They are simply more beautiful than traditional stairs. The aesthetic appeal of spirals is rooted in the fact that the human brain is naturally drawn to curves; time and time again, when people are asked to choose between linear and curved objects, scientists have found they choose curved. Neuroscientists have recently demonstrated that this preference is hard-wired into the brain; when a research team led by psychologist Oshin Vartanian of the University of Toronto at Scarborough showed volunteers 200 images of interior architecture, some with round components and others mostly linear, both brain imaging machines and the study subjects verified that the rooms with curved architectural components were vastly more pleasing. Brain imaging also revealed that the anterior cingulate cortex—an area of the brain strongly associated with emotion—was far more active when the volunteers were viewing rooms with curved architecture.

Spiral Stairs: Pros and Cons

If you’re considering spiral stairs for your home and are unsure as to whether or not they are suited to your needs, the following guide should assist you in making a decision:

Pros:

Spiral staircases save you space—a lot of space. This is particularly relevant in small homes; a straight staircase that is 18 feet high and 3 feet wide will take up an astounding 105 square feet of space. Put a spiral staircase of the same proportions in its place and you will only sacrifice 45 square feet of space. Ergo, while small rooms can wind up being totally dominated by traditional stairs, spiral stairs sit nicely out of the way.

They provide an easy way to add visual interest to a home. While they may look intricate (and that is most certainly part of their charm), spiral stairs are actually quite easy to have assembled—saving you time and money while making your living space look delightfully modern and unique.

They allow light to flow. Traditional stairs tend to block the flow of light around a home or apartment, whereas spiral staircases allow it to easily filter through their wrought iron construction. This both complements open-plan dwellings and can help to make small areas appear bigger than they really are.

They’re more durable. Spiral staircases are generally made of metal, not wood, and as such bear weight much better. They will often last a lifetime, whereas traditional stairs often warp or get damaged after a decade or so.

If you fall, you likely will not fall as far as you would on traditional stairs. The curve of a spiral staircase often prevents someone who has slipped from having a nasty slide down all the way to the bottom of the stairs.

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Trex Spiral Stairs can be ordered in heights from 7 feet 2 inches to 12 feet 8 inches and in diameters of 5 feet and 6 feet, in either powder-coated aluminum or galvanized steel.

Aluminum frames contain 60% recycled material and are available in three stock colors, Classic White, Charcoal Black, and Bronze, as well as custom colors.

Three tread options: smooth plate (standard), diamond plate, and pre-cut Trex boards. For galvanized steel stairs, which contain 25% recycled material, tread options are smooth plate (prepped for Trex) or diamond plate.

Cons:

Spiral stairs which revolve around a central pole can take some getting used to. The steps are typically very narrow near to the pole, and there is only a hand-rail on one side. This can, of course, make slips rather easy. It’s advisable to practice walking up and down your new curved stairs if you get this type. The first dozen or so times you go up and down them, make sure to look at where you are placing your feet, go slowly, firmly grip the hand-rail, and do not try to carry up anything heavy along with you.

After some repetition, odds are good that your brain will learn where your feet ought to go and it will become a bit more automatic, just like it was prior with traditional stairs.

The steepness of spiral stairs is not suitable for some people. The elderly and those with difficulty walking will have a much harder time navigating this type of staircase than they would a traditional linear one. While it’s harder to slip all the way down curved stairs, even a smaller tumble on such a hard surface can do serious injury to an older person.

You will also need to “baby proof” these stairs if you have children. Very small children may also have a hard time with spiral stairs, especially the kind that revolves around a central pole. You can, however, get baby gates in order to ensure that little children don’t try to go up and down these stairs unassisted.

There may be building code issues. In some areas, one cannot use a spiral staircase as the sole means of reaching an upper story.

It’s very difficult to move large pieces of furniture up and down a curved staircase. If you have a small home and are choosing these kind of stairs to save space, this may not be much of a concern, but if you are in a larger home and favor larger furniture, it’s something to consider.

Trex high-quality spiral stairs will add beauty and function to your home for years to come.

Stairs