# What are Floating Stairs
[Floating stairs](https://www.viewrail.com/floating-stairs/) are designed to look like they’re floating in mid-air without little to no structural support. Unlike traditional staircases, which rely on stringers running along either side of the steps, floating stairs use specialized mounting systems that are either hidden within the treads or attached directly to the wall. The mount is then either attached to the wall or hidden underneath the stair treads.
The final product is a sleek, elegant, and modern staircase with lots of open space. It's no wonder it's become a staple of high-end interior design.
**Related Read:** [What’s the difference between open riser stairs and mono stringers?](https://www.viewrail.com/floating-stairs/whats-the-difference-between-open-riser-stairs-a-mono-stringer/)
Floating stairs can be paired with several different types of railing and handrail options — often, they are installed with glass, cable, or rod railing. Many of these options come with components that can be hidden in the posts themselves: to enhance the illusion of floating. It’s common to see them paired with different types of modern railing options, such as:
* [Glass railing](/guides/about-stairs-and-railing/what-is-glass-railing.md)
* [Cable railing](/guides/about-stairs-and-railing/what-is-cable-railing.md)
* [Rod railing](https://www.viewrail.com/product-category/railing/rod-railing/)
*“It’s one of the main cornerstones of a modern house. Done properly, it becomes an architectural gem that makes everything feel more spacious and light.” – Mayer Dahan, chief executive of Prime Five Homes, a Los Angeles real estate development and renovation firm.*
### Why Choose Floating Stairs?
[Floating stairs](https://www.viewrail.com/floating-stairs/), which remove visual obstructions and maximize living space, are especially popular in open concept spaces, new builds, and high-end homes. They're becoming an increasingly popular choice in today’s design world by architects, designers, and builders alike.
Floating staircases are also extremely versatile. Depending on the type of stair tread used, they can be installed indoors or outdoors. Even small spaces, like studio apartments, can utilize floating stairs — their open-concept profile is a great way to make a tiny room look larger.
Above all, floatings stairs make a visual statement. The excellent craftsmanship and sculptural design can become the centerpiece of a home or stunning addition to special space. With a wide array of finish colors, natural wood treads, and unique railing options, these stair systems can bring organic textures, high design, and rich character to any home.
### How Long Do Floating Stairs Last?
Floating stairs are built to last decades. Because they're custom-engineered for their specific installation environment — accounting for the wall structure, load requirements, and spatial conditions — they're inherently well-suited to the space they're in. With proper maintenance, a quality floating staircase is a long-term architectural investment.
### How are Floating Stairs Supported?
Floating stairs can be supported using steel brackets, a central spine, or hidden stringers. These methods provide stability and support while maintaining the illusion that the treads are floating. Each approach allows for a visually stunning staircase that can be a unique addition to any space.
**Central spine (mono stringer).** A single steel beam runs through the center of the staircase. Each tread attaches to the spine via brackets, so the support is underneath and out of sight. This is the approach used in Viewrail's [FLIGHT Mono stair system](https://www.viewrail.com/floating-stairs/mono/).
**Hidden wall-mounted supports.** Steel supports are anchored to the wall or an adjacent structure and concealed entirely within or behind the treads. The [floating stair treads](https://www.viewrail.com/modern-stair-treads/) appear to project from the wall with nothing holding them up. Viewrail's [FLIGHT Cantilever](https://www.viewrail.com/floating-stairs/cantilever/) takes this approach.
**Hidden or recessed stringers.** The stringers are tucked inside the tread assembly and fastened to the wall. Our [FLIGHT Stack system](https://www.viewrail.com/floating-stairs/flight-stack/) uses this method.
Each method achieves the a floating visual, the difference lies in the structural approach, the wall construction required, and the overall aesthetic.
### Can Floating Stairs Curve?
Yes, floating stairs can curve. However, given the constraints of the rigid system material, like steel, it often requires more engineering. The results can be stunning but it usually leads to increases in cost. Curved floating stairs are most often installed in high-end spaces and can even be helically designed. A curved floating staircase can become a dramatic focal point of any space.
Spiral staircases are the most common form of a curved stair system, but floating stairs are not limited to a traditional spiral staircase design. Massive wooden stairs and self supporting stringer staircases can also curve, but these are the staircases that will require more engineering.
### Metal Stringer Stairs
Floating stairs that use one or more metal stringers for a floating look are common, and the metal can come in a variety of materials; [we manufacture our stringers from steel](https://www.viewrail.com/floating-stairs/steel-staircases/). Depending on the design, these types of staircases may incorporate a double or single stringer.
Our floating staircase stringers are unique in that they are flow-drilled and bolted together, rather than welded. Welding distorts the metal, causing a scar on the metal where the two parts are joined together. It doesn’t look great, and that requires extra effort from a design perspective to be able to cover up the look of the metal in the spot where it’s been welded.
Flow-drilling (or friction drilling) eliminates the weld entirely. We use a flow drill to create a long hole in the metal. The steel is displaced — not by heat from the drill bit — but by the friction that is caused by the flow drill’s quick movement.
The metal bends downward, creating a circular tube. We change out the drill bit, then repeat the process to add threads to the circular tube so that a bolt can be inserted. Flow drilling also creates a rim around the top of this circular tube, where the bolt rests.
A bolted stair mono stringer is also easier to ship, because instead of shipping the steel stringer with all of the welded brackets, we can ship the mono stringer and brackets separately, and the customer can easily bolt them together at home or on the job site.
### Floating Stair Configurations
Floating stairs aren't limited to a single layout. The same floating support systems can be applied across a variety of configurations — the choice depends on the space, the architecture, and the design intent.
**Straight.** The most common configuration: a single, uninterrupted run from one level to the next. Clean, minimal, and versatile — straight floating stairs work in almost any space and are a popular choice for both new builds and remodels.
**L-shaped (quarter-turn).** The staircase makes a 90° turn, typically at a landing. The turn can help a staircase fit into a corner or transition between levels in a more compact footprint than a straight run would allow.
**U-shaped (switchback).** The staircase makes two 90° turns, reversing direction entirely. U-shaped stairs are often used when vertical space is limited relative to horizontal space, or when the design calls for a dramatic, symmetrical look.
**Curved.** Rather than turning at a hard angle, the staircase follows a gradual curve as it rises. Curved floating stairs require more engineering, but the result can be a striking architectural centerpiece. Cost is typically higher as a result.
**Spiral.** A [spiral staircase](https://www.viewrail.com/floating-stairs/flight-spiral/) rotates tightly around a central axis, often making one or more full 360° turns. Spiral stairs are compact and work well in small spaces. They can be built as floating stairs — using a curved mono stringer or no stringer at all — but a spiral staircase is not floating by default. Curved stairs simply turn gently while they rise, but they remain less than 90º. A spiral staircase makes several tight turns, and often make several 360º rotations.
### Related topics
* [Types of Staircases](/guides/about-stairs-and-railing/types-of-staircases.md)
* [Are Floating Stairs Safe?](/guides/about-stairs-and-railing/are-floating-stairs-safe.md)
* [Open Riser Stair vs. Mono Stringer Stairs](/guides/about-stairs-and-railing/types-of-staircases/open-riser-vs.-floating-stairs.md)
* [How Much do Floating Stairs Cost?](https://www.viewrail.com/floating-stairs/how-much-do-floating-stairs-cost/)
---
# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.
Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:
```
GET https://resources.viewrail.com/guides/about-stairs-and-railing/what-are-floating-stairs.md?ask=
```
The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.
Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.