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Floating Staircases

Elevate Your Home with Intriguing Cantilever Staircases: With or without a structural wall.

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How we work

Floating Staircases: What you need to know

Floating staircases that appear to hang in mid-air make a statement unmatched by other types of stairs; however, they require thorough planning to get right. For new homes, First Step Designs consults with architects and contractors to offer guidance on selecting the ideal wall specification to support the staircase’s load effectively. For existing structures being renovated, we present alternative solutions to facilitate the installation of these staircases. Commencing planning at the earliest opportunity is essential to guaranteeing optimal results.

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The Benefits

Why choose a Floating Staircase

Few interior design trends can match the impact that open-plan living has had, and a floating cantilever staircase is the ultimate open-plan living must-have. Meticulously designed, expertly fabricated, and professionally installed floating staircases offer a unique touch where the only visible structural element is the actual treads. With no structural pieces blocking light or line of sight, they create feelings of space and openness that other stairs simply can’t.

Beyond their aesthetic appeal and jaw-dropping effect when seen for the first time, floating staircases can significantly increase a property’s value. Although they are more costly and time-consuming to install, their universal appeal and luxurious look make properties more attractive to potential buyers.

For a unique focal point that truly stands out from the crowd, invest in a floating cantilever staircase from First Step Designs.

Words from the designer

“Until you understand the engineering involved in the cantilever staircases, it really does baffle people as to how they work… But once we share our secrets, it appears so simple..”

Meet the team

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The Results

Floating glass staircases with custom finishes

Whether you prefer the sleek elegance of glass balustrades or the sturdy sophistication of steel, our floating staircases can be customized to perfectly complement your interior and furnishings. We meticulously design these balustrades to seamlessly integrate into the staircase structure, ensuring longevity and durability. Moreover, you have the freedom to choose from a wide array of colours, stains, and textures for all components, allowing you to create a staircase that truly reflects your style.

Our customisation options don’t stop there. Our design team has experience working with electricians to design floating staircases with accommodations for automatic lights and sensors, seamlessly integrating your stairs into your smart home ecosystem.

Floating staircase FAQs

What is the gap between floating stairs?

Traditional stairs feature a vertical piece of material between each tread known as the riser. Floating stairs deliberately forgo risers to help them attain their floating effect. In the UK, the maximum height between two steps, including tread depth, is 220 mm, and a sphere of 100 mm in diameter must be able to pass between each set of steps. Typically, the gap between treads range from 85mm to 95mm.

Are floating stairs safe?

Given the floating effect created, you’d be forgiven for wondering if floating staircases are less safe than traditional options, but rest assured, they are completely safe and reliable! 

Firstly, any staircase installed in Britain is subject to strict government regulations on safety and reliability. Moreover, they undergo stringent engineering and testing before and after installation. Handrails or guardrails are required by law, adding further confidence in their use. 

Check out our Are Floating Staircases Safe blog post for more detailed information on this topic.

Are floating staircases legal in the UK?

In the United Kingdom, staircases are regulated by Building Regulations 2010. The BR 2010 codes contain individual Approved Documents – for staircases, Approved Document K and Approved Document M are most relevant. 

Approved Document K sets out provisions for protection from falling, collision, and impact. British staircases must meet standard measurements for compliance. Some examples include:

  • Tread Depth: minimum of 220mm for domestic properties and 2580mm for commercial
  • Riser Height: maximum of 220mm for domestic properties and 190mm for commercial
  • Pitch or Angle: maximum of 42° for domestic stairs
  • Headroom: minimum of 2,000mm of headroom from the pitch line
  • Handrails: required for any staircase once above 600mm from floor level
  • Open risers: a 100mm sphere must not be able to pass through the riser gap
  • Balustrades: must be a minimum of 900mm high on stairs and landings.

Building code BS 5395-1:2010 pertains specifically to stair design practices. This code advises on the best approaches for the safety and usability of British staircases. In commercial settings, floating staircases may require additional safety measures. In such cases, consulting a professional is highly recommended.

