Irving Spiral Staircases serves Southlake with spiral and curved staircases, including curved and helical stairs for custom homes, iron, glass and cable railing replacement, outdoor spirals to pool decks and balconies, and spirals to media rooms and lofts. We plan every stair to Southlake’s code and permit process, which differs from Irving’s.
Southlake, in Tarrant County northwest of Irving, stayed rural until DFW Airport opened in the 1970s, then grew from 2,808 residents in 1980 to 21,519 in 2000. Ninety-six percent of its homes are single-family houses, 45 percent were built in the 1990s, and the median owner-occupied value is just over $1 million, so the stair work here is in large houses rather than condos.
A curved stair in the foyer, drawn and built by a stair shop
Stair
About 16 steps on a full curve, with a curved starting step
Treads and rail
Oak treads, painted risers, oak handrail ending in a volute
Balusters
Black iron, on the stair and about 15 ft of balcony railing upstairs
Estimated cost
$38,000
In this example, a family is building a two-story house in Southlake, and the plans show a curved stair rising from the foyer to a balcony. The builder frames the stairwell; the stair itself comes from a stair shop.
In a large custom home a curved or helical stair can be the centerpiece of the entry: a wide circular stair with a stained oak rail, an elliptical stair that flares at the bottom, or a helical stair on rolled steel stringers around an open well. New builds and full rebuilds both start from drawings, since the radius, floor height and opening set the treads. Our page on curved staircases explains each type.
Railing replacement
Houses from Southlake’s 1990s growth may have curved foyer stairs with their original rails and spindles. Replacing them with iron balusters, a new handrail, or glass or cable railings changes the entry without touching the stair structure, and the new guards meet current height and spacing rules. The options are on our staircase remodeling and railing replacement page.
Outdoor spirals to pool decks and balconies
A spiral can link a second-floor balcony or covered porch to the pool deck, or reach a roof terrace, in a small footprint. Galvanized or aluminum stairs with textured treads suit wet, sunny pool areas. Footings, platforms and finishes are covered on the outdoor spiral staircases page.
Media room and loft spirals
A spiral to a media room, library loft or upstairs game room can be built in oak and steel to match the house, or installed from a kit. Southlake’s 2021 code asks for the same 26 inches of clear width as Irving’s 2024 code. For sizing, see spiral stairs for lofts and attics; for kits, see spiral staircase kit installation.
Southlake building codes
Southlake enforces the 2021 International Codes with local amendments adopted by the City Council, in effect since May 1, 2022; the 2021 International Residential Code was adopted by Ordinance No. 1252. Irving, by contrast, moved to the 2024 edition in 2026. For spiral stairs the numbers did not change between editions: section R311.7.10.1 of the 2021 code sets the same 26-inch clear width, 6 3/4-inch treads at the walkline, 9 1/2-inch maximum rise and 6 feet 6 inches of headroom as Irving’s R318.7.11.1. Only the section numbers differ, so plans for Southlake cite the 2021 sections.
Contractors working in Southlake must register with the city, and general contractors renew each year for a fee. Registrations, permits and inspection requests go through the city’s online permitting system, and inspections requested by 7:00 a.m. are generally completed the same day. Building Inspections can be reached at 817-748-8236.
Incorporated in 1956, Southlake remained rural until DFW Airport opened next door, and its population climbed to 7,065 in 1990, 21,519 in 2000 and 31,265 by 2020. About 58 percent of its homes date from the 1980s and 1990s and 34 percent from 2000 to 2019, with only about 5 percent built before 1980. Of its roughly 9,600 homes, more than 9,000 are detached houses.
For stair work, that means 1990s houses whose rails and treads are now around 30 years old, alongside newer custom homes where a curved or helical stair is planned with the house.
Planning a custom stair
For a house still in design, bring the stair in early. The stairwell opening, floor-to-floor heights and the structure around a curved or helical stair are fixed at framing, and changing them later costs far more than drawing them right. For a finished house, measurements of the existing stair and opening are enough to start a conversation about what can change.
Frequently asked questions
Which building code applies to stairs in Southlake?
The 2021 International Residential Code with Southlake’s local amendments, in effect since May 1, 2022. Spiral stairs are covered by section R311.7.10.1 there, with the same dimensions as the 2024 rule Irving uses.
Do contractors need to register with Southlake?
Yes. Contractors working in Southlake must register with the city. General contractors renew annually with a fee, and trade contractors holding a state license register with the license holder’s details. Registration goes through the city’s online permitting system.
Are glass stair railings allowed?
Yes, with safety glass. The 2024 IRC treats glass in guards and railings as a hazardous location whatever the panel size (section R324.4.4) and requires an attached top rail on structural glass panels. Southlake reviews plans under the 2021 edition, which covers glazing in section R308, so confirm the glass details with Southlake Building Inspections during plan review.
Closer to Irving, Coppell has a smaller housing stock built mostly in the 1980s and 1990s and its own registration rules; read about spiral and curved staircases in Coppell.
Request a free staircase quote
Tell us your Southlake address, whether the house is under construction or finished, and what kind of stair or railing work you are planning. We'll get back to you soon with an estimate or any questions we have. Estimates are free and there's no obligation.
