Top Stairs and Railings of Tucson
Custom Spiral Stairs for Commercial Buildings in Tucson
Not every commercial space can accommodate a traditional staircase. While this full-sized stair system supports frequent and heavy use, this requires a lot of floor space to do the job well. Spiral stairs work differently. Our local stair contractors can design and build them for narrow corners, tight spaces, or irregular floor plans, where traditional stairs simply won’t fit. Modern spirals have come a long way from their early counterparts. Using advanced fabrication methods, we offer stair systems with better tread design, stronger materials, and thoughtful customization, making them a practical and visually cohesive solution for Tucson commercial spaces.
Common Use Cases We Build For
We’ve worked with many commercial clients in and around Tucson, and here’s what we found out: spiral staircases rarely serve the same purpose twice. The design depends on who will use the stairs, how frequently it’s going to be used, and what environments it’s exposed to. Our products are not one-size-fits-all components. Each stair can be configured for the following commercial applications:
Multi-Tenant, Townhome, and Mixed-Use Developments
For Tucson’s apartment communities, the goal of the spiral stairs is to balance functionality with space efficiency. They provide secondary access, connect outdoor and indoor levels, and help the building feel cohesive without sacrificing space or safety. Our spiral stairs for townhomes and condos often connect rooftop amenities to resident-only areas, pool decks to upper-level terraces, or courtyards to upper patios.
In these developments, space is often limited. Spiral stair systems offer a smart solution, because they let you move between floors without taking up valuable space that could otherwise be used for units, walkways, or outdoor areas. To ensure long-term performance, we use powder coating that resists UV fading and corrosion from moisture. For steel stairs, the metal can be dipped in molten zinc (also called zinc coating) to form a layer that slows down rust and corrosion.
Retail, Galleries, and Creative Spaces
In boutique retail shops with lofted storages, display mezzanines, or compact layouts, our metal spiral stairs provide access while keeping the main floor open and inviting. For art galleries and creative studios in Catalina Foothills or Casas Adobes, where preserving sightlines is also a priority, we can build spiral stairs with glass or cable balustrades. Our team ensures that the stair doesn’t block natural light and obstruct the view of artworks, keeping the space airy and modern.
When standard stairs can be used, our team will fabricate systems that exactly match your building’s needs and style. Our team is fully equipped to build straight stairs for high-traffic areas, L-shaped stairs with natural rest points, and U-shaped stairs for compact spaces.
Office Buildings (Secondary Access Only)
In office settings, spiral stairs serve a different purpose than the main staircase. The former are used for secondary access, connecting spaces that are difficult or inefficient to reach with traditional stairs. In the following types of office buildings, we solve space problems that traditional staircases can’t:
- Mezzanines or Loft-Style Offices - Our spiral stairs easily fit into corners or along walls, leaving more usable workspace below and minimal interruption to desk layouts.
- Offices with Elevated Private Areas - Our spiral staircase works well in these areas, where foot traffic is often controlled and intentional. We can customize the look of the stair system so it blends with the overall office design.
- Offices with Rooftop Mechanical Areas - A traditional staircase would take up too much room in these areas where only maintenance or facilities staff are allowed access. With spiral stairs, you get a compact solution for accessing rooftop equipment without opening the area to the public.
Why Tucson Spiral Stair Installers Recommend Using Metal
At Top Stairs, we consistently suggest adding metal spiral staircases to commercial properties because they perform well in heat, hold up well under frequent use, and offer more flexibility than other materials. Unlike wooden stairs, metal ones don’t contract or expand nearly as much with heat and dryness. Metal is also non-combustible, which makes it a smart choice to easily meet building codes and fire safety requirements.
Our precise metal fabrication services result in spiral stair systems that follow local rules on stair diameter, tread depth, riser height, and guardrail spacing. Our metal stairs also age predictably and slowly, even with low maintenance work. Depending on material choice and finishing, they can last up to 50 years or more in certain areas.
To improve the overall look of your metal stairs, the key is to pair metal construction with thoughtfully selected accents and finishes. We typically start with steel or aluminum as the “metal core,” where designed elements will be layered on. When warmth matters, we add wood accents like wood top caps on guardrails or wood tread caps for indoor settings. For outdoor durability, we add galvanized finishes, and for a more refined appearance, we use enamel coatings.
How Much Space Is Needed for a Spiral Staircase?
Some commercial spiral stairs in Tucson require a circular floor opening (the round hole cut in the floor) between 5 to 7 feet in diameter. This opening should be large enough to fit the stair itself, handrails, and required clearances. If it’s too small, the stair may fail to meet code, which is why we plan for both stair sizing and opening sizing at the same time. A circular opening will be the smallest option you can get when floorspace is crucial but we have done plenty of installations in rectangular openings that are small but look like they’re sized for a traditional stairway.
Another advantage to partnering with a custom builder like Top Stairs is that we can easily fabricate railings to fit around any opening and connect to your stair’s handrail. Matching the color, style, and format will be done in the same shop and installed at the same time for a seamless look that is designed to perfectly fit your space.
When it comes to floor-to-floor height, or the total vertical distance from where someone stands on the lower level to where they step off on the upper level, there’s no standard measurement. It’s designed to match the building, and not the other way around. This single measurement affects how many steps the stairs will have and how tall each step will be.
If your building isn’t finished yet, measurements will be adjusted to account for planned flooring thickness, so the stairs still fit correctly once construction is complete. For projects with higher occupant loads and foot traffic, we often recommend and build straight-run metal stairs instead, especially when they’re the safer and more practical fit. These stairs handle larger capacities and allow for wider treads and easier egress, which also translates to more space when someone is carrying an armful while ascending or descending. Our straight-run stairs can be built with the same high-quality metals and custom details we use for spiral stairs.
Which Railing is Best for Spirals?
Metal railings are the most popular choice for commercial spiral stairs because they’re strong and low-maintenance. These railings are commonly found in multi-tenant buildings and outdoor stairs that lead to decks, roofs, or pools.
Cable railings, on the other hand, are ideal for decks and terraces needing a guard system that feels light and unobtrusive. On curved stairs, or straight runs, our tensioned cables will be set up so they remain tight over time and won’t loosen or sag. We offer both railing options, and may suggest alternatives depending on how the stairs will be used and where they are located.
Your Experienced Spiral Stair Builder in Pima County
Whether it’s for a private rooftop in Tucson or a loft-style office in
Oro Valley, our team can build metal spiral stairs that are fully customized and aligned with your needs. With our in-house team of fabricators, we can handle everything from design and installation to code-compliance. The same expertise and service accuracy are offered to clients looking for spiral stair repair and maintenance services across Pima County. To get personalized guidance on your project, book an appointment with our team through the
online contact form or give us a call at 520-658-2111.
