subject: Reaching Greater Heights With Custom Circular Staircases [print this page] In many homes, a circular flight of stairs has never failed to catch attention. Circular staircases are often the centerpiece of any foyer or grand hall. They have been such a big part of architectural history that many of the old circular staircases have been restored and rebuilt to their original specifications, while new ones are being built everyday.
A circular staircase is simply a flight of steps arranged in a helical manner. This allows home owners to install a means to gain access to higher or lower levels of a house, while using very little floor space.
The circular staircase actually traces its roots to as early as medieval times, when castles had several towers that required vertical access in such a confined space. For a long time, circular staircases provided a tactical advantage to the defending knights. Any attacker during those times would have had to engage the wall or the central post as most swordsmen back then were right-handed. The defender also benefitted from the advantage of being in a higher position, making it easier to defend.
Today the circular staircase is built more for its function and elegance. Because many homes today have upper or lower levels, home owners needed a practical solution to gaining access to those levels without having to use too much floor area. Circular staircases were simply the most ideal solution to this problem, and have since been seen in many homes and other buildings.
Manufacturers today have given the engineering marvel that is the circular staircase a significant improvement. Aside from the ease of installation involved in building a circular staircase, manufacturers have also made a DIY or do-it-yourself version of the design for those who wish to build the staircase themselves.
DIY circular staircases are custom spiral staircases that can be bought from the store, loaded onto a light truck, and brought home for assembly. No fabrication is required as all of the basic components required to build a circular staircase such as treads and spindles are included in the kit. Custom spiral staircases can be made from wood or metal, and are easy enough for the regular home owner to install effortlessly.
