Stair Landing- What It Is, Dimensions, Types & How to Cover It

A stair landing is a flat platform located between two flights of stairs, or at the top or bottom of a staircase. It gives people a place to stop, change direction, or transition from stairs to a floor. Under the International Residential Code, residential stair landings must be at least 36 inches deep or as wide as the stairwell in the direction of travel. Landings are required at both the top and bottom of every staircase.

Key Takeaways

• A stair landing is a flat platform at the top/bottom of a staircase, or between flights of stairs. It allows direction changes, provides rest space, and is required by building code.

• The residential code (IRC R311.7.6) requires landings at least as wide as the stairway, with a minimum 36-inch depth in the direction of travel. A staircase must have a landing every 12 feet of vertical rise.

• Intermediate landings (between flights) are typically 3x3 feet or 4x7 feet and are used to change the direction of travel in L-shaped or U-shaped staircases.

• To cover a carpeted stair landing with hardwood, install a landing tread at the front edge and fill behind it with WoodStairCo's tongue-and-groove landing panel system- finished to match your stair treads.

• A landing tread is 5-1/4 inches wide, with a bullnose profile that caps the leading edge of a landing. It is different from a stair nose- a landing tread accepts a 3/4-inch flooring tongue on the back.

• WoodStairCo's landing panel system covers intermediate landings up to 94 inches wide in Red Oak, prefinished to match retro stair treads for a seamless staircase appearance.

What Is a Stair Landing?

A stair landing- sometimes called a staircase landing, stair platform, or stair rest area- is a flat, level surface that interrupts a flight of stairs. It serves several structural and functional purposes-

• It provides a safe place to stop and rest during stair travel, especially important in multi-story buildings and for elderly or mobility-limited users.

• It allows the direction of travel to change- an L-shaped or U-shaped staircase uses an intermediate landing to turn 90 or 180 degrees.

• It limits the height of any single uninterrupted flight of stairs to a safe maximum (no more than 12 feet of vertical rise between landings under the IRC).

• It functions as the approach area at the top and bottom of every staircase- the first and last level surfaces before and after the stair flight.

In everyday use, 'landing' most commonly refers to the intermediate platform in a switchback or L-shaped staircase, or to the floor area at the top of a staircase. Both are technically landings- one is an intermediate landing, the other is a terminal landing.

Types of Stair Landings

Top Landing

The top landing is the floor at the upper end of a staircase. In residential homes, this is typically the hallway or the floor of the top stair landing. It is the most common landing that homeowners interact with when finishing stairs- the transition from the last stair tread to the upper floor requires a landing tread and, often, flooring to match.

Bottom Landing

The bottom landing is the floor at the lower end of the staircase- the entry area, foyer, or lower-level floor. The building code requires a landing at both the top and the bottom of every staircase. The bottom landing typically does not require a landing tread unless the flooring terminates there and a bullnose transition is needed.

Intermediate Landing (Platform)

An intermediate landing- also called a stair platform, stair landing platform, or switchback landing- is located between two flights of stairs. It allows the staircase to change direction. In US residential construction, intermediate landings are most common.

• L-shaped staircases- a 90-degree turn with a square landing at the corner

• U-shaped staircases- a 180-degree turn with a rectangular landing between two parallel flights

• Split-level homes- where a small flight leads to an intermediate platform before continuing

Intermediate landings in residential homes are typically 36x36 inches (3x3 feet) to 48x84 inches (4x7 feet). Their exact dimensions depend on the staircase width and the direction of the turn.

Stairwell Landing

A stairwell landing refers specifically to the platform within an enclosed stairwell- most commonly in townhouses, apartment buildings, or multi-family construction. It functions identically to an intermediate landing, but is enclosed on multiple sides by walls. Stairwell landings are typically larger to allow comfortable turning in confined spaces.

