Floating staircases forgo bulky visible support structures in favour of a minimalist aesthetic. While their sleek and modern appearance is great at turning heads, their open look leaves some people wondering ‘Are floating staircases safe?’, especially with children around.
In a nutshell—yes, provided the design, fabrication, and installation team know what they are doing.
What are floating staircases?
Traditional staircases have bannisters, railings, or newel posts pommels – visible support structures. Floating staircases, however, create an illusory effect, as if the staircase is suspended in space. The risers that sit between the steps on a traditional version are not necessary for floating staircases, which instead use hidden brackets andor wall anchors for their foundational support. Removing those visible elements means floating staircases go without visible support, making their spaces feel lighter, airier, and more inviting, making them a great addition to any home.
All sorts of materials are used for floating staircase construction – wood, metal, or glass, to name a few – depending on the interior aesthetic of the space where the staircase will be installed. Since traditional staircases can overpower a room, floating staircases’ minimalist feel is a good alternative for complementing and accentuating other room features.
Why do people think floating staircases are not safe?
Floating staircases seem to float in the air with no visible support. Our brains naturally interpret stepping on this as dangerous, especially when the supporting structure ‘looks too thin to hold me.’ Open or minimalist handrails and open risers may also make certain people feel uneasy, especially young children and the elderly.
How safe are floating staircases?
Given their lack of visible support structures, you would be forgiven for questioning just how safe floating staircases are. Most people are used to traditional staircases, with bannisters or railing for extra support and the reassuring presence of risers between steps. The slimline, minimalist aesthetic of floating staircases can be unnerving at first.
Rest assured, floating staircases are as safe and reliable as their traditional counterparts. Meticulous engineering and health and safety protocols have been followed in developing floating staircases, ensuring they generally match or exceed the established safety standards of staircases.
For example, the hidden supports that attached each step to the wall upon which the staircase is installed are engineered to accommodate significant weight and pressure. EngineeredReinforced wood, custom fabricated steel plates, and anchor boltstitanium rods are just a few examples of material components used in the support structures for floating staircases.
Some individuals may worry about slipping or tripping. Installing anti-slip coatings or inset nosings pads can quickly mitigate this risk and add a reassuring touch while maintaining the minimalist aesthetic.
Parents and pet owners may likewise be concerned about the potential risks towards their children and pets by installing floating staircases. Adding minimalist side railings or sub-partial risers to narrow the gaps between steps are great options for these individuals. Such methods maintain the core aesthetic of floating staircases with an added security boost.
When engineered and installed correctly, floating staircases deliver the same level of safety as traditional alternatives.
How to choose the safest floating staircase
There are a few key things to remember when choosing your new floating staircase. These tips will ensure you make the best choice for your space, safety concerns, and material preferences.
- Choose a reputable installation partner:
For the greatest peace of mind, you should work with experienced architects, contractors, and floating staircase manufacturers. Due to their unique properties, floating staircases require specific preparation work during the build/renovation of your home, expert installation conducted only by professionals with the requisite experience. You will want your partner to comprehensively understand key factors, including material types, differences, and load distribution guidelines.
- Decide whether you want extra safety features:
Parents with young children, small pet owners, and people with disabilities may opt for added safety features that offer greater peace of mind without compromising their floating staircase's beautiful and elegant aesthetic.
Optional extras like additionalguard railings, bannisters, non-slip finishes or inset steel nosingsmats, and glass riser panels are all designed to help you relax while enjoying your new floating staircase.
- Choose the right materials:
Floating staircases complement, accentuate, and heighten existing modern interiors, so choosing the correct materials is essential to get right. Floating staircases can be manufactured from a wide range of options, from tempered glass solid wood to stainless steel. All are durable, robust, and comprehensively load-bearing, so it’s essential to consider the best match for your space.
How to get a personalised floating staircase quote
First Step Designs offers an easy, hassle-free, same-day quotation service for all floating staircase options.
For those who want guidance, reassurance, and assistance through the design and ideation phase, our team is standing by to point you in the right direction and help you through the process. If you know exactly what you’re looking for, we are ready to hear your wishes and start bringing them to life!
Make sure to consider the following points before our chat – these steps will help you get a clearer picture of your vision and get the most out of our discussion!
- Consider your design preferences. Even if you’re still torn, collecting a few images from our website of styles you like – glass, wood, or metal designs, safety features, etc. – is a great start.
- Where is your staircase going? Do you have some basic measurements and dimensions of the space where you want to install your floating staircase? Quickly checking walls' lengths and ceilings' heights is useful for later project development.
- How much do you want to spend? While floating staircases are great value for money, there is naturally some cost involved! Working on a clear budget ahead of project discussions will paint a realistic scope picture and help us offer you the best way forward.
We can’t wait to hear from you. Reach out to us with these points in mind, and we will get back to you the same day with a personalised, accurate quote for your dream floating staircase.
If you just want an exploratory chat, that’s perfectly fine too. Get in touch!
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