Individual spiral stairs as a design element

We plan and manufacture your individual spiral stairs for you, where the expressive staircase shape comes into its own alongside the functionality.

In the early history of staircase construction, spiral stairs were usually designed to take up little space. Today, however, these spiral staircases are usually found in the form of constructions with generous diameters, flight widths and landings in foyers of prestigious buildings. For residential buildings with limited space and storey heights, newel stairs are more likely to be chosen instead. In addition to functionality, the expressive shape of the staircase should be shown to its best advantage. Spiral stairs have become a design object in modern architecture. Compared to wooden stairs, steel is a popular material for spiral stairs among architects and construction managers alike due to its properties and processing options.

References for spiral stairs

Spiral stairs in architecture

At the beginning of planning a spiral staircase / arched staircase, you need to decide which material you want to use: Wooden stairs, concrete stairs or steel stairs. Due to the wide range of processing options for steel alone, the decision is quickly made in favor of metal stairs. The most common construction method for spiral stairs is the stringer stairs - either flat steel or box-type stringer stairs, depending on the structural requirements. Using CNC-controlled laser technology, the steel stringers are laser-cut from a sheet metal panel and then rolled according to the staircase shapes. Due to the structural properties of steel, the cross sections can be significantly smaller than the stringers of wooden stairs.

Open stringer stairs offer a wide range of design options:

  • Wooden steps and wooden handrail, e.g. made of beech, as a contrast to the steel staircase construction
  • Steps made of glass with a non-slip screen-printed surface: depending on the degree or pattern of the screen printing, this can also influence the design. Stairs with glass treads are also known as glass stairs.
  • Steel or stainless steel railings with horizontal or vertical filler bars
  • Railings with double flat steel posts

Staircase constructions with steel soffit lining have also established themselves as a stylistic element in modern staircase construction. Steel also has the best possible properties for this type of construction, so that visually and architecturally sophisticated soffits are possible. Due to the closed soffit, the step construction of these stairs is designed as a folding structure. These so-called folded stairs are then covered with wooden treads, e.g. made of beech or oak.

Centerpiece of the open space concept in a villa in Bulgaria

Spiral stairs or newel stairs

Spiral stairs can also be constructed with a central, continuous tube or column instead of an open staircase eye. These are then referred to as newel stairs. In contrast to spiral stairs, the staircase diameter of a spiral staircase is usually much smaller, as newel stairs are mostly used as stairs in apartments. However, there is nothing to stop them being used as the main staircase if the staircase diameter is large enough. Newel stairs are also a popular choice for outdoor staircases. While steel or stainless steel is used for indoor staircases, galvanised steel spiral staircases are chosen for outdoor staircases. Central column or spiral stairs are also known as "arched stairs".

The following variants are possible, for example:

  • Spiral stairs with glass or wooden steps
  • Newel stairs with external balustrade railings
  • Spiral stairs with steel or stainless steel railings and wooden handrail
  • Spiral stairs as foyer stairs for commercial buildings and banks: with generous storey heights and a spacious diameter for a comfortable flight width

Design meets expertise

As a highly qualified supplier, METALLART guarantees smooth processes and the best results, regardless of the scope of services. We are happy to support you with your project.

Spiral stairs as sculptural stairs

A special form of two stringer stairs in a modern design are stringer stairs where the inner and outer stringers serve as a steel balustrade / railing. In this design, the steel treads are welded in between the stringers of the staircase as a substructure for the tread covering. In addition to the open design, constructions with folded treads are becoming increasingly popular. The horizontal treads are closed by vertical risers. As a harmonious contrast, wooden steps in oak or beech are usually chosen as the step covering. If desired, a stainless steel or wooden handrail can be added to the top of the railing. Constructions with an internal wooden handrail are also very popular. A spiral design staircase or an elegant newel stairs that spiral up to the upper floor can be harmoniously completed with a handrail in silver, gray or dark painted metal.

Spiral stairs as single stringer or sawtooth stairs

In addition to being constructed as stringer stairs, spiral stairs are also often designed as single-stringer stairs. The substructure for the treads is attached to the supporting stair stringer. The stringer can have the shape of a round tube, but can also be box-shaped or triangular. As a rule, the stringer is constructed in the middle. This is also referred to as central stringer stairs. Steps made of wood or glass are suitable for this type of spiral stairs.

Another special form is the sawtooth staircase, which can also be used for spiral stairs. Two flat steel stringers cut to a sawtooth shape serve as the staircase construction, onto which wooden treads are then usually placed. These saw-tooth stringers are cut to size using CNC-controlled laser technology. Stainless steel railings or railings made of steel with double flat steel posts are suitable as railings for single stringer or sawtooth stairs.

Spiral stairs according to DIN 18065

In the case of spiral stairs, the minimum and maximum dimensions for usable staircase width, staircase incline and stair tread specified in the staircase DIN must not be exceeded or fallen short of due to manufacturing and installation tolerances. These dimensions must therefore be planned in such a way that the values can be adhered to in the finished state.

We are happy to support architects and planners with planning and implementation.

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