Stair Landing Dimensions and Building Code

Building codes establish minimum dimensions for stair landings. The International Residential Code (IRC R311.7.6)- the model code used as the basis for most US residential building codes- requires-

 

Always confirm landing dimensions with your local building department- local amendments to the IRC may impose different requirements. The minimum 36-inch depth is a residential standard- commercial buildings under the International Building Code (IBC) may require larger landings depending on occupancy load.

How to Cover a Stair Landing- Landing Tread and Panel System

If your staircase has an intermediate landing covered in carpet, the challenge is matching the landing surface to your new hardwood stair treads during a remodel. WoodStairCo's two-product solution handles this precisely-

Step 1- Install the Landing Tread at the Front Edge

A landing tread is a 5-1/4-inch-wide bullnose molding profile that caps the leading edge of the landing- the front edge that faces the stairs below. It provides the same visual profile and nosing overhang as a stair tread, creating a seamless transition from the last step to the landing surface.

WoodStairCo's landing tread has a groove cut along the back that accepts 3/4-inch tongue-and-groove flooring. It is milled from solid wood at the same time as your stair treads in the same species and stain color- the result is a perfect visual match between every tread and the landing edge.

• Width- 5-1/4 inches from bullnose tip to tail

• Profile- same bullnose as stair treads- 1-1/4 inch overhang

• Back groove- accepts 3/4-inch flooring tongue

• Available- prefinished (sold by the foot) or unfinished (every 6 inches)

• Species- ordered and finished to match your stair tread order

Step 2- Fill the Landing with Tongue-and-Groove Panels

Behind the landing tread, WoodStairCo's landing panel system fills the remaining landing area. The panels are engineered wood with a 10-ply plywood base and a 4mm+ solid Red Oak wear layer- finished to the same spec as the stair treads.

• Dimensions- 3/4 inch thick x 3 inches wide x 72–94 inches long

• Sold in bundles covering approximately 13 square feet

• Tongue-and-groove profile- panels interlock like hardwood flooring

• The tongue fits into the landing tread groove for a seamless front edge

• Available prefinished or unfinished

• Handles pie-shaped steps, kite steps, and irregular landing shapes

How to Calculate How Much You Need

Measure your landing width (left to right) and depth (front to back). Multiply to get square footage. Order that many square feet in landing panel bundles (13 sq ft each) plus one landing tread cut to the landing width.

Example- A 40-inch wide x 39-inch deep landing = approximately 10.8 sq ft. Order one bundle of panels (13 sq ft, trimmed to fit) plus one landing tread at 40 inches.

Cap-A-Tread for Landings

For landings with structurally sound, level surfaces, a Cap-A-Tread overlay system can also be used to cover the landing edge. The Cap-A-Tread profile installs similarly to a landing tread- at the front edge- providing a bullnose cap over the existing surface without full removal. This is the fastest option for a landing that does not need flooring replacement behind it.

Landing Tread vs Stair Nose- What's the Difference?

These two products are frequently confused- and they are not interchangeable.

 

If your staircase has a landing where flooring is being installed behind the front edge, use a landing tread. If you only need to cap the top edge of a staircase where the flooring meets a stair drop, use a stair nose.

Stair Landing Flooring Options

The landing is part of the staircase and should be treated that way- 'close enough' does not produce a professional result. Here are the main flooring approaches-

• WoodStairCo landing panel system (recommended). Engineered Red Oak panels finished to match your retro treads exactly. Prefinished panels eliminate on-site finishing and ensure color consistency. The best option for intermediate landings is to convert from carpet to hardwood.

• 3/4-inch solid hardwood flooring. Any tongue-and-groove hardwood flooring can be used behind the landing tread. Requires on-site finishing if unfinished. Color matching to prefinished treads can be challenging- order a sample before committing.

• LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank). A practical option for landing platforms in basement or moisture-prone areas. Use a landing tread at the front edge for a consistent bullnose profile with the rest of the staircase.

