Style Guide: Lighten Up Your Hallway With An Open Tread Staircase

1-open riser light oak staircase with glass downstands and exposed fixings on the glass balustrade

Much more than just a practical connection between floors, your staircase is one of the key features of your interior. From traditional elegance to contemporary minimalism, there are plenty of ways to step up your design game that suits all tastes and styles.

If you have a new project in the works, here is everything you should know about one of our most popular options, open tread staircase – also known as open riser.  

What is an open tread staircase?

With open tread staircases, the riser – the vertical space between adjacent treads – is open, rather than enclosed.

They’re complimentary of open floor plans and are a popular choice in homes where designers want to increase the flow of natural light in and around the stairs. Not only do they create a bright and airy feel, but they also give the perception of a larger space.

Are open tread staircases safe?

To put it simply, yes! By working with an experienced manufacturer like Multi-Turn, we’ll ensure your staircase is safe and complies with UK standards. Click to find out exactly why open riser staircases are safe.

Building regulations state that all stairs with open risers should be designed and constructed so that a 100mm sphere cannot pass through. There are creative ways to achieve this that don’t require reducing the space between your treads; which we’ll discuss next.

Design options

There are three main types of  design options you can choose within your open tread staircase:

Timber downstand

Timber downstands are a simple design choice where wood sits underneath each tread to reduce the open gap. In this project we combined the timber with glass balustrades to allow the light to flow throughout the hallway.

Glass downstand

Glass downstands are the perfect option if you want to incorporate a modern and sleek twist to your staircase without partially losing the openness as you do with timber downstands. This project was completed with the addition of spot lighting which highlights each step.

Stainless steel rods

Stainless steel rods make a great addition to open tread staircases of all styles. In this project, the bar sits in the middle between each tread and is a smart but effective way of adding an extra element to the design.

open riser dark oak staircase with stainless steel metal rods

If you’re looking to make your staircase dreams a reality, get in touch! Our expert team can share their advice and recommendations to make the most of your space.

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If you would like to discuss a specific live project, want us to review your new project plans, or just want to speak to one of our team, please get in touch using our contact form.

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