Steel stairs are significantly stronger than timber stairs and significantly lighter than concrete stairs. They can also be built into complex geometries and curves that are difficult or impossible to achieve in other materials.

Steel stars can be clad in stone or timber. The strength of the material can also be used to create more open structures incorporating glass treads or balustrades.

As with all our work, our strength is at the high quality, bespoke end of the market. We can combine complex star geometries with high end balustrades, polished stainless steel, brass, bronze and glass.

We focus on bespoke services that are difficult to replicate elsewhere. Combined with an extensive supplier and sub-contractor network this enables us to offer a comprehensive range of bespoke metalwork solutions.

Specifications

We use 3D digital survey equipment for our surveys. Design and specifications are developed by our in-house draughtsmen which means that we retain full control of the build process, whether processes are carried out in-house or sub-contracted.

Materials

Apart from standard steel, stainless steel, aluminium, brass and bronze stock sizes we can also source more unusual non-ferrous materials and sections. This includes bespoke extrusions where required.

Fabrication

We have extensive fabrication expertise and tooling, including mig and tig equipment to the latest hse weld fume regulations. This allows us to accurately assemble the most complex of requirements.

Machining

We go to great lengths to achieve work with no visible welds or fixings. To achieve this we work closely with specialist precision ansd structural engineers on bespoke components and assembly methods.

Casting

We work with specialist sand and investment foundries where cast elements are required.

Profiles & sections

We work with a number of laser cutting, water jet cutting and profile bending companies to source accurately cut and rolled components in any material. This includes helical elements for curved stairs.

Sheet metalwork & cladding

Cutting and precision folding of sheet metalwork is outsourced to specialist suppliers. Sheet metal work undertaken in-house includes bespoke textures, bronze patinas on brass and sharp outside folds on brass sheet.

Hot bending

We can set most metals to complex component shapes and handrail transitions. This includes steel, stainless steel, aluminium, copper, brass, zinc, silicon bronze and aluminium bronze.

Hot forging

We have extensive forging facilities including hand forging, power hammer forging and pressing equipment. Backed up by over 25 years of experience this enables us to create both traditional and artistic bespoke forge work in wrought iron, steel, stainless steel, aluminium, copper, brass, silicon bronze and aluminium bronze.

Helical balustrades

We can create helical panels in continuous scroll designs and other complex patterns. Our adjustable curve setting jig also allows for the creation of oval plan view panels, without the need to create multiple setting out jigs.

Guide to stair layout considerations, stair design and handrail options.

If you are reading this then you are likely looking for a continuous handrail along your stairs and landings, with free flowing elegant transitions and terminations.

Stair layout considerations

For the stair layout the first consideration is often the feature termination on the ground floor, unless the balustrade starts at a lower level and flows onto the ground floor. For a nice flowing termination scroll, or volute, it helps to have a generous first tread. This can be achieved by making it wider than the subsequent stairs and it can be enhanced by making it a bit deeper, either overall or by coming back to overlap with part of the footprint of the second tread. We can fit a flowing volute on most layouts but the extra bit of space helps with the natural flow and creates room for a generous feature newel post or spindle layout. For very complex layout requirements please see our complex steel stairs section.
To facilitate flowing transitions further up the stairs it helps to have some radius on any sharp changes of direction. On stairs with a rectangular layout his can either be achieved by not sitting the balustrade too close to the edge or by making sure that there are no spindles right on the corner. For stairs with a round or oval layout this is obviously not an issue.

Open or closed treads, core rail and handrail construction

Another big decision is whether to go for open or closed treads. Open treads tend to work well with individual spindles or balusters, whereas a closed tread or stringers will often work well with a more flowing balustrade design. On cast concrete stringers we will often supply a flowing base rail for you to plaster up to to ensure that the flow at the top and bottom of the balustrade work in harmonie with each other.
Most of our balustrades are built with a steel core rail along the top of the balustrade design that has been chosen. Apart from being far stronger than relying on the strength of a timber handrail alone, it also allows for very tidy engineered connections between the balustrade and the handrail. This core rail is then capped by the handrail you have selected.

Handrail material options

Moving on to handrails, the cheapest option is obviously to have straight handrails between timber newel posts. For flowing handrails the cheapest option is to have steel handrails, followed by stainless steel and aluminium handrails. In both cases the choice of handrail profile is limited to what is available off the shelf.
For the best choice of profiles and finishes we recommend timber or brass handrails. Both tend to come out at a similar price, although we can be a bit more flexible on the brass option as they are produced in-house.

Timber handrail details

For flowing timber handrails we work with a number of specialist sub-contractors. They can be produced in a range of timbers and the final finish can be matched to other items in the house if required, there is a profile library of popular shapes and bespoke profiles can also be accommodated. Survey, manufacture, installation and finishing will be after the balustrades have been installed which adds 3 to 6 weeks to the build time.

Metal handrail details

We hot set steel, stainless steel, brass, manganese bronze and aluminium profiles to follow the flowing core rails already produced, which means that they can come to site at the same time as the balustrades. The brass handrails can be supplied with a mirror polished finish or with a variety of patina finishes ranging from antique brass to aged bronze.
There are a number of smaller brass and manganese bronze profiles available off the shelf, these will be joined with joinings sleeves which will sit proud of the handrail. We have developed a range of attractive, more substantial, solid profiles up to 66×32mm which can be joined by our proprietary clamping system. This allows for clean joins without any ridges.
Should you want a different profile to the ones we already have tooling for we can have a bespoke profile extruded especially for your project.

