Modern Staircase Styles: Which Custom Metal Stringer Type Is Right For Your Build?

When it comes to creating a stunning architectural statement in your home or commercial space, few design elements command attention quite like a modern staircase. The type of stringer you choose doesn’t just support your stairs—it defines the entire aesthetic, from sleek minimalism to bold industrial style.

At Metal and Wood Products, we specialise in four distinct custom metal stringer designs, each offering unique benefits for different spaces and design visions. Understanding the differences between staircase styles will help you make the right choice for your project.

 

Before diving into specific styles, it’s important to understand what a stringer actually does. The stringer is the structural backbone of your staircase—the support system that bears the weight of the treads and anyone using the stairs. In modern floating staircase designs, the stringer becomes a visible design element rather than being hidden behind drywall.

Modern metal stringers offer several advantages over traditional wood construction:

The four main stringer configurations we offer—single undermount, double undermount, side stringer, and cantilevered—each solve different design challenges and create distinct visual effects.

 

Single undermount stringers feature one central support beam positioned directly beneath the treads, creating the most open and airy appearance possible. This mono-stringer design is ideal when you want your staircase to nearly disappear, maximising sightlines and natural light flow.

Tube (HSS – Hollow Structural Section): The most common choice, typically using rectangular or square HSS tubing. Standard sizes range from 4″x6″ to 8″x12″, depending on span and load requirements. HSS tube stringers offer excellent torsional rigidity and a clean, modern profile.

Fabricated Tube: When you need custom dimensions or want exceptionally crisp corners, we fabricate stringers from steel plate. This waterjet-cut and welded approach allows for unique profiles and sizes not available in standard HSS tubing.

I-Beam: Traditional I-beam stringers provide a more industrial aesthetic. While they offer good vertical support, they require careful engineering to prevent torsional movement. I-beams work particularly well for projects seeking that raw, structural look.

Single undermount stringers work best when the staircase width doesn’t exceed 42 inches without additional reinforcement. The central placement means all loads concentrate on one beam, so proper engineering is crucial. Tread thickness and material also affect the overall structural requirements.

Double undermount stringers use two parallel support beams positioned beneath the treads, typically inset from the edges. This configuration distributes loads across two members while maintaining the floating aesthetic. Double undermount stairs offer excellent versatility for wider staircases without compromising the open, modern look.

Tube (HSS): Similar to single stringers but using two smaller beams instead of one large one. This allows for slimmer profiles while maintaining structural integrity. The twin stringers can be positioned at various intervals depending on tread span requirements.

Custom Cut Plate: Waterjet-cut steel plate stringers offer the cleanest aesthetic possible, with sharp edges and minimal depth. Plate stringers can be cut to any profile, making them perfect for custom designs or when architectural specifications require specific geometries.

I-Beam: Double I-beam stringers provide a bold, industrial statement while offering superior load capacity. They’re particularly well-suited for commercial applications or longer stair runs.

The spacing between double stringers affects both structural performance and aesthetics. Wider spacing maintains more openness but requires thicker treads or additional tread reinforcement. Double stringers excel in situations where a single stringer would need to be oversized, allowing you to maintain slimmer profiles.

Side stringer staircases position the structural support along the outer edges of the treads, making the stringer itself a prominent visual element. This configuration creates strong diagonal lines and works exceptionally well in spaces embracing industrial, rustic, or transitional design aesthetics.

Tube (HSS): Rectangular or square tube side stringers offer clean lines with a modern interpretation of traditional staircase construction. The tube profile provides excellent strength in a relatively compact form factor.

C-Channel: C-channel stringers bring authentic industrial character to your space. The distinctive profile, with its parallel flanges and open web, creates visual texture while providing robust support. C-channel is particularly popular in loft conversions, barndominiums, and spaces with exposed utilities.

Custom Cut Plate: Laser-cut or waterjet-cut plate stringers can incorporate intricate patterns, profiles, or even a zig-zag sawtooth design. Plate stringers offer maximum design flexibility, allowing for geometric patterns or organic curves.

Plate Guard Rail:  With a thick steel plate as the primary stringer, this design creates a bold visual statement while providing exceptional strength and stability. We’ve built this as a curved, spiraled or angular staircase style.

Side stringers create more visual mass than undermount designs, making them ideal for larger spaces where the staircase should command attention. They’re also typically easier to install since attachment points are more accessible. Consider how the stringer profile will interact with your railing system—many side stringer designs allow railings to mount directly to the stringer.

