Cantilevered glass staircase vs stringer-mounted: which to pick
Floating cantilever looks better but isn't always possible. Load, wall requirements, 2026 prices, and where each wins.
Cantilever is when steps anchor only to the wall, no visible stringer below. Floating-stairs effect. Stringer is a steel or wood beam that supports the steps. Both can be made in glass; cost and engineering differ.
01Cantilever: beauty and constraints
Each step is a separate cantilever. Human load (up to 600 kg point) transfers to the wall via embedded anchors. Wall must be load-bearing: monolith concrete, solid brick 380+ mm. Drywall or aerated concrete — no.
022026 prices
| Type | Per step | Lead time |
|---|---|---|
| Cantilever 8+8+10 laminated | from 56 000 ₽ | 3 weeks |
| Cantilever + LED | from 64 000 ₽ | 3 weeks |
| Steel stringer | from 38 000 ₽ | 2 weeks |
| Wood stringer | from 42 000 ₽ | 2 weeks |
| Spiral (central column) | from 64 000 ₽ | 4 weeks |
03Stringer: trade-offs
Visible beam under steps. Doesn't "float," but the structure is obvious and stands on legs. Works in timber-frame houses, lofts, attics. Plus: any substrate. Minus: visually heavier.
04What's shared: laminated glass
Both use 8+8+10 laminated glass with PVB. SP 118-13330 requires 6+6+1.52 minimum for residential, 8+8 for public spaces. Anti-slip R10/R11 coating on top is mandatory.
If budget is tight — go stringer, don't fake a "budget cantilever" with thin glass. Either proper cantilever (8+8+10 on solid wall) or honest stringer.
05This service at REAL GLASS
If you've read this far, the topic is probably relevant to a real project. We make glass staircases in-house in St. Petersburg, with a measure within 1–3 days, 1-year warranty and a fixed contract price. All numbers in this article come from our actual 2026 quotes.
For a project-specific estimate — see the service page or request a free on-site measure.
