WF Floating Staircase

Custom Made Spiral Staircase
Light and Open Appearence
Customise your design
Modern or Traditional appearence

Model 71 Spiral Staircase

This model is called the WF Staircase, which means without stringer. The stair only has a stringer against with the wall with the open side left free, with treads floating in mid-air. This creates a stunning open, cantilevered feel to the flight, making it a very popular choice for renovations and new builds where the passage of light is important.
It works with the specially made deep handrail on the open side of the stair, and this actually acts as the ‘stringer’ with the steel spindles screwing up into this – thus transferring the load from the treads. This handrail is bolted to newel posts on the lower and upper levels spreading the load.
Despite the appearance, the stair is extremely solid and robust and can be manufactured in a variety of configurations. For stability, the system has to be manufactured in hardwood and the spindles are generally brushed or polished stainless steel, although they can also be powder coated or have a timber surround.
Many customers choose to have the wall stringer supplied in white so it can be painted on site to blend in with the wall, further emphasising the cantilevered effect. With the half turn and quarter turn staircases, there is an option of having a curved corner handrail, which adds a beautiful swooping feel to the flight and is featured on many of our projects.

The Model 71 Spiral Staircase is one of our most popular spiral staircases. It is a custom made spiral so is each model created is unique – made to a specific floor to floor height and diameter to suit its eventual home. The large number materials and finishes available means it can be adapted to match customer requirements as a feature spiral staircase. It is exceptionally strong and robust and visually stunning with it’s cantilevered timber treads. Suitable for all internal domestic applications and some smaller commercial projects.

Being custom made, each model is plotted carefully to ensure the spiral has the correct entry and exit point. It is vital to ensure that the position of the first step and the platform above work in with the surroundings and the flow of ‘traffic’ from one floor to the next. This can be different for each spiral and is considered and addressed at the drawing stage. Production takes around 8-9 weeks from drawing approval.

Each spiral stair comes complete with a top platform which is set level with the upper floor. Matching landing balustrade is often supplied to protect the opening in the floor which is designed to the precise length or curve required.

The spiral stair is formed by a series of interlocking barrels and treads which slot over the centre column. These wooden treads cantilever directly out from the centre column creating a very light and open feel.

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Custom Made Diameters

Choice of Materials

The model 71 spiral staircase is always constructed in the same manner as detailed above. Given the vast selection of materials, each stair supplied can appear very different to the next.

Tread Options and Finishes

The steps are produced in block laminate wood which are solid sections bonded together against the grain for strength. For stability only hardwood is used for this model and is 40mm thick for diameters up-to 1700mm and 50mm thick for larger sizes. The wood is generally given a matt lacquer finish in the factory or oiled or is left untreated for customer finishing.

Handrails to choose from

50mm diameter wood – supplied in one piece
42mm diameter stainless steel (brushed or polished)
42mm diameter steel – powder coated any RAL colou

Centre Column finishes

Brushed or Polished Stainless Steel Barrels
Timber Barrels (to match treads)
Powder coated Steel Barrels

Balustrade Infill Options

For safety and to support the handrail there needs to be an infill between the step and the handrail to prevent falling. There are several options for this which can dramatically alter the appearance of the spiral and these are shown below. It should be noted that the horizontal bars are generally not permitted by building control being considered climbable.

Riser Infill Options

To comply with UK regulations the gap between the steps needs to be less than 100mm. This is to prevent a small children falling through the back of step. There are several solutions available with the model 71 spiral to comply with this regulation whilst still keeping the riser open and allowing the passage of light.

How It Works

The system is clamped and bolted together. A mild steel centre column is supplied which is eventually hidden by the treads and barrels.

Once the column centred & bolted down, the spiral is built up using interlocking cylindrical barrels and wooden treads. At the top of the spiral, the top platform is located which sits in line with the finished floor level. At the top of the centre column there is a larger threaded rod which passes trough the top platform. A large washer and bolt are fixed to this rod and wound down to tighten and clamp the barrels and treads together.

On the outer side of the spiral the treads overlap allowing a threaded bolt to be used to connect one step to the next. This threaded bolt is hidden within a newel or a spindle.