What Options Can I Have for My Floating Stairs in Nashville?

More than you probably realize.

Seemingly floating because there is no riser between each step, custom floating stairs put traditional staircases to shame with their ultra-modern and sleek look. Their levitating appearance creates a stunning architectural element that can become the main focal point of your home. We, at Nashville Custom Railing, fabricate and install mono stringer floating stairs for developers and private homeowners as a local floating stair builder. We make them using a variety of styles, treads, colors, and railings to fit any setting.

What are Mono Stringer Stairs?

Mono stringer floating stairs use a single, central stringer to support the steps and create their trademark mid-air floating appearance. Considered as the “backbone” of the staircase, the stringer runs down the center of the stair to support the treads that are bolted onto it. This center beam is made of heavy-duty steel for handling up to 300 pounds per tread. Because there are no posts supporting the stair, it takes up less space than a traditional staircase and provides more usable space beneath the steps, giving any room a less crowded feel.

What are the Different Styles of Mono Stringer Stairs?

Knowing that each home is unique, our mono stringer floating stairs come in various styles with their own distinctive elegance and functionality. One of the most popular and classic styles is the straight mono stringer stair which features a linear design that doesn’t change direction. It only needs to be connected at the top and the bottom in one straight slope, making it the easiest stair to go up and down. Because of its clean line and simple silhouette, this design style is ideal for open floor plans and minimalist interiors.

For rooms with limited square footage, a switchback staircase is a compact design option that takes up less linear space. Also known as a U-shaped staircase, it rises halfway in one direction, reaches a landing, then switches direction at the landing. There’s a metal stringer providing support for both sections of the stair for strength and safety. The two flights of steps create a bold visual impact while also providing a natural resting place on the landing. 

If you need a touch of the grandiose, a curved single stringer offers a helical design that follows the curve of the steps. It uses heavy and large profile structural steel that is gracefully curved a few degrees, or even a full 360 degrees. Its gently winding design is easy to navigate even with no landing platform. Often found in a home’s entryway, its fluid lines and sweeping motion creates a great first impression and a most welcoming vibe.

Sizing Options for Your New Stairs?

To meet code, your treads will be no less than 36" wide. That is the minimum clearance needed for standard stairs in all uses. If you have space for something more luxurious and a larger budget to work with, we can build and install for a tread as wide as 54". Stairs this size are more commonly found in high-traffic areas, like commercial spaces that want to impress but also need passage for many patrons at once. If you're looking for something that is a step up from 36", consider looking a tread in the 40" range. This will add some extra space to your staircase, creating a more deluxe piece without over doing it. If you don't already have plans from a developer or architect, we'll be glad to give you a recommendation after we view the site and take measurements.

What Finishes are Available for Custom Metal Stairs?

Our mono stringer floating stairs come with a wide range of color options to complement the overall design scheme of your home. Neutral hues such as white, black, or gray lend a sense of sophistication that can instantly elevate your staircase. If you’re looking for a color that makes a statement or matches the motif of your office or brand visuals, we can custom match nearly any color for a bold or eccentric look that creates a dramatic focal point to match your design vision. All our stringers will come with a powder-coated finish that hold up better than traditional paint to any wear and tear they will experience. All you need to do, is tell us what color you prefer.

The treads also play a crucial role in both the aesthetic appeal and structural integrity of your staircase. Butcher block treads made of premium quality wood  are our go-to option for thick, beautiful treads. Every type of wood comes with a different look and a different price point.

Customize Your Floating Stairs With the Perfect Selection of Butcher Block Tread

On the more cost conscious end of the spectrum, you can consider Hickory, Oak, Maple, Cherry or Ash wood for your treads. Let's break these down and consider some of the characteristics:

• Cherry tends to have a pinkish red color, but gets darker and browner with age. The pattern will be tight with a straight grain. Cherry is durable but may not have the same strength (hardness) as maple or oak. This wood is very traditional and will provide a classic look.
• Maple is on the lighter side of wood colors. The pattern in the wood will be a minimal straight grain. This wood is very common for butcher blocks, and while it may be too light or bright for the decor of some homes, if white walls and a light aesthetic are a big part of your decor, and you don't want your treads to stick out, maple could be a good option.
• Ash is a blonde wood. The pattern in these pieces will be more noticeable and visually heavier so they can work well with interiors that stray towards a more rustic vibe.
• Hickory can vary a bit but commonly has light and darker streaks. Because of this coloration, it may not be the tidiest look for an ultra clean home. Like Ash, it may be better suited for a rustic environment or something that can absorb the possible differentiation in color patterns. This will be one of the hardest wood options you'll find for treads.
• Oak really needs to be examined by the particular variety because the color can run the gamut from warm to cool tones. Some have a darker dashes running with the grain and others may have marks running across the grain.

Woods that may require a bit more spend are varietals like Mahogany, Walnut, Zebrawood, and White Oak.

• Mahogany can have darker golden color ranging to a reddish brown. The grain is different than most but still is straight and consistent with few knots. This wood darkens over time and will provide your stairs with a luxurious finish.
• Walnut is rich brown color but may contain runs of blonde color which add visual depth. The grain is typically straight but can also have swirls or waves too. The thick color is not overbearing with darkness and has an ability to make a space look very unique in a sophisticated way.
• Zebrawood contains dark stripes that create beautiful visual differentiation on the surface. Sometimes the lighter shades within the wood will be creamy allowing the dark stripes to pop even more. This accent pattern will attract attention (as if your stairs need more). This wood is from West Africa and like other exotic woods, can get expensive.
• White Oak is one of the types mentioned above that have marks running in a pattern across the grain. White Oak is a very common choice for craftsman and traditional homes. It has grown to become more of a modern-looking choice over the years with the popularity of neutral-light shades. White Oak can fall in this color category but can also be a little darker.

Can You Make Unique Treads that Aren't Wood?

If you want a more contemporary look than floating stairs with wooden treads, tempered glass and metal treads offer a sleek and modern aesthetic, coupled with exceptional strength and stability. These stairs will make your place stand out, but you're really raising the bar by using elements of glass and concrete. Your guests will feel like they're in a movie set as they marvel at the beauty and uniqueness of your staircase.

Finally, graspable railings and handrails are essential components of custom floating stairs to protect people from falling over the edge. You may see photos of futuristic looking stairs that don't have railings, but this are not to code and can be dangerous. Traditional metal railings made of stainless steel or aluminum deliver durability and timeless appeal Cable railings also use stainless steel while being unobtrusive. Laminated glass, on the other hand, allows natural light to pass through to create a brighter and more welcoming atmosphere. Like the stringer, we have the ability to powder coat your railings to match an existing element, to blend in or to stand out.

More than just connecting the different levels of your home, our floating stairs for new construction add a stunning visual centerpiece to your living space. Whether it's a straight, switchback or curved design, or color palettes, treads and handrails that reflect your unique aesthetics, we can give you the look that you are trying to achieve. As the best floating stair company in Nashville, we can ensure smooth and issue-free planning, manufacturing, delivery, and installation without cutting any corners on quality and finishing details. All performed by our professional, local team.