Floating Staircase Cost & Design Ideas

Floating Staircase Cost

Floating stairs have become more popular recently, especially since homeowners are increasingly choosing contemporary styles. Selecting a modern floating stair in your interior design provides an open and spacious look and compliments the minimalistic contemporary style. One question arises: What is the cost of this creative staircase versus the traditional stairs?

When considering floating stairs, engineering is as important as the materials selected to build them. The reason is that the floating stringer, which gives the floating effect, must have superior strength yet minimal support. Because of the minimal support, the stringer must be well-engineered to ensure safety and longevity. Stair manufacturers will custom-weld stairs so the stringers are more solid and stable, which adds value and makes the floating stairs a good investment.

Engineering is of the utmost importance since the stair uses a smaller structure for support. Therefore, floating staircases cost more than traditional staircases. Floating stairs can use a mono-stringer design or a double-stringer design. The mono-stringer design is higher in cost because the engineering needed to create a durable stringer to support what two stringers can provide is greater. So you can be assured that your stair will withstand use and be long-lasting if you choose a mono-stringer floating stair.

A rough estimate for building a floating stair inside your home is between $5,000 and $25,000 for a double-stringer staircase. Add 40% more to that estimate for building a mono-stringer staircase. With this said, there are various other factors in estimating the cost, such as overall structure, size, the number of steps, the step material, the hand railing type (if you include one), and whether there will be any platforms or landings. Once you have designed your staircase, a contractor can better advise you on the total cost for this functional, impressive element in your home remodel or custom home build. The driving factors for cost are the quality and customization of the engineering.

Floating Staircase Design Ideas

A floating staircase is an architectural showpiece perfect for a minimalistic, open-air environment with a contemporary style, as in this renovated home. The spacious look is applicable in various settings, both outdoors and indoors. Property owners can implement floating staircase designs in many ways, making them spacing-permissive structures. By giving an open-air feel and allowing much more light into your rooms, floating stairs are lovely to incorporate into areas with large windows or openings, inviting sunlight to permeate your overall living space. A traditional staircase can block the view to the other side and visually close the space from one room to another.

If you desire to add more space to your floor plan, you can remove a wall and traditional staircase and incorporate the floating stairs just about anywhere. The added space allows for extra storage or a place for more furniture or artwork because floating stairs do not require the support of a nearby wall or any added form of support underneath. There are more options for the design of your floating stairs than a traditional staircase, allowing you to choose glass floating stairs, wood floating stairs, or metal floating stairs, to name a few. You can also configure your stairs to have several flights separated by landing platforms. The platforms can also provide various directions for each flight. Since you can choose the direction for each flight to run or rise, a well-engineered floating staircase can fit into the tightest spaces, even ones with unusual dimensions.

Floating stairs are versatile and can express your unique taste and creativity. Incorporating them into your home design complements the atmosphere and adds a grand look, a great way to impress your guests.

Take a look at this contemporary floating staircase with glass and with wood steps and an added bonus of a slide to the lower level for the children! Want to see more of this project?

Go here for other design ideas for floating stairs, and consider what you can do when choosing to remodel your current home or while planning the design for your new home build. The ideas are limitless!