How Do Floating Stairs Actually Work? Here's Exactly How These Gravity-Defying Designs Actually Work

Floating stairs look impossible. Steps seemingly suspended in mid-air, no visible supports underneath, just... there. But they're not magic, they're engineered by professionals like Bavari. Understanding how floating staircases work helps you decide whether they're right for your Irish home.

What Are Floating Stairs?

Floating stairs, also called cantilever stairs or suspended stairs, create the illusion that individual treads float unsupported in space. The reality is more interesting. These staircases rely on clever structural engineering that hides the support systems, making them invisible or barely noticeable.

The term "floating" refers purely to appearance, not function. Every single tread is firmly anchored and capable of supporting substantial weight. What makes them special isn't a lack of support, it's where that support is hidden.

Most floating staircases share these characteristics:

• Open risers (the vertical space between treads is empty)

• Hidden or minimalist structural support

• Clean, uncluttered lines

• Contemporary aesthetic

• Maximised light flow and visual openness

How Do Floating Stairs Actually Stay Up?

Floating stairs work through one of several engineering principles, but most commonly through cantilever action. Let's break down what's actually happening.

A cantilevered structure is anchored at one end and free at the other. Think of a diving board—firmly fixed to the pool deck, free-floating over the water. Floating stair treads work similarly, anchored deep into a wall or support structure whilst appearing to extend freely into space.

The hidden structural support must absorb and transfer significant forces:

• Vertical loads: The weight of people walking on the stairs

• Lateral loads: Side-to-side movement as people climb

• Dynamic loads: Impact forces from footsteps, not just static weight

• Point loads: Concentrated weight at specific locations

Each tread acts as an individual cantilever, typically anchored 250-400mm deep into the supporting wall or structure. The anchor points distribute weight through the building's structural framework, preventing failure.

Primary Support Systems: Three Main Approaches

Floating staircases achieve their effect through three primary structural systems. Understanding these helps you recognise what's suitable for your space and budget.

1. Wall-Mounted Cantilever (True Floating)

This is what most people picture when they imagine floating stairs. Each tread bolts directly into the wall using heavy-duty steel brackets, frames, or pockets embedded in the structure.

How it works:

• Steel plates or frames are anchored deep into a load-bearing wall

• Treads attach to these hidden supports

• The wall itself becomes the primary structural element

• No visible stringers or central support poles

Requirements:

• Exceptionally strong load-bearing wall (usually reinforced concrete or steel-stud construction)

• Solid substrate for anchoring (timber-framed walls rarely sufficient without major reinforcement)

• Professional structural engineering assessment mandatory

• Building Control approval in Ireland

This approach creates the most dramatic visual effect but demands the most robust wall construction. Many older Irish homes lack suitable walls without significant reinforcement work.

2. Central Mono Stringer

A mono stringer system uses a single, central steel beam that runs underneath the centre of each tread. The stringer itself is anchored to the floor and upper landing, creating a strong spine for the entire staircase.

How it works:

• A substantial steel beam (typically 200-300mm deep) runs up the centre of the staircase

• Each tread bolts onto brackets welded to the stringer

• The stringer transfers all loads to the floor and upper landing

• Often partially recessed or left exposed as a design feature

Requirements:

• Reinforced floor and ceiling joists to support the stringer

• Precise engineering to calculate beam size and load capacity

• Professional installation essential

• Generally more affordable than true cantilever designs

Mono stringer stairs offer easier installation than wall-mounted systems whilst maintaining a floating appearance. The central support is visible from some angles but can be designed as an attractive architectural element rather than hidden completely.

3. Side-Mounted Stringers

These use one or two steel stringers attached to a wall or support structure on one or both sides of the staircase. Treads bolt onto the stringers, which bear the structural load.

How it works:

• Steel beams run along one or both sides of the staircase

• Treads connect to the stringers via brackets or welded connections

• Stringers transfer loads to the floor and wall

• Can be exposed or recessed into walls

Requirements:

• Adequate wall strength for stringer attachment

• Proper load distribution through the structure

• Less demanding than pure cantilever but still requires engineering

Side-mounted systems offer a middle ground between traditional staircases and dramatic floating designs. They're generally more affordable and easier to retrofit into existing Irish homes.

