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Metal Staircases

Steel-clad statement: Metal staircases to make every home conversation-worthy

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How we work

Metal Staircases - fabricated to precision

Say goodbye to the days of all stairs being crafted solely from wood in the old-fashioned way, with strings and newel posts. We've come up with a fresh collection of custom designs that feature metal as the main structural component in our staircases. This innovative approach allows for much more flexibility in design compared to traditional timber options. It gives our design team the freedom to let their creativity soar throughout the process.

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The Benefits

Our metal staircases: Thin and sleek with no visible welds

When we set out to create metal staircases, our goal is to design and fabricate pieces that are sleek and elegant to complement your home and individual style. A sleek, even slender, design opens up the interior and lets light flow effortlessly to create spaces you’ll want to spend time in.

In order to do this, we obsess over each design to ensure the optimum use of material and to guarantee that every single weld is tucked away, completely out of sight.

This attention to detail, backed by creative talent and technical experience, is the difference between First Step Designs and your everyday fabricator.

Words from the designer

“Metal staircases seamlessly combine strength and style, creating an unbeatable combination. With metal, we have the flexibility to add intricate details, unique fixing elements, and coveted floating features, ensuring that your home's interior is truly one-of-a-kind.”

Meet the team

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How we work

Bespoke staircases for unique clients

Whether old and rickety or new and sleek, staircases can’t help but catch our eye. Even a small or modest staircase demands attention when we enter a room. While a less-than-desirable staircase can easily detract from the look and feel of a room, every new or refurbished staircase is an opportunity to reflect your style and enhance the beauty of your home.

As top-level designers and manufacturers of bespoke staircases, we want our clients to have as much say as possible when it comes to their purchase. In addition to having our design team talk you through a selection of custom metal staircases, we offer you the chance to make it your own in terms of materials, finishes, textures, and colours. With the entire RAL palette to choose from, each set of First Step Designs stairs ends up becoming a unique masterpiece.

Not sure where to start with so many options to choose from? Take a look at our Inspiration Gallery or even send us pictures of other stairs that speak to you. Our skilled design team can use them to help you realise a uniquely bespoke vision for your stairs.

Updating and reinventing your home?
Get a visit-free quotation in 24 hours to see if a metal staircase is the right choice for you.

Metal staircase FAQs

Do I need planning permission for metal stairs?

You do not need planning permission to renovate or replace an existing staircase.

You do, however, need planning permission for new build projects. For more details on the process and how First Step Designs can assist, contact our team via our online portal or call 01782 959 300.

Do you service clients across the entire country?

Yes, we do. First Step Designs is a leading supplier of bespoke metal and other types of staircases in the UK. Over the last decade, we’ve built new staircases and performed staircase renovations for clients up and down the UK. 

Do you also fit the metal stairs?

Yes, we do. It can be argued that a staircase installation is as important as design and fabrication. We only trust our experienced in-house installation team to get the job done right the first time around, removing the risk of poorly installed stairs that sway or creak and the need for constant back-and-forths to remedy small issues that pop up due to improper installation.

Are the stairs completely bespoke and one-of-a-kind, or are there designs to pick from?

At First Step Designs, we pride ourselves on designing, building, and installing one-of-a-kind staircases. While we do offer a small range of very popular designs, more often than not, even these will be customised with bespoke finishes and features. 

Are metal stairs safe?

Yes, metal stairs are just as safe as other types of staircases. In the UK, staircase materials and designs are regulated to conform to strict building regulations, ensuring they meet safety standards for load-bearing capacity, slip resistance, and handrail requirements. 

What are the advantages of metal staircases?

Metal is an incredibly strong and rigid staircase material that opens up design options that are difficult or expensive to achieve with wood, glass, or concrete. Their strength allows designers to create cantilever or floating staircases that appear to hang in mid-air without any visible support structures, as well as slimline staircases for homes with limited floor space. 

Another advantage of metal staircases is that they work incredibly well when used alongside a broad range of other materials. Different types of metals with unique visual and functional properties; clear, frosted, or etched glass detailing; polished wooden handrails; and even decorative concrete landing areas all complement metal staircases beautifully to give homeowners and designers the freedom to truly express themselves.

What are the cons of metal stairs?

