Staircases

Riser

A riser is the vertical or near-vertical face between two consecutive stair treads.

Closed stairs have solid risers, while open-riser stairs leave the space between treads partly or fully open. The riser height works with tread depth to establish the pitch and rhythm of the flight.

On a traditional timber staircase, risers also help connect and stiffen adjacent treads. Movement at these joints is a common source of squeaks and should be repaired from the most suitable accessible side where possible.

Consistent riser heights are important because even a small unexpected variation can interrupt a user's stride. Proposed repairs or floor-finish changes should therefore be checked at the top and bottom steps as well as within the flight.

Property types

Commonly found in

Tenement Georgian Townhouse Victorian Villa Terraced House Traditional Cottage Georgian Flat Converted Flat Detached House Semi-detached House

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