Standard geometry
Floating · thick-tread stairs
Thick treads cantilevered from a hidden mount. Minimalist, modern.
- Treads cantilevered from wall or steel
- No visible stringer underneath
- Modern aesthetic; demanding fabrication
- Engineering review for load-bearing
- Est. 198739 yrs
- Family-Owned
- Veteran-Owned
- 4.8★ Verified
- Lehigh Valley
Definition
What is a floating · thick-tread stair?
A floating staircase uses thick treads cantilevered from a hidden wall mount or concealed steel, with no visible stringer underneath. The minimalist, open look is demanding to fabricate and requires an engineering review of the load path before any tread is mounted.
Built & reviewed by Snyder Stairs · Whitehall, PA · Est. 1987 · Updated June 2026
How it compares
How does a turn-style stair save space?
The trade-off across the turning configurations is footprint versus comfort. A landing is easiest to walk; a winder is the most compact. Here is where each one sits.
| Configuration | Turns on | Footprint | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| L-shape | Flat square landing | Largest of the turns | Comfort, code rest point |
| Winder | Pie-shaped treads | Most compact | Tight footprints, basements |
| Switch-back | Mid-landing, 180° | Stacked / vertical | Apartments, stair towers |
| Curved | Custom-radius arc | Open sweep | Formal foyers, statement |
Floating · thick-tread stairs FAQs
Common questions about floating · thick-tread stairs.
Q: Are floating stairs structurally safe?
Yes, when engineered. Each cantilevered tread and its hidden mount or steel spine has to be sized to the code live load, which is why every floating build goes through an engineering review before fabrication. The open look is achieved without compromising the load path.
Q: How are the open risers kept code-compliant?
Open-riser stairs must still reject a 4-inch sphere through the gap between treads, which is handled by tread thickness and spacing or by a guard infill. We design the riser gap to your adopted code.
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Custom stairs and railings, built in Whitehall.
Custom stairs and railings, built by a family of Pennsylvania craftsmen for nearly forty years. We'll give you a realistic budget on the first call — not a teaser, not a pressure-close. Get in touch, or send a few photos.
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