Check out our Are Floating Staircases Legal blog post for more detailed information on this topic.

How much weight can floating staircases hold?

Floating staircases must comply with UK Building Regulations 2010, which stipulates government-approved loading capacities for all British staircases. First Step Designs’ floating stairs have been independently tested and verified by structural engineers to comply with and exceed all UK building regulations for stairs, easily holding the average weight of an adult on each stair without bending, buckling, or deformation.

Certain design approaches and materials may further enhance the load-bearing capacities of a floating staircase. Steel, for example, is extremely strong and can support the heaviest weight. Concrete is similarly robust but heavier and may need reinforcement for installation. Most wooden or glass floating staircases have a steel structure, which would typically be hidden within the timber.

What to put underneath floating staircases?

Another major benefit of floating staircases is the freeing up of extra living space that would be used for the structural support of a traditional staircase. How you use this additional space is up to you. Popular options include using the space under floating stairs as a:

  • Storage space with built-in cabinets, drawers, or open shelving.
  • Semi-sheltered nook for reading, relaxing, or working.
  • Feature wall with interesting art pieces or textural elements.
  • Focal point, especially in spaces with panoramic views and big glass windows.

How are floating stairs attached to the wall?

Most floating staircases rely on a concealed structure anchored to a specific style of structural wall. In the absence of a suitable wall, there are alternative methods such as box section stringers to build a wall around. This highlights the importance of early planning when it comes to floating staircases—left too late, you might lose some of the available space in your home.

If you have your heart set on a floating staircase but you’re unsure of whether or not your home has a suitable wall, reach out to First Step Designs. Our experts love a challenge and have engineered several custom solutions for our clients in the past.

Can you carpet floating staircases?

Yes, you can carpet floating staircases; however, there are a few important points to consider that may not be relevant to other staircase types.

 

The defining feature of floating staircases is their floating effect. Choosing the wrong carpet—one that is plush, thick, or runs over from one riser to the next—will negatively affect the overall aesthetic and create a weird look as the carpet seems to flow from one floating stair to the next. 

We strongly recommend going for thin or low-profile rugs or carpets that wrap around each stair and securely and neatly attach to the bottom. This style of carpeting can help increase grip, make the stairs slightly more comfortable on bare feet, and create interesting textural contrast with other staircase elements. It is critically important that the carpeting or rugs are securely attached. They would create a significant safety hazard if they came loose or slipped. 

At First Step Designs, we personally feel that carpeting a floating staircase detracts from the final finish. While you’re free to accessorise your stairs and home as you wish, we strongly recommend viewing the final product without a carpet to appreciate your floating stairs’ full effect.

How much do floating staircases cost?

At First Step Designs, we build custom floating staircases unique to each project we take on, creating something truly unique every time. We work with clients from concept to installation, covering design and ideation, fabrication, assembly, and aftersales care. 

At his level of bespoke service, pricing for our floating staircases varies depending on the scope and scale of the project. Typically, our floating staircases range between £19,000 and £25,000. We encourage you to reach out to our team directly for a personalised, 24-hour quote.

Check out our How much do floating staircases cost blog post for more detailed information and examples.

Let’s talk

Get in touch and let us show you how we can transform your home.

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Why Us

Why choose First Step Designs for your floating staircase?

Staircases of all kinds are deceptively easy to get wrong. Even a small design or manufacturing error could lead to irregular spacing and loose or dangerous stairs. When the entire structural part of the stairs has to be hidden from view, the window for error is so much wider. Designing and installing a floating staircase takes skill and experience that many small fabricators and contractors simply don’t have. 

As winners of the Best Joinery Product Award for our Roman Road project, being shortlisted for the best staircase on multiple occasions, and featuring as a contractor on Grand Designs, we can confidently say that with us, your stairs and vision for your home are in good hands.

Want to see more?

Check out our Projects and Case Studies to see how we can transform your home.

Let’s start making something amazing

Contact our design team directly at 01782 959300 or through our portal for an obligation-free discussion on how we can help you plan and build the home of your dreams.
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