Floating & Cantilever Staircase Designs, Renovations and Replacements in Perth, WA
With over 20 years of experience, Perth Staircase Builders offers floating and cantilever staircases with a unique blend of architectural elegance and functional design, creating striking visual focal points in modern homes.
Our approach balances engineering precision with aesthetic appeal, ensuring that every floating or cantilever stair is safe and compliant without sacrificing beauty. From steel spine designs to timber and glass combinations, we guide our clients through a smooth process supported by 3D visual previews and transparent pricing.
Perth Staircase Builders serves surrounding Perth, WA cities including Morley, Dianella, Bayswater, Bassendean, Maylands, East Perth, Scarborough, Rivervale, North Perth, South Perth & more.
Why Choose us for Floating & Cantilever Staircases in Perth, WA?
- 20 Years of Experience: Over two decades of designing, renovating and repairing residential and commercial building staircases
- Custom-Designed, One-of-a-Kind Staircases: Every project is tailored to your home or commercial space—no templates, no shortcuts. We design and build statement staircases that elevate your entire space, using laser-measuring tools and 3D modelling software to ensure exact fit before fabrication begins
- Specialists in High-End Feature Stairs: From floating and cantilever to glass and steel, we focus on complex, architectural staircases most builders won’t take on including designs requiring structural engineering certification for load-bearing compliance
- End-to-End Design & Build Service: We handle everything—concept, engineering, fabrication, and installation—so you get a seamless, stress-free experience backed by in-house quality control checks at every stage
- Built to Last with Premium Materials: We use only high-quality timber, steel, and glass — including Grade 316 marine-grade stainless steel and 12mm toughened safety glass — to ensure your staircase isn't just beautiful—but structurally sound for decades
- Trusted by Perth Residents & Builders: Known for precision, reliability, and clean finishes, we deliver projects on time and to the highest standard, with all work assessed against AS 1657 and NCC Volume Two compliance benchmarks
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How Floating and Cantilever Staircases Are Designed and Engineered in Perth, WA
Floating and Cantilevered Step Characteristics
Cantilevered steps are fixed at one end, typically anchored into a load-bearing wall or steel stringer, while the opposite end extends freely, creating a floating effect. Each step must be engineered to support between 250 to 300 kg per tread, accommodating dynamic loads and user safety.
The floating appearance is achieved through the concealment of support structures within the wall or stringer. This design demands meticulous structural analysis to comply with local building codes and AS1657 standards.
We focus on blending form and function, ensuring that cantilevered steps not only provide visual lightness but also meet rigorous safety and durability requirements.
Structural Support Systems and Wall Requirements
The structural integrity of floating stairs depends heavily on the strength of the wall into which they are anchored. Load-bearing walls must be reinforced with concrete or steel to withstand concentrated forces from cantilevered steps.
Before design finalisation, we verify wall capacity, continuous load paths, and foundation support to confirm feasibility. Chemical anchor bolts and concealed steel plates are frequently used to secure the treads firmly.
Any compromise in these elements may result in instability. Early collaboration with structural engineers is critical to address these engineering challenges effectively.
Tread Materials and Glass Balustrades
Material choice greatly impacts both the aesthetics and structural performance of floating staircases. Common tread options include timber, steel, and engineered composites, selected based on load requirements and desired finish.
Glass balustrades paired with structural glass walls maintain openness and transparency without obstructing sightlines. Safety glass, laminated and tempered, is used to meet compliance and ensure user protection. We customise these elements to complement the overall stair design while adhering to strict safety standards.
Role of Stringers and Anchoring Methods
Stringers provide hidden support in many floating stair systems, particularly steel stringers, which offer optimal strength-to-weight ratios. These elements are designed to be minimally visible to maintain the staircase’s clean profile.
Anchoring methods include chemical anchor bolts embedded into concrete or steel walls, ensuring a robust connection between treads and the supporting structure. Precision in installation is essential to avoid deflection or vibration. Our approach guarantees a balance between structural integrity and the high-end, minimalist aesthetic clients expect.
