Central Spine Staircases
Looking for a floating staircase without a structural wall? Our central spine staircase is the perfect solution.
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How we work
Central Spine Staircases - bespoke to your needs
Each central spine staircase we produce is uniquely designed and manufactured to meet your specific needs. By avoiding pre-fab or ‘off-the-shelf’ options, we ensure that our customers receive nothing but the best in high-quality and bespoke staircases that match your home’s aesthetics. Cutting-edge CAD and laser-cut precision means no box sections, no inaccuracies, and no imperfections — just flawless bespoke staircases that will last a lifetime.
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The Benefits
Why choose a central spine staircase?
While the majority of staircases in homes around the UK are fixed to a supporting wall, this isn’t always an option for everyone. Homes with glass walls, panoramic views, custom-designed walls with unique materials or finishes, and open-plan homes all benefit from central spine staircases that keep your feature walls features, not fixtures.
The benefits of central spine staircases extend beyond simply keeping a wall stair-free. With careful planning and expert guidance, they can help to physically divide living spaces while at the same time providing unobstructed views across different areas of an open-plan home. Their compact design and small footprint also allow for light to flow freely between the steps and around the staircase, particularly beneficial in homes that capture minimal natural light.
With First Step Designs as your home improvement partner, you get the additional benefit of having a uniquely designed set of stairs installed in your home. We offer a wide range of materials, colours, finishes, and features to choose from, ensuring that the newest addition to your home fits in harmoniously and complements your other design choices.
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Highest Quality
Stairs that stand the test of time
We don’t take shortcuts when it comes to quality. This philosophy is central to First Step Designs and is seen in action at every step of our process.
Every single staircase starts its life as a concept, one that’s built around your home’s needs, that is then reiterated and refined in specialist Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software by our experienced and talented team of designers. Only after three essential parties—the client, design team, and engineering team—have signed off on the final design, does it go to manufacturing. With an experienced team of engineers and welders operating top-of-the-line equipment and using the highest quality materials, we bring your new stairs to life exactly as you envisioned them, all while meeting and exceeding quality benchmarks.
All of this boils down to one thing: beautiful and bespoke central spine stairs that will last a lifetime.
Central Spine Staircase FAQs
Do you install central spine stairs across the entire country?
Yes, we do. First Step Designs is a leading staircase supplier with clients around the UK. Whether you’re looking for a bespoke central spine staircase for your new home or aiming to give an ageing set of stairs a new lease on life with a custom staircase renovation, reach out to First Step Designs for uncompromising quality and an unparalleled eye for details.
Can you incorporate bespoke lighting into central spine stairs?
Yes, and when done right, it can add another beautiful layer of elegance. Good lighting doesn’t only make stairs safer to use but can completely transform the look and feel of a room based on how you choose to approach the problem. Admittedly, choosing the right lighting solutions can be tricky if you haven’t done it before; however, our design team understands the difference that the right lighting solutions can make and will gladly talk you through the options that would best suit your home and stairs.
Examples of embedded lighting for central spine stairs include:
- LED strip lights
- Recessed step lights
- Under-tread lighting
- Handrail lighting
- Motion-activated lighting
Will the staircase be completely bespoke or do I choose from a series of designs?
First Step Designs exclusively designs, builds, and installs 100% original, bespoke staircases. With us as your home improvement partner, you can rest assured that you have complete freedom to pursue any design direction. From bespoke structural elements like curved or offset spines to handpicked finishing details, safety features, or built-in lighting solutions, everything at First Step Designs is bespoke and designed to order.
Will a spine staircase increase the value of my home?
Yes. As the biggest piece of fixed furniture in your home, an attractive and functional staircase that still has the majority of its expected service life ahead of it can dramatically improve a home’s resale value. While this applies to all types of stairs, a bespoke central spine staircase that seamlessly integrates with the rest of the home's design and aesthetic, creating an undeniable focal point, can significantly enhance your home's resale value.
Can spine stairs be combined with glass?
