Stairs: Straight, L, U, Winder and Spiral Staircases Between Floors

Place a staircase

1. Open **Structure** and pick **Stairs**, or type `STAIRS` (`ST`). The stair presets open.

2. Pick one; the next click places it. The flight runs from where you click.

3. Select it to move it, turn it, or drag its named grips: each grip changes one thing, such as the width or a flight's length, and keeps the other end where it is.

Its layout

**Type**: straight, L shaped, U shaped, winder, spiral, curved, or a patio step that wraps a corner or a curve.

**Floor to floor**: the total rise, which sets the number of steps. At the low end it is a single garden or threshold step.

**Width**, **Turn** (left or right) and **Turn angle** for an L, with the landing's depth and the well gap for a U.

**Target riser** and **Tread depth (going)**: the step the stair aims for; the risers are worked out to fit the rise exactly.

Treads, stringers and railings

**Treads**: thickness, nosing, the tread edge (square, bullnose or chamfer) and open or closed risers, and a nosing light.

**Stringer**: closed, half closed, modern, open cut, mono or cantilever, with its depth and thickness.

**Railing**: none, left, right or both, with balusters that are vertical, horizontal, cable or glass, the handrail height and newel posts.

The panel also reads the stair against comfortable ranges for its riser and going, as advice; it never stops a design.

The hole in the floor above

A stair that climbs to the next storey opens that storey's floor where it passes, with a reveal around the hole. Move the stair and the hole moves with it.

In sections the stair is cut and seen like the rest of the building. See [Sections and elevations](/docs/sections-and-elevations).

Read next

• Storeys and levels
• Structure
• Walls and rooms
• Sections and elevations

Frequently asked questions