Open staircase

[PE]

Hi new house we are in has an open tread staircase (no risers).
Problem is if we fit solid risers we would lose a lot of light in the hallway from a large feature window halfway up stairs/half landing.

What can we do to make stairs safer for littlun without losing too much light in an already dark hallway?

Many thanks

 

[big-all]

heeelllooo pe and welcome

the only solutions i can think off appart from pieces of wood which may remove to much light is wrought iron steel or other metal bars or rods possibly chrome finnish horizontaly mid rise
all dependant on how the stairs are finnished ect

and just for the record on new builds regulations require a sphere 100mm accross[a childs headsize] shouldnt pass through any part of the stair or bannister

 

[PE]

Thanks for the welcome and reply! This is a mine of info this site!

Just to confirm the new build regs - if we had the staircase replaced in due course would that then have to comply with these new regs then or is it just for new-build houses?

Thanks for the suggestion - may look into decorative style "bar" horizontally

 

[big-all]

the regs apply to rebuilds as well but not minor repairs

 

[Mr Winston]

Hi PE

can you clarify if your 'new' house is

a) new build in past couple of years
or
b) an older house but new to you

if its a new build house it shouldnt have open risers anyway (gaps sould be less than 100mm)

you could fix a mesh (wire/timber slats) which would allow light through but stop you putting your foot through

 

[Johndug]

I did my own loft conversion in 1987 and built the open staircase myself. When I put the plans in, they were sent back because the treads were more than 100mm wide. I redrew showing 12mm iron bars fitted centrally between the treads. That was acceptable. As it happened, the easy-going inspector made his last visit before I'd got around to drilling and fitting the rods. I never got around to fitting them. I'm surprised a new-built house got away with it.

 

[PE]

Hi PE

can you clarify if your 'new' house is

a) new build in past couple of years
or
b) an older house but new to you

if its a new build house it shouldnt have open risers anyway (gaps sould be less than 100mm)

you could fix a mesh (wire/timber slats) which would allow light through but stop you putting your foot through

New to us - house was built c1970

Thanks for the suggestion

 

[PE]

I did my own loft conversion in 1987 and built the open staircase myself. When I put the plans in, they were sent back because the treads were more than 100mm wide. I redrew showing 12mm iron bars fitted centrally between the treads. That was acceptable. As it happened, the easy-going inspector made his last visit before I'd got around to drilling and fitting the rods. I never got around to fitting them. I'm surprised a new-built house got away with it.

I think horizontal bar may be way to go thanks