Choosing the right staircase system is one of the most important architectural decisions in any building project. It affects how people move through a space, how light travels between levels, and how the interior is perceived as a whole.

At Zakuna, we offer six distinct staircase categories — each with its own structural logic, visual character and design potential. This guide breaks down every system and product in our range, helping architects, designers and homeowners select the right solution for their project with confidence.

Central String — The Architectural Spine

Our most popular and most specified staircase category. A single central stringer — in precision laser-cut steel or solid timber — supports each tread, creating a sophisticated floating effect that works in both residential and commercial interiors.

The Central String range includes six models:

Contender — Our award-winning signature staircase. A folded steel central spine with concealed fixings, hidden LED lighting and frameless glass balustrade options. The benchmark for architectural staircase design.

Contender Slim — The compact variant. A Z-shaped central spine delivers the floating look of a cantilever without wall reinforcement or two-stage installation. Ideal for tighter spaces where visual impact still matters.

Topaz — A zig-zag central stringer in laser-cut steel, allowing hardwood treads to appear suspended in space. Slimline engineering that complements open-plan rooms and smaller footprints.

Dutchman — A bolder zig-zag profile with a larger box spine that eliminates the need for supporting plates beneath the treads. No visible footplate, no exposed connections — just crisp, stepped geometry.

Hansa — The most restrained central-string option. A narrow steel beam with discreet under-plates supports treads in timber, laminated glass, steel or concrete. The widest material versatility in the range, with bifurcated layout options for grander schemes.

Fireball — A contemporary all-metal design with recessed treads, delivering an industrial yet refined aesthetic.

Central String staircases are available in straight flights, quarter and half landings, winders, helical and curved configurations — all fully bespoke.

Floating — Pure Architectural Lightness

Floating staircases represent the purest expression of modern stair design. All structural elements are concealed within the supporting wall, allowing treads to project freely into space with no visible stringers, fixings or supports.

Cantilever — Treads in timber, glass or concrete appear to levitate from the wall. The result is a staircase with uninterrupted sightlines and a sense of weightlessness that transforms any interior. Engineered for precision and visual clarity.

Floating staircases are ideal for contemporary homes and commercial spaces where openness, light and architectural drama define the design intent.

String From Sides — Versatility in Steel and Timber

Side-mounted stringers create a clean architectural line while delivering robust structural support. This category offers the widest range of visual styles in the collection — from industrial steel geometry to warm timber craftsmanship.

The range includes five models:

Challenger — Zig-zag precision in laser-cut steel. Twin side-mounted strings clamp timber treads between them, delivering sculptural floating elegance with bold geometry.

Wayfarer — Classic angular steel strings with timeless strength and versatility. Self-supporting with no newel posts required. A proven design for residential and commercial applications.

Nacra — Bold saw-tooth steel strings with endless configuration options. Strong visual presence with architectural clarity.

Cadet — Solid timber strings crafted exclusively for interior applications. Open or closed risers allow the design to shift between classic and contemporary. The choice for projects where natural warmth leads the brief.

Snipe — Folded steel tube strings with integrated tread-and-riser pans create a seamless zig-zag ribbon — a continuous angular form that blurs the line between structure and sculpture.

Steel models are available in stainless, galvanised, corten, oiled or painted finishes for both interior and exterior use.

String Under Treads — Hidden Support, Design Freedom

This category positions the structural support directly beneath each tread, creating a clean visual profile that adapts equally to traditional and contemporary interiors.

The range includes three models:

Topper — Solid timber strings with a classic-modern appeal. Ideal for heritage or transitional schemes where craftsmanship and warmth define the interior.

Sonar — Twin steel Z-profile strings with open risers and glass options. A light, contemporary finish for modern homes and commercial spaces.

Solo — Strings fully concealed within treads and risers, producing a seamless zig-zag flow with striking modern elegance. The most minimal expression in the category.

Curved and Spiral — Sweeping Form, Dramatic Presence

When straight lines don't suit the architecture, curved and spiral staircases bring flowing form and dramatic visual impact.

Contender Curved — The award-winning Contender with a sweeping curved central stringer. Self-supporting, concealed fixings, hidden LED lighting and frameless glass balustrade options. Architectural drama in its purest curved form.

Wayfarer Curved — Angular steel side strings twisted into S-shapes or full helical forms. No visible fixings or welds. A bold, customisable centrepiece for residential and commercial interiors.

Cadet Curved — Double timber strings creating a warm, sweeping flow. Traditional craftsmanship with a dramatic curved profile for classic and transitional interiors.

Spiral — Space-saving staircases wound tightly around a central post in wood, stainless steel or galvanised steel. Treads available in timber, glass, steel, concrete or tiled finishes. Interior or exterior applications, including fully galvanised external spirals for fire escapes and commercial access.

Commercial — Performance Without Compromise

Zakuna's Commercial staircase range is engineered for high-traffic environments where durability, safety compliance and architectural impact must work together.

Wayfarer Commercial — A robust, self-supporting angular steel design configurable as straight flights, winders, S-shapes or helical forms. No newel posts required. Clean sightlines and confident geometry for offices, retail, mixed-use developments and public spaces.

Commercial staircases are designed to meet UK building regulations and are built with materials that perform under heavy daily use while maintaining architectural clarity.

How to Choose the Right System

Selecting the right staircase depends on several factors:

Spatial context — How much room is available? Central String and Floating systems suit open volumes, while Spiral and String Under Treads work well in compact layouts.

Architectural intent — Is the staircase a centrepiece or a considered connection? Bold systems like the Dutchman or Snipe command attention, while the Hansa or Solo offer quieter refinement.

Material palette — Timber, steel, glass, concrete — each system offers different material options. The Hansa provides the widest material choice, while the Cadet is exclusively timber.

Interior or exterior — Steel models in the String From Sides and Spiral ranges can be specified for exterior use in galvanised or corten finishes.

Budget and programme — Early specification allows for tighter coordination with other trades and more efficient delivery.

Coordination With the Wider Architectural Package

A staircase rarely exists in isolation. Its finish, proportioning and material palette must work alongside doors, windows, cladding and interior joinery. Because Zakuna designs and manufactures across all of these product categories, we can coordinate finishes and detailing across the full building envelope — ensuring the staircase integrates seamlessly with the wider architectural language.

Conclusion

With six categories and over twenty individual staircase models, Zakuna's collection offers a solution for every architectural ambition — from the floating minimalism of the Cantilever to the sweeping drama of the Contender Curved, the industrial boldness of the Snipe to the space-saving efficiency of the Spiral.

Every staircase is designed in collaboration, manufactured in-house and installed by our dedicated teams. The result is not just a staircase — it is an integral part of the architecture.