If you are thinking of modernising your home’s style and function, a staircase is an unexpectedly good place to start. A floating staircase can be a stunning design feature that opens up even the smallest of entrance ways and landings. As well as improving the safety of your home.
Ackworth House can provide all the solutions you’d need for your floating stair designs, NZ wide. With this clear guide on the elements needed to design your home’s new floating staircase, planning just got a whole lot easier.
Design Options
Most staircases are close to the front door or a central area in the home. It’s important to factor in the natural light to make the staircase seem light and lifted, you don’t want to place your floating staircase, that’s meant to lighten up the house, in a dark confining part of the home.
Wooden stairs tend to be the most popular and simple design when it comes to floating staircases. When it comes to designing your staircase it’s important to remember that sometimes a simple design can actually be more complex to build.
Stringers – The Backbone
A stringer is the vertical support board or structural element that runs along each side or centre of the staircase. They are most often made by steel, or wood depending on the design you want to create with your floating staircase.
There is the option to have this stringer in a central or mono position, this is great for modern designs and those who want a really open home layout. The double stringer, which is your classic option, produces a nice design that won’t go out of style easily. A twin stringer still allows for a sense of openness whilst providing more security in its structure. The last common stringer design is the cantilever, this style has a single side stringer (often hidden in the wall) that creates the look of floating steps.
Tread – The Vertebrae
Treads can be designed in a range of materials to create a contrast or match with the style of your home. Wood is the most common option, available in oak, ash, bamboo and many others. Wood steps are also available in various profiles, including solid, L-shaped and slimline. Glass treads are a very futuristic option and can be used to enhance the lighting of the staircase.
Composite, steel, and stone treads are some other options best suited for outdoor floating staircases or even indoors if you want a more industrial look.
Balustrade – The Ribs
Balustrades are the last essential design aspect to consider when building your new floating staircase. The most common options are variants of glass, steel, iron, or timber.
Steel balustrades are a great durable option and can come in square or round bars, there’s also the option for stainless steel wire. Iron balustrades come in similar designs to the steel variants, round, square or twist. Whilst your timber designs most commonly come in square options, they have a larger variety in the materials or wood types you can choose. The right wood type can help to enhance your home’s design.
A floating staircase is a central aspect in any home, they’re functional, but can also be an aesthetically pleasing element. Ackworth house has been working in the design and installation for NZ stairs for over 40 years. If you have any questions or want more information about our different staircase designs, get in touch with us by sending an enquiry on your website.