As an architectural element, a staircase is both functional and aesthetic. The aesthetic part is one that can be customized in any number of ways to create a specific look. One such customization is the open riser design. It turns out that open riser staircases are hot right now. They are popping up in both new construction and remodeling projects from coast to coast.
The Iron Spindle, a Georgia company that specializes in staircase refinishing and iron balusters in the Atlanta area, explains that open riser staircases are staircases that actually have no risers. In other words, the vertical space between each tread is not filled with a piece of wood. It is completely open so that you can see right through.
People seem to be really into the open riser look these days. Below are three possible reasons explaining why, compliments of The Iron Spindle.
1. A More Open Feel
In many homes, the central staircase is a large and imposing feature that provides more function than beauty. Moreover, traditional staircases block out light and create visual obstructions. Install an open riser staircase and you change things dramatically.
Open riser staircases create a more open feel because they facilitate more light movement and open up new sight lines. It is a lot like comparing a solid roof versus a pergola over your back deck. The pergola creates a more open feel by allowing some light and air to pass through but still providing shade.
Likewise, an open riser staircase does not block as much light. Even the largest and most imposing staircases are not nearly as intimidating when designed around the open riser concept.
2. A More Modern Look
As you might expect, open riser staircases create a more modern look as well. That alone is enough to endear people to them. After all, modern architecture is always hot no matter what era you are in. People want to be on the cutting edge; they want to be up to date. Open riser staircases are all that and more.
The most modern of today’s staircases utilize more modern materials as well. For instance, rather than constructing the entire staircase and balustrade out of wood, you might have wood treads and risers alongside wrought iron spindles and a stainless-steel handrail.
Open riser staircases are especially attractive in modern homes designed around the open-floor concept. For example, a home with an entirely open first floor might be designed with the staircase right in the middle of the main space. A traditional staircase just would not fit the aesthetic. An open riser staircase fits perfectly.
3. Easier Customizations
Finally, open riser staircases are fairly popular because they are more friendly to customization. Whenever you are talking customization, you’re talking a lot more work in both design and installation. Oftentimes you are talking about more materials as well.
There is simply less work in designing an open riser staircase because you are completely removing one element. Taking out the risers offers more opportunities for spirals, flares, and other design elements that are more difficult to make work when risers remain intact. And of course, no risers saves on materials costs.
Open riser staircases are not the best choice for every home. In fact, older colonials and Victorians would look odd with more modern staircases. But where open risers do work, they tend to work very well. They provide a more open feel, they offer a more modern look, and they are easier to customize. All three reasons potentially explain why open riser staircases are hot right now.
