Steel Profiles for Stair Applications

Our standard structural and custom profiles are used across many different industries. One of the recent trends for our profiles in architectural applications is that of stair stringers, treads and glass railing supports. Our sharp cornered profiles in both carbon and stainless steel provide architects with a clean, modern look for stair applications.

Standard and Custom Stair Stringers

In most conventional staircases, the stair stringer is built within the walls and usually made out of lumber hidden behind dry wall or paneling. This design actually makes the stringer part of the structural member of the building. With carbon steel or stainless stair stringers, these are designed to be structural as well as aesthetically pleasing. These are commonly used in open concept stair systems where the stringers are specifically designed to be exposed while upholding its inherent function. Due to the nature of the structure itself, some will commonly mistake the stringers for the treads of a staircase. The treads are the actual steps whereas the stringers are the structural supports for the treads. Our profiles used for stair stringers are made out of sharp-cornered carbon steel or stainless steel. This definitive feature along with obscure weld seams provide the structure with a distinct presence and modern actualization.

The two most common AISC standard sizes that are used for stair stringers are the MC10x8.4 and MC12x10.6 channels in which Stainless Structurals produces and keeps in stock, both in 304L and 316L stainless. Quite often we will see custom rectangular hollow sections used as stair stringers as well so keep in mind the possibilities of design. We have also manufactured custom “Z” shapes used for the treads and allows customization for wood, glass, tile, composite, stone or steel materials.

Laser Welding Technology for Stair Profiles

The process we employ to manufacture these profiles is our flagship method called laser-fusion or synonymously, laser welding. This technique uses no filler metal and actually generates a physical bond that is full penetration in most cases yielding the profile as a singular monolithic microstructure at the end of the process. This allows us to produce these sharp-cornered shapes with the miniscule weld seams and clean lines. The most common stainless grades for this particular application are 304L and 316L although we have the capability to produce nearly all austenitic grades as well as A36 and grade 50 mild steels.

Specifying the most appropriate materials for stair stringers would be contingent upon the surrounding environment (whether interior or exterior), the mechanical and physical properties (yield and tensile strengths), and aesthetics (painted/coated carbon vs. stainless). Most interior applications would suffice using carbon or 304 stainless while exterior applications or areas with elevated caustic conditions would be better suited for the higher corrosion resistance of 316L or duplex.

Solutions for Many Industries

Along with these custom profiles for stair stringers and treads, Stainless Structurals also manufactures, stocks, and distributes all of the most common standard shapes and sizes replicated from the A6 platform. This consists of all standard beam and channel sizes along with angles, tees and hollow sections including rectangular and square tubing. Each depth along with all other dimensions are customizable with the parameters being 1”-36” in height along with 3/16” minimum thickness. Please feel free to contact us today for any additional information or inquiries.