The only real downside to a metal staircase is the increased costs; however, as stated earlier, these costs are largely offset by a reduced need for long-term maintenance. While there are other potential cons, such as noise or sound amplification, temperature sensitivity, or the risk of rust and corrosion, these disadvantages are easy to eliminate or heavily negate in the design and fabrication process. Noise-dampening timber treads, ultra-durable and scratch-resistant powder coats, and many other modern material science advancements 

significantly reduce the disadvantages of residential metal stairs.

Does a metal staircase add value to your home?

A well-designed and bespoke metal staircase that fits seamlessly into your home, complements your other design choices and aesthetics, and creates a beautiful focal point can add significant resale value to your home. Metal staircases offer a unique blend of durability, modernity, and customisation options, making them an eye-catching and desirable feature for prospective buyers.

How long do steel staircases last?

While each and every First Step Designs metal staircase is covered by a 10-year guarantee, the reality is that most metal staircases will last for several decades, even with minimal maintenance. Essentially, the metal components of a metal staircase only get damaged when the surface finishes or paintwork gets scratched deeply enough for oxidation (rust) to form. In most cases, a quick paintwork touch-up every 10 years or so should keep a metal staircase in top condition for decades.

What material are metal stairs made of?

Modern residential metal staircases are predominantly manufactured from mild steel, although both stainless steel and aluminium may be used for certain elements depending on the design. Mild steel, also known as low-carbon steel, is stronger, more affordable, and easier to weld and work with than higher-carbon steel.

Almost all residential metal stairs have mild steel substructures while aluminium and stainless steel may be used for handrails, balustrades, or decorative elements due to their superior resistance to corrosion and aesthetic appeal. 

Depending on the design, glass, wood, and concrete may also be used as decorative or safety elements.

Are metal stairs expensive?

Metal stairs are neither expensive nor especially affordable; complex and bespoke metal staircases featuring intricate design elements and exotic material choices are expensive, while bare-bones, prefabriated, functionality-over-everything-else metal staircases are significantly more affordable, especially when considering their durability and low maintenance requirements.

Bespoke metal staircases for designer homes typically range anywhere between £178,000 and £30,000 (+ VAT) depending on the design complexity, material and finishing choices, and level of customisation. While this may be more expensive than softwood or concrete alternatives, when factoring in an expected lifespan of 80+ years even with minimal maintenance, the pricing difference between metal and other types of stairs starts to shrink.

Check out our blog post on How Much Does a Metal Staircase Cost? for more information on this topic.

Let’s talk

Get in touch and let us show you how we can transform your home.

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Why Metal

Why choose a metal staircase?

Incredible strength and durability aren’t the only reasons to consider metal staircases. Some other benefits that contribute to the popularity of metal staircases include:

  • Low maintenance: With the right coatings keeping them rust-free, metal staircases need little more than the occasional cleaning to maintain their appearance. Additionally, metal staircases don’t make good termite homes and don’t get mouldy, further reducing maintenance requirements.
  • Modern aesthetics: Metal staircases, often sporting a bare-bones look, fit seamlessly into many contemporary home design schemes. Their sleek lines and industrial feel can also complement rustic or industrial interiors, adding a touch of modernity.
  • Versatility in design: Different finishes, coatings, and the ability to combine metal with other materials make metal an incredibly versatile material. This adaptability allows our designers to imagine staircases that range from simple elegance to intricately detailed, catering to any kind of aesthetic preference.
  • Resistance: Beyond metal’s resistance to physical knocks, it's immune to rot and pests and significantly more fire-resistant than wood. This makes it a good option for those living in hot and/or humid areas.

[05]

Why Us

Why choose us for your metal staircase design and installation?

A new or refurbished metal staircase is an investment. It will affect your home’s value, pull your gaze every time you see it, and be an important part of how you iwith and live in your home. Choosing the right contractor to design and install your staircase will affect you in very real ways for years to come.

The design, fabrication, and installation teams at First Step Designs live and breathe stairs. Since we sold our first stairs a decade ago, we’ve pushed ourselves to continuously innovate and improve our products and services. With hundreds of satisfied clients nationwide, we pride ourselves on delivering unmatched customer service and expertise in design, fabrication, and installation. 

If you’re looking for bespoke stairs done right the first time, contact First Step Designs.

Want to see more?

Check out our Projects and Case Studies to see how we can transform your home.

Let’s start making something amazing

Contact our design team directly at 01782 959300 or through our portal for an obligation-free discussion on how we can help you refurbish your old stairs into a modern masterpiece.
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