3 Cords is a family-owned, Cedar Park-based company with over 25 years of experience designing, fabricating, and installing custom stairs and railings across Texas. Unlike general contractors who offer stairs as one of many services, stairs and railings are all we do, which means you get focused expertise and master craftsmanship on every project. We are members of the Home Builders Association (HBA) and the Hill Country Builders Association, and we have earned multiple HBA MAX Awards, including the 2025 Skilled Trade Company of the Year. Our clients include homeowners, custom home builders, architects, and designers who trust us with their highest-end projects.

Our shop and office are located at 2000 Windy Terrace, Suite 18A, Cedar Park, TX 78613. We serve the greater Austin metro area and surrounding communities, including Cedar Park, Round Rock, Georgetown, Leander, Lago Vista, Lakeway, Dripping Springs, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, and the Hill Country. We also take on projects throughout Central Texas, San Antonio, and beyond, so reach out to discuss your specific location.

Yes. 3 Cords Stairs & Railings is fully licensed and insured in the state of Texas. We carry both general liability and workers’ compensation coverage to protect our clients and our crew on every job site. Our team also follows all applicable Texas building codes and local jurisdiction requirements for stair and railing construction.

We work with all of them. In fact, many of our projects come from partnerships with custom home builders, general contractors, interior designers, and architects who rely on us as their trusted stair and railing subcontractor. We are experienced at collaborating with design teams early in a project, coordinating with other trades on-site, and delivering results that meet both aesthetic visions and structural specifications. If you are a builder or designer looking for a reliable stair partner, we’d love to talk.

We design and install a wide range of custom staircases, including floating (mono-stringer) staircases, traditional wood staircases, curved and spiral staircases, straight staircases with open risers, and hybrid designs that combine wood, steel, and glass. Whether your project calls for a dramatic architectural centerpiece or a clean, functional design that fits a specific footprint, we can bring it to life.

A floating staircase, sometimes called a mono-stringer or cantilevered staircase, is a modern design where each tread appears to “float” without visible support from underneath. The structural support is hidden within a central steel spine or anchored into the wall, creating an open, airy look. Floating staircases work beautifully in contemporary and transitional homes and are particularly effective in open-plan spaces where you want to preserve sight lines and natural light. They are engineered to meet all safety and load requirements, and despite their minimal appearance, they are extremely strong. 3 Cords has designed and installed floating staircases throughout the Austin area in a variety of materials, including white oak, walnut, and steel.

Absolutely. Every staircase we build is fully custom. You can choose from a wide selection of tread species and finishes (white oak, red oak, walnut, maple, hickory, and more), open or closed risers, painted or stained finishes, and a variety of structural materials including steel stringers, wood stringers, and concrete. We work with you through the design process to ensure the final product reflects your home’s aesthetic and your personal vision.

The timeline depends on the complexity and materials of your staircase. A straightforward remodel or replacement can often be completed in a few days once materials are on hand. A fully custom floating staircase with steel fabrication typically requires 4–8 weeks from contract to completion, including design, engineering, fabrication, and installation. We will give you a specific project timeline during your consultation and keep you updated throughout the process.

Yes, we work on both new construction and remodels. For new construction, we coordinate directly with builders and framers to ensure the stair opening is correctly sized and the structural support is in place before we arrive to install. For remodels, we assess your existing structure, remove the old staircase, and install the new design with minimal disruption to your home. Some of our most dramatic before-and-after transformations come from replacing outdated oak-and-carpet staircases with sleek, modern floating designs.

Yes. We design and install exterior staircases for decks, entries, and outdoor living spaces. Exterior stairs require specific materials and finishes to withstand Texas weather, including heat, humidity, and rain. We use weather-resistant woods, powder-coated steel, and other durable materials appropriate for outdoor applications, and we ensure all exterior stair installations meet local code requirements for rise, run, and handrail height.

We install a full range of custom railing systems, including glass panel railings (frameless and semi-frameless), cable railings (horizontal and vertical), wrought iron and steel railings, wood railings, and mixed-material designs that combine two or more of the above. We also fabricate and install custom ironwork, gates, and decorative metalwork as part of our extended services.

Yes. Glass railings are engineered for safety and durability. We use tempered or laminated safety glass, which is designed to withstand significant impact and, in the unlikely event of breakage, shatters into small, blunt pieces rather than sharp shards. Glass railing systems are tested to meet strict residential and commercial building codes for load-bearing capacity. When properly installed by an experienced contractor, glass railings are just as safe as or safer than traditional wood or iron options. They are also resistant to moisture, insects, and rot.

Glass railings are low-maintenance relative to wood or iron. They do not need to be painted, stained, or sealed, and they will not warp or rust. Regular cleaning with a standard glass cleaner keeps them looking clear and pristine. Some homeowners choose glass with a hydrophobic coating that repels water spots and reduces fingerprint visibility. For most installations, a quick wipe-down every week or two is all that’s needed.

