At LevelMaster, customers choose our stair options for their modern aesthetic, durability against pests, and ability to withstand extreme weather.
Steel Stair Stringers: Also Known As
Steel stair stringers for tiny homes and portable buildings go by a few different names depending on the supplier, trade, or region:
- Galvanised steel stairs for portable buildings – the finish and application most commonly searched together
- Stair stringers – the structural side supports a staircase’s treads attach to
- Modular stairs – bolt-together stair systems designed for relocatable or transportable structures
- Access stairs or entry stairs – general terms for stairs providing entry to a raised structure
- Bolt-on stairs – stairs designed to attach to an existing structure without welding or on-site fabrication
Benefits of Steel Over Wood in Tiny Homes
Steel is far stronger than timber and often lighter. For tiny homes used as permanent structures, steel offers amazing durability with a modern aesthetic for a home that’ll last – just because it’s tiny doesn’t mean it can’t be high-quality!
Unlike wood, steel is resistant to warping, rotting, mould, and termites. It doesn’t expand or contract with temperature changes, eliminating the creaking and cracking sounds that are common with timber stairs. Steel requires minimal upkeep and doesn’t need to be painted or stained. And, it’s non-combustible, offering fire resistance. This is a highly important spec for tiny home owners setting up in fire-prone areas, like the Australian bush and even many urban neighbourhoods.
However, our merbau and hardwood options for steel treads are created with durability in mind. They’re the highest quality and with proper maintenance can last many years. Whichever option is best for you, don’t worry about durability when working with LevelMaster products.
What are Steel Stringers?
Stair stringers are the structural support mechanisms on either side (or in the centre) of access stairs, which hold the treads.
Available in 1-to-17 step configurations, these are hot-dip galvanised for maximum corrosion resistance, making them ideal for both interior and exterior use.
They’re pre-fabricated and ready to install, plus they’re adjustable in cast-in or bolt-down options so you can customise them to fit your tiny home’s placement.
How are Stairs and Stringers Designed and Installed for Tiny Homes?
Our steel stair treads are designed to withstand all kinds of weather and wear and tear, so they’re perfect for indoor or outdoor tiny home use.
For further customisation, check out our merbau treads, hardwood treads, and aluminium treads.
Whatever look and application requirements you have, we have the treads to fit.
If you’re unsure which option is best for your tiny home, don’t hesitate to get in touch for advice.
Our stringers are designed for easy installation and adjustment, so you can DIY.
Read our full installation guide for diagrams and in-depth instructions.
Are Steel Stair Stringers and Access Stairs Compliant for Tiny Homes in Australia?
LevelMaster stair components are manufactured to the requirements of the Australian Building code and to suit standard rise and going measurements, as listed below.
Compliance Requirements for Steel Stairs:
- Structural Integrity: Stairs must be designed for structural loading (AS/NZS 1170.1).
- Dimensions: Generally, stairs must have 1–17 steps per flight.
- Width: Stairs accessing lofts should be at least 432mm–508mm wide (some standards require 600mm+).
- Handrails & Barriers: Required for safety, usually 865mm–1000mm in height.
- Slip Resistance: External stairs must meet wet conditions standards.
Why Tiny Homes are so Popular?
Tiny homes are surging in popularity this year. They’re a great answer to the compounding pressures of the housing crisis, a desire for sustainable, eco-friendly living, and a shift toward minimalist, lifestyle-focused housing.
They offer lower construction costs, reduced utility bills, and the freedom of, or ability to, live in smaller spaces.
They’re increasingly used as granny flats, rentals, and solutions for downsizers, as well as for young people navigating a difficult property market all the way up to retirees looking for a fresh start.
Many people are prioritising, with the help of tiny homes, travel, reduced working hours, and closer proximity to nature over maintaining large, costly homes.
Tiny homes encourage a decluttered, intentional, and flexible lifestyle.
It’s no surprise that they’re increasing in popularity every year, which brings in the need for appropriate stairs and stringers for access.
Why Choose LevelMaster for your Tiny Home Stringers and Stairs?
Just purchased a set of your stair stringers and I can honestly say that they are an extremely high quality, durable product. I would definitely recommend your stair stringers to anyone. – Brisbane Soils – Google Review
LevelMaster is a top choice for tiny home stringers and stairs. We offer patented, high-quality steel adjustable designs that allow for easy levelling on all kinds of tiny home sites. Our stairs and stringers are specifically designed to be durable, compliant with Australian Standards, and easy to install, making them suitable for both DIYers and professional builders.
