Circular Staircase or Spiral Staircase?

The primary difference between a circular staircase and a spiral staircase is that a spiral staircase stacks around a central column, whereas a circular staircase has an open middle around which the inner stringer winds in a helical fashion. A circular staircase has the distinct advantage that the walking line will enjoy a deeper, more comfortable tread depth since the radius at the walking line is greater. A spiral staircase is particularly helpful when the overall footprint of the stairs needs to be kept at a minimum.
In contrast to computer aided design, Overbay Houseworks takes a time honored approach to stairbuilding based on a “story pole”, and utilization of fundamental goemetric principles. Ed refers to this process as “stick and string”. This may sound archaic, but this method has been around for a very long time, and for very good reason: It is fool-proof and effective.

Our preferred approach to achieving these graceful curves is by strip lamination. Albeit labor intensive, the primary advantage of this method is that it is far stronger and far more accurate than any other method. Solid material is resawn into thinner, pliable thicknesses, kept in sequence throughout the process so that the grains match up just the way they grew together. The strips are then laminated to special forms for that particular curve, then shaped and fitted. The result of this grain-matching method is aesthetically more pleasing as well as having the benefit of being more stable.
We understand that the staircase in a home is incredibly important, arguably the most influential element in the home and must be carefully attuned to each home’s architectural roots and owner’s tastes. We know that the staircase must reflect the owner’s tastes and style. We also know that the staircase must be each user’s very best friend, as they transition from floor to floor, daily, nightly, and from generation to generation to generation.
A staircase must represent the human spirit in a triad of attributes: firmitas (srength), utilitas (utility), and venustas (beauty). Overbay Houseworks holds these Vitruvian principles as the heart of our process.