Staircase Riser & Risers for Stairs

A stair riser is the vertical space between one step and the next, it can be either open or closed.

Stairs are referred to as having ‘open risers’ where treads are separated by a ‘gap’ in the structure of the staircase.

This might sometimes feature a dowel riser.

A ‘closed riser’ incorporates a solid vertical component between each tread on the stair - the ‘riser’ - into the staircase design.

We sell pre-made standard staircase risers of 18mm thickness for hardwoods and 9mm thickness for plywood, and 230mm height. This type of stair riser is supplied in 1m lengths.

The pre-made staircase risers we sell can be cut to size during installation. Alternatively, we can produce stair risers custom to your staircase measurements.

Standard risers are not suitable for winder treads as they are not long enough, but they can be used on any standard staircase.

Winder risers are intended for use on staircases that incorporate winders; a triangular step that is narrower on one side than the other.

These can be used to change the direction of a staircase without a landing.

A staircase which uses a series of winders can form a circular, curved, winder or spiral staircase.

We supply pre-made winder risers of 18mm width for hardwoods, 9mm width for plywood, and 230mm height. These come in 1.3m lengths, and can be cut to size during installation.

Alternatively, we can produce a winder riser custom to your staircase’s measurements.

Winder risers should only be used with winder tread.

A bullnose (also called a ‘bullnose step’ or ‘starting step’) is a decorative feature that can be added to the bottom of a staircase which is open on one or both sides. ‘Open’ means that the edge of the staircase does not butt up against a wall.

This means that the first step from the bottom of the staircase may be rounded, and slightly wider than the other steps.

Bullnose risers should be used with bullnose tread. Together, the two components form one bullnose step.

We sell pre-made plywood bullnose risers of 9mm thickness and 200mm height, either individually or with accompanying bullnose tread.

Alternatively, we can manufacture a bullnose riser on site, custom to your staircase’s measurements and in your choice of timber.

A D-end step (sometimes called a ‘curtail step’) is a decorative feature, similar to a bullnose, that can be added to the bottom of a staircase which is open on one or both sides.

This isn’t just cosmetically appealing; a wider base can mean a sturdier staircase, and allows for the incorporation of a ‘volute’ (pictured), providing a more stable base for the bottom of the handrail.

D-end risers are designed to be used with a D-end treads; together, the two components form a single D-end step.

Pear Stairs supplies single and double going D-end risers.

A single going D-end step is used when only a single entry step (the first step from the ground floor) is desired, and can be used in less spacious settings for an elegant appearance.

A double going D-end step is used when two entry steps are desired.

The single going D-end then sits on top of the double going D-end, creating a wider, more imposing staircase entry. This is called a ‘double D-end’ or ‘double curtail’.

We sell pre-made D-end risers in diameters of 225mm (single going) and 450mm (double going) diameter D-end risers, to 9mm thickness and 200mm height. These can be cut to size during installation if necessary.

Alternatively, we can produce D-end risers custom made to your staircase’s measurements.

If you require a double D-end riser (for a D-end step which is rounded on both sides), please contact us with your staircase’s exact measurements, as this type of D-end riser must be made custom in every instance.

Pear Stairs can also supply you with glass stair risers, for a closed riser staircase with the look and feel of open risers.

This style is ideal for modern and striking staircase designs.

We offer either frosted or clear glass risers, in full or half-riser heights.

A half-riser (shown opposite) covers half of the rise between treads, but leaves the other half open.

Our glass risers are cut from 10mm glass, then toughened.

Though they may offer the appearance of weightlessness, the glass we use, once toughened, meets and exceeds the load-bearing capabilities required by building regulations, in fact, toughened glass is five times stronger than normal glass.

As we can’t manufacture glass treads in our factory, we ask that you contact us with your staircase’s exact measurements (tread width and rise height) and the number of risers you need. We will then place an order for glass risers made custom to your requirements.

It is important that the measurements you give to us are correct, as once glass components have been cut and toughened, they cannot be cut again.