Floating stairs have become popular in recent years. Especially in urban-style bungalows and luxury duplex apartments. The main characteristic that differentiates floating stairs from other staircases is that it is designed with open risers between the treads. This gives the staircase a floating effect. A floating staircase is also known as a cantilever staircase. Let’s go through some key considerations, tips and requirements for installing floating stairs in your home.
Things to Consider about Floating Stairs
Floating stairs are designed like they are floating in mid-air. Here are some important considerations for installing floating stairs.
Where to install a floating staircase
Installing a floating staircase is ideal for a light and open feeling. They are usually common in open-plan concept homes. The open risers of floating stairs combine a bright and airy atmosphere making the home interior minimalist, modern and spacious.
Besides, floating stairs don’t take up a lot of space like traditional staircases and are a brilliant choice for compact homes. Moreover, here is a list of some more creative staircase design ideas.
Structural design and safety
Another important thing to consider when installing floating stairs is their structural design and safety. Always get a professional structural engineer to design a floating staircase. The structural engineer has to take several considerations into account when making a floating staircase because each stair tread is an independent piece. The structural engineer has to make an efficient support system for all the treads.
Generally, the structure of the staircase is such that the mount is attached to the wall or hidden underneath the treads, welded or fixed with steel pins or bolts. Many floating staircases are supported by a steel mono stringer, side stingers or double stingers.
Stingers are located underneath the treads or railings, attached from the floor to the header board. A floating stairs stringer is the backbone of a floating staircase that supports the treads.
Floating stairs are also installed without stingers, whereby the treads are fixed into the wall directly using prefabricated anchoring pockets or a reinforcing metal frame.
For safety purposes, most floating stairs incorporate a handrail on at least one or both sides of the staircase.
Please note floating stairs are not safe for homes with children or elderly people. They may slip through the gap between treads and get injured. Moreover, floating staircases don’t have a handrail. This makes them risky. Go through this list of different types of staircase and choose the one that goes best with your requirements.
Staircase design styles
There are many floating staircase designs including a staircase with a straight flight, L-shaped stairs, and U-shaped and spiral staircases.
The floating staircase designs work well for duplex apartments and villas with different floors. Here is a list of villas for sale in the UAE. Those looking for rental options can go through these villas for rent in the UAE.
Moreover, if you are interested in buying a duplex apartment, go through these apartments for sale in the UAE. Those in search of rental options can browse through these apartments for rent in the UAE.
Choose from various materials
Common materials used to design a floating staircase include different types of wood, marble, glass and steel. This depends on the homeowner’s preference. Some like stone for the treads while some prefer wooden ones. Floating stairs also help enhance the home entrance décor.
Keep to the key dimensions
Much like a traditional staircase, the vertical spacing between each floating stair riser must be at least 6 inches with a depth of at least 12 inches. As for the handrail, it should be fixed at a distance of 36 inches from each tread.
Try unusual lighting
Things to consider about floating stairs also include reinforcing the floating effect. This can be done by incorporating concealed lighting underneath each tread. This gives the staircase a vibrant look. Here is a list of lightning and fixtures in the UAE. This gives the staircase a vibrant look.
Pros and Cons of Floating Staircases
Let’s go through the advantages and disadvantages of floating staircases.
Pros of floating staircases
- The overall home décor looks sleek and stylish with a floating staircase
- The stairs create a sense of space
- They can be made from different materials
- The floating staircase can be an attractive focal point of a room
Cons of floating staircases
- They are expensive to install when compared with traditional staircases
- They are not suitable for households with children or old-aged people
- They need more maintenance
Those were some important things to consider when installing floating stairs.
Stay tuned to dubizzle’s property blog for more on different styles of home décor.
