Frequently asked questions

Certain types of work require a permit from the city. We advise you to check with your borough or contact one of our representatives to avoid a fine and prevent the work from being shut down.

Depending on the type of work, your borough may also require shop drawings. We can provide you with what you need and help you prepare a formal application to avoid administrative delays.

Please note that you may need an architectural plan approved by an engineer if you want to make structural modifications to a balcony.

Before you start renovating or replacing architectural elements, it’s important that you contact your borough directly. In some boroughs, materials and work methods have to be approved in order to preserve the property’s heritage style and cultural heritage.

The treads on a front staircase must be at least 42″ wide.

For spiral staircases, the treads must be at least 760 mm (approximately 30″) wide. For buildings with more than two units on the same floor, staircases must be at least 860 mm (approximately 34″) wide, although we recommend 36″ treads.

The National Building Code specifies that risers need to be between 125 mm and 200 mm, or approximately 5″ to 8″.

Additionally, all of the steps in a flight need to be the same height, with a maximum tolerance of 6 mm (approximately ¼″).

The City of Montreal requires railings and guardrails to have a minimum height of 920 mm (approximately 36″) on stairs and in areas that are less than 6′ from the ground.

If the floor is more than 6′ above the ground (i.e., on the second floor or above a driveway), ramps or railings must have a minimum height of 1,070 mm (approximately 42″).

The City of Montreal requires that openings in guardrails, staircases, and spaces accessible to the public be small enough that a spherical object 100 mm in diameter (approximately 4″) cannot pass through.

To make sure your railings and guardrails remain solid, we recommend installing an end post every 8′ and a line post approximately every 4′.

To prevent water infiltration, we recommend that your balcony floor protrude approximately 1½″ to 2″ from the structure on which it will be installed.

Balconies must be fireproof if they are less than 1,200 mm or 48″ from the property line. Aluminum floors and structures are permitted.

Unlike steel, commonly known as “wrought iron,” aluminum does not rust.

Aluminum is industrially passivated with a thin layer of impermeable alumina, just a few micrometres thick, which protects it from corrosion. This corrosion resistance, combined with its lightness and ease of handling, make it the material of choice for staircases, railings, guardrails, and construction products of all kinds.Unlike steel, commonly known as “wrought iron,” aluminum does not rust.

Most of our staircases are welded, making them sturdier and easier to customize. However, non-weld aluminum railings and guardrails remain very popular because they’re budget friendly.

Note that some boroughs prohibit the use of non-weld aluminum in order to preserve the heritage style and cultural heritage of their properties.

Galvanic corrosion can occur when two dissimilar metals are brought into contact with each other. For that reason, we recommend using the same materials everywhere or putting a barrier between the aluminum and the steel.

Electrostatic paint provides an even coating, a thicker finish, and better impact and weather resistance. What’s more, our zirconium pretreatment, which is much less polluting than traditional iron or zinc phosphate pretreatments, allows the powder paint to adhere to the aluminum much better.

If necessary, we recommend cleaning with dish soap or an all-purpose detergent like Spray Nine (available at Canadian Tire) and a soft bristle brush. It’s best to avoid solvents, abrasives, pressure washers, and metal brushes, as they can damage the floor’s protective layer and lead to water infiltration.

If you want to restore the shine to your balcony, we recommend cleaning it thoroughly and applying a light coat of wax such as Turtle Wax, which can also be found at Canadian Tire.

In winter, it’s best to use sand and a plastic shovel rather than an ice chopper or salt, as these can cause irreversible damage.

However, it’s recommended to call on a professional like Escalier MTL if you’re looking to install a staircase or large balcony structure.