Standard geometry
3-piece winder
Pie-shaped treads turning a corner without a landing. Saves vertical space.
- Three triangular treads turning the corner
- Compact alternative to L-shape
- Common in older homes and basements
- Code requires careful tread sizing
- Est. 198739 yrs
- Family-Owned
- Veteran-Owned
- 4.8★ Verified
- Lehigh Valley
Definition
What is a 3-piece winder stair?
A winder stair turns a corner on three pie-shaped (tapered) treads instead of a flat landing. By replacing the landing with treads that continue the climb through the turn, it saves floor space — making it a compact alternative to an L-shape in older homes and basements.
Built & reviewed by Snyder Stairs · Whitehall, PA · Est. 1987 · Updated June 2026
How it compares
How does a turn-style stair save space?
The trade-off across the turning configurations is footprint versus comfort. A landing is easiest to walk; a winder is the most compact. Here is where each one sits.
| Configuration | Turns on | Footprint | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| L-shape | Flat square landing | Largest of the turns | Comfort, code rest point |
| Winder | Pie-shaped treads | Most compact | Tight footprints, basements |
| Switch-back | Mid-landing, 180° | Stacked / vertical | Apartments, stair towers |
| Curved | Custom-radius arc | Open sweep | Formal foyers, statement |
3-piece winder FAQs
Common questions about 3-piece winder.
Q: When does a winder stair make sense?
When the footprint is too tight for an L-shape landing — common in older homes, basements, and additions. The winder turns the corner using the climb itself, so it fits where a landing won't, at the cost of slightly narrower walking lines at the inside of the turn.
Q: Are winder treads code-compliant?
Yes, when sized correctly. Code sets a minimum tread depth measured at the walk line (typically 12 inches from the narrow edge) and a minimum at the narrow end. We size the three winder treads to your adopted code at the design stage.
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Custom stairs and railings, built in Whitehall.
Custom stairs and railings, built by a family of Pennsylvania craftsmen for nearly forty years. We'll give you a realistic budget on the first call — not a teaser, not a pressure-close. Get in touch, or send a few photos.
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