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Featured Project

Knighton Mill

A contemporary new-build where glass and flint meet traditionally detailed Bath stone ashlar and a robust gritstone plinth.

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Selected Projects

High Beeches The Belvedere The Castle Lutyens Surrey Property
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About AFJONES

Six generations of knowledge and an unbroken commitment to doing things properly. That is what every client inherits when they work with AFJONES.

About AFJONES
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Est. 1858  ·  Ipsden, Oxfordshire

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Knowledge built from six generations of stonemasonry.

Guides, articles and education to inform every stage of your stone project — from material selection to on-site delivery.

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Cantilever Stone
Staircases

Stone that appears weightless, with each tread anchored discreetly into the wall, a free edge sweeping outward.

Service Details

Expertise Area

Structural Stonemasonry

Typical Stone

Limestone, Sandstone, Marble

Scope

Design, Fabrication, Installation

Typical Settings

Private Residences, Hotels, Institutional

We're experienced in taking the strain out of the complex engineering needed to produce the finest cantilevered stone staircases.

A cantilevered stone staircase represents the perfect intersection of traditional masonry and modern structural engineering. By utilising the natural compressive strength of stone, we create elegant, gravity-defying flights that offer a level of slenderness and permanence impossible to achieve with other materials.

Our team has designed and installed hundreds of flights, providing a complete service that manages the complex structural requirements of each project. Because the stone provides the finished surface for every face of the stair, these structures offer a streamlined construction process that eliminates the need for additional cladding or decorative finishes.

Material Selection

Choosing the Right Stone

The success of a cantilevered staircase depends on the structural density and wear resistance of the selected stone. We provide expert guidance on material suitability, ensuring the stone possesses the grain structure required to perform under tension.

We prioritize technical characteristics such as bedding planes and mineral variability over pure aesthetics. Our knowledge allows us to recommend materials like Portland or Molianos that meet both the architectural vision and the stringent safety requirements of load-bearing masonry.

By sourcing only high-quality blocks, we ensure every tread is free from structural defects. This careful selection process allows us to achieve the precise, slender geometries required for a safe and permanent cantilevered flight.

Technical Delivery

From Design to Installation

Every staircase is developed through rigorous 3D modeling to resolve complex geometries and ensure seamless integration with the primary structure. Our service includes full structural design and the specification of bespoke bracketry where traditional wall embedding is not possible.

We manage the critical coordination between architects, engineers, and site teams. This proactive approach ensures the supporting substrate is prepared to receive the stone, mitigating risk and ensuring the final installation meets exact tolerances.

Our technical independence allows us to design without material limitation. Whether the project requires traditional tiered treads or contemporary seamless profiles, we provide the insight needed to turn a conceptual sketch into a buildable structural reality.

Our Process

From Brief to Installation

Brief, Feasibility
and Concepts

We begin with a conversation about the building it will form part of, the desired form and how the staircase will be used. Plans and sketches are reviewed, options such as straight or curved flights are explored, and we give early guidance on feasibility, likely budgets and programme.

Stone Selection
and Detailed Design

We bring together stone choice and structure. Strength, wear resistance and bedding quality determine what is suitable, then we consider colour, texture and variation while our team develops the 3D geometry, interlock details and support arrangements.

Workshop Production
and Trials

In our Oxfordshire workshops, advanced CNC cutting works alongside traditional hand-finishing to produce treads with tight tolerances and clean, precise edges. Where needed we build trial assemblies to confirm fit and alignment before the staircase arrives on site.

Site
Installation

With the right planning and sequencing in place, the installation on-site becomes a controlled and predictable process. We advise on access requirements and logistics before our own teams support the complete installation, resolving questions quickly and keeping site progress moving smoothly.

Aftercare and
Ongoing Support

Once installed, we remain available for guidance on maintenance, cleaning and long-term care. Stone staircases can last for generations, and thoughtful stewardship helps protect both their performance and their appearance over time.

We're experienced in taking the strain out of the complex engineering needed to produce the finest cantilevered stone staircases.

From initial structural calculations to the final hand-rubbed finish, we provide the specialist support needed to deliver a flawless cantilevered staircase. Contact us to discuss your project requirements or to visit our workshops and see our production process firsthand.

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