Floating & Cantilever Staircase Specialists: Custom Styles & Local Design Expertise
Notable Perth Manufacturers and Engineering Teams
Perth hosts several expert teams specializing in custom staircases, including floating and cantilever styles. Companies such as Rodico Engineering have over 30 years of experience creating steel cantilever and spiral staircases known for exceptional craftsmanship. Others, like Timber Joinery Perth, focus on timber floating stairs with bespoke design and installation, often integrating structural glass walls and timber balustrades for a modern look.
We work closely with these and other local manufacturers to ensure complete control over design, engineering, and installation. Our process includes 3D visual previews and transparent pricing, so clients understand every step without surprises. This collaboration guarantees high-quality results tailored to local architecture and regulations.
Popular Staircase Styles from Helical to Spiral
Floating, cantilever, helical, and spiral staircases each offer distinct visual and functional benefits. Spiral staircases, often crafted from steel or timber, provide space-saving solutions and a strong architectural statement. Helical stairs create smooth, curved lines ideal for open-plan homes and are engineered for balance and flow.
Floating stairs emphasize minimalism by appearing unsupported, often using glass balustrades or thin steel components for safety without sacrificing openness. Cantilever stairs extend directly from the wall, showcasing engineering precision and enhancing modern interiors with a clean, airy effect. We customize these styles to fit structural needs and personal taste.
Integration with Modern and Classic Interiors
Integrating floating and cantilever staircases with interiors requires attention to surroundings and materials. For modern homes, we often combine timber treads with clear glass balustrades and steel supports, complementing minimalist décor while enhancing natural light flow.
Classic or transitional interiors may call for timber handrails and balustrades with detailed joinery, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary staircase designs. We also design custom doors and complementary joinery to maintain coherence throughout the property. Our installations prioritize clean, disruption-minimized work that respects both new builds and renovations, ensuring seamless integration with existing styles.
Floating & Cantilever Staircase FAQs
Floating staircases in Perth typically range from $25,000 to $50,000+, depending on design complexity, material selection, and structural requirements. This reflects the concealed engineering involved — including reinforced walls, structural steel stringers, and box-constructed treads — rather than just the visible components. We provide transparent, upfront quotes following an initial structural assessment so you understand exactly what's included.
The terms are often used interchangeably, but there is a distinction. A cantilever staircase refers specifically to individual treads anchored at one end into a load-bearing wall or steel stringer, with the opposite end extending freely. A floating staircase is a broader term describing any design where the support structure is concealed, creating the appearance of steps suspended in mid-air. Both require precise structural engineering and reinforced wall systems to perform safely.
Each cantilevered tread must be engineered to support between 250 to 300 kg per tread to accommodate dynamic loads and user safety. All floating and cantilever staircases must comply with AS1657-2018 and the National Construction Code (NCC), covering tread depth minimums of 185mm, riser uniformity within ±5mm tolerance, handrail requirements, and guardrailing on all exposed sides. Load-bearing walls must typically be reinforced with concrete or steel, and chemical anchor bolts and concealed steel plates are used to secure treads to the supporting structure.
Yes. Given the concentrated loads placed on wall anchoring points and the concealed nature of the support system, early collaboration with a structural engineer is essential before design is finalised. We manage this process in-house, verifying wall capacity, continuous load paths, and foundation support before any fabrication begins — removing the need for you to coordinate separately with an engineer.
Common tread materials include timber, steel, and engineered composites, selected based on load requirements and the desired aesthetic. Timber treads — particularly hardwoods such as jarrah or spotted gum — are popular in Perth homes for their warmth and natural character. For a more contemporary look, steel or engineered composite treads paired with glass balustrades and concealed steel stringers are a widely chosen combination.
Yes, but feasibility depends on the existing wall construction. Load-bearing walls must be capable of withstanding the concentrated forces from cantilevered treads, and in many cases reinforcement is required before installation can proceed. We carry out a full structural substrate assessment on existing homes prior to design finalisation to confirm whether the wall can support the system and what modifications, if any, are needed.
Floating and cantilever staircases pair well with helical and spiral designs for homes seeking a strong architectural feature. Helical stairs follow a smooth curved form without a central column, suiting open-plan Perth homes, while spiral staircases offer a space-efficient solution with strong visual impact. Each style can be customised with timber, steel, or glass elements to integrate with both modern and classic interiors.