Support Components: What's Actually Holding Everything Up?

Regardless of which primary system is used, several components work together to create a safe, functional floating staircase.

Component	Function	Material	Notes
Tread core	Structural support for walking surface	Steel, engineered timber	Often hidden within tread finish
Brackets	Connect treads to stringers or walls	Steel (typically 10-25mm plate)	Must meet strict load requirements
Anchors	Secure supports to structure	Heavy-duty expansion bolts, chemical anchors	Critical failure point—must be oversized
Stringers	Bear and distribute loads	Steel (usually powder-coated)	Size varies by span and load
Handrails	Safety and additional stability	Steel, timber, glass	Required by Irish building regs
Balustrades	Fall protection and visual boundary	Glass, steel cables, steel rods	Must meet sphere test requirements

The tread itself often comprises multiple layers: a structural core (usually steel), possibly insulation or acoustic dampening, and the visible tread surface (wood, glass, stone, or metal).

Weight Capacity: Can They Really Support People?

This is probably the first question everyone asks. The short answer: absolutely, when properly engineered.

Irish Technical Guidance Document K (TGD-K) requires all staircases—floating or traditional—to support a minimum uniformly distributed load of 3.0 kN/m² for residential use. For individual treads, this translates to roughly 300-400kg concentrated at any point.

Properly designed floating stairs typically support far more than minimum requirements. Testing often shows:

• Basic residential floating stairs: 400-600kg per tread

• Higher-specification designs: 800-1,000kg per tread

• Commercial installations: 1,200kg+ per tread

One manufacturer's testing revealed it took over 1,400kg to pull a single tread from its bracket—nearly five times the regulatory minimum. Structural failure is extremely unlikely in correctly designed systems.

What limits weight capacity? Usually one of these factors:

• Wall strength and anchor point capacity

• Stringer size and material grade

• Tread material and thickness

• Overall span and configuration

Professional engineers calculate these during design, specifying components that provide adequate safety margins.

Irish Building Regulations for Floating Stairs

Installing floating stairs in Ireland requires compliance with several regulatory documents.

Technical Guidance Document K governs stairway design, specifying:

• Minimum tread depth (going): 280mm for private stairs

• Maximum rise: 220mm for private stairs

• Minimum clear width: 800mm for private stairs

• Headroom: 2,000mm throughout the staircase

• Handrail requirements if more than two risers

• Guarding requirements

Technical Guidance Document B addresses fire safety:

• Escape routes must meet specific requirements

• Open risers may be restricted in certain escape scenarios

• Fire-resistant materials may be required

Sphere test requirements are crucial for floating stairs. Irish regulations require that a 100mm sphere cannot pass through any opening in guarding or between treads. This protects children from falls.

Many floating staircase designs feature open risers, which creates a potential issue. If the vertical gap exceeds 100mm, additional protection is needed—usually glass panels or horizontal bars.

Building Control approval is mandatory for most floating staircase installations. You'll need engineered drawings showing the structural support system, load calculations, and compliance with TGD-K and TGD-B.

Advantages: Why Choose Floating Stairs?

Beyond their striking appearance, floating stairs offer several practical benefits.

• Space and light are the most obvious advantages. Traditional staircases with solid risers and enclosing stringers create visual barriers. Floating designs allow light to pass through, making spaces feel larger and brighter. In compact Irish homes where every bit of perceived space matters, this is valuable.

  
  

• Modern aesthetic suits contemporary architecture. If your home features clean lines, open-plan layouts, and minimalist design, floating stairs complement that style beautifully. They've become signature elements in high-end Irish residential projects.

  
  

• Customisation is almost unlimited. Materials, finishes, dimensions, and configurations can be tailored precisely to your space and preferences. Want walnut treads with stainless steel cables and glass panels? Oak treads with black powder-coated steel and rod balustrades? Custom shapes to fit awkward spaces? All achievable.

  
  

• Resale value can improve with high-quality floating stairs. Estate agents frequently highlight them as desirable features. Buyers seeking contemporary homes specifically look for these architectural details.

Disadvantages and Limitations: The Less Glamorous Reality

Floating stairs aren't perfect for every situation or home. Understanding their limitations prevents expensive mistakes.

