Floating Stairs
Engineered for the Bay Area.

Custom floating and cantilever stair systems designed to California's seismic standards. Factory-fabricated to exact field dimensions. No on-site welding. One-day installation.

1 Day
typical install time
0
on-site welds
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Start your floating stair project in San Francisco.

Every project begins with field measurements. We fabricate to exact dimensions in our shop — nothing is cut or adjusted on site.

California building code — seismic load documentation included
No on-site welding, cutting, or grinding
Permit-ready structural drawings on request
Typical one-day installation, no extended site disruption
(786) 756-8812 Mon-Fri 8am-6pm

The ARC system in action.

Six configurations. Every structural geometry.

Our ARC laser-cut steel beam system is the structural backbone of every floating staircase we build. Fabricated in our shop to exact field dimensions, arriving at your Bay Area home ready to install.

Classic ARC beam staircase configuration
Classic
Angle ARC beam staircase configuration
Angle
Minimalistic ARC beam staircase configuration
Minimalistic
Seamless ARC beam staircase configuration
Seamless
Tower ARC beam staircase configuration
Tower
ZigZag ARC beam staircase configuration
ZigZag
Comparison of laser-cut steel versus HSS tubing for floating stairs

Laser-cut steel vs. HSS tubing — the difference is visible.

Standard HSS tube steel requires on-site grinding, welding, and field finishing — leaving grind marks, weld seams, and rough surfaces. Our precision laser-cut steel structures are factory-fabricated to exact field dimensions, with powder-coat finish applied before leaving our facility.

The result: no exposed welds, no grind marks, no wet paint in your home. Every connection is concealed. Every surface is flush. Installation is typically completed in a single day.

Every component of your custom staircase.

Custom Floating & Cantilever Stairs

Transform your Bay Area home with custom floating and cantilever stairs engineered to California's seismic and structural standards.

Best for: New builds and full interior remodels that need a signature staircase.

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Glass Tread Cantilevered Systems

Transparent glass treads create a seamless, light-filled look while meeting California's Title 24 glazing standards.

Best for: Bay Area homes that need maximum light flow and unobstructed sightlines.

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Wood Tread Selection

White oak, walnut, ash, and teak tread options pre-acclimated to Bay Area indoor conditions — species selection, finishing, and structural thickness for your laser-cut steel floating stair system.

Best for: Residential interiors where natural materials and finish quality matter most.

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Laser-Cut Steel Structure

Every floating stair we build uses a laser-cut steel structure fabricated in our shop — no on-site welding, no apparent welds, durable powder-coat finishes for California's coastal climates.

Best for: Lofts and commercial spaces requiring high load capacity with bold architectural presence.

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Integrated LED Lighting Systems

Add safety and ambiance with hidden LED strips integrated directly into stair tread risers or edges — CA Title 24 energy-code compliant.

Best for: Clients who want safer nighttime navigation and premium architectural ambiance.

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Custom Glass Balustrade Rail Systems

Frame your open steps with frameless glass railings engineered to California CBC guardrail requirements — 42" commercial, 36" residential.

Best for: Open-concept Bay Area homes that want code-compliant fall protection without visual bulk.

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Built for San Francisco standards.

01

Precision Engineering

Structural integrity is the starting point on every project. Load paths, connection forces, and anchoring details are analyzed and verified before a single component is cut or welded.

02

Local Expertise

Hands-on familiarity with Bay Area building departments, SF DBI permit workflows, and California seismic conditions that no out-of-state firm can replicate from a distance.

03

Bespoke Craftsmanship

Every staircase is fabricated to the exact geometry, material palette, and structural conditions of your specific property. Nothing ships until it fits — nothing is improvised on site.

04

Accountability

Delivery commitments come with financial penalties attached. If we agree to a date and miss it, there are real consequences — because a guarantee without teeth is just a talking point.

05

Lifetime Support

We offer annual safety checks, hardware re-torquing, and first-call priority for any service needs after installation. The project closing out does not close out our relationship.

06

Transparency

Load calculations, material certifications, fabrication specs, and cost breakdowns are all documented and shared throughout the project. No black boxes — you see the full picture.

Six phases from concept to completion.

01
Field Measurement
We visit your property to take exact field measurements of the staircase opening, floor-to-floor height, wall construction, and structural conditions. Nothing is estimated — every dimension is verified on site.
02
Plan Review & Estimate
We review the plans you provide — design drawings, architect specs, or CAD files — and build a detailed estimate. Once confirmed, we move to field measurement to verify final dimensions before fabrication begins.
03
Client Review
You review material selections, configuration options, and finish details before anything is fabricated. Tread species, steel profile, railing type, and LED integration are confirmed at this stage.
04
Shop Fabrication
Every component is precision laser-cut and shop-welded in our facility. Powder-coat finish is applied in a controlled environment — no paint on site, no fumes in your home. Quality control is verified before anything ships.
05
Delivery & Coordination
We coordinate delivery timing and permit inspection scheduling so your installation window is clear. All components arrive pre-fitted, pre-finished, and ready for installation.
06
Installation & Sign-Off
Installation typically completes in a single day. We run a final inspection checklist — tread alignment, handrail continuity, edge conditions, and finish consistency — before handoff. We provide maintenance guidance for every material installed.

