Steel & Metal Staircase Design
Welded steel, built in-house
Steel stairs, open-riser steel structures, exposed welded frames: this is where our in-house fabrication does the most work. A lot of companies design the steel, then send it out to a shop that's never seen your site. Stumptown welds it under one roof, since 2016, so the person quoting your steel stringer is the same one building it. That matters most on anything custom: a curved stringer, an exposed weld meant to be seen rather than ground smooth, or a mixed-material design where wood and steel need to meet precisely.
Every welded joint gets ground, primed, and finished before installation, whether the design calls for a smooth seam or an exposed bead left visible on purpose. That prep work is what keeps a steel stringer from rusting from the inside out at the weld itself, which is usually where corrosion starts on a poorly finished piece.
Steel & Metal Finish Options
Stainless steel resists corrosion well, which matters in the Pacific Northwest's humid, wet-winter conditions. Aluminum is similarly corrosion-resistant, powder-coatable, and works equally well indoors or out. Wrought iron brings a more traditional look. Finish options across all of these run from brushed to blackened to powder-coated to a raw, weathered look.
Metal + other materials
Steel structure paired with wood treads is one of our most common combinations. See wood staircase design for species options. Metal mesh or grating infill panels work as a railing alternative for a more industrial look. Cable railing is a related product that lives under stair railings & handrails.
Is steel or wood more expensive for a staircase?
Steel generally carries a labor and fabrication premium over stock wood parts. Our staircase cost guide has the real numbers rather than a restated range here.
Does a metal staircase work for outdoor/exterior use?
Yes, with the right finish: stainless or aluminum for corrosion resistance. See outdoor stairs for exterior-specific considerations.
Can you match an existing railing style when replacing stair treads?
Yes, this is a common request on partial replacements. See our stair replacement cost guide for how that scope typically prices out.
Does a welded steel staircase need special maintenance?
Less than you'd expect: a quality finish (powder-coat, blackened, or properly primed and painted) protects the metal, and periodic visual checks for surface rust or finish wear are most of what's needed. Weld joints and connection points are the areas worth the closest look over time. Our staircase maintenance guide covers the full inspection routine.
See our fabrication process or explore cable and custom metal railings.