Cost is substantial. Expect to pay €8,000-€25,000+ for a floating staircase in Ireland, compared to €2,500-€6,000 for traditional stairs. The price reflects complex engineering, premium materials, specialist installation, and structural modifications.

Custom designs with glass treads, extensive wall reinforcement, or complex configurations easily exceed €30,000.

Structural requirements can be prohibitive. Many Irish homes—especially older properties with solid block or stone walls—need significant reinforcement to support floating stairs safely. Timber-framed walls rarely suffice without steel reinforcement.

Retrofitting floating stairs into existing homes often means opening walls, installing steel frameworks, and making substantial structural modifications. This adds cost and disruption.

Sound transmission is worse than enclosed staircases. Open risers and minimal structure mean less sound insulation. Footsteps, conversations, and other noises travel more freely between floors. Some people find this problematic, especially in bedrooms located near staircases.

Acoustic dampening can be added—rubber pads beneath treads, insulation within tread cores, or carpeting—but these reduce the minimalist aesthetic that makes floating stairs appealing in the first place.

Maintenance and cleaning require more attention. Dust and debris accumulate on exposed brackets, stringers, and undersides of treads. Cobwebs love the open spaces. Glass panels need regular cleaning to maintain their transparency.

Traditional enclosed staircases hide these maintenance issues. Floating stairs make them visible.

Safety concerns exist for some households. Young children and elderly people sometimes feel less secure on open-riser stairs. The visual void beneath each step can be disconcerting. Proper handrails and adequate lighting help, but some individuals never feel completely comfortable.

Installation Process: What Actually Happens

Installing floating stairs is a multi-stage process requiring coordination between structural engineers, fabricators, builders, and specialist installers.

Stage 1: Structural assessment and design (2-4 weeks) A structural engineer inspects your property, assesses wall strength, examines floor and ceiling joists, and determines what reinforcement is necessary. They produce engineered drawings showing anchor points, load paths, and compliance with Irish regulations.

Stage 2: Planning and Building Control (4-8 weeks) Submit drawings to your local authority Building Control. Wait for approval. Timeline varies by council but typically takes 4-6 weeks minimum.

Stage 3: Structural preparation (1-2 weeks) If wall reinforcement is needed, builders install steel frameworks or pour reinforced concrete pockets. Floor and ceiling joists may need strengthening. This is messy, disruptive work involving demolition, steel fabrication, and reconstruction.

Stage 4: Manufacturing (4-8 weeks) Specialist fabricators manufacture your staircase components—stringers, treads, brackets, handrails, glass panels. Everything is custom-made to your specifications and site measurements.

Stage 5: Installation (2-5 days) Professional installers fit the staircase. This involves:

• Installing stringers or wall mounting systems

• Attaching treads securely

• Fitting handrails and balustrades

• Testing and inspection

• Final adjustments

The stringer itself often weighs 300-400kg, so installation requires multiple people and sometimes mechanical lifting equipment.

Stage 6: Finishing touches (1-2 days) Apply any final treatments to treads, clean everything, inspect for defects, conduct final safety checks.

Total timeline from initial design to completion: typically 12-24 weeks, depending on complexity and authority processing times.

Materials: What Are Your Options?

Floating stairs can incorporate various materials, each with different aesthetics, costs, and practical considerations.

Steel dominates structural components—stringers, brackets, and sometimes treads themselves. It's strong, durable, and can be powder-coated in any colour. Steel provides the backbone for almost all floating staircases.

Timber is the most popular tread material in Irish homes. Oak dominates for its hardness and attractive grain. Walnut, ash, and other hardwoods work beautifully. Timber adds warmth to the industrial aesthetic of steel supports.

Expect to pay €200-€600 per tread for quality hardwood treads, depending on species, dimensions, and finish.

Glass creates stunning visual effects—especially when used for treads, risers, or balustrades. Structural laminated safety glass (typically 30-50mm thick for treads) is required. Glass allows maximum light transmission but requires regular cleaning.

Glass treads cost €400-€1,200 each, making them the most expensive option.

Stone offers durability and visual weight. Granite, marble, or engineered stone treads work well but add considerable weight to the structure. Heavier treads require stronger support systems, which increases overall cost.

