Curved Staircases

You do not need planning permission to renovate or replace an existing staircase.

You do, however, need planning permission for new build projects. For more details on the process and how First Step Designs can assist, contact our team via our online portal or call 01782 959 300.

Yes, we do. First Step Designs is a leading supplier of bespoke metal and other types of staircases in the UK. Over the last decade, we’ve built new staircases and performed staircase renovations for clients up and down the UK. 

Yes, we do. It can be argued that a staircase installation is as important as design and fabrication. We only trust our experienced in-house installation team to get the job done right the first time around, removing the risk of poorly installed stairs that sway or creak and the need for constant back-and-forths to remedy small issues that pop up due to improper installation.

At First Step Designs, we pride ourselves on designing, building, and installing one-of-a-kind staircases. While we do offer a small range of very popular designs, more often than not, even these will be customised with bespoke finishes and features. 

Yes, metal stairs are just as safe as other types of staircases. In the UK, staircase materials and designs are regulated to conform to strict building regulations, ensuring they meet safety standards for load-bearing capacity, slip resistance, and handrail requirements. 

Metal is an incredibly strong and rigid staircase material that opens up design options that are difficult or expensive to achieve with wood, glass, or concrete. Their strength allows designers to create cantilever or floating staircases that appear to hang in mid-air without any visible support structures, as well as slimline staircases for homes with limited floor space. 

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Another advantage of metal staircases is that they work incredibly well when used alongside a broad range of other materials. Different types of metals with unique visual and functional properties; clear, frosted, or etched glass detailing; polished wooden handrails; and even decorative concrete landing areas all complement metal staircases beautifully to give homeowners and designers the freedom to truly express themselves.

The only real downside to a metal staircase is the increased costs; however, as stated earlier, these costs are largely offset by a reduced need for long-term maintenance. While there are other potential cons, such as noise or sound amplification, temperature sensitivity, or the risk of rust and corrosion, these disadvantages are easy to eliminate or heavily negate in the design and fabrication process. Noise-dampening timber treads, ultra-durable and scratch-resistant powder coats, and many other modern material science advancements 

significantly reduce the disadvantages of residential metal stairs.

A well-designed and bespoke metal staircase that fits seamlessly into your home, complements your other design choices and aesthetics, and creates a beautiful focal point can add significant resale value to your home. Metal staircases offer a unique blend of durability, modernity, and customisation options, making them an eye-catching and desirable feature for prospective buyers.

While each and every First Step Designs metal staircase is covered by a 10-year guarantee, the reality is that most metal staircases will last for several decades, even with minimal maintenance. Essentially, the metal components of a metal staircase only get damaged when the surface finishes or paintwork gets scratched deeply enough for oxidation (rust) to form. In most cases, a quick paintwork touch-up every 10 years or so should keep a metal staircase in top condition for decades.

Modern residential metal staircases are predominantly manufactured from mild steel, although both stainless steel and aluminium may be used for certain elements depending on the design. Mild steel, also known as low-carbon steel, is stronger, more affordable, and easier to weld and work with than higher-carbon steel.

Almost all residential metal stairs have mild steel substructures while aluminium and stainless steel may be used for handrails, balustrades, or decorative elements due to their superior resistance to corrosion and aesthetic appeal. 

Depending on the design, glass, wood, and concrete may also be used as decorative or safety elements.

Metal stairs are neither expensive nor especially affordable; complex and bespoke metal staircases featuring intricate design elements and exotic material choices are expensive, while bare-bones, prefabriated, functionality-over-everything-else metal staircases are significantly more affordable, especially when considering their durability and low maintenance requirements.

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Bespoke metal staircases for designer homes typically range anywhere between £178,000 and £30,000 (+ VAT) depending on the design complexity, material and finishing choices, and level of customisation. While this may be more expensive than softwood or concrete alternatives, when factoring in an expected lifespan of 80+ years even with minimal maintenance, the pricing difference between metal and other types of stairs starts to shrink.

Check out our blog post on How Much Does a Metal Staircase Cost? for more information on this topic.