If you own a rental home with tenants living on the second floor, or you would just like to go straight to your bedroom when you get home, there are a few good reasons why installing an outdoor staircase may be a good idea. When installing a staircase in the outdoors, it is more about function and purpose than anything else. But you also want to be sure that it looks nice with your home as well, of course.

If you are opting to install a spiral staircase, then they will be a great way to add architectural detail to a backyard, patio, or deck. Not only does a spiral staircase take up less room than a regular staircase, but also they are easier to climb. Having a regular, straight staircase outside your home can also look great, but only if done right.

If you are worried about heavy foot traffic, you would want to consider a sturdy tread, like stone, ceramic, or granite tiling. Keep in mind when comparing indoor staircases to outdoor ones that outdoor staircases are exposed to the elements of nature. So besides the constant foot traffic the staircase might experience, your local weather should definitely incline you to choose the best tread for your staircase.

If you want a staircase that looks more traditional or vintage, then there are outdoor staircases made of the finest of woods. You can own an exterior staircase made of cherry, maple, walnut, mahogany, red oak, white oak, or plywood. These are all hardwoods that will hold up against regular foot traffic for a long time. Staircases made of wood will look appealing against a more traditional home and carry an old fashioned charm. Wood has made for great designer stairs for a number of decades.

Keep in mind, however, that wood staircases require high levels of maintenance in order to keep them in tip-top condition. The wood will often need to be thoroughly treated to prevent it from being damaged by weather, and will have to be stained and refinished frequently in order to keep it looking polished and like brand new.

However, if you already own and maintain a wood deck or patio, you likely know how to treat and upkeep outdoor wood to make it stain and water resistant, so maintaining a wood staircase outdoors should not be too much of a hassle.

When it comes to the appearance of an outdoor staircase, make one that is made of steel or stainless steel, if you want it to show off a modern and sleek appearance. Steel staircases have many more options in designing than wood staircases.

Steel staircases are easily more durable and will last longer than wood staircases. They don’t require much maintenance, they are not vulnerable to the elements of nature, and they don’t require the constant use of certain products to keep them looking great. Steel railings are also a sound choice when you want durability, strength, and low maintenance for your outdoor staircase.

Another advantage over wood staircases is that steel staircases have more customization options. If you want designer stairs, you can choose different colors and designs. If you prefer to have a white or black staircase, you can do so with no compromises in quality or durability. There are also a number of different plate options for steel staircases; the plating will give the staircase a different appearance overall so that it looks elegant, fancy, or just plain modern. If you want your steel outdoor staircase to look as elegant as possible, it is certainly not out of the question.