Support strategy confirmation
Determine whether the stair uses a mono stringer, wall brackets, or concealed side plates — this depends on what the existing or planned structure can realistically carry.
Lower Mainland
Floating Staircases in Burnaby
Burnaby floating stairs serve new builds in Brentwood and Capitol Hill as well as renovations in older Burnaby Heights homes where homeowners want to upgrade a dated interior stair to something that opens up the floor plan. The mix of eras and building types across Burnaby means every floating stair project needs its own structural read before the design is fixed.
Floating stair is an umbrella term. Some use a visible mono stringer; others rely on wall structure, side plates, or hidden brackets. We define the support strategy early so the finished stair is buildable and code-aware.
What matters in Burnaby
Burnaby mixes custom homes, strata towers, institutional projects, and commercial spaces, which makes it a strong fit for both residential stairs and repeatable railing packages.
- New-build projects in the Brentwood high-density area often run on fast timelines — get shop drawings into the queue early.
- Older Burnaby Heights homes may have joist and header limitations that affect cantilevered or wall-anchored designs.
- Metrotown-area strata developments frequently specify floating stairs for townhome showcase suites.
Common configurations
- Open-riser steel stairs with hardwood treads
- Wall-anchored cantilevered treads where structure allows
- Concealed side-plate support systems
- Glass guard and minimal handrail pairings
Budget ranges
| Scope | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Open-riser floating stair | $20,000-$34,000 | Common residential configuration |
| Cantilevered or concealed support | $34,000-$70,000+ | Requires early structural planning |
| Glass guard upgrade | $275-$475/linear ft | Depends on hardware and layout |
Process
Structural review and drawing
Assess wall framing, slab, or beam capacity for the chosen support method; prepare shop drawings with connection details reviewed by an engineer if wall-anchored or cantilevered.
Steel fabrication
Fabricate the support structure, tread brackets, and connection hardware to the confirmed support strategy; open-riser design is checked in the shop before finish.
Finish and tread coordination
Finish the steel (powder coat, clear coat, or primer) before installation; tread material is templated after the steel is set so fit is exact.
Installation and tread fitting
Steel structure is installed first, treads are cut to the template and fitted on-site, guard follows once treads are confirmed.
Local conditions
1.6 kPa reference value for early planning. Final engineering confirms project-specific assumptions.
none exposure. Finish and hardware choices should follow the exact site conditions.
New stairs, altered guards, and structural steel attachments generally need permit or engineer review.
FAQ
Planning questions for Burnaby
How much do floating staircases cost in Burnaby?
Floating Staircase pricing depends on dimensions, railing type, finish, access, and engineering. Current planning ranges on this page run from $20,000-$34,000 depending on scope.
How long does a floating stairs project take from quote to installation in Burnaby?
Most floating staircase projects run 6–10 weeks from a confirmed order: 1–2 weeks for shop drawings and engineer review, 3–5 weeks in fabrication, and 1–2 weeks for finishing and installation scheduling. Burnaby site access and permit timing can shift that window, so starting the quote early gives the most flexibility.
What information helps get an accurate Burnaby quote?
Floor-to-floor height or linear footage, site photos, any existing drawings, finish preference, and whether a permit has been applied for. For Burnaby projects, confirming the finish and connection details early avoids changes after shop drawings are approved.
Start a project
Plan a floating stairs project in Burnaby
Send drawings, photos, or a rough scope and we will help define the practical next step.