Most people notice the railing first. Some notice the steps. Very few think about the stringer. And yet, when a staircase looks right, balanced, clean, intentional, it’s usually because the stringer was designed properly.
This is something we keep on seeing in our projects. Two staircases can have the same steps and the same railings yet feel absolutely different. And it is almost always the stringer that makes the difference.
If you're building a new staircase or renovating an old one, this aspect is more critical than you might assume.
In simple terms, the stringer is the structural backbone of the staircase. It is the one that carries the weight of the steps, it is the one that shapes the stairs, and it is the one that creates the visual rhythm from the bottom to the top.
However, it is also not just the structural.
A stringer controls:
In case of a bad stringer design, everything else seems misplaced. If it is executed properly, the staircase radiates its purpose, even though you might not be able to articulate the reason.
In modern homes, especially, staircases are no longer hidden. They’re front and center. Open floor plans put stairs in direct view, sometimes from multiple angles.
That means the c is visible. And when it’s visible, it becomes a design feature.
A bulky stringer can make a space feel crowded.
A slim, well-placed one can make the room feel open and balanced.
This is where design experience matters. We don’t just size a stringer for strength. We size it proportionally to how it meets the floor. How it lines up with the railing. How it carries the eye upward.
That is the distinction between a staircase that harmonizes with the interior and one that enhances the whole space.
The stringers are not the same all over, and the one you pick transforms the ambience of the staircase entirely.
Some common approaches we use include:
The addition of side-mounted steel stringers provides structural support and still remains unobtrusive in terms of visual perception.
Every single choice influences the manner in which light travels inside the space and the manner in which the staircase merges with the other parts of the house.
In many contemporary projects, we use steel stringers alongside iron railings to maintain a strong yet refined aesthetic. That combination works well in both residential and commercial spaces.
Material matters just as much as shape.
A wood stringer feels warm and familiar. A steel stringer feels precise and architectural. A mix of materials can strike a balance between the two.
In our work across Orange County ironworks projects, we often recommend steel stringers for clients who want clean lines and long-term durability. Steel allows for thinner profiles without sacrificing strength. That means the staircase looks lighter while staying solid.
This becomes especially important when pairing the stairs with glass or iron railings. The stringer needs to support the design, not overpower it.
Thinking about a custom staircase and unsure how the stringer should be designed?
Here’s something we see often. The stringer is either too thick or too thin for the staircase.
Too thick, and the stairs feel heavy.
Too thin, and they look underbuilt or awkward.
A good stringer feels balanced. It matches the scale of the steps, the railing, and the surrounding space. That balance doesn’t come from guesswork. It comes from experience.
We look at ceiling height. Step depth. Railing thickness. Sightlines from nearby rooms. All of that informs how we design the stringer.
When the proportion is right, the staircase feels calm. When it’s wrong, it always feels slightly uncomfortable.
A staircase isn’t just steps and a rail slapped on top. The stringer and the railing should work together visually and structurally.
For example:
We design these elements together, not separately. That’s how you avoid mismatched styles or awkward transitions.
This approach is common in high-quality Orange County ironworks, but it’s often skipped in rushed or budget builds.
The stringer gives a lot of information about the staircase.
Welding is done neatly. The transitions are smooth. Everything is aligned perfectly. The tolerances are extremely tight.
Only these details can indicate the quality of the stairs, even to a person who is not skilled in this field. Most of the time, a staircase that feels sturdy and well-designed is due to the fact that the stringer was made with great precision.
At this point, the long-term performance aspect enters the discussion. A properly constructed stringer results in no squeaking, no shifting, and no sagging of the stairs over the years.
At Hand Crafted Metalworks, we don’t treat stringers as an afterthought. We design them as a core part of the staircase. That refers to the basic layout and also the appearance.
Our proficiency in iron railings and tailor-made metal fabrication provides us with the opportunity to create stringers that are powerful, neat, and visually equal. We produce everything in-house, take care of every weld and joint, and mount them accurately.
That’s how we deliver staircases that feel intentional from every angle.
A well-designed stringer quietly shapes how your staircase looks and feels. It affects openness, balance, and overall quality more than most people expect.
When done right, it delivers:
If you’re investing in a staircase, don’t overlook the stringer. It’s the detail that holds everything together.
Ready to design a staircase that feels balanced, intentional, and built to last?
1. What is a stringer in a staircase?
A stringer is the structural support that holds the stair treads and defines the staircase shape.
2. Are steel stringers better than wood ones?
Steel stringers offer slimmer profiles, higher strength, and better long-term durability.
3. Do stringers affect how open a staircase feels?
Yes, stringer design directly impacts light flow and visual openness.
4. Can stringers be customized to match Iron Railings?
Absolutely. Custom stringers are often designed to complement railing style and material.
