide access to a loft, mezzanine, roof level, or secondary room where a conventional stair will not fit.
Spirals have a distinct walking pattern: tread depth changes across each step, the inner edge is tight, and the handrail and guard follow a curve. Their permitted use can be restricted by occupancy, location, or whether the stair is the required exit route. Verify the complete stair kit or custom design against the adopted code rather than relying on a catalogue footprint. Consider how people will carry laundry, boxes, or furniture; compact does not mean equally practical for everyday traffic.
7. Curved or helical stairs
A curved or helical stair follows a broad arc. Unlike a typical spiral, it is not necessarily organized around a single central post; the curve can be part of a larger sweeping stair that changes direction gradually.
This is often an architectural focal point, especially with a continuous handrail and carefully matched treads. The geometry is usually custom, so the designer must coordinate stringers, landings, guard systems, the upper opening, and the supporting structure. Fabrication and installation can be more involved than for rectilinear stairs. Confirm that the available radius provides comfortable tread depth along the intended walking line, not just an attractive outline on a plan.
8. Floating or open-riser stairs
“Floating” generally describes how the supports are concealed or visually minimized, while “open-riser” describes the gap between treads. They are related style terms, not one plan configuration. A straight, L-shaped, U-shaped, or curved stair can use this treatment.
Rank #4
- Bates paint brushes come in a convenient 6 pieces with 3 flat and 3 angled bristle styles, including (1”, 1.5”, 2”) flat and (1.5”, 2”, 2.5”) angled bristles, perfect for tackling any surface painting or staining job.
- The sturdy natural bristles of each brush are designed to hold more paint, creating a smoother finish with fewer streaks and saving you time on the job.
- The lightweight wooden handles provide extra comfort and ease during long painting processes like walls, trims, cabinets, and doors.
- These versatile brushes are ready-to-use, easy to clean, and can be reused multiple times, making them economical as well as reliable tools for any painting project.
- Bates paint brushes can be used for both oil-based paints as well as latex stains and are ideal for home or commercial projects such as decks, fences or DIY painting jobs.
Open risers make a room feel lighter and allow light to pass between levels. They also expose the structure, so the supporting beam, wall attachment, or central spine must be designed as part of the architecture. Openings between treads, guard height, handrail continuity, and the possibility of a child slipping through are code and safety questions. A closed-riser stair can provide more privacy, reduce visual clutter, and create enclosed storage beneath.
9. Alternating-tread or space-saver stairs
Alternating-tread stairs use a specialized tread shape that gives each foot its own step area. They can reach a loft or other constrained destination where a conventional stair would consume too much floor space.
They are not interchangeable with a normal main stair. The alternating pattern changes the walking motion and is less suitable for two-way traffic, children, older adults, or carrying large objects. Applicable codes may permit them only in specific situations, such as access to a limited-use or secondary area. Confirm the permitted application before designing around one, and provide a conventional route when the space and rules require it.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Compare the options on the factors that matter in a remodel
| Type | Plan or style characteristic | Where it can help | Main checks and trade-offs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight-run | One straight flight | Simple circulation, straightforward detailing | Needs a long clear run; verify opening and headroom |
| L-shaped | 90-degree turn, usually at a landing | Routes around a corner; breaks the sight line | Corner, landing, doors, and structure must fit together |
| U-shaped | 180-degree turn with parallel flights | Compact length; can improve privacy | Parallel-flight clearance, central void, and landing framing |
| Intermediate landing | Landing divides otherwise straight flights | Rest point and shorter individual flights | Uses additional landing area; opening and headroom remain critical |
| Winder | Tapered treads make the turn | Saves space at a corner | Inner tread geometry and local winder rules |
| Spiral | Winders revolve around a central post | Very small footprint for limited-use access | Comfort, furniture movement, permitted use, and guard geometry |
| Curved/helical | Broad continuous arc | Architectural focal point and gradual change of direction | Custom structural and fabrication work; walking-line dimensions |
| Floating/open-riser | Visible support treatment or gaps between treads | Light, contemporary appearance | It can be any plan shape; check openings, guards, and structure |
| Alternating-tread | Specialized alternating foot pattern | Very constrained loft or secondary access | Use and code limitations; less suitable for frequent two-way traffic |
No reliable universal price ranking applies to these types. Cost depends on demolition, structural reinforcement, the size and location of the opening, materials, finish, railings, fabrication, labor, and permit requirements. A simple-looking stair can become expensive if it requires moving a beam or rebuilding an upper-floor edge.
How to shortlist a stair for your house
- Measure the existing conditions. Record the finished floor-to-floor rise, available floor length and width, the existing opening, ceiling heights, nearby walls, beams, windows, and doors. Include trim and finished-floor thickness, not just rough framing.
- Mark the start and arrival points. Draw where the first tread must begin and where the final tread must meet the upper floor. Show the direction of travel, required corridors, and the path for moving furniture.
- Test headroom and circulation. A stair can fit on a plan yet fail when a person reaches a low ceiling or a door swings across the landing. Walk the proposed route in the existing space or a full-size layout before committing.
- Rule out incompatible shapes. Remove any option that blocks a required doorway, conflicts with structure, creates an unusable upper opening, or leaves no practical landing. Do not choose a spiral, alternating-tread, or winder form solely because its footprint is small.
- Compare a landing with a winder. At a turn, evaluate the larger, more predictable surface of a landing against the space saved by tapered treads. Consider who uses the stair and what they carry.
