Clear Staircases — They're a Real Glass Act
If you're flush with funds, you can have a ball with crystal on your stairs. The rest of us can just marvel from afar
Houzz Contributor. My name is Bud Dietrich and I am an architect located in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. I am licensed to practice architecture in Illinois, Florida, New Jersey & Wisconsin and I am a certificate holder from the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). Since 1996 I have worked from my home office and provide full architectural services exclusively to the single family residential market. My passion is to transform my clients' houses into their homes. I strive to have the "new" home accommodate my clients' lives without fighting them at every junction. I look to add curb appeal to encourage a beautiful streetscape. And I design any addition to look and feel like it has always been there.
Our projects have won numerous design awards as well as having...
Houzz Contributor. My name is Bud Dietrich and I am an architect located... More »
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All-glass stairs, made popular by architect Peter Brohlin's for the iconic Fifth Avenue Apple Store in New York, have started to show up in many a residence. These stairways are luxury items, often running well north of $100,000. But for those who want a clean, modern interior with the latest materials, assemblies and technologies, a glass stair can't be beat.
Made of sheets of glass with an inner layer for strength and safety, not unlike car windshields, these translucent beauties can be nearly all glass (treads, risers, stringers and rail) or can include contrasting materials — say, antique wood treads with a glass stringer and support. And the glass used, while mostly clear and textured for the steps, can come in a variety of colors and patterns.
Made of sheets of glass with an inner layer for strength and safety, not unlike car windshields, these translucent beauties can be nearly all glass (treads, risers, stringers and rail) or can include contrasting materials — say, antique wood treads with a glass stringer and support. And the glass used, while mostly clear and textured for the steps, can come in a variety of colors and patterns.
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An all-glass stair has treads (steps), a stringer (diagonal support) and a rail of glass. While this stair is actually cantilevered from a support (likely a piece of steel) hidden in the wall, the stair is essentially all glass.
Because of its transparency, the staircase seems to float, blocking neither light nor view. And in many ways it becomes, with its lightness and transparency, an ethereal, contemporary sculpture.
Because of its transparency, the staircase seems to float, blocking neither light nor view. And in many ways it becomes, with its lightness and transparency, an ethereal, contemporary sculpture.
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| As seen from above, the stair's transparency lets all of the architecture and design come through. Of course, just as the stair's transparency reveals everything from above, it will, of course, reveal everything from below. Note that glass treads require a surface treatment to create friction and prevent slipping. These treatments feature a type of wearing surface that can enhance the overall design, such as the three lines near the nosing of each tread in this photo. |
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With natural light available from only two sides, glass stairs are a perfect way to illuminate the interiors of older row houses in historic neighborhoods. These stairs are ideal because they'll let the maximum amount of natural light filter deep into the interior from a rooftop skylight.
If space allows, a glass stair can become a stunning room-size light fixture. The stair won't block the light from above and, with glass walls surrounding it, transforms what could be a dark and gloomy interior.
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Of course, these stairs are also ideal when there's an adjacent view and source of natural light. Even when the stair isn't all glass, light streams deep into the interior. Even a steel stringer, whether bent to form a ziggurat shape like this one, or as a more traditional diagonal, allows for transparency and that sculptural quality these stairs are known for.
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The glass doesn't have to be clear. In fact, the treads will be treated to provide a nonslip walking surface. By manipulating the color or surface treatment, the stairs can be quite lively and fun.
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Even if you'd like clear glass for your stair, know that clear glass typically has a green tint — the result of the iron oxide in the glass. We don't normally see this green tint, because typical sheets of glass (say, for windows) are thin. It's only when the glass sheets get thicker, as for a stair tread, that the tint becomes obvious.
Sometimes this is desirable, such as when the tint provides a cool color to a space, or ...
Sometimes this is desirable, such as when the tint provides a cool color to a space, or ...
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by Chris Snook
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| ... when it complements other colors of the room. To avoid the tint, specify a low-iron glass. With reduced iron in the manufacturing process, the glass can be whiter and clearer. As with all things atypical, low-iron glass costs more. |
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| Because of our ability to bend and shape glass, the material is ideal for a spiral stair. Each element, from tread to stringer to rail, can be formed in just the right shape and held together with stainless steel connectors. |
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| And because glass is an incredibly strong material, it can be made into a structural post. Cylindrical shapes with a tight radii are formed offsite, and the glass post is then assembled onsite to make for an elegant piece of structure. |
Ideabook published on Feb. 13, 2013.
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Diane Menke
Myers Constructs Inc.
myersconstructs.com
Looks amazing at night with the waterfall in the background. The glass is slumped and by some glass artist in Washington I believe. The glass has texture so it catches the light and is safer underfoot.
I'm sure Darren knows the glass artist for those of you on the West (Wet) Coast. Darren Werner : info@wernerconstruction.com I do not think all glazers are set up to do this kind of slumping work. JW
Regards,
3D-Tile-Design - Bertram Tasch
Maple Ridge, BC (Greater Vancouver)
http://www.3D-Tile-Design.ca
Regarding privacy issues for ladies walking on them- this a real concern. For private residences, we have done clear treads, landings, and bridges with Low Iron glass. Typically, these glass structures are like artwork and in most cases there are alternate staircases or elevators for moving, cleaning, and other events at these residences.