When Floating Stairs Aren't the Right Choice

Despite their appeal, floating stairs aren't suitable for every home or situation.

Older Irish properties with solid stone or block walls often lack the structural capacity for wall-mounted floating stairs without massive reinforcement. The cost of necessary modifications sometimes exceeds the staircase itself.

Homes with young children or elderly residents may find open-riser designs unsuitable. The psychological comfort of solid stairs matters, especially for people with mobility issues or fear of heights.

Budget constraints make floating stairs impractical for many projects. If €8,000-€15,000 for a staircase stretches your budget uncomfortably, traditional stairs serve just as well functionally.

Sound-sensitive situations—homes with bedrooms directly adjacent to staircases, or open-plan layouts where noise travel matters—may suffer from the acoustic properties of floating stairs.

Period properties rarely suit floating stairs aesthetically. A Georgian townhouse or Victorian terrace calls for traditional joinery that respects the building's character. Floating stairs would feel jarring and inappropriate.

Maintenance: Keeping Them Looking Good

Floating stairs need regular maintenance to stay safe and attractive.

Weekly cleaning:

• Dust treads and visible structural components

• Clean glass panels and handrails

• Check for loose fittings or unusual movement

Monthly inspection:

• Examine all visible brackets and connections

• Look for cracks in treads or structural components

• Test handrail security

• Clean beneath and around treads

Annual professional inspection:

• Have a qualified person check structural integrity

• Tighten any connections that have loosened

• Inspect hidden anchor points (may require partial disassembly)

• Apply protective treatments to timber treads

Timber treads need refinishing every 3-5 years depending on traffic. Steel components may need touch-up painting if scratched or chipped.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can floating stairs be installed in Irish homes with timber-framed walls?

Timber-framed walls rarely provide adequate support for wall-mounted floating stairs without substantial reinforcement. However, mono stringer systems work well in timber-framed homes because the stringer transfers loads to the floor and upper landing rather than relying on wall strength. If you have timber-framed construction, expect to add steel reinforcement frames or opt for a stringer-based design. A structural engineer must assess your specific situation and design appropriate supports. Budget an additional €2,000-€5,000 for timber-frame reinforcement work.

Do floating stairs bounce or vibrate more than traditional staircases?

Properly engineered floating stairs should not bounce or vibrate excessively. Any staircase experiences some deflection under load—that's normal physics. However, inadequately designed floating stairs can feel "springy" or unstable, particularly those with long cantilevered spans or insufficient stringer depth. High-quality installations use appropriately sized structural components and sometimes include vibration dampening materials. During installation, engineers test for excessive deflection and make adjustments. If your floating stairs feel bouncy after installation, consult the installer immediately—this indicates a potential structural issue requiring correction.

How do floating stairs perform in Irish homes during winter with underfloor heating?

Floating stairs work perfectly with underfloor heating systems, but material selection matters. Timber treads can experience minor expansion and contraction with temperature and humidity changes—this affects all timber staircases, not just floating designs. Engineers account for this by allowing small gaps at tread edges and using appropriate fixings that accommodate movement. Glass and stone treads are completely stable across temperature ranges. If your home has underfloor heating, inform your staircase designer during planning. They'll specify timber species and fixing methods that minimise movement issues whilst allowing the heating system to function properly.

Are there insurance implications for homes with floating stairs in Ireland?

Standard Irish home insurance policies cover floating stairs like any other architectural feature, provided they're professionally installed and comply with building regulations. However, you must inform your insurer about any major structural modifications to your home, including floating staircase installation. Failure to disclose could affect claims. Some insurers may adjust premiums slightly for homes with open-riser stairs, viewing them as marginally higher risk for falls, though this is uncommon. Always obtain and retain documentation showing Building Control approval, structural engineer certification, and professional installation records. These documents support insurance claims if needed.

Transform Your Home with Expert Staircase Design

At Bavari, we specialise in creating stunning floating staircases for Irish homes. From initial structural assessment through engineering, manufacturing, and installation, we guide you through every stage of the process.

Whether you're building new or renovating an existing property, our team can design a floating staircase that suits your space, budget, and style. Contact us today at www.bavari-stairs.com to discuss your project and get expert advice on whether floating stairs are right for your home.