Curved cantilevered floating staircase in a Toronto home

Curved Cantilevered Staircase Design in Toronto, ON

Custom curved and helical floating stair systems for Toronto homes where geometry becomes the centrepiece. Engineered to OBC standards. Fabricated to exact field measurements.

Toronto Floating Stairs engineers and builds curved cantilevered floating staircases for Toronto homes and commercial spaces where a standard straight stair would underdeliver on the architecture.

Curved floating stairs are fundamentally more complex than straight systems. The stringer — if visible — must be formed or cut to a consistent radius. The treads must be tapered or fanned to maintain a uniform nose-to-nose rise while accommodating the changing plan geometry. The wall interface changes continuously, so each anchor bracket position requires individual calculation.

Most curved stair contractors in Toronto avoid cantilevered curved systems because the engineering is genuinely difficult. Standard stringer-and-bracket systems can't be adapted to a curved layout without serious compromises. We build curved floating stairs with properly engineered curved spine stringers — formed steel plate bent to radius — combined with individually positioned tread brackets calculated for each step position.

The result is a stair that reads as a continuous sculptural curve from every angle, not a series of approximated straight segments. That difference is visible and it's why clients who care about architecture seek this type of installation over a modified standard system.

We also build helical (full spiral) floating stair systems for spaces with sufficient ceiling clearance and structural wall capacity. Helical systems require more complex engineering and longer fabrication timelines, but they're achievable in the right Toronto property.

Curved staircase geometry options

Quarter-turn curved stairs (90° sweep) are the most common in Toronto residential projects — they fit naturally into corner entries and transition between floors with a smooth quarter-circle plan. Half-turn (180°) and three-quarter-turn systems are used in larger entry halls and commercial lobbies. Full helical systems are rare and require specific structural conditions, but we've delivered them in the GTA for clients who needed that level of architectural statement.

Curved cantilevered staircase feature detail in Toronto

Design a curved stair for your Toronto space

Free site visit. We assess the space, take precise measurements, and model the curved geometry before fabrication begins.

  • ✓ Quarter-turn curved stairs
  • ✓ Half-turn curved stairs
  • ✓ Helical / full spiral systems
  • ✓ Custom radius geometry
  • ✓ OBC-compliant engineering

How We Deliver a Curved Floating Stair

Curved cantilevered stair installation in progress in Toronto
01
Site Survey & Geometry Assessment
We measure the full space including ceiling height, floor-to-floor dimensions, and available wall run. Curved stair geometry is modelled in 3D to verify the layout fits the space before any fabrication commitment.
02
Structural Engineering
Load calculations for curved systems account for the changing moment arm at each tread position. We prepare OBC-compliant stamped drawings covering the full stair geometry, not just a typical section.
03
Curved Stringer Fabrication
Steel plate stringers are rolled or laser-cut to the required radius. For complex geometries, CNC-bent sections are joined and welded to the final profile. Tread brackets are positioned and welded in the fabrication shop.
04
Tread Fabrication & Fitting
Each tread is individually sized to the plan geometry — fanned width at the nose, tapered to the tail. Hardwood or glass treads are templated from the installed stringers, not from drawings.
05
Installation & Railing
Stringers are anchored and shimmed to level. Treads are set and fastened. Curved railing — glass or steel — is bent and fitted to follow the stair radius in the same site visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much more expensive is a curved floating stair than a straight one? +
Curved floating stairs typically cost 40% to 80% more than straight systems of equivalent size. The premium reflects the complexity of stringer forming, individual tread templating, and increased engineering time. We provide detailed pricing after the site assessment and geometry modelling phase.
Can a curved floating stair be installed in an existing Toronto home? +
Yes, provided the wall has sufficient length and structural capacity to support the bracket anchorage points across the full arc of the stair. We assess the existing wall conditions during the site visit and specify any reinforcement required before committing to the curved layout.
How long does a curved floating stair project take? +
After permit approval, fabrication of a curved stair typically takes 4 to 6 weeks. More complex helical systems may take 8 to 10 weeks depending on stringer forming complexity. We provide a production timeline before the fabrication deposit.
Can curved staircases have glass railings? +
Yes. Glass panels for curved stair systems are curved to follow the stair radius. This is standard for frameless glass balustrade systems. The glass is bent to radius during the manufacturing phase, coordinated with the stair layout.
Do you use 3D modelling for curved stair design? +
Yes. We model the curved stair geometry in 3D before any fabrication commitment to verify that the layout fits the space, achieves the required rise and run dimensions, and meets OBC requirements at every step position. Clients can review the 3D model before signing off on fabrication.

Ready to design a curved floating stair in Toronto?

Free site assessment. 3D geometry modelled before any fabrication commitment.