When listing the major elements of a house design, the staircase is usually one of the first integral parts to be named.
A staircase’s location within the layout of a new building always constitutes a major decision, as this often dictates the layout of the entire property. But why do we need this feature in the first place? Let’s look a little further into the purposes of a staircase and its significance within the world of home design.

1. Access

The primary purpose of stairs is to provide a simple and easy means of moving between levels. In ancient times, houses and shelters were made up of only one storey, but it was realised that the area above ground level could be utilised to increase the amount of space a structure could offer. Stairs enabled users of these buildings to quickly and effectively access upper levels; as buildings grew, the staircase swiftly became more necessary. Nowadays, stairs can be made even more accessible to people with all levels of physical ability through the installation of stairlifts and ramps.

Staircases have other practical applications besides the obvious.
In modern buildings, the structure of a staircase can serve as: a partition to break up a large open-plan area, a home’s sculptural centrepiece, or even as a creative storage option. Cupboards can be installed below them, they can be adapted to hold bookshelves and drawers can be installed in the risers.
Hundreds of years ago, spiral staircases were used to assist in the defence of structures such as castles. The majority of swordsmen were right handed - so attackers ascending the clockwise-orientated staircases would have had little room to swing their swords due to the curve of the wall. Those defending would usually be descending the steps, meaning they would be able to move with greater ease. Nowadays, the spiral staircase is useful in a different way - the head of the steps sits vertically above the foot, so they take up very little floor space.

While huge, grand, carved-oak staircases may not be considered particularly fashionable, affordable or practical now, many people throughout history have used this particular household feature to strike awe into guests and visitors to their property as they arrived, showing off their wealth and status through the opulence of its design. Even today, the staircase is often the first thing guests see when entering the hallway of a house, and many people like to make the most of its potential to give their home a trendy and attractive feel.

4. But Why Do We Still Have Stairs?

Of course, nowadays we have access to lifts - or elevators - and escalators, meaning that, theoretically, traditional static stairs could be rendered obsolete. While these features make life a great deal easier for those with mobility issues, there is still a staircase to be found in virtually every building that has more than one storey. Why?
Firstly, static staircases are usually much more affordable both to install and to maintain. Also, in public buildings, stairs provide an alternative to lifts that means you are not required to wait for your mode of travel to arrive at your floor or to stop for others. Finally, stairs are straightforward structures that do not require the use of electricity to function, saving the owner money and also having a much smaller effect on the environment.
A well-made staircase can last for generations without being replaced, and, depending on the original design, can be updated, painted or renovated to keep up with the current fashion.
While we may no longer need them to assist us in the defence of our property or to show off our great wealth, they are still a vital feature in many homes and householders often take great pride in the design they have chosen. 

Pear Stairs provides a wide variety of attractive, sturdy staircase parts in wood, metal and glass, offering a superb service to those who require a new set of stairs to be fitted.
Prospective customers can even create a design into the company’s 3D StairCreator tool on the Pear Stairs website in order to receive an instant estimated quote that will help them understand what their new design might cost. If you’re interested in discovering what Pear Stairs can offer you and your home, simply get in touch with them today on 01938 553311.