Engineered Stairs Systems
Amplify your project’s architectural impact with a precision-engineered stair system that blends structural mastery with uncompromising design. Moving beyond the limitations of traditional framing, our systems—from sleek mono-stringers to breathtaking cantilevered "floating" treads—are custom-fabricated to achieve minimalist aesthetics without sacrificing rigidity. By utilizing advanced 3D modeling and high-grade structural steel, we eliminate the "bounce" and bulk of standard construction, delivering a centerpiece that is as much a work of art as it is a feat of engineering. Whether you are aiming for the transparency of structural glass or the bold lines of a helical curve, our engineered solutions arrive site-ready, ensuring seamless integration, BC Code compliance, and a level of finish that defines the modern luxury interior.
Technical Considerations for BC Projects
Given our background in British Columbia construction, you’ll want to keep a few specific engineering "gotchas" in mind for these systems:
Seismic Anchoring: In BC, custom stairs must be engineered to withstand lateral seismic forces. This often means the top and bottom connection points must allow for slight movement or be heavily reinforced to prevent the "spine" from shearing.
Deflection Limits: Custom systems are often scrutinized for "bounce." Engineers typically target a deflection limit (often L/360 or L/480) that is much stricter than standard code to ensure a high-end feel.
Guardrail Loads: For glass systems, the BC Building Code requires the glass to withstand specific point loads. This usually dictates the use of laminated glass so that if one pane breaks, the system remains standing.
Mono-Stringer Systems
This is the most popular modern engineered system. It uses a single structural "spine" (usually a heavy-duty steel tube or beam) running down the center of the staircase.
Aesthetic: Provides a clean, "floating" look while maintaining a high degree of structural rigidity.
Engineering: The treads are bolted to brackets welded to the spine. It requires precise calculation of the beam's thickness to prevent bouncing or swaying.
Dual-Stringer Systems
Cantilevered (Floating) Systems
These use two support beams, one on either side of the treads.
Aesthetic: Can look industrial (with exposed steel channels) or modern (with slim, laser-cut plates).
Engineering: Offers superior stability and weight-bearing capacity compared to a mono-stringer. It is often used for wider commercial staircases where higher foot traffic is expected.
The most technically challenging system, where treads appear to emerge directly from the wall with no visible support underneath or on the outside.
Engineering: Each tread acts as a cantilever beam. It requires a massive hidden structural frame (usually steel) or a reinforced concrete wall behind the drywall.
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Crucial Factor: The "torsion" (twisting force) must be managed through specialized anchoring systems to ensure the treads don't sag or vibrate when walked on.
Helical and Curved Systems
Unlike a spiral staircase, which has a central pole, a helical staircase is a "floating" curve with an open center.
Aesthetic: High-end, dramatic, and luxurious.
Engineering: These systems rely on the structural integrity of the handrails or the stringers themselves to act as a "spring" or bridge. They are often custom-rolled from steel and require complex 3D modeling to ensure a perfect fit on-site.
Glass-Supported Systems
In these systems, the glass balustrades (railings) are actually the structural elements that carry the weight of the treads.
Aesthetic: Maximum transparency; the ultimate "invisible" staircase.
Engineering: Uses multi-layered laminated tempered glass. Treads are "sandwiched" or bolted through the glass using specialized stainless steel standoffs or pressure-fit hardware.
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