Alternative ideas for modern staircase

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Any ideas on how to get an open look without the hefty price? All quotes to build this type of stairs are triple what is in the budget. Help!

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Wendy

7 years ago

Here is what we did. Instead of totally floating, we tied one side only to the wall. The architect told us this was more cost effective. It still looks very open. Not sure exactly how this reduced the structure as some steel was still required, but we were told it was less expensive than total free floating.

Ps- I just love how people totally ignore the question and just comment on not liking your style, I like your style for the record. If you like open risers, go for it! We only closed ours because it fit our situation (dogs and kids).

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Comments (35)

gtcircus
7 years ago
I cant imagine putting up that staircase ever -looks like a death trap for children and small animals.
Alecia Mickelsen
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks for your response but no young children or animals will be living in this home.
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gtcircus
7 years ago
Look at this website & hopefully it will be safe.

https://www.stairs-siller.com/modern-stairs/
Kris Mays
7 years ago
No idea how to get that on a budget. Honestly, that's a steel beam, it has to be. The railings are expensive. Are the treads concrete?

Face it, you have expensive taste. Make a list and prioritize your needs, wants, etc. Decide how important this is for you, if you can cut something else out of your build to afford it, etc. Find out if there are alternative materials that can be used to get the same feel. I'd consult with a designer.
PRO
Mammoth Projects
7 years ago
Did you get this quoted in wood? Should be considerably lower
Alecia Mickelsen
Original Author
7 years ago
I didn't realize you could build this particular style in wood. Wood beam in place of the steel beam? How would this work? I'm so open to hearing more about this.
PRO
Mammoth Projects
7 years ago
There's lots of precedent in Japanese architecture with this style of stair in wood.
PRO
Mammoth Projects
7 years ago
Yes, wood frame. And because the treads are really fat on this, wood would be an option for those as well.
PRO
Cancork Floor Inc.
7 years ago
Glulam is a type of high-end, high strength, industrial looking wood product that is being used in lieu of metal. It rates higher than steel in strength per pound.

It is also expensive. Haven't we seen this dilemma before? I've seen this photo and this question (and many of the same types of answers) on Houzz....have you reviewed the answers on that thread?
PRO
JAN MOYER
7 years ago
If ya can't do the time, don't do the crime.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
7 years ago
"Thanks for your response but no young children or animals will be living in this home."

And none will ever visit?

Those stairs are dangerous with the lack of a code compliant balustrade.

I keep a loaded handgun with the safety off on my nightstand. If any children ever visit, I can safe that thing instantly. Not so with these stairs.
Wendy
7 years ago
And Joseph....totally inappropriate.
Alecia Mickelsen thanked Wendy
gtcircus
7 years ago
Well the reason I commented on the safety issue is in our neck of the woods, that staircase would not pass code. I know because my friend bought a home with a similar staircase and then had to spend a lot of money "fixing" the problem when she went to update the rest of the home. Yes you are grandfathered in if it was built in the 1970's, but once you start making updates, you get to address the problem. My advice check with your local building code inspectors before proceeding.
Alecia Mickelsen
Original Author
7 years ago
Stunning staircase wanjess. The risers look fabulous and your staircase still feels very open and freestanding which is my main concern. Thank you for posting pictures of your beautiful staircase, I will have to pass this suggestion on to my builder and see what we can come up with.
Alecia Mickelsen
Original Author
7 years ago
JAN MOYER

If ya can't do the time, don't do the crime

Are you talking about $$ or safety? Honestly I was naive when it came to the cost to build these type of stairs. I was in complete shock when the lowest bid came in at $25,000. We simply can't affford that so I'm looking for alternative design solutions that will still give the space an open feel unlike traditional heavy stairs. I'm open to risers and of course I want them to be safe.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
7 years ago
You need a stair company to design this not just a contractor and there are many deigns that can give you that feel even if not exactly the same. I always find it funny that in NA we have to have all these rules about stairs and railings that do not appear in Europe and pretty sure no more children die there on the stairs than here
Wendy
7 years ago
You are welcome. I couldn't find any photos before they were trimmed out so you could see the structure? I wish I could share the prints with you but I wouldn't do that to my architect. If you or your builder are working with an architect, I would have her/him design he stairs. It's their job to worry about code and keep you informed. Good luck and let me know what you decide.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
7 years ago
"And Joseph....totally inappropriate."

wanjess:

No, what's "totally inappropriate" is your second picture with no handrails or guardrails. My wife would throw a contractor off one of her commercial jobs if a contractor ever left a stair like that. Let's hope that's a work-in-progress picture.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
"... It's their job to worry about code..."

