Knowing Which Contractors To Work With

When you're running out of room in your home and your lot isn't big enough for a first-floor addition, it's time to consider adding a second level to your home. This would give you plenty of extra space for a couple of bedrooms and a bath. When you add a second level, you'll need to choose the best staircase to have installed so you can access it. Here are some popular options.

A Straight Staircase

This is a simple straight run of stairs that's a common option in many homes. This type of staircase could be an excellent choice if you have small children or small pets and you want the stairs to be as safe as possible. A straight staircase doesn't need any support in the middle of the rise, so the area under the stairs can be enclosed and turned into a closet. The disadvantage to this type of staircase is that it can take up a lot of space.

A Staircase With Two Or More Landings

This type of staircase takes up less space since the stairs can turn or double back due to landings that are installed. These stairs can also add visual interest to a room. If you're looking to the future when you may need a lift someday, you'll find the lifts work just as well on stairs with landings as they do with a straight staircase, so these stairs could be a good choice for all ages and stages of your life.

Spiral And Curved Staircases

If you want to make a dramatic statement, then consider a curved staircase. These are the luxury version of staircases because they add sweeping beauty to any room. They are also more difficult to build than straight staircases so curved staircases cost more to have installed. A spiral staircase could be a good choice if you don't have much room for stairs because they take up very little space. However, these can be tricky to carry things up and down, so they may not be the ideal option for a busy family household.

The Floating Staircase

If you want a truly unique look, then a floating staircase could be the right choice. When you install one of these, it looks like the stairs are floating in the air. Some have minimal features and have little else than the steps attached to the wall. While these stairs will draw admiration from guests, they may not be a safe option if you have small children or small pets.

You have options in railing and sides too, so you may want to talk to a designer or your installation contractor to figure out the right stairs for your home taking into consideration your lifestyle, home architectural style, budget, and space available for a staircase. For more information, check out a website like woodstairs4u.com.