Explore our side stringer designs →

 

Cantilevered staircases create the most dramatic floating effect, with treads appearing to emerge directly from the wall with no visible support. The structural system is concealed within or behind the wall, leaving only the treads and railing visible. This design represents the pinnacle of modern minimalist staircase aesthetics.

Full Cantilever: The entire structural system is hidden within the wall construction. Steel supports are embedded during framing, requiring careful coordination with wall construction. This achieves the purest floating appearance but requires substantial wall reinforcement and early planning.

Semi-Cantilever: The stringer is positioned close to the wall with minimal exposure, creating a floating effect while being somewhat more economical and easier to install. A small steel support may be visible where it meets the wall, but the overall effect still reads as floating. Semi-cantilever designs can sometimes be retrofitted to existing spaces more easily than full cantilevers.

Cantilevered stairs require early design coordination. The supporting structure must be integrated into the wall framing, which means decisions about stair placement, tread depths, and loads need to be finalised before wall construction. Building code compliance is also more complex, as the hidden structure must be properly engineered and documented.

The wall receiving the cantilever loads typically requires steel reinforcement, which may include vertical posts and a diagonal spine beam. Tread materials also matter significantly—a 2.5″ thick oak tread behaves very differently than a thin Ipe tread in terms of deflection and structural requirements.

Choosing the right staircase style depends on several interconnected factors:

Consider your available footprint and how the staircase needs to interact with surrounding spaces. Single undermount stringers maximise openness in compact areas, while side stringers can define spaces in open floor plans.

Residential stairs in BC must support live loads of 2.4 kPa (approximately 50 pounds per square foot), but your specific project may have different requirements. Commercial applications, wider spans, or heavier tread materials may dictate double stringers or robust side stringer designs.

Your overall design language should guide stringer selection. Ultra-modern spaces benefit from single or double undermount designs. Industrial or rustic themes call for side stringers, particularly C-channel profiles. Minimalist, gallery-like spaces reach their full potential with cantilevered designs.

Generally, complexity increases costs. Single undermount tube stringers are typically the most economical, followed by double undermount and side stringer designs. Cantilevered stairs involve the most engineering and coordination, reflected in their pricing. Fabricated tube and custom plate profiles add cost but deliver unique results.

Cantilevered designs require integration during initial construction or significant renovation. Undermount and side stringer designs offer more flexibility and can sometimes be installed after basic framing is complete.

 

The stringer is only part of your staircase story. Tread materials, railings, and finishes all contribute to the final effect:

Tread Materials: Oak and walnut offer warmth and traditional appeal. Steel treads with non-slip coatings suit industrial applications. Stone or concrete treads make powerful statements but require careful structural consideration.

Railing Systems: Glass railings maintain openness and suit modern designs. Cable railings offer safety with minimal visual interruption. Horizontal steel bars provide an industrial counterpoint.

Finishes: Powder coating in matte black remains popular for its sophisticated, gallery-quality appearance. Raw steel with clear coat delivers authentic industrial character. Custom colors can coordinate with specific design palettes.

Off-the-shelf staircase systems offer convenience, but custom metal fabrication provides solutions that precisely fit your space and vision. At Metal and Wood Products, every staircase is fabricated specifically for your project:

While cantilevered staircases represent our most sophisticated design, they’re also one of our most efficient products to deliver. Unlike other staircase styles that may require multiple site visits and installation coordination, our cantilevered systems follow a standardised design approach.We fabricate each system to your exact dimensions and ship the complete package directly to your site for installation by your contractor or builder. This streamlined process eliminates design phase delays and makes cantilevered stairs an attractive option for projects on tight timelines. Your builder receives detailed installation drawings and all necessary components, allowing for efficient installation without requiring our team to be on-site.

All our staircase designs comply with the BC Building Code requirements for residential and commercial applications. Key requirements include:

We work closely with engineers, architects, and building officials to ensure every staircase meets or exceeds applicable codes while achieving your design vision.

 

Choosing a modern staircase style involves balancing aesthetics, budget, structural requirements, and timeline. The experts at Metal and Wood Products can guide you through this process, providing:

Whether you’re drawn to the minimalist elegance of single undermount stringers, the balanced versatility of double undermount designs, the bold character of side stringers, or the dramatic floating effect of cantilevered stairs, we’ll help you create a staircase that becomes the architectural centrepiece of your space.

We’re here to discuss your space, review your design goals, and recommend the staircase style that best serves your needs.