Common questions, direct answers

Custom orders may not be returned or exchanged. However, cancellations of custom stair kits may be approved if within 10 business days of the original order date, but may be subject to fees.

Stock stair kits follow a standard return window of 90 days if they are returned in the original, uninstalled condition. For the full policy, visit Homeowner Support.

Yes. The Broomall, Pennsylvania facility is open for scheduled visits Monday through Friday from 8:30AM to 4:30PM, and Saturday mornings from 8:30AM until noon. We recommend scheduling ahead with a design consultant so someone can walk the floor with you.

Every order starts with a free consultation, not a checkout page. Because staircase measurements, material, style, and building code requirements are all configured to your space, our team works through those specifics with you before a quote is finalized. Start the conversation by requesting a quote, and we’ll take it from there.

Every staircase from Iron Shop carries a limited lifetime warranty against defects in material and workmanship under normal use, held by the original purchaser. If a product or part proves materially defective under these conditions, Iron Shop will repair it at no charge. Normal wear and tear is not covered in this warranty.

Yes. Spiral staircases are recognized under residential building code compliance and, when dimensioned to meet clear width, tread depth, and headroom requirements, can serve as either a primary or secondary staircase. Code adoption varies by state and municipality, so final approval rests with your local building department, and we provide engineered drawings for review.

Each stair tread is engineered to carry at least 300 pounds of concentrated load, the standard set by building code for residential stairs. This rating holds regardless of material or finish, since it’s a structural requirement rather than a design choice.

There’s no maximum height for a spiral staircase, though code requires a landing at every 12 feet of vertical rise. For a typical single-story application this rarely comes into play, but it’s a factor your design consultant will account for in the case of a multi-story staircase.

IRC and IBC building codes set the minimum clear stair width at 26 inches, which in practice means a finished floor opening in the range of five feet across for a code-compliant primary stair. Your exact opening depends on diameter, local code adoption, and whether the stair will serve as required egress. We’ll confirm measurements once we know your rise and application.

Cost varies by staircase type, material, diameter or run length, and finish, since spiral, floating, and combination staircases are each configured rather than sold as fixed packages. The best way to get an accurate estimate for your project is to Request A Quote with your approximate measurements.

Installation can be handled by your own contractor using our engineered drawings and installation guide, or coordinated through our trade network for a hands-off approach. Full installation resources, including manuals and video guidance, can be found in the Installation Library.

Homeowners installing a standard staircase kit can also complete the work themselves, typically with two-people and basic hand tools. We still recommend a contractor for cutting and framing the well opening.

A spiral staircase turns a full story of rise into a tight circular footprint, built around a center column. A floating staircase uses open-riser treads mounted to a concealed stringer, so each step appears to be suspended. A combination staircase combines the two into one structure, using a straight run for part of the rise, and a spiral cursive to close the remaining distance in less space.

Spiral, floating, and combination staircases can all serve as a primary staircase when engineered to code, but the right fit depends on your space and how the stair gets used every day. A spiral staircase suits a tight footprint, a floating staircase suits an open architectural stairwell, and a combination staircase suits a space that needs to change direction along its climb. One of our team members can help weigh those tradeoffs against your layout and floorplan.

Yes, both spiral and floating staircases are available in exterior-rated configurations, and typically include aluminum framing with weather-rated finishes suited to sun, moisture, and temperature swings. For outdoor-specific planning, visit Outdoor Spiral Staircases and Outdoor Floating Staircases.

Yes, a spiral staircase installs the same way whether it’s framed into new construction or fitted into an existing opening during a renovation, since the well opening and support framing follow the same code requirements either way.

Powder coating is a dry finish applied through an electrostatic process, then cured under heat rather than air-dried the way liquid paint is, which produces a harder, more even surface.

While most staircase components have the option for powder coat, we do not apply it to fasteners and hardware. They are delivered in a mill finish, since paint applied to a fastener before assembly will chip and break away as it’s tightened into place.

Interior tread and landing covers are available in seven wood species, including: American Cherry, Hickory, Mahogany, Maple, Red Oak, Walnut, and White Oak.

Exterior covers are available in IPE, Mahogany, and Wood Composite, each chosen for how it holds up outdoors, rather than appearance alone. For a full view of all available spiral staircase parts, visit Stair Parts.