When is a landing required?

At the top and bottom of every stairway, and wherever the vertical rise exceeds 12 feet. L-shaped and U-shaped stairs always have intermediate landings.

How big does a landing need to be?

Minimum 36 inches deep in the direction of travel and at least as wide as the stairway.

Landing Platform

Stairs & Railings

Structural

Budget: $100-$200 (basic materials for small landing) | Mid-range: $200-$400 (standard L-shaped landing) | Premium: $400-$800+ (large or custom landing with finish materials)

Landing Platforms: Intermediate Stair Landing Construction (2026)

Prepared by Lumberama's Building Materials Team

|Last updated May 25, 2026|Sources & methodology

Landing platforms are flat areas within a staircase where the direction changes or where a long flight is broken into shorter runs. Required by code when stair height exceeds 12 feet, landings must be at least as wide as the stairway and a minimum of 36 inches in the direction of travel. They are framed like small floor sections.

Key Features

Minimum 36" depth in direction of travel; Width matches stairway width; Framed with 2x8 or 2x10 joists; Plywood subfloor surface; Supports railing newel posts

Specifications

Minimum depth: 36" in travel direction | Width: matches stair width (min 36") | Framing: 2x8 or 2x10 joists at 16" OC | Subfloor: 3/4" plywood | Headroom: 6'8" minimum above

Applications

L-shaped staircase turns; U-shaped staircase switchbacks; Breaking long stair runs; Elevation changes between levels; Code-required intermediate landings

Installation Overview

Frame landing using 2x8 or 2x10 joists attached to wall framing with ledger and joist hangers. Install rim joists on open sides. Sheath with 3/4 inch plywood subflooring. Attach stair stringers from above and below. Finish surface with flooring to match stairs.

Pros & Cons

Pros

✓ Required safety feature for long stairs; Provides rest point on tall flights; Enables direction changes; Simplifies stair framing in stages

Cons

✗ Consumes floor space; Complex framing required; Must maintain headroom clearance; Adds cost to stair project

Top Brands

N/A - custom built from framing lumber

Code Requirements

IRC R311.7.6 requires landings at top and bottom of stairs and wherever stairs exceed 12 feet vertical rise. Minimum 36 inches in direction of travel. Width must equal stair width. 6'8" minimum headroom.

Buying Tips

Frame landings with the same joist size as the adjacent floor for consistency; Leave adequate headroom clearance (6'8" minimum) when positioning the landing height; Plan the landing position early in the design process as it affects the entire stair layout