Terrazzo Stair Designs

Terrazzo stairs are a versatile and customizable option for institutional, commercial, or industrial settings. At Concord Terrazzo Company, we manufacture precast terrazzo stairs in-house using high-quality TERRAZZCO Brand aggregates and epoxy resin, which are then transported to the project site. Before exploring the various types of terrazzo stair designs we offer, it is important to understand the distinction between a stair tread and a riser.

Differences between Stair Treads and Risers

Stair treads and stair risers are both important components of a staircase, but they serve different functions.

STAIR TREADS

A stair tread is the horizontal surface of the staircase, or as many would call the step. Stair treads are typically made from durable materials like terrazzo that are designed to withstand heavy foot traffic. These treads can include abrasive strips, which help prevent people from slipping as they travel up and down the stairs.  There are special stair treads to consider as well.  Steps such as landing and winding treads provide a change in direction along the stairway.

RISERS

Stair risers, on the other hand, are the vertical surface that connects one tread to the next, forming the face of each step. The riser provides support to the treads.

It is important to note that a terrazzo staircase may be designed without risers. There are options that allow for an open or “floating” staircase design.

Terrazzo Tread Profiles

One of the many benefits of precast terrazzo stair treads is its customization. Concord Terrazzo Company has the capability of manufacturing the following stair treads types:

• Flat stair treads
• Tread & Riser Combo Sets
• Self-Supporting Stair Treads

Stair treads can be customized in a wider range of colors and finish options. They can also be stylized to have varying thicknesses and shapes.

Types of Terrazzo Stairs

Straight Stairs

A straight stair connects the ground-level floor to an upper-level floor with no change of direction. Sometimes when the stairs are 12 feet or higher, an architect can add a central landing. Central landings provide a stopping point for pedestrians between two flights of stairs.  These stairs are among the easiest to build for any architectural project.

Quarter Turn Stairs

Quarter turn stairs bend at an intersection at a 90-degree angle.  With a change in direction, these steps are more visually appealing and flexible for an architect to work with than straight stairs.  In most buildings, quarter-turn stairs are commonly located in a corner of a room.

Half Turn Stairs

Half-turn stairs are quite beautiful themselves, offering architects even more flexibility in their designs. These types of stairs connect to either a landing or an additional flight of stairs. The extra flight of stairs is known as quarter landing stairs. The main difference between these stairs and the quarter turns is the directional turn. For half turns, a pedestrian must make a 180 degree turn to continue their path up or down the stairway.

Winder Stairs

Winder treads are similar to quarter turns except that landing is a bit different. Instead of having a flat landing, the landing curves in a way that makes the corner piece more triangular in shape.

Curved Stairs

These stairs curve at an angle, but never do make it back into a full circle.

Spiral Stairs

Similar to the curved stairs yet different. These treads form a circular movement around a pole.

Concord Terrazzo Company supplies aggregates and produces epoxy resins to help you customize your terrazzo stairs.  We are an associate member of the National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association. Contact Concord Terrazzo Company today at info@terrazzco.com or complete our online form.