A winder staircase occupies the design space between spiral and straight staircases. There are many variations but generally they are made to fit the space available for navigating a change in floor levels.
Also, unlike traditional staircases with flat landings, a winder staircase incorporates triangular or kite shaped treads at a corner, allowing the stairs to turn without the need for a separate platform. This design is particularly prevalent in homes where space is at a premium, as it reduces the staircase’s overall footprint.
Materials
A winder staircase can be constructed from other materials but wood is by far the most popular. You could feasibly make them from metal or even glass especially in a contemporary setting but since it’s our raison d’etre, we’ll stick to timber.
Wood is so versatile and forgiving that it is ideal for stair making, oak, pine and walnut being fantastic choices. Winder stairs can be purchased to order or you could try to construct your own. Our very own StairDesigner is perfect for designing your own winder stairs.
The anatomy of a winder staircase
The defining feature of a winder staircase is its winder treads, which are the tapering treads that fan out from the inner corner of the staircase. This contrasts with straight stairs or stairs with a landing, which feature uniform, rectangular treads throughout.
Winder staircases aren’t limited to a single form, their design can be adapted to different layouts, each with its own advantages. A single turn winder staircase is akin, and is often the same as, a quarter turn and a double turn winder is analogous to a half turn.
Quarter turn winders are the most common configuration, featuring a 90-degree turn, this replaces the square landing you’d find on an L-shaped staircase, using three or more tapering treads to make the turn. This design is excellent for tight corners and is often found in older homes or small, modern townhouses.
A half turn winder is also known as a U-shaped winder, this design makes a 180-degree turn, it’s an efficient solution for a staircase that needs to reverse its direction, often within a narrow stairwell. The winder treads occupy the space that would otherwise be a full landing, saving significant space.
Considerations
As with all projects, there are things that you may need to consider that may be applicable to your specific situation. Winder stairs are an excellent choice for many space saving projects, although there are a few potential downsides.
The triangular treads at the turning points, particularly the narrow inner point, can present safety issues; building codes often have specific requirements for minimum tread width. Additionally, the complex angles of a winder staircase mean they can be more challenging and expensive to build than a straight staircase. However, for many homeowners, the space-saving benefits and unique design appeal far outweigh these challenges.
