Floating staircases are well-known for their design. They can be installed indoors or outdoors, for businesses or homes or remodels. They can be paired with several different types of railing and handrail options — often, they are installed with glass, cable, or rod railing. Many of these options come with components that can be hidden in the posts themselves: to enhance the illusion of floating.
Floating staircases are designed to minimize or hide the supporting structure of the staircase. This gives impression that the stair treads are floating. Floating stairs are popular in open concept spaces. They remove visual obstructions and maximize living space.
Modern stair design is all about innovating and creating fresh ideas, without sacrificing safety or strength.
Most popular kinds of Floating Staircases
Mono Stringer Staircases
The Mono Stringer Staircase is one of the most popular style of floating staircase. It features one exposed metal beam that holds the entirety of the staircase in place, creating a stunning look for even the simplest spaces. It works particularly well in minimalistic designs, and offers the highest level of customization. Mono stringer stairs are can be a type of open riser stair design .These staircases can also easily be designed around most building and safety codes.
Cantilever Staircases
Instead of relying on a steel stringer, Cantilever Staircases feature treads that are only fixed at one end. The other end either secures to the railing system, or floats freely. The fixed treads can be attached to a wall in a variety of ways, such as with a metal frame, by creating divets or “pockets” in the wall, or even by attaching a small single stringer along the wall. However, Cantilever Staircases can be tricky to design around building codes.
Straight Staircases
Sporting an open, minimalist look, the straight staircase is very appealing for modern homes. You can use a single mono stringer, double stringer, or even a side stringer to install this configuration. Lots of young people are using open riser straight stairs when they’re remodeling their home
Spiral Staircases
The spiral staircase has long been a classic in the design world — and the spiral floating stair is frequently seen in small spaces, such as a studio apartment. This staircase design keeps the home open and light, while the spiral configuration allows it to stay compact.
There is occasionally some confusion regarding the difference between a curved staircase and a spiral staircase. Curved stairs simply turn gently while they rise, but they remain less than 90º. A spiral staircase makes several tight turns, and often make several 360º rotations.
How are Floating Stairs Supported?
Floating stairs can be supported using steel brackets, a central spine, or hidden stringers. These methods provide stability and support while maintaining the illusion that the treads are floating. Each approach allows for a visually stunning staircase that can be a unique addition to any space.
One popular approach is to use steel supports. These supports are typically attached to the wall or an adjacent structure and remain hidden from view. When hidden, they give the impression that the floating stair treads are floating in mid-air. The treads are then secured to the brackets, providing support and stability for those using the stairs.
Another common method, and the traditional Viewrail floating stairs, is to use a central spine that runs through the center of the staircase. This spine is made of sturdy materials like steel to support each wood tread. The treads are then attached to the spine using brackets or other hardware, creating the illusion that the stairs are floating.
Lastly, some floating staircases utilize hidden or recessed stringers. These stringers are attached to the wall or other support structures and are hidden from view behind the treads. This design choice allows the treads to appear as if they are floating while still providing a stable and secure staircase.
The Pros and Cons of having Floating Stairs?
Pros
More Space
The floating design does not need a lot of support materials so they create space and remove visual obstructions from one room to another. The design gives homeowners the freedom to utilize their living rooms space extensively.
Modern Design
The unique design of a floating staircase is quite an illusion of a kind in terms of shape, appearance, or mode of pattern used. They look like an illogical practical that catches everyone’s eyes. The Unique style options, size dimensions and materials such as stone, metal, glass, or timber add a dramatic elegance.
Levitating Appearance
Floating staircases rise in the air and bring about a weightless floating beauty that appeals to homeowners and guests. The levitating appearance lets the light stream into the house. Bringing an existence of an authentic natural atmosphere to the living rooms.
Variety of Choices
The most popular and used ones include stones, metals, timber, glass, and composites. The wide array of options gives all the available possibilities to choose a perfect design that will blend with the mood of the home.
Ease of Use
The ease of accessing floating staircases is one of the major advantages. This is possible because, unlike traditional stairs, they may be constructed at any suitable position. In addition to this floating stairs are compliant with building regulations. They comply with the prescribed regulations of building that state at least one side of the stairways ought to have handrails.
Cost Effective
The materials needed to construct floating stairs are extremely cost-effective. This is because most of the materials are locally available. Also, the price of installation of the staircases involved is low and when constructing or repairing a story house, installation of the stairs is easy. Similarly, the maintenance of cantilevered stairs is cheap and less time consuming compared to traditional stairways.
Cons
If there are children or elderly people around, then a floating staircase might not be suitable. This is because their feet might slip through the gap between treads and result in injury. Similarly, the absence of a balustrade or handrail is also dangerous.
The higher your floor-to-floor height, the more expensive your floating stair will be because you will need more materials to achieve a higher elevation. A straight run will cost less than a more complicated run for the same reason: more necessary materials.
Load requirement, The Floating Stairs Load requirement is generally of 330 lbs or 150 kg for each single step. However, each Country has its own Staircases Building Code which gives specifications on how much weight floating stairs have to hold. Please check with your Local Building Officer.
Modern Floating Staircases are a creative way to add interest to your home design. When properly engineered and accompanied by a suitable railing system, floating staircases are safe alternatives to traditional stairs. By following the applicable building codes, safety concerns are all but alleviated.