Mono Stringer, Duo Stringer, and Cantilever options.

A mono stringer uses a single structural spine running beneath the center of each tread. A duo stringer uses two parallel supports, one on each side. Both systems are fully shop-welded before delivery — no on-site welding, no grind marks, no exposed welds.

Feature Mono Stringer Duo Stringer
Visual Weight Minimal More substantial
Tread Width Support Center-loaded Edge-supported
Best For Narrow–mid-width treads Wider custom spans

Cantilever staircases attach treads directly to a structural wall, eliminating visible supports entirely. Freestanding structures are self-supporting — no load-bearing wall required, making them ideal for open-plan Bay Area homes and loft conversions.

Tread materials available

White Oak
Most popular for Bay Area residential stairs — stable grain, accepts light and dark stains equally well.
Walnut
Rich dark tone, distinctive grain pattern. Pairs well with dark steel and frameless glass.
Ash
Light, open grain. A cost-effective alternative to oak with a clean, modern look.
Teak
Dense, oily hardwood with natural weather resistance — ideal for indoor-outdoor or coastal Bay Area installations.
Tempered Glass
Used for treads in full glass tread systems. California building code requires tempered laminated glass for all guardrail glazing applications.
Powder-Coated Steel
Factory finish applied before delivery. Harder and more durable than field-applied paint — no touch-ups required after installation.

Bay Area homeowners and developers.

"

The install took one day. They showed up with everything pre-built — no welding, no grinding, no mess. Matched the design plans exactly. Our Pacific Heights renovation came in on time and on budget.

M. Caldwell
Pacific Heights, San Francisco
"

We had a Noe Valley Victorian with a tight staircase opening and strict DBI permit requirements. They handled all the structural documentation and the permit sailed through. No revisions. One-day install.

D. Reinholt
Noe Valley, San Francisco
"

SOMA loft conversion with a 14-foot ceiling. We needed something architectural without compromising the open layout. The mono stringer with walnut treads and cable rail is exactly what we wanted. Zero visible welds.

T. Okonkwo
SOMA, San Francisco

Our service areas in San Francisco and the Bay Area.

We work with homeowners, architects, and contractors across San Francisco and Northern California. Our familiarity with local jurisdictions — from SF Planning to East Bay and Peninsula building departments — means fewer delays throughout your project.

Oakland
Berkeley
San Jose
Palo Alto
Mill Valley
Walnut Creek
Redwood City
Sunnyvale
San Francisco
Marin County
Peninsula
Custom floating staircase installed in a Bay Area home

Floating stairs in San Francisco — FAQ

Are you searching for 'floating stairs near me' in San Francisco or the Bay Area?
You've found the right firm. We are San Francisco Floating Stairs Specialists — a dedicated floating and cantilever stair engineering firm serving San Francisco and the broader Bay Area, from Oakland and Berkeley to Palo Alto, Marin, and the Peninsula.
What building codes govern floating stairs in San Francisco?
Floating stairs in San Francisco must comply with the 2025 California Building Code (CBC) and the 2025 San Francisco Code Amendments, effective for applications submitted after January 1, 2026. Key requirements include minimum tread depth (9–11 inches), maximum riser height (7–7.75 inches), minimum 300 lbs concentrated load per tread, and guardrail heights of 36 inches residential or 42 inches commercial. All permits are processed through the SF Department of Building Inspection (DBI) at 49 South Van Ness Avenue.
How do seismic requirements affect floating stair design in the Bay Area?
California sits in one of the most seismically active regions in the US. Every staircase we design is engineered to meet seismic lateral load resistance requirements under the California Building Code. Our shop-welded connections are verified under controlled conditions — not improvised on site — providing stronger, more predictable performance under seismic loads.
How much do custom floating stairs cost in San Francisco?
Cost varies based on structural complexity, material selection, and site conditions. A typical Bay Area custom floating staircase ranges from $150 to $350 per linear foot of run, including engineering documentation and installation. We provide detailed project quotes after field measurement.
What is the installation timeline?
Installation typically takes one day once fabrication is complete and permits are approved. Fabrication takes 4–8 weeks after design is confirmed. We coordinate permit scheduling and delivery windows so all phases are sequenced without delays.
Do you handle the SF DBI permit process?
Yes. We provide engineering drawings and documentation to support your permit application with the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection. Our staircase designs are pre-engineered to comply with California code and SF's local amendments. Because all fabrication happens in our shop — with no on-site welding or grinding — inspections are straightforward.

Ready to build your San Francisco floating staircase?

Start with a project review. Field verification is scheduled after a deposit. We provide engineering documentation and permit-ready drawings before fabrication begins.