Interiors & Finishes
Stairs & Railings
New and renovated stairs, treads, glass and metal railings designed to code and installed by specialist partners, with engineering where guards require it.
Overview
A staircase is often the most visible architectural element in a home or lobby, and also one of the most regulated. The building code sets limits on riser height, tread depth, headroom, handrail height and guard openings, and railings must resist specified loads.
Specialist stair builders, metal fabricators and glass installers perform the work under our supervision. Where the design requires it – such as structural stair changes or glass and cable guard systems – a licensed engineer or the manufacturer provides the required drawings or calculations. We coordinate the design, measurements and installation and check the work against the plans and code requirements.
Many Florida homes have concrete or masonry stairs, which are typically clad with wood, stone or tile treads rather than rebuilt.
Who it’s for
- New homes and additions with a stair as a design feature
- Owners replacing carpeted stairs with hardwood or stone treads
- Homes with dated wood or metal balusters that the owner wants to update
- Owners adding glass, cable or metal railings to stairs, lofts or balconies
- Commercial lobbies and mezzanines that need code-compliant stairs and guards
What’s included
Typically included
- Measurement of existing stairs, rise, run, headroom and landings
- Code review of riser, tread, handrail and guard requirements for the design
- Tread and riser replacement or cladding over concrete and wood stairs
- Stringers, skirt boards, nosings and landing details
- Wood, metal, cable or glass railings, newels and handrails
- Glass railings using tempered or laminated glass in base-shoe, clamp or standoff systems
- Shop drawings and engineering or manufacturer documentation where guards require it
- Finishing coordination for stain, paint or powder-coated metal
Common exclusions
- Structural changes to floor openings or stair framing, which require structural engineering
- Exterior stairs subject to separate structural and waterproofing scopes
- Flooring on landings and adjacent floors, unless included
- Painting or staining of walls around the stair
- Elevators and platform lifts
Every proposal lists its own inclusions and exclusions in writing.
Materials, design options & upgrades
How pricing works
Stairs and railings are priced per project. The estimate is built from field measurements, the number of treads and risers, the linear footage of railing, the materials and systems selected, and any engineering or shop drawings required.
Custom metal and glass railings are priced from shop drawings once the design is set, since fabrication details, mounting and finish drive the cost.
What changes the cost
- Number of treads, risers, landings and turns
- Tread material: hardwood, engineered wood, stone or tile
- Railing system: wood, metal, cable or glass
- Linear footage of railing and guard, and the number of newels and transitions
- Engineering and shop drawing requirements
- Mounting conditions: side-mount, top-mount or embedded base shoe
- Finish: stain, paint, powder coating or stainless
- Interior versus exterior exposure
If this work is part of a larger project, it’s priced within that project’s budget — please don’t add separate estimates together. Read the pricing guide.
Typical stages
Measurement and design
The stair is measured and the design is reviewed against code requirements and your preferences.
Shop drawings and engineering
Fabricators prepare shop drawings, and engineering or manufacturer documentation is obtained where needed.
Permit if required
Where the scope requires a permit, the drawings are submitted to the local building department.
Fabrication
Treads, railings, glass panels and metalwork are fabricated off-site.
Installation
Treads and risers are installed, followed by railings, newels and handrails.
Finishing and inspection
Finishes are completed and we check rise, run, handrail height and guard openings against the plans.
What affects the schedule
- Shop drawing approval and any engineering review
- Fabrication lead times for glass, metal and custom wood components
- Permit review where required
- Sequencing with flooring, drywall and painting
- Protection of finished treads while other work continues
Questions & answers
Can I replace carpet on my stairs with wood?
Usually, yes. Existing treads are removed or capped, and new treads and risers are installed. Changes in tread thickness affect the top and bottom risers, which must stay within code limits, so we measure carefully first.
Are glass railings safe?
When designed and installed as an engineered system with tempered or laminated glass, they are built to meet code guard loads. The mounting method and glass type are chosen for the location.
Does replacing a railing need a permit?
It depends on the scope and your jurisdiction. Replacing guards or changing stair structure often requires a permit, and we confirm requirements with the local building department.
What railing materials hold up outdoors?
Powder-coated aluminum, marine-grade stainless steel and appropriate glass systems perform well outdoors. Near the coast, salt air makes corrosion resistance a key part of the choice.
Start here
Planning stairs & railings?
A short form — three steps, a few minutes. Share plans or photos if you have them. We’ll review it and follow up using the contact details you provide.