Buying a new stair: Spiral stair vs. ladder

Things to consider when buying a new stair.

Today's topic:

Spiral stair vs. ladder

Both types of stairs have their benefits. Ladders are often less expensive and easier to install than any type of staircase. Ladders take up minimal space even if they are fixed type ship ladders. Safely ascending or descending a ship ladder requires that one be facing backwards, or toward the ladder. This poses quite a problem when attempting to bring large or heavy items down a ladder.

However, if that's not an issue, you might consider an alternating tread stair. This is a type of ladder that has a rise and run similar to a normal staircase, but the tread does not go all the way across. Be aware, though, that this is generally considered a stair design of last resort. 

Smaller spiral stairs are an excellent alternative to a ship ladder and can be used as a secondary means of egress to a living space if certain dimensional requirements are met (5’-0” diameter +). There are even some spiral staircases that can take up as little as 40” x 40” and, within that footprint, are not restricted by height. One travels down a spiral stair face forward. The natural benefit of this is that items carried up and down a spiral stair pose no problem, so long as they are not much larger than the radius of the stair.

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