Bespoke bronze handrail profiles

Bronze handrails and bespoke steel or stainless steel profiles: these can be accommodated but the profile will have to be machined or hot forged, both of which are significantly more expensive than any of the options outlined above. We are aware of some companies advertising bronze extruded handrail profiles but as far as we can tell these are high tensile brass rather than any of the true bronzes.

This is a technical guide to metalwork finishing options to help you arrive at the most suitable final look of your project. You may want to read this guide in conjunction with the materials blog.

Painting

This gives you a large number of colour choices, apart from the commercial options we have developed some metallic black finishes that look very good on forged metalwork. Surface preparation is very important and for external work steel should be protected through hot zinc spraying or galvanising prior to painting. Advantages are that work can be easily touched up after installation, disadvantages are cost and sometimes durability.

Powder coating

This is a harder, more durable finish than painting. Surface preparation is again important and a high zinc primer is a cost effective alternative to the hot zinc options. There is a large range of powders available, including some attractive metallic options. Advantages are speed, cost and durability. The hardness does mean that natural warmth and earthy feeling finishes are not achievable.

Anodising

This is a specific treatment for aluminium. It protects the metal from corrosion, it hardens the surface and it is available in a range of colours.

Chemical blacking

This is a hot submerged process with some nasty chemicals, mainly used on small components. We would not recommend it on larger items as the cold applied methods are less effective and hot tanks are not large enough for architectural purposes. We can blacken items up to about 1m in length in a kiln for a similar effect.

Polishing

This is a labour intensive process with grades ranging from brushed to super mirror. A practical shiny surface for architectural purposes is somewhere between a commercial mirror and a super mirror finish. Electro polishing is more cost effective and very suitable where the surface texture wants to be retained but it will not achieve a full mirror finish. Polishing looks best on stainless steel, brass or bronze. Aluminium can be polished but will quickly tarnish and steel is too prone to rusting.

Commercial hot processes

There are a number of proprietary stainless sheet steel finishes, which include different colours and textures for cladding purposes.

Traditional hot processes

Hot forged ironwork can be heated and wire brushed, before being waxed to protect it from rusting. This gives a beautiful deep sheen that metallic black paint and powder finishes basically try to emulate. It is obviously only suitable for interior use.
Heat can also produce tempering colours on polished stainless steel, ranging from a straw yellow through purple and blue to black. This can either be done with a heat torch to create a rainbow effect or in a large kiln to create more consistent colours. Consistency on some colours can be hard to achieve, depending on the heat range that produces the required colour.

Metal Plating

This is the opposite of electro polishing, a thin layer of metal is deposited on the underlying work. The recommended base for this is polished stainless steel, which means that it is possible to achieve shapes that are not otherwise practical. Finishes offered include chrome, nickel, brass, copper, bronzes, rose gold and more. There is often a significant cost saving over making the work in the actual material. The downside is that the thin decorative layer and subsequent protection can make it look overly shiny. Any scratches will show the base material and can not be repaired.

Patinas

We define a patina as controlled ageing, or oxidization, of the metal. On steel the only practical patina is a light brown rust, which can be sealed under wax or lacquer. Stainless steel is specifically designed not to rust and we are not aware of any decorative patinas on aluminium. Where the patina process comes into its own is on copper based alloys: between copper, brass and bronze we can create red, green, blue and a large range of brown patinas. There is a limit to the number of even colours that can be achieved but if you include the variegated finishes the options run into the hundreds.
There are some commercial patina solutions which will create cold applied brown to black finishes. We have however found that hot submerged techniques give a more durable and even finish, which we will typically seal under a layer of wax to retain the rich natural look.
Our current tank capacity is up to 3m x 1.5m x 0.5m.

Design Development

We are always happy to advise on overall layout, materials, finishes and interfaces between the metalwork and other elements of your build, if you want to ensure that there are no unforeseen issues further down the line. We will alway work to find the most suitable way to realise your design or vision, rather than giving you a limited number of options.

If you have a design that you are looking to achieve then we can advise on the practical ways this can be achieved so that you can weigh up any relevant cost and design implications to arrive at the final specifications for the work. If you are still developing the design then we always appreciate some details on the layout of the work and a starting point for the design in the form of a sketch or images of work you like. We can then help you develop the design to the point where we can move on to practicalities.

Quotation and Survey

Once the design has been agreed in detail we will issue a formal quotation. If you are still at an early stage of your build we offer the option to book time in our production schedule for a nominal 10% booking deposit.

On bespoke items and finishes we will often supply samples for approval.
Our surveys are conducted with the use of digital survey equipment, enabling us to create a 3D point cloud of the relevant surfaces. Where possible we prefer to do this off finished surfaces.
This survey is then developed so that we can build any setting out jigs required for the work. If any aspects need detailed design decisions then we will develop the drawing further to give you 3D renderings to help you visualise the detail and the options in question.

Manufacture Progress

The metalwork manufacture and finishing will be entirely off-site. Given that progress with most other trades is more visible we can supply images of the work in progress and you are very welcome to visit our workshop to inspect it during the build. Installation time depends on the size of the project but can mostly be done inside of a week. If the work includes metal handrails then these will come fully finished along with the work. Timber handrail survey, installation and finishing will commence after the metalwork install.