Custom Staircase Design by Arcways

Custom Staircase Design by Arcways
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Staircase Design | 8 Rules for Beautiful Stairs

As staircase designers, builders, and installers for more than 50 years, Arcways pioneered some of the most popular trends in staircase design. When we design and build modern stairs or traditional stairs – and everything in-between – we adhere to the same rigorous principles that have guided us since the beginning.


 

Arcways Custom Millwork | Cartier Mansion Store | New York City

Staircase Design: Rule #1

Design stairs that will last forever. And build stairs that will last forever.

Our stairs have always been used in a huge range of commercial buildings. You’ll see our stairs in Union Station in Washington, D.C., Amazon Headquarters in Seattle, Disney World in Orlando, The Ordway Music Hall in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the U.S. Senate Chambers, plus numerous universities, banks, restaurants, and corporate headquarters. In a commercial setting, stairs are really put to the test every day. And our stairs pass the test.

The same rigorous standards for quality design and construction go into every stair we build whether it’s for the Cartier Mansion or your home. We embrace innovation and stay clear of gimmicks. When we build a stair, we’re building it for generations to come.

Fibonacci Spiral

Staircase Design: Rule #2

Use the Golden Ratio, the Fibonacci sequence, and other sound design principles. 

The Golden Ratio — 1.618 — was developed by Fibonacci in the 12th century. Ever since, it’s been used widely in architecture and art. It’s visible in nature everywhere. The ratio creates balance and a really pleasing visual experience.

Golden Ratio and Stairs. When you draw a spiral from corner to corner of each rectangle in a composite of rectangles using the Golden Ratio, you’ll see the Golden Spiral. It’s astounding just how often the Golden Spiral is clearly visible with properly designed spiral and helical stairs. We can see it on the plan view and often in the elevation view. Understanding design – and not just building stairs – always sets us apart. (We think it might be why architects really like our work, too.)

Modern Staircase Design | Malibu, California

Modern Staircase Design | Malibu, California

Staircase Design: Rule #3

Push the design envelope for beautiful and safe staircases by using the most advanced engineering possible.

We’ve always been determined to build the safest stairs we possibly can — constantly developing skills to build stairs that are stronger and better without ever sacrificing design. We’ve also been determined to find ways to allow creative expression in stairs. This means a constant focus on engineering and pioneering procedures that allow us to build challenging designs. We love being able to tell our clients that we’ll find a way to build their dream.

A perfect example of that dedication is in the work we’ve done to meet and exceed the seismic requirements for California homes. Among our projects, you’ll find beautiful curved staircase designs, helix and double helix staircases, and so much more. (Click to view our California projects.)

Modern, Floating, Monobeam Staircase in Walnut, Oak, and Glass | California

Modern, Floating, Monobeam Staircase in Walnut, Oak, and Glass | California

Staircase Design: Rule #4

Design every staircase to enhance the environment in which it’s installed.

For us, staircases can do so much more than to provide a way to get from one floor to the next. Often, the staircase is placed front and center for practical purposes. This provides an incredible opportunity to echo and amplify the home’s architectural aesthetics and create a true masterpiece. (It also means your stair needs to be beautiful from every angle.)

We’ve designed, built, and installed staircases for some of the most prestigious addresses in the United States. We’re passionate about our craft and what it can do for your home. Don’t be surprised when we make suggestions that will take the design up a notch.

We’ve been told again and again how much our stairs have added to the enjoyment of a home. We love creating something that will bring you continued happiness now and long into the future.

Modern Staircase in Teak and Stone | Bridgehampton, New York

Modern Staircase in Teak and Stone | Bridgehampton, New York

Staircase Design: Rule #5

Use the best materials in the world and combine them with an artist’s touch.

Even though we’ve built thousands of staircases since we began, we are still amazed at the sheer beauty of wood. There’s a uniqueness of grain, color, warmth … that special something that can only come from gorgeous wood. The smoothness of a wood handrail is the perfect marriage of form and function.

When wood is combined with other materials, the magic begins. Our stairs have been clad in everything you can imagine: plaster, concrete, fiberglass, and more. We’ve used glass, wood, and metal for balusters. Our stair treads might be made from wood or stone – depending on the design. No matter what we do or how we design the stair, one rule remains: find and use materials of the highest quality.

Modern ZigZag Staircase in White Oak with Glass Railing | Georgetown, D.C.

Modern ZigZag Staircase in White Oak with Glass Railing | Georgetown, D.C.

Staircase Design: Rule #6

Details matter. It’s the difference between good design and really great staircase design.

We LOVE details: how a stair comes together, how it integrates with the balustrade and handrail, how the stair looks from every angle, how the grain of the wood looks from near and far, and so much more.

As staircase designers, we pay attention to all of it. We want you to love your stair and to feel great about the craftsmanship you’ve introduced into your home.

Staircase Installation | San Francisco, California

Staircase Installation | San Francisco, California

Staircase Design: Rule #7

Think ahead.

We will craft your stair completely before it ever leaves our shop. We’ll know about every detail and how the stair comes together. But long before we started to build, we were thinking about how it would be installed.

Sometimes a staircase will move into position flawlessly through the front door. Quite often, that’s the case. But there are other times when our 50+ years of experience tells us we’ll need to think differently and plan for a whole different approach. That can mean a crane and delivering the staircase through the roof. Literally. The difference with Arcways is that we’ve planned for that all along. We know what it’s going to take to get your beautiful staircase into place.

Arcways Craftsmanship

Arcways Craftsmanship

Staircase Design: Rule #8

Expert craftsmanship makes all the difference.

Even with great design and materials, Arcways’ expert craftsmanship is what makes all the difference in the world.

We’re proud of our team. We hire the most talented woodworkers and keep them for years and years. Your staircase will be built by people who know what they’re doing and have built many staircases before. These artisans are building original works of art every day. And they’re superb at what they do.

When it comes time for installation, our crew is knowledgeable and experienced with every aspect on both new construction and remodels. Whether the stair is coming in through the front door or through the roof on a crane, they’ve done this time and time again. You’ll love the level of experience they bring to it and how quickly the installation happens.

  • Staircase Design & Installation
    • What Makes Arcways Unique?
    • Why Build with Wood?
    • Staircase Ideas & Original Designs
    • 8 Rules for Great Stair Design
    • The 8 Most Common Stair Types
    • Modern Stair Design Details
    • How Are Our Stairs Built?
    • How Our Stairs are Installed

 

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Arcways, Inc. | 1076 Ehlers Road, Neenah WI 54956 | Phone 800-558-5096 | cs@arcways.com | Map

Colorado Office & Showroom | 12 Co Rd 161, Kremmling, CO 80459 | 800-558-5096 | cs@arcways.com | Map

California Contractor License #1099784 | All Products Made In The USA

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