Whether you’re designing a domestic or commercial space, choosing the right staircase has the potential to make or break the look of the space. There are many staircase styles available for renovations and new builds, with one of the most popular and standout choices is the cantilever staircase. Also known as ‘floating staircases’, these statement stairs can effortlessly bring a modern ‘wow factor’ to any space. 

But how do these architectural marvels work and how are they installed?

From explaining how cantilever stairs work and outlining how hassle free they are to install with specialist help to addressing how safe they are, in this guide, we answer all the questions you might have before installing one of these stylish features.

 

 What are cantilever stairs?

Before looking at how they work, it’s important to first understand what cantilever stairs are. Put simply, a cantilever staircase is an architectural feature designed to give the illusion that its steps – bridging surfaces on two levels – are suspended in mid-air without any visible support beneath. This simple yet effective architectural feat has the ability to add a sense of openness and lightness to any space, providing a modern, minimalistic look. 

 

Are cantilever stairs the same as floating stairs?

Yes. ‘Cantilever stairs’ is the architectural term for the more commonly used ‘floating staircase’. As you might have guessed, this name comes from the fact that, from certain angles, the installation of cantilever stairs creates an illusion that the steps making up the staircase are ‘floating’ or hovering without the support of traditional risers. 

In the architectural, construction and interior design worlds, these terms are used interchangeably. 

 

How do floating stairs work?

Cantilever staircases work in a deceptively simple way. Although the stairs appear to be hovering when you view them from the side, in reality, each step is anchored to a wall or stringer at one end. This creates a projecting structure which can take the equal distribution of weight to remain secure. By transferring the load through hidden supports and the anchoring in the wall, each step distributes weight evenly to create a structurally sound staircase. 

 

How to build cantilever stairs

Building a cantilever staircase requires patience, precision, and a solid understanding of structural engineering principles. If you are lacking in the latter, it’s important to seek professional support before you start to build. Once you feel confident that you know how these modern structures work, actually installing them can be a fairly straightforward process, providing you have the right support from qualified specialists, like Jarrods. Follow these simple steps below to get started. 

Important: If you’re unsure how to complete any of these steps, or get stuck at any point, it’s important to seek professional advice or assistance to ensure safety and proper installation. Here at Jarrods, we can assist you in this regard. 

 

1) Planning and design

Before doing anything else, you should start by getting in touch with a qualified specialist, like us here at Jarrods, to help you develop a detailed plan. This important stage in the process will help you when it comes to designing a safe and effective staircase layout and help to ensure you get your dimensions correct. 

They can also help you to select the best support structure for your project. Remember – cantilever stairs are typically anchored to a solid wall using a simple metal frame. However, if you’re dealing with a stud wall, an alternative support option will have to be constructed. As a specialist, at Jarrods, we can advise on this, as well as the best materials to use for the style you’re going for.

2) Prepare the wall

If your stairs will be supported by a solid wall, your next step involves simply reinforcing it to make sure it can handle the load of your cantilever steps. As mentioned above, for stud walls, additional bracing or supports may be required. Never try to install a cantilever staircase using a stud wall without reinforcing it.

3) Install your frame/skeleton

Most floating staircases make use of a fabricated metal frame or ‘skeleton’ that will be tailored to fit your specification.  When you buy from Jarrods, our team of skilled craftsmen and designers work with you to properly secure this metal frame to the wall or alternative support structure, ensuring that it is level, properly aligned, and safely anchored.

4) Install the treads 

Once you have the frame in place, it’s time to attach the treads. Depending on your preferences and design, these can be made from a variety of materials, such as wood, stone, or concrete. 

To do this, each tread will need to be either welded or bolted to the skeleton frame. Naturally, all treads also need to be spaced evenly and you need to make sure they are level when connected. This is important not just from an aesthetic point of view, but also a functionality and safety one. 

Finally, always double-check that all treads are properly secured and are able to bear the weight before moving onto the finishing touches. Once again, it can be good to get a qualified professional to check this for you. When you come to Jarrods, our team will do this for you.

5) Install balustrades and make final checks 

To finish off, you may want to install balustrades. These can improve both safety and aesthetics. At Jarrods, for floating staircases, we typically recommend wrought iron or glass balustrades. Both provide a contemporary look that fits perfectly with this style of staircase. When installing, make sure all balustrades are properly anchored and meet safety standards and building regulations when it comes to height. 

At this point, you may want to finish your installation by sanding down any wooden treads and, if needed, treating these materials with relevant lacquers or varnishes that are needed to protect the wood. With everything in place, final safety checks should be completed. Once again, you may want to bring in a trained professional to do this for you. This is part of the service if you opt for a Jarrods installation. 

 

 Are floating stairs safe?

Yes, when installed correctly, floating stairs are as safe as any other type of staircase. So long as you purchase materials from a trusted supplier, seek professional support and advice when needed during the installation process, and adhere to all building regulations, your cantilever staircase should be completely safe. 

One of the most common concerns with cantilever staircases tends to be about the gaps caused by the lack of traditional risers. This is understandable. However, building regulations here in the UK state that the gap between steps (as well as the space between the balustrades) cannot be more than 100mm. This means the spaces created should always be too small for a child or pet to get stuck or fall through. So, if you follow all building regulations and conduct final safety checks correctly, this should not be an issue. 

Here at Jarrods, we also use an anti-slip clear finish on our treads when installing cantilever staircases. This helps to ensure the socks grip to the treads as you climb and descend, meaning you shouldn’t have to worry about sliding down the stairs on slippery treads. 

For more information about cantilever stairs, or to get your floating staircase project started, get in touch with our friendly team today.