Floating Staircases

Traditional stairs feature a vertical piece of material between each tread known as the riser. Floating stairs deliberately forgo risers to help them attain their floating effect. In the UK, the maximum height between two steps, including tread depth, is 220 mm, and a sphere of 100 mm in diameter must be able to pass between each set of steps. Typically, the gap between treads range from 85mm to 95mm.

Given the floating effect created, you’d be forgiven for wondering if floating staircases are less safe than traditional options, but rest assured, they are completely safe and reliable! 

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Firstly, any staircase installed in Britain is subject to strict government regulations on safety and reliability. Moreover, they undergo stringent engineering and testing before and after installation. Handrails or guardrails are required by law, adding further confidence in their use. 

Check out our Are Floating Staircases Safe blog post for more detailed information on this topic.

In the United Kingdom, staircases are regulated by Building Regulations 2010. The BR 2010 codes contain individual Approved Documents – for staircases, Approved Document K and Approved Document M are most relevant. 

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Approved Document K sets out provisions for protection from falling, collision, and impact. British staircases must meet standard measurements for compliance. Some examples include:

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• Tread Depth: minimum of 220mm for domestic properties and 2580mm for commercial
• Riser Height: maximum of 220mm for domestic properties and 190mm for commercial
• Pitch or Angle: maximum of 42° for domestic stairs
• Headroom: minimum of 2,000mm of headroom from the pitch line
• Handrails: required for any staircase once above 600mm from floor level
• Open risers: a 100mm sphere must not be able to pass through the riser gap
• Balustrades: must be a minimum of 900mm high on stairs and landings.

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Building code BS 5395-1:2010 pertains specifically to stair design practices. This code advises on the best approaches for the safety and usability of British staircases. In commercial settings, floating staircases may require additional safety measures. In such cases, consulting a professional is highly recommended.

Check out our Are Floating Staircases Legal blog post for more detailed information on this topic.

Floating staircases must comply with UK Building Regulations 2010, which stipulates government-approved loading capacities for all British staircases. First Step Designs’ floating stairs have been independently tested and verified by structural engineers to comply with and exceed all UK building regulations for stairs, easily holding the average weight of an adult on each stair without bending, buckling, or deformation.

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Certain design approaches and materials may further enhance the load-bearing capacities of a floating staircase. Steel, for example, is extremely strong and can support the heaviest weight. Concrete is similarly robust but heavier and may need reinforcement for installation. Most wooden or glass floating staircases have a steel structure, which would typically be hidden within the timber.

Another major benefit of floating staircases is the freeing up of extra living space that would be used for the structural support of a traditional staircase. How you use this additional space is up to you. Popular options include using the space under floating stairs as a:

• Storage space with built-in cabinets, drawers, or open shelving.
• Semi-sheltered nook for reading, relaxing, or working.
• Feature wall with interesting art pieces or textural elements.
• Focal point, especially in spaces with panoramic views and big glass windows.

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Most floating staircases rely on a concealed structure anchored to a specific style of structural wall. In the absence of a suitable wall, there are alternative methods such as box section stringers to build a wall around. This highlights the importance of early planning when it comes to floating staircases—left too late, you might lose some of the available space in your home.

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If you have your heart set on a floating staircase but you’re unsure of whether or not your home has a suitable wall, reach out to First Step Designs. Our experts love a challenge and have engineered several custom solutions for our clients in the past.

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Yes, you can carpet floating staircases; however, there are a few important points to consider that may not be relevant to other staircase types.

The defining feature of floating staircases is their floating effect. Choosing the wrong carpet—one that is plush, thick, or runs over from one riser to the next—will negatively affect the overall aesthetic and create a weird look as the carpet seems to flow from one floating stair to the next. 

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We strongly recommend going for thin or low-profile rugs or carpets that wrap around each stair and securely and neatly attach to the bottom. This style of carpeting can help increase grip, make the stairs slightly more comfortable on bare feet, and create interesting textural contrast with other staircase elements. It is critically important that the carpeting or rugs are securely attached. They would create a significant safety hazard if they came loose or slipped. 

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At First Step Designs, we personally feel that carpeting a floating staircase detracts from the final finish. While you’re free to accessorise your stairs and home as you wish, we strongly recommend viewing the final product without a carpet to appreciate your floating stairs’ full effect.

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At First Step Designs, we build custom floating staircases unique to each project we take on, creating something truly unique every time. We work with clients from concept to installation, covering design and ideation, fabrication, assembly, and aftersales care. 

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At his level of bespoke service, pricing for our floating staircases varies depending on the scope and scale of the project. Typically, our floating staircases range between £19,000 and £25,000. We encourage you to reach out to our team directly for a personalised, 24-hour quote.

Check out our How much do floating staircases cost blog post for more detailed information and examples.