Cable railing uses tensioned stainless-steel cables run horizontally or vertically between posts in place of traditional balusters. The result is a clean, modern look that preserves views and allows light to pass through. Cable railings are popular for decks, balconies, staircases, and waterfront properties where unobstructed sightlines are a priority. They are highly durable, corrosion-resistant, and low-maintenance, making them a great choice for both indoor and outdoor applications in the Texas climate.

Yes. Exterior railing installation is a core part of what we do. We design and install deck railings, balcony railings, porch railings, and exterior stair railings using materials appropriate for outdoor exposure in Central Texas. We can match the style of your interior railings for a cohesive look throughout your home, or design a distinct outdoor railing that complements your exterior architecture.

Yes. In addition to stair railings, 3 Cords fabricates custom ironwork and gates for residential and commercial projects. This includes driveway gates, entry gates, ornamental iron fencing, and custom metalwork features. If you have a specific design in mind, bring us the concept and we will work with you to fabricate it.

Our process has four main phases:

1. Design Consultation: We visit your site, take measurements, discuss your vision and budget, and review material and style options.
2. Proposal & Agreement: We provide a detailed written proposal outlining scope, materials, timeline, and pricing. Once approved, fabrication begins.
3. Fabrication: Custom components are built in our shop or through our fabrication partners, with quality checks throughout.
4. Installation: Our installation crew arrives on schedule, installs your staircase or railing system, and walks you through the finished product before we leave. We handle everything from start to finish so you have one point of contact throughout.

The best way to get a quote is to reach out through our contact form or call us directly at (512) 549-8919. We’ll schedule a consultation at your property where we can take measurements, discuss your vision, and review material options. Custom staircase and railing pricing varies based on size, materials, and complexity, so an in-person visit gives us the information we need to provide an accurate proposal.

Custom staircase pricing in the Austin market varies widely depending on the design, materials, and scope of work. A straightforward staircase remodel that involves replacing treads, risers, and balusters on an existing stringer typically starts around $5,000–$10,000. A fully custom floating staircase with steel fabrication, wood treads, and glass or cable railings can range from $20,000 to $60,000 or more for larger or more complex designs. We provide detailed, itemized proposals so you understand exactly what you are paying for. Reach out for a consultation and we’ll give you an honest estimate for your specific project.

Yes. 3 Cords stands behind the quality of our craftsmanship with a warranty on our installation work. Specific warranty terms are outlined in our project agreements. We are a small, family-owned business, and our reputation depends on every project being done right. If something isn’t right after installation, we will make it right.

We recommend reaching out as early in your project planning process as possible. Custom staircase and railing projects require design time, material procurement, and fabrication, especially for steel or glass components. For new construction projects, we typically need to be involved 6–10 weeks before the planned installation date. For remodels, 4–6 weeks of lead time is ideal. That said, we do our best to accommodate urgent timelines when possible, so give us a call and we’ll let you know what we can do.

Texas residential construction follows the International Residential Code (IRC), which sets minimum standards for stair dimensions, handrail height, and baluster spacing. Local jurisdictions, including Austin, Cedar Park, and Round Rock, may have additional requirements or adopt different code versions. 3 Cords is well-versed in all applicable codes and ensures every installation is compliant.

Whether a permit is required depends on the scope of work and your local jurisdiction. In many cases, cosmetic staircase remodels (replacing treads and balusters without structural changes) do not require a permit. However, structural changes, including new staircase installations, floating staircase fabrication, and significant modifications to an existing stair opening, typically do require a permit. We can advise you on permit requirements for your specific project and, in many cases, assist with the permitting process.

Yes. Floating staircases can be fully code-compliant and are installed regularly in Texas residential and commercial construction. The key is proper engineering, and the structural support system must be designed and installed to meet load requirements specified by the IRC and, for commercial projects, the IBC. 3 Cords has designed and installed floating staircases that meet all applicable building codes, and we can provide documentation and engineering certifications when required by your project or jurisdiction.

Yes, and this is a significant part of our business. We are a trusted subcontractor for custom home builders throughout the Austin area and Hill Country. We are experienced at integrating into a broader construction schedule, coordinating with framers and other trades, and delivering on time so the project stays on track. Several of the custom home builders we work with have recognized our installations in award submissions, including the HBA MAX Award-winning projects we contributed to in 2025. If you are a builder looking for a reliable stair partner, call us at (512) 549-8919.

Absolutely. We are comfortable working directly from architectural drawings, CAD files, or detailed design specifications. We regularly collaborate with architects and interior designers who provide drawings, and we translate those into fabricated and installed stair systems that match the design intent precisely. We can also provide shop drawings for review and approval before fabrication begins.

The more detail you can provide, the more accurate our proposal will be. Helpful information includes: the overall rise (floor-to-floor height), the available footprint for the stair, the desired style and materials, any design drawings or inspiration images, and whether the project is new construction or a remodel. Even if you don’t have all of this, we can gather what we need during a site visit. Reach out and we’ll take it from there.