Our superior steel products are hot dip galvanised for corrosion protection and lasting convenience and aesthetics. With LevelMaster, your stairs are built right the first time, almost no maintenance required.
Here is why to choose LevelMaster stairs for your tiny home:
- Adjustable Height: LevelMaster stringers offer adjustment on each stringer. This is fantastic for tiny homes, as it allows you to fine-tune your stair levels after installation to accommodate uneven ground.
- Durable and Weather Resistant: Stringers and steel stair treads are hot-dipped galvanised after fabrication, protecting them from corrosion inside and out, which is essential for long-term outdoor use.
- Easy Installation (No Welding): LevelMaster products are designed for easy, on-site installation without needing specialised welding equipment.
- Versatile Mounting Options: The same stringer design can be used for either bolt-down (for existing slabs/trailers) or cast-in (for new concrete) applications simply by changing the bottom fitting.
- High Quality and Compliant: Products are engineered to meet National Construction Codes and Australian Standards.
- Range of Sizes: We offer stair stringers ranging from a single step up to 17 steps.
- Variety of Treads: We stock a variety of tread materials, including merbau, hardwood, aluminum, and steel.
- Quick Availability: The complete range is typically in stock, allowing for prompt delivery to your tiny home site.
Perfect for Tiny Homes
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- Strength and Safety: Steel construction provides high strength and structural integrity, perfect for moving or permanent tiny homes.
- Compact Solutions: The adjustable nature makes them easy to adapt to the often-variable, low-profile, or elevated entrances of tiny homes.
- Special Rise Requirements: We can also supply individual stair tread brackets or manufacture a set of custom stair stringers to make sure they’re perfect for your tiny home.
Tiny Home Access Stairs and Portable Building Entry Stairs
Whether you need tiny home access stairs for a compact dwelling or portable building entry stairs for a demountable office or classroom, the same core product does the job. Modular stairs tiny house owners rely on can be bolted on, adjusted, and left to do their job.
Our galvanised steel stairs for portable buildings are built the same way as our tiny home external stairs – hot-dip galvanised stringers with your choice of tread, ready to bolt onto a slab, trailer, or portable building chassis. Because the stringers are height-adjustable, they also work as portable building access steps on uneven sites, without any custom carpentry.
Common applications for our stair stringers include:
- Tiny home access stairs and tiny home external stairs for entry, exit and deck access
- Portable building entry stairs for demountable offices and classrooms
- Portable building access steps for site sheds and modular accommodation
How Many Steps/Treads Do I Need?
Use our table to calculate how many stairs to install based on the height of your stairs, and look through all our tread options.
- Our stair stringers range from 1-17 treads (steps) and are made for standard ‘rise’ and ‘going’.
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Contact Us
Read what our many happy customers say.
LevelMaster gets it right the first time, with adjustable, long-lasting products that mean you can rest assured there won’t be expensive or irritating replacements anywhere in the near future.
Servicing all of Australia, including the main cities of Brisbane, Toowoomba, Sydney, Coffs Harbour, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Darwin, Hobart, and more.
If you’d like to buy our stair stringers, and already know what you need, you can shop our stair stringers. If you need treads as well, order LevelMaster stairs through our online store and view our options.
For professional installation of stair stringers, contact us, and we can give you some names from our list of approved professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why choose steel stringers over wood for a tiny home?
- Steel stringers are lighter than wood yet offer greater strength
- Steel does not warp, twist, split, or rot, and it is resistant to termites and pests.
- Steel requires minimal upkeep and no regular sanding or resealing.
2. Are steel stair stringers easy to install?
- Yes, they are designed for DIY, featuring a bolt-together design, removing the need for complex, difficult wood cuts.
- Prefabricated stringers come with welded brackets ready for tread installation.
- For help with installation, contact us and we will put you in touch with our approved tradespeople.
3. What are the common sizes and specs for tiny home stairs?
- Available in 1 to 17 steps, with 2–5 step sets being common for small decks or lofts.
- Standard stringers often feature a 175mm rise and 250mm going (tread depth) at a 35-degree angle.
4. Are steel stringers suitable for both indoor and outdoor use?
- Yes. Hot-dip galvanised steel is recommended for outdoors to prevent rust.
- For indoors, they can be powder-coated in various colours to match the home’s interior design.
5. Are stairs better than ladders to reach landings in my tiny home?
- Stairs tend to be safer and easier to traverse, and can still be built to not take up a lot of space, so we recommend them over ladders.