While classic wooden staircases are still hugely popular in the modern era, beautiful contemporary staircases are ideal for a wide range of households and buildings.
Whether it’s glass balustrades and spindles, a steel staircase, or something else entirely, modern, minimalist staircases are growing in popularity among the general public.
One thing that remains a luxury for some is cantilever stairs. These floating stairs create a beautiful focal point for any home and offer an interesting talking point for visitors.
But, what are cantilever stairs and how do they work? Are they safe enough for everyday life, and how are they constructed and installed?
Find out the answers to all of these questions as the Abbott-Wade experts explain cantilever stairs.
What are cantilever stairs?
Cantilever stairs are a type of staircase where the stair treads appear to be floating without support.
Cantilever stairs, also commonly known as floating stairs, are an effective architectural feat that can provide an open and light feeling to a home. This modern, contemporary style is favoured by many homeowners who want a minimalist look as well as something interesting to look at and discuss with guests.
How do cantilever stairs work?
So, how do cantilever stairs work? Are they a marvellous feat of engineering or are they more simple than we think?
While cantilever staircases appear to hover off the ground without any support, each step is attached to a wall or stinger at one end to secure it in place. This fitting creates a structure that can hold all the weight of each step without issue.
The anchoring in the wall is structurally fantastic, and it can safely hold a person’s weight as they make their way up or down the staircase.
How to build cantilever stairs
Building cantilever stairs requires a lot of skill, precision, an understanding of engineering principles and most importantly, patience.
Below are the steps one must follow to successfully create and install cantilever stairs.
- Design
The design and planning stage of this entire process is vital. If done incorrectly, the stairs simply won’t fit or they won’t have the intended finish you have envisioned. Dimensions must be correct and the wall that the stairs will run alongside must be structurally sound. The materials used for the staircase are also chosen at this stage.
- Preparing the wall
If the cantilever stairs are to be supported by a wall, it must be reinforced to ensure it can handle the weight of the staircase and anybody using it. For stud walls, some bracing and supports could be required before the staircase can be installed.
- Installing the frame
Cantilever staircases, mostly, use a fabricated metal frame tailored to the specific setting they’ll be installed into.
- Installing the treads
Once the frame is in place, the stair treads can be installed. These can be made from a range of materials, including wood, concrete and metal. Each tread must be bolted to the frame and, of course, fitted straight and level. If a tread is even slightly off, safety is compromised for anybody using the staircase.
- Installing the balustrades
Now, the final steps can be completed as the balustrades can be installed. These improve both the aesthetics of the staircase and the safety, preventing people from falling through the side of the stairs. During installation, the balustrades must be properly anchored and meet safety regulations in terms of height. When everything is in place and secure, the final safety checks should be conducted to ensure the staircase is safe and ready for use.
Choose bespoke contemporary stairs with Abbott-Wade
Are you keen on adding value to your home and improving the aesthetics of the entrance? A brand-new contemporary staircase could be just what you’re looking for. Here at Abbott-Wade we won’t install new cantilevered staircases for you but we can renovate an existing cantilevered staircase for you. Alternatively we can help to point you in the right direction or look at stylish alternatives like Mono-String or Frameless Glass staircases.
Fortunately we have decades of experience when it comes to designing and installing high-end staircases, so you can trust us to steer you in the right direction.
If you have an idea of what you’d like at home, but you need some professional advice, don’t hesitate to contact us today. A member of our team will be happy to discuss your situation and offer some advice.
