Renovating an open staircase

An open staircase has something a closed staircase does not: visibility from all sides. The tread is visible from above, from the side and — with a floating staircase — also from below. That makes an open staircase a strong visual element in the interior. But it also places different demands on a renovation.

What makes an open staircase different?

With a closed staircase the risers are visible. With an open staircase the risers are entirely absent. As a result, the side of the tread — the nose and the underside — is visible. That means a renovation system must finish not only the walking surface but also the sides of the tread. Systems that only cover the top of the tread are not suitable for an open staircase.

Which systems are suitable?

Recycled natural stone composite — overlay treads with integrated stair nose

With Omnistair EverStep and EverStep Solid the stair nose is integrated into the tread element. That means the nose of the tread is fully finished, including the side. The advantages for the open staircase: a neat finish also on the front of the tread, no separate stair-nose profile needed, immediate walkability after installation and integrated anti-slip.

Seamless finish — Signature

For open staircases with special shapes, curved treads or a specific design requirement, Omnistair Signature is the appropriate solution. The system is built up entirely on site, so even complex geometries can be fully finished.

What does not change with an open staircase?

The load-bearing structure — the stringer or sides to which the treads are attached — remains untouched during a renovation. The renovation focuses solely on the visible finish of the tread.

Can an open staircase also be closed during renovation?

That is possible, but falls outside a standard stair renovation. Closing an open staircase requires adding risers to the existing structure — this is structural bespoke work.

Anti-slip on an open staircase

On an open staircase, anti-slip is just as important as on a closed one, if not more so. The tread is often narrower and the edge more visible. With recycled natural stone composite the anti-slip structure is integrated into the material. That provides both safety and a neat appearance without conspicuous anti-slip strips.

Further reading

Want to explore further? Read also which stair renovation suits me?, renovating your stairs yourself and why is recycled natural stone composite so thin? More about the system itself is in what is the Omnistair system and why multiple product lines.