# Steel and spiral stairs

> Steel, spiral and floating stairs. Ask with your Sheet attached: homeowners who’ve done it and verified pros answer, and anyone can read it.

## Before you ask

The rise, the space you have, and inside or outside.

- **Attach your Sheet** so people see your sizes and the math.
- **Your town is enough.** Never your address; check photos for house numbers and plates.
- **Is it safe?** A safety question here goes to pros verified in general contracting or carpentry, unless you pick another trade. Only they can call it safe or unsafe.

## Steel or spiral stairs

5′ spiral stair, 9′ rise: 11 treads (9″ rises), a 5′ kit (26″ clear path) and a floor opening of ≥ 62″.

What people get wrong:

- **Ordering before measuring.** Kits are made for a range of floor-to-floor heights: measure from finished floor to finished floor (carpet, tile and all) before you order.
- **An opening too small for the stair.** The stair needs the opening 2″ bigger than its diameter, or heads hit the floor’s edge.
- **A narrow spiral as the only stair to bedrooms.** A 42″ or 48″ spiral is too narrow for the code’s main stair: it’s a second way up.

[The worked example, every line's math and the code notes](https://studsheet.com/sheets/steelstairs) · [Your own sizes in the app](https://app.studsheet.com/p/steelstairs)

## More in Stairs

- [Deck and porch stairs](https://studsheet.com/forum/deck-stairs): Stringers, landings and outside steps
- [Interior and basement stairs](https://studsheet.com/forum/interior-stairs): Building and fixing stairs inside the house
- [Concrete steps](https://studsheet.com/forum/concrete-steps): Pouring and facing concrete steps
- [Railings and guards](https://studsheet.com/forum/railings): Deck, stair and balcony railings: wood, metal and glass
- [Every group](https://studsheet.com/forum#every-group)

## How the community works

- **Open to read** from anywhere, no account needed.
- **Sign in with your email** to ask, answer and vote. No password.
- **The best answers rise:** votes, “worked for me” and a solved mark. Verified pros carry a badge.

Questions? Write to [support@studsheet.com](mailto:support@studsheet.com).