- Choose the visual treatment separately. Decide whether the household needs closed risers and visual privacy or an open, floating appearance. Then select the plan shape that meets the measured requirements.
- Obtain professional verification. Have a qualified stair designer, architect, engineer, or building professional check the proposed geometry, support, guards, handrails, permits, and adopted local requirements before construction.
Code, safety, and accessibility context
There is no single dimension that can be quoted safely for every home. The 2024 International Building Code (IBC) is a model code, and the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) is another model-code source. States and municipalities adopt editions and amendments differently, and the applicable rules depend on the project’s jurisdiction, occupancy, and scope.
Best Value
- 2 Inch Angled Paint Brush for Precision Cutting-In – Designed for clean, sharp lines around trim, baseboards, ceilings, corners, and detailed edge work. The perfect size for control and coverage.
- Value 3-Pack for Pros & DIY Projects – Includes three professional 2-inch angled sash brushes — ideal for contractors, remodelers, and homeowners tackling multiple rooms or repeat paint jobs.
- Smooth Results on Walls, Trim & Cabinets – Great for interior wall painting, cabinet edges, furniture projects, and trim work where a smooth finish and crisp control matter most.
- Works with Latex Paint, Oil-Based Paint & Stains – Premium synthetic filaments hold more paint, reduce streaks, and provide a clean finish with latex paints, oil coatings, and wood stains.
- Works with Latex Paint, Oil-Based Paint & Stains – Premium synthetic filaments hold more paint, reduce streaks, and provide a clean finish with latex paints, oil coatings, and wood stains.
The U.S. Access Board’s ADA stairway comparison states, in its ADA context: “All steps on a flight of stairs shall have uniform riser heights and uniform tread depths.” That sentence should not be treated as a complete private-home code specification; it belongs to the cited accessibility context. The Access Board comparison also places ADA and IBC provisions side by side, but covered public or commercial settings are not automatically governed by the same requirements as every private residence.
The 2024 IBC includes requirements for uniform stair treads and risers, a tolerance between the largest and smallest riser or tread in a flight, and distinct provisions for winders, curved stairs, and spiral stairs. Before using any exact number, confirm the adopted code text and its applicability with the local building department or your design professional. Uniformity matters because a single unexpected step can cause a trip, especially when lighting or finishes change the visual cues.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors- Keep risers and treads consistent within the flight under the governing rule.
- Provide continuous, graspable handrails and guards where required.
- Check openings between open risers and within guard systems for the applicable limits.
- Light every tread and landing; avoid glare and abrupt changes in brightness.
- Plan for children, older adults, mobility limitations, pets, and people carrying objects.
- Confirm that the stair is allowed to serve as the required route for the intended occupancy.
Structure, materials, and finish decisions
Changing a stair often changes the building, not just the interior finish. A new opening may require trimming joists, moving a beam, reinforcing a landing, or protecting the edge of an upper floor. Floating and curved stairs can concentrate loads in a wall, spine, or concealed stringer that must be designed before drywall is removed.
Material choices affect both appearance and maintenance. Wood treads can be refinished and coordinated with flooring; steel or engineered components can support a lighter visual language; glass or cable guards increase transparency but require careful detailing and cleaning. Closed risers hide the underside and can create storage, while open risers expose dust and structure. Select a slip-resistant finish appropriate to the household and verify that any tread covering is compatible with the tread dimensions and local requirements rather than assuming a generic product is safe or compliant.
Common remodeling mistakes and how to avoid them
- Choosing by footprint alone: A compact plan may have uncomfortable treads, poor headroom, or restricted use. Evaluate the complete walking line.
- Measuring from unfinished surfaces: Finished flooring and trim alter the rise and landing dimensions. Measure the final build-up.
- Ignoring furniture movement: A spiral or narrow winder can work for people but fail for mattresses, appliances, or emergency access.
- Assuming a landing can be improvised: Landing size, structure, and door clearances must be designed with the flights.
- Treating “floating” as a structural system: It is primarily a visual description. Specify how the treads are actually supported.
- Using an online code number without checking adoption: Model-code editions and local amendments differ. Get the jurisdiction and occupancy right first.
- Leaving permits until construction starts: A stair change can affect framing, guards, egress, and inspections. Confirm the approval path before demolition.
Which type fits common remodel goals?
For the simplest everyday route and the easiest explanation to guests, start with a straight-run or L-shaped stair if the opening and headroom allow it. For a compact footprint with two parallel runs, investigate a U-shaped stair. If the challenge is a long rise rather than a tight plan, an intermediate landing can make the climb easier without changing the overall direction.
When every inch at a corner matters, compare winders with a landing instead of assuming the former is better. Reserve spiral and alternating-tread stairs for situations where their compactness solves a genuine constraint and the governing rules permit their use. Choose curved or helical stairs when the architectural effect and custom structural work are intentional. Finally, decide whether open risers or a floating appearance suit the household only after the plan, safety, and support requirements are settled.
A practical decision order
Begin with the measured rise, opening, headroom, and circulation. Eliminate layouts that cannot fit those facts. Compare the remaining plans for comfort, furniture movement, privacy, and visual openness. Then price the actual structural and fabrication scope rather than relying on a generic ranking. A final review by a qualified professional and the local authority is what turns a promising sketch into a buildable, approvable stair.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
