Making stairs open

[Mollyeyes]

Hello
Is it possible and not too expensive to remove the vertical parts on staircase to make them open ie. just have the steps and banister? Thank you.

That doesn't sound safe to me. Unless you are putting safety glass into the gap ?

That's not safe. Have a look at building regs for the minimum gap you are allowed. It is to stop small children falling through and ending up hanging by their heads. Even if you don't have kids the people who live in the house after you might.

Hello, I have seen them in some modern houses and not sure if you buy the whole staircase or can modify existing one.

You can do what you want to your own house! I ripped mine down myself. Very easy.
It’s just going through a sale for it now and there is no problem with the open staircase. However, I’m building a new house and because it’s new, to pass building regs that needs to adhere to the correct bannisters etc.

They are not structurally part of the staircase. You can remove them with no problem.

Our old house had staircase like that. I don’t honestly see how a child old enough to walk could’ve slipped through the gaps, but it did come up when we bought (and again when we sold).
If also looked terrible, very early-80’s. ...

I forgot to add that although you can do it. Non of my potential buyers liked it. They all thought it was scary. I presume by buyer will put one up. I just never got round to putting a decent one up.

It can be put in easily but for me I’m terrified of them slipped a few years ago in a family member’s house and my leg went through I ended up really scared of them also they had a young child and had to be really careful with letting him use the stairs even if they where behind him

It's pretty easy, depending on coats of paint and whatnot.

Fixing up to make it look pretty after is a right pain in the arse though. You're going to be filling and sanding for days.

Don’t you lose so much heat! Mine is like that and it’s freezing!

take out your life assurance policy first.

Thanks everyone, This is what we are trying to achieve if it helps, an open thread staircase like in this house www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/88159132#/

Thank you

They probably do not meet building regs. I cannot see the advantage really. The rules are to prevent small children falling through or getting stuck. Selling on might be difficult too.

Oh! You mean those bits! I actually filled my bits of those in. I think it’s looks very 80’s unless it’s done so the whole thing is open with sort of glass bannisters etc. Or in swanky big, modern houses.

To just take them bits out is a no from me and I take back what I said about structurally you can. Not sure if that’s true for those bits.

Mine were made like that.

Also you would not believe the dust that falls down from them like that.

Ah you mean remove the risers , it would take too much strength out of the treads and they would bend when you tread on them , you would need to reinforce them to make them stronger. I think the gap cannot be larger than 100mm ( so a babies head can’t fit through ) but you would have to check that.

I thought you meant like these!

The only reason we were thinking to do is bring a little light into the room

I think that most people have misunderstood your question - I did too, until I saw the photo.

We have stairs like that in a very modern house. You need to have the stairs built like that in the first place as they need to be supported differently. Ours are individually secured to the wall on either side, but you sometimes also see them supported by a continuous metal plate on one side. You can’t just take the risers out without reinforcing them though. I expect it would be a big job.

We don’t have any issue with dust - it’s just a question of keeping your house clean! We also have 3 small kids - 5, 4 and 2 and have never had any issues.

We have just filled ours in as part of a refurb (they were open when we moved here). Over the years the space under the stairs has been toy storage/desk area etc and due to volume of traffic with the kids up and the stairs, it did need very frequent cleaning. We have just converted the space into 3 storage sections and to be honest its been the best use of the space.

I wouldn't because noise transmission around the house, especially upstairs from down will increase. Dirt and dust will fall through.

Sorry @Mollyeyes that didn't answer your question. DH is a builder and says would depend on thickness of the current treads, also the amount of work to the sides of stair strings (grooves) that would need filling. Also check with Building Regs if you have a loft conversion, any changes to staircase affect escape route. Ask local carpenter/builder to quote, give you an idea if cheaper to look at new staircase if it's something you really want.

No bannister with spindles close enough together are also against building regs. Children fall through wide spaced ones. There are regulations for safety reasons. No barrier at all to prevent dc falling off or the elderly is an absolute no no.

You cannot strip a staircase down to treads. Risers in glass would work but you need a new staircase for that and they are expensive.

Children can’t fall through if you don’t have any children,