A landing is a flat platform in or at a staircase where you can pause or change direction. You’ll find landings halfway up a staircase (half landing), at the top (top landing) or in front of a front door (entrance landing/porch). A landing makes a staircase more comfortable and safer, especially with larger height differences.
Types of landings
| Type | Location | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Half landing | Halfway up the stairs | Rest point, direction change |
| Top landing | Top of the stairs | Hallway, access to floor |
| Entrance landing | In front of the front door | Outdoor platform, sometimes with steps |
| Quarter landing | At a quarter-turn staircase | 90° turn in the staircase |
| Half-turn landing | At a half-turn staircase | 180° turn in the staircase |
Materials
| Material | Use | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete | Outdoor stairs, entrance | Strong, frost-resistant, heavy |
| Wood | Indoor stairs | Warm, easy to DIY |
| Steel | Outdoor stairs, industrial | Strong, slim, modern |
| Natural stone | Entrance landing | Luxury appearance, durable |
| Composite | Outdoor stairs | Low maintenance, slip-resistant |
Landing dimensions
- Minimum depth — Equal to the staircase width (minimum 80 cm)
- Building regulations — A landing must be at least as wide as the staircase
- Entrance landing — At least 1.20 m deep, so you can open the door while standing on it
Building an outdoor landing — DIY
1. Foundation — Concrete pads or poured foundation (below frost line, at least 80 cm deep)
2. Frame — Steel or timber support structure
3. Decking — Hardwood boards, composite or concrete pavers
4. Railing — Required at heights above 1 metre
5. Slope — Minimum 1% away from the building, so water drains off
Common mistakes
- No slope on outdoor landings — Water pools, slippery in winter
- Landing too narrow — Can’t comfortably turn with furniture or shopping
- No foundation — Landing subsides after a few years
Related terms
- Staircase
- Foundation
- Concrete pad
- Slope/fall
- Balustrade
- Building regulations