Red tags are not issued to architects. These guys will draw anything. Prints are to be viewed in the context of a rough idea of what the designer wants. The guy who may get the tag gets the final call. Not the guy who drew it and not the person paying the bill either.

Here's a 29" step, built as drawn I'll bet. No handrails in sight. Picture a toddler or grandma coming down those, please.
PRO
Linda
7 years ago
It's everyone's job to worry about code.
User
7 years ago
When the job is shut down, and you're paying interest on the loan, it's the homeowner's concern to be code compliant as well as the builder's.
Kris Mays
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
In a perfect world Linda
Wendy
7 years ago
Are you blind joe, that was the same staircase under construction. Remind me never to hire you.
Wendy
7 years ago
Having a designer who personally attacks someone who may or may not agree with them is not something most clients are looking for. Not to mention attacking the entire architectural profession. I could have excused your first comment but your personal attack....not so much.
Wendy
7 years ago
Hi Alicia, I am sorry that you had to go through all the trolling when you were just looking for honest advice. And I am sorry I got dragged in to it. I should have let it go, but as an advocate of children with special needs I am sensitive to bullying. I would like to clarify my comments. I worked with an architect, professional builder and a licensed interior designer who also had a builders license. I did rely on them to understand local codes and call to my attention where there was a disconnect between my vision, affordability or code. When an issue came to light we resolved it as a team, which is what I believe you are doing with your builder. Mutual respect was the key. Bottom line is, I wish you all the best with your new home and hope you get the beautiful home you deserve. Peace out :)
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
7 years ago
"If I had a contractor like you, I'd give him poison."

"Madam, if I had a customer like you, I'd take it."
Janaina Viggiano
7 years ago
I agree with Patricia Colwell Design.

I live with a spiral staircase and pets are perfectly fine. When my kids were smaller, we added safety netting around it, but once the youngest was 5, we were ok removing it. 3 kids and 3 cats are somehow still alive in spite of "death trap stairs".
Alecia Mickelsen
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you wanjess. I was a little taken back by a few of the responses as well. Like you said, I was just looking for advice on how to acheive this look while keeping cost down, not a debate on code. I thought it would be a given that code would be taken into consideration since I can't pass inspection otherwise. HAHA

By the way, I looked up your profile and we have saved a lot of the same pics. I love your style.
carladr
7 years ago
Investigate what wanjess said about attaching one side to the wall. We are building a staircase with open risers and our architect/contractor told us the same thing about costs rising significantly due to engineering when the staircase is "floating" vs. attached to the wall. I believe you can achieve the beautiful open look you are looking for without breaking the bank.
gtcircus
7 years ago
That's a lot of money for a staircase - ouch. I did post a company that designs stairs. I know is some jurisdictions it is the wire cross threads that you cannot use - not the open stairs. If that is the staircase you want - try figuring out where you can cut back elsewhere - perhaps stained concrete floors instead of wood? Ceramic instead of marble tile in the bathrooms. Building a house is always about priorities and compromise
Paddy
7 years ago
Glass, either with a railing on the top (my preference) or attached, would be another option if the wire isn't possible.
Kris Mays
7 years ago
That happens to everyone when they post on Houzz. Still you also get plenty of good advice along with it. I wouldn't call regular posters trolls, though. There are a lot of experienced folks here who are definitely not getting paid for their ideas and advice, but give it freely here for our benefit. If you all keep that in mind, maybe you won't get so offended when you hear something you don't like. If it doesn't apply, just pass it on by.
Alecia Mickelsen
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks everyone for your great advice. Much appreciated.
PRO
Nautilus Homes
7 years ago
We just did one combining solid wood treads with steel frame (below).

Sarasota Custom Home- Frank Lloyd Wright Mid-Century Home · More Info

I do not think that it would be any less expensive unless you used some rougher materials. I have always thought that paralam material has a nice look. Here is an example of a paralam staircase that would be substantially less expensive to build. The railing would be fairly cheap too, maybe a total of $12k total for everything for a single flight.
Good luck with the project, sorry if my comments are a little late to help. Note: I just noticed that you had already finished when I finished typing. Hopefully this can help someone else. Maybe Joe, haha.

PS- You guys did an awesome job!
Alecia Mickelsen thanked Nautilus Homes

Alternative ideas for modern staircase

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