Floating Stairs

Custom Floating Staircases

Modern floating stairs engineered and built to make a statement. Open riser mono stringer and cantilevered staircases with wood treads, steel stringers, and glass or cable railings, custom designed and installed across British Columbia.

A Floating Staircase That Anchors the Room

A custom floating staircase is often the centerpiece of a modern home. By removing bulky closed stringers and risers, a floating stair opens sightlines, lets light travel between floors, and turns a functional element into sculptural architecture.

Arc & Oak designs, engineers, and builds custom floating stairs for new builds and renovations. From a single steel mono stringer with thick oak treads to cantilevered stairs that appear to grow straight from the wall, every staircase is made to measure, structurally engineered, and finished to match your interior.

Custom bathroom with freestanding tub and dark tile The Bench, Not the Factory

Floating Stair Styles & Layouts

We build floating staircases in the support style and layout that suits your space, structure, and design.

01

Mono Stringer

A single central steel beam carries the treads for the cleanest, most popular open riser look.

02

Cantilevered

Treads anchor into a structural wall and appear to float with no visible support underneath.

03

Double & Side Stringer

Twin or side mounted stringers for wider stairs and longer spans that need extra support.

04

Straight & L Shaped

Straight runs and ninety degree turns at a landing to fit the flow of your floor plan.

05

U Shaped & Switchback

Two parallel flights joined by a landing, ideal for taller rises in a compact footprint.

06

Curved & Winder

Sweeping curved stairs and winder turns for a dramatic, sculptural centerpiece.

Custom bathroom with freestanding tub and dark tile The Bench, Not the Factory

Engineered Down to Every Detail

Steel Stringers
Precision welded steel spines and support frames, engineered and finished to carry the stair invisibly.
Solid Wood Treads
Thick hardwood treads, typically 40 to 60 mm, bolted to concealed brackets for a substantial, quiet step.
Concealed Mounting
Hidden brackets, wall pockets, and anchors that keep connections out of sight for a true floating effect.
Open Risers
The open space between treads that lets light pass through and gives floating stairs their signature look.
Railings & Handrails
Glass, cable, or metal railings with wood or metal handrails, integrated cleanly into the structure.

Treads Built to Be Seen

Because floating stairs have no risers, the treads are on full display. We build them from materials chosen for beauty and durability.

Hardwood Treads

White oak, walnut, ash, and maple treads, milled thick and finished to show off natural grain.

Steel & Metal

Powder coated steel treads and plates for an industrial, minimalist, or fully modern aesthetic.

Glass Treads

Laminated safety glass treads that create a striking, light filled floating stair for bold interiors.

Stone & Concrete

Solid stone and cast concrete treads for weighty, contemporary staircases with real presence.

Wrapped & Clad

Treads clad to match existing flooring so the staircase reads as a seamless part of the home.

Composite

Durable engineered treads that balance a consistent look with long term performance.

Choose Your Tread Wood Species

The wood you choose sets the tone for the whole staircase. We mill floating stair treads from premium hardwoods, each finished to protect the surface and bring out its natural grain.

White Oak

Warm neutral, straight grain

Hard, stable, and highly wear resistant, the go to choice for open tread stairs.

Walnut

Rich chocolate brown

A luxurious dark hardwood with flowing grain for a bold, high end staircase.

Maple

Pale, clean, fine grain

Bright and contemporary with a smooth, uniform surface and excellent hardness.

Ash

Light blond, prominent grain

Tough and shock resistant with a strong open grain and a modern, airy feel.

Rift Oak

Soft honey tone, linear grain

Rift sawn for a consistent straight grain that suits clean, minimalist designs.

Hickory

Creamy to amber, dramatic grain

One of the hardest domestic woods, ideal for high traffic treads with character.

Railing Options That Complete the Look

The railing defines how open and modern your staircase feels. We fabricate and install railings to match your design and meet code.

01

Glass Railings

Frameless and standoff mounted glass panels with a wood or metal cap rail for a nearly invisible barrier.

02

Cable Railings

Tensioned stainless cable runs that keep sightlines open while meeting spacing requirements.

03

Metal Picket

Vertical steel or aluminum pickets in custom profiles, powder coated in the color of your choice.

04

Wood Handrails

Sculpted hardwood handrails that tie the railing back to the treads and warm the whole stair.

Structurally Engineered, Code Compliant

Floating stairs remove visible supports, so the structure behind them matters more than ever. We engineer every staircase to carry real loads and to meet local building code, then coordinate permits and inspections.

Element
Typical Guidance
Why It Matters
Riser Height
Uniform, up to about 7.75 in
Consistent risers keep the stair safe and comfortable to climb
Tread Depth
Around 10 in minimum
Adequate depth gives secure footing on open riser stairs
Handrail Height
About 34 to 38 in
Handrails must sit within a graspable, code compliant range
Guard Height
About 42 in at open sides
Guards protect open edges and landings from falls
Stringer & Anchors
Engineered steel
Hidden structure carries the full load without visible support

From Concept to Installation

A clear, four-stage process that takes your stairs from first conversation to final install.

1
Stage 01

Design & Measure

We review your space and design a floating stair around your structure, style, and sightlines.

2
Stage 02

Engineer & Detail

Stringers and connections are engineered and detailed for permits, loads, and code.

3
Stage 03

Fabricate

Steel is welded and finished and treads are milled and sealed in our shop.

4
Stage 04

Install

We install the structure, treads, and railings cleanly and coordinate inspections.

Floating Stairs Across the Lower Mainland

We design, build, and install floating stairs for homeowners and builders throughout Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.

VancouverBurnabySurreyLangleyCoquitlamRichmondDeltaNew WestminsterWhite RockMaple RidgeAbbotsfordMission

Floating Stairs FAQ

Are floating stairs safe?

Yes. A properly engineered floating staircase is fully structural and code compliant. The supports are hidden, not absent, and every stair we build is engineered to carry required loads with code compliant railings and guards.

How much does a floating staircase cost?

Can floating stairs be added to an existing home?

What tread and railing options are available?

Do floating stairs require a permit?

Design Your Floating Staircase

Book a consultation and let our team engineer and build a floating stair that transforms your home.