For commercial applications, (i.e.- Apple Stores all around the world), there are obscure dot matrix patterns in the glass. This allows light to pass through but privacy is maintained as the glass is translucent- not transparent.
Additionally, in commercial applications, dot matrix patterns conceal scratches that are going to be noticeable in clear glass. For example, there are numerous aquariums and public venues around the world that have clear glass floors that allow you to see underneath (fish, sharks, or other points of interest) the floors and the scratches- though there- do not detract from the viewing elements.
In private applications, we advise trades during construction to use other points of entry whenever possible. We recommend the house to be thoroughly cleaned after construction and before moving in. And when home, be conscience that certain types of shoes might scratch the floors and treads. For the most part, this is not a concern for most homeowners. If anyone of you has had hardwood floors in their homes, you know the feeling of seeing scratches. Over time, it becomes part of the character of the home.
Thank you for the comments and questions.
Faour Glass Technologies.
By all means, put something like this in your house if you wish....but you also better have damn good insurance to cover occupier's liability claims.
1) Our pictures that we supplied to Bud were while the project was under construction and WITHOUT the grab rail. I have attached (and will post) updated pictures from the completed job that have the grab rail that was required for the Certificate of Occupancy (CO).
2) Regarding the slip rating- There are actual measurements for all surfaces (slip ratings), including glass, marble, wood, concrete, etc. Regardless of the surface, there is a universal rating system. For instance, marble may not be anymore slick than wood and vice versa depending on the finish, coating, etc. Our glass floors and treads can be applied with a non slick surface that would actually be no more or less slick than any other surface or finished floor.
3) Regarding liability from slipping or falling, once you have approval from the building department, you are no more or less liable for glass than any other material. It comes down to the slip rating of the surface.
4) Regarding women and their privacy- for commercial applications we would recommend translucent or obscure floors with dot matrix coatings. These surfaces allow for light to pass through but privacy remains. I can post pictures of jobs we have done (and Apple store photos, that we did NOT build- but have thousands of visitors daily around the world traversing in confidence) if you would like.
I hope that answers your questions and concerns- thank you!!
Like every other larger pane of glass, you'll want to clean your glass banister with a squeegee to achieve a perfect result. Now look at the first photo, the all-glass stairs - aren't they gorgeous? I think they are. But you can't use a squeegee where the treads are connected to the rail. You'll have to use a rag or something similar. And that will show, unfortunately.
So maybe it's a good thing that these stairs are so expensive. Those who can afford them, will probably have a maid. Not that she can clean them any better, but at least you don't have to do it yourself. ;-)
Wanted to share this link with pictures of other railings and floors we have completed recently.
However, I really like the blue stairway. That one gets my vote.
I can only imgine what it would take to keep them clean and spot free. Yes, with everything. my first thought is how do I keep it clean.
And let's be honest, as beautiful as these stairs are, how many of us can afford to pay $100k just for a means to go up one floor?
With regards to functionality of glass- it is no different than any other hard surface material. From slippage to material strength, glass is just as good if not better than any other element (price and cost aside). Many of our clients use these glass stairs as part of their every day lives. For a number of these homeowners, this is their second or third time using glass for stairs or glass flooring. Due to their past experiences, this leads them to desire to push the envelope further on their next homes with regards to applications in glass.
Aesthetics aside (assuming beauty is subjective), these pieces are truly functional art.
Alice Vincent
homesweet2010@aol.com
When cracked, tempered glass (which is 4 times stronger than normal float or annealed glass) that is laminated stays together and taught with the extra layers of glass. We recommend and use DuPont Sentry Glass Plus as our inter-layer when manufacturing, fabricating, designing, engineering, and installing laminated glass products.
Additionally, we went through EXTENSIVE testing to certify our glass stairs, treads, and floors meet or EXCEED all state and national building codes that are applicable.
For instance, four of the test we conducted for the Glass Spiral staircase pictured in the article with Bud are as follows:
1) Concentrated Load test- 300 pounds for 5 minutes - on EACH tread, Result- PASS with a maximum net deflection of less than .01"
2) Uniform distributed load test of 40 PSF for 5 minutes. Result- PASS with a deflection of less than .01"
3) Concentrated load test of 600 pounds for 24 hours. Result- PASS with a .10" net deflection and a 90% recovery
4) Uniform distributed load test of 80 PSF for 24 hours. Result- PASS with a .10" net deflection and a 94% recovery.
Conclusion: Architectural Testing, Inc. observed no signs of failure in any area of the test specimen during the design and test loads of the uniform static load test. In addition, the specimen met the deflection and recovery requirements set forth in the Florida Building Code. 2 2 2010.
If anyone would like to see a copy of the test, feel free to email or call me directly. I will also try to get the pictures from the test posted later today as well. Thank you-
The primary function of any staircase is to traverse one floor to the next- bridging spaces. In that regard- the use of our glass stairs does accomplish a practical use (I supplied some testing data and material with regards to their ability to accomplish this task).
The only thing that could be debated is do you like the look or not- and that comes down to personal opinion - but not function. As Bud pointed out in his article- these are functional works of art- in private residences or public spaces.
@Faour your stuff is awesome!