Alternatives to a spiral staircase in a brownstone duplex?

well it depends on how much room you have to spare. A spiral stair can save room, but is not as practical. Peter

petercavanagh

in Brownstoner Renovation 11 years and 1 month ago

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dankler | 11 years and 2 months ago

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I’ve seen a really nice duplex apartment in a beautiful brownstone; however, the unit has a ” small problem” : a spiral staircase that connects the living room (parlor level) to the upper level. One can always use the ” normal stairs”, which would be shared with the third floor tenant. I have to small kids and fear the dangers that the above-mentioned spiral staircase may entail. Does anyone know of any alternatives that may exist to the not so much loved staircase? Thanks in advance,

cmu | 11 years and 2 months ago

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I love spirals and am always amazed that anyone thinks it’s difficult to negotiate (unless very small,) so the ‘dangers to kid’ thing seems weird to me (don’t let them out, they’ll be tripping over rocks in the garden ;). That said, you’d have a lot to work to replace it as you’d have to open the floor framing. A kit from Arke stairs (my neighbor installed one, under permit) is probably the smallest alternative; it can be put together in various configurations (L or Z shaped, for example,) and is only 22 or 24″ wide. It’s also a little steep but you save by not having a custom built stair.

resident2 | 11 years and 2 months ago

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Spiral stairs are used to save floor space, any alternative is going to take away floor space. But can obviously be done. It is easier to make it running from side to side; parallel with the joists. Running a staircase from front to back will mean cutting many joists and will need a larger structural support. It will be a custom job to get the best results no matter what. You may decide that it is cheaper and easier to put the top floor tenant out and live in the upper triplex! Then just close over the “whole in the floor etc. But, yes spirals are always a problem. Not just for children, but tall people as well, unless you have a 6′ wide spiral.

catboot | 11 years and 2 months ago

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You could just swap the order of the duplex. Rent the garden level and live on the parlor and top floor. You get to use the nice original staircase, and as an added bonus, you don’t have anyone living above. That’s what we did, and it works very well.

brokelin | 11 years and 2 months ago

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I’m kind of confused. You refer to it as an apartment – is it a rental, or a condo or coop? I’m thinking you aren’t referring to a whole house situation, where you are free to change where the rental unit is, given your calling it an apartment, not a house. If it is a rental, use the common stairs. If you are looking to buy the apartment, get estimates for putting in a larger staircase. I also hate spirals. They are put in to save space, and they are usually small for this reason. One common stair ones sees in this situation is a half stair to a landing, then the last half turns 180 degree from the first half. Talk to some contractors.