• Carpet. If the rest of the landing floor level is carpeted, the landing surface can remain carpeted- install a landing tread at the front edge to provide the bullnose transition between the carpet and the last stair tread.

• Tile. For entry-level landings in homes with tile foyers. Landing tread provides the transition edge- tile fills the landing field. Confirm that the tile thickness matches the flooring level before ordering the landing tread profile.

Shop Landing Treads and Panel Systems at WoodStairCo

WoodStairCo manufactures landing treads in over 25 wood species, finished to match any stair tread order. Landing panel systems are available in Red Oak, prefinished and unfinished, in bundles of 13 square feet. Call (866) 283-4224 for a project quote or to confirm the right materials for your landing dimensions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q- What is a stair landing?

A- A stair landing is a flat, level platform located between two flights of stairs or at the top and bottom of a staircase. It provides a rest point, allows the direction of travel to change in L-shaped or U-shaped staircases, and is required by building code at both the top and bottom of every staircase. Intermediate landings between flights are required every 12 feet of vertical rise.

Q- What is a staircase landing?

A- A staircase landing is the same as a stair landing- a flat platform that interrupts a flight of stairs. The term is used interchangeably for both the intermediate platform between two stair flights and the floor area at the top or bottom of a staircase. In most residential homes, the most visible landing is the intermediate switchback platform in an L-shaped or U-shaped staircase.

Q- What are the minimum dimensions for a stair landing?

A- Under the International Residential Code (IRC R311.7.6), a residential stair landing must be at least as wide as the stairway it serves and a minimum of 36 inches deep in the direction of travel. A landing is required at the top and bottom of every staircase, and every 12 feet of vertical rise. Always verify dimensions with your local building department, as local code amendments may apply.

Q- What is a stair landing platform?

A- A stair landing platform is an intermediate landing between two flights of stairs- also called a switchback landing or stair platform. It is used to change the direction of travel in L-shaped and U-shaped staircases. In residential homes, stair landing platforms are typically 36x36 inches to 48x84 inches, depending on the staircase width and angle of the direction change.

Q- How do I cover a stair landing with hardwood?

A- Install a WoodStairCo landing tread along the front edge of the landing, then fill the space behind it with tongue-and-groove landing panels or 3/4-inch hardwood flooring. The landing tread provides the bullnose edge and accepts the flooring tongue on the back. WoodStairCo's landing panel system is finished to match your retro stair treads exactly, producing a seamless transition from stairs to landing.

Q- What is a landing tread?

A- A landing tread is a 5-1/4-inch-wide bullnose molding profile that caps the leading edge of a stair landing. It has the same bullnose profile as a stair tread and a groove on the back that accepts 3/4-inch tongue-and-groove flooring or landing panels. Landing treads are available from WoodStairCo in over 25 wood species, prefinished to match any stair tread order.

Q- What is the difference between a landing tread and a stair nose?

A- A landing tread is 5-1/4 inches wide with a groove on the back to accept flooring- used to cap the front edge of a landing where flooring is installed behind it. A stair nose is narrower (typically 2-1/2 to 3 inches) and caps the top edge of a staircase where the flooring terminates without a landing panel system behind it. They are not interchangeable- using the wrong profile will result in a poor fit.

Q- How do I install Cap-A-Tread on a landing?

A- A Cap-A-Tread profile can be installed at the front edge of a landing in the same way it is used on stair steps- applying PL Premium adhesive to the back and pressing firmly into position. It is best suited for landings where the existing surface is level and sound and only the front edge needs capping. For landings converted from carpet to hardwood, a landing tread and panel system provides a better match with the stair treads.

Q- What type of flooring is best for stair landings?

A- For residential staircases being remodeled with hardwood treads, WoodStairCo's prefinished landing panel system is the best option- it is engineered for stair landings specifically, finished to match retro stair treads exactly, and installs without on-site finishing. Solid hardwood flooring, LVP, carpet, or tile can also be used, depending on the rest of the home's flooring, provided a landing tread is installed at the front edge.