Spine stairs are often combined with glass balustrades for a sleek and modern look. Clear glass, just like open risers and a minimalist frame, allows for light to flow freely through spaces, making them appear brighter and larger. Depending on the aesthetic the designer and homeowner are going for, the glass may also be tinted, frosted, textured, or etched for bespoke finishing details or to integrate with a designer home interior.
Are spine stairs good for open-plan living?
Absolutely! With a minimal footprint and open risers, central spine stairs create a sense of space in open-plan living areas. Their sleek and modern designs allow them to act as focal points that don’t overwhelm or fill the room, instead allowing for extended sightlines and light throughout the space. Depending on their placement, they also act as subtle room dividers that separate spaces while maintaining the desired open and airy atmosphere.
How much do spine staircases cost?
Bespoke spine staircases typically cost between £15,000 and £30,000. Factors such as design complexity, number of turns, materials and finishes, and installation requirements all affect the final price tag.
If you’re considering a central spine staircase for your home, feel free to reach out to the team at First Step Designs for information about pricing and a same-day quote.
Why pick a spine staircase instead of a floating staircase?
Picking between a spine and a floating staircase can be a difficult decision. In many cases, either design type would work well—creating focal points, making the home more liveable, and increasing resale value.
One scenario where central spine staircases have the clear upper hand is when you’re trying to split a large living area without resorting to new walls. They serve as a natural visual and physical divider while still allowing light and air to flow freely. While floating staircases can achieve the same result, they’re typically mounted against or closer to walls.
Spine staircases can also support greater maximum loads than floating staircases; however, within the context of family home stair use, this has little day-to-day value.
Are there any disadvantages to central spine stairs?
Once installed, no. They’re as safe, functional, and easy to maintain as any other type of staircase. There are, however, a handful of unique pre-installation considerations.
Central spine staircases offer very little room for error and are typically built to very tight and exacting tolerances, ensuring rigid and stiff stairs that don’t sway or flex despite the lack of visible mounting points. This added structural complexity translates into longer fabrication and installation times, as well as increased labour costs.
Why is a spine staircase a good choice?
Central spine staircases are a good choice for several reasons: they’re beautiful to look at and use, create prominent focal points, can significantly increase property values, and offer a handful of unique benefits when compared to stairs that require direct wall-mounting.
Central spine stairs do not rely on wall-mounted anchor points or necessarily have to be wall-bound. They can physically split up large or open living spaces, helping to define areas without additional walls and maintaining an open, airy feel. Their minimalist design also allows for light to flow more freely, making homes feel bigger, brighter, and more inviting.
Let’s talk
Get in touch and let us show you how we can transform your home.
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The Results
Stairs as unique as you and your home
Whether you’re building a new home or renovating an existing one, getting the stairs just right will significantly contribute to the overall aesthetic and beauty of the space. To this end, First Step Designs takes great care to provide you with all the options and configurations you need to make your home an absolute stunner.
Select between different types of tread (our 112mm ‘Chunky Oak’ is very popular); glass, steel, or other types of balustrades and spindles; landing area features; a comprehensive RAL colour palette and staining service; and much more.
If you’re not sure which designs or material choices would suit your home best, our in-house team of designers will gladly step in to ensure a harmonious design you’ll love.
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Why Us
First Step Designs: Get it done right the first time around
Central spine staircases present a unique set of challenges in terms of design, fabrication, and installation when compared to other common types of staircases. Designers have to ensure that structural integrity is maintained without the luxury of extensive wall support or attachments; fabricators have to plan every weld to ensure a seamless look on a large and visible structural element; and its larger-than-average footprint further complicates transport and on-site installation. In short, central spine staircases are tricky with lots of room for error.
If you’re considering a central spine staircase for your new home or development, First Step Designs strongly encourages you to do some research on your chosen contractors. While many will agree to take on the job, not every contractor is equipped with the necessary skills, tools, and experience to complete this often-expensive project just the way you want it the first time around.
With First Step Designs by your side, you can rest assured knowing that your investment in the beauty, livability, and value of your home is in expert hands.
Want to see more?
Check out our Projects and Case Studies to see how we can transform your home.
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Let’s start making something amazing
Unit 12, Oldfields Business Park
Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent
ST4 3PE
