Terrazzo Stair Designs

Terrazzo stairs, precast or poured-in place, are a versatile and customizable option for institutional, commercial, or industrial settings. They combine epoxy resin with marble, glass or granite aggregates to produce highly durable, fully customizable stair assemblies. TERRAZZCO (manufactured by Concord Terrazzo Company) fabricates several terrazzo stair configurations, each suited to distinct architectural layouts, traffic demands, and design goals.

What are the Main Types of Terrazzo Stairs

Terrazzo stairs fit many stair styles. Each type varies in directional change, landing requirements, spatial footprint, and structural complexity.

What is the difference between a Stair Tread and a Riser?

A stair tread is the horizontal surface a person steps on. A riser is the vertical face that connects one tread to the next. In terrazzo stair design, these two elements are specified and manufactured separately or as combo sets.

STAIR TREADS

• Bears all foot traffic
• Includes anti-slip abrasive channels (carborundum/silicon carbide) cut into the nosing for traction compliance in commercial buildings.

RISERS

• Provides structural support and visual continuity.
• Optional element; opeon or floating terrazzo stair designs omit risers entirely.

NOSING

• The leading edge of the tread.
• Nosing profiles vary by code requirements and aesthetic preference.

What Terrazzo Tread Profiles are Available?

Concord Terrazzo Company has the capability of manufacturing the following stair tread types, each suited to different structural conditions and design objectives:

Flat stair treads

Flat treads are the standard, cost-effective profile for high-traffic commercial environments. They are installed directly over existing concrete, steel or wood stair structures. Dimensions, thickness, edge profiles, and nosing style are fully custom.

Tread & Riser Combo Sets

Tread-and-riser combo sets are the most popular stair tread option, extending the terrazzo surface from the floor field up and over the stair in a single continuous system. This creates visual seamlessness with adjacent poured-in-place terrazzo floors. Available in two-piece or one-piece styles.

Self-Supporting Stair Treads

Self-supporting stair treads span between stringers without visible supports beneath them, producing a floating stair aesthetic. TERRAZZCO treads are reinforced internally with steel tubing. The profile suits modern, open-stair architectural designs where visual lightness is the goal.

Types of Terrazzo Stairs

Straight Stairs

A straight stair connects the ground-level floor to an upper-level floor in a single linear run with no change of direction. They are the simplest configuration to design, engineer, and install, making them the most cost-effective terrazzo stair solution.

• Suited for: Schools, hospitals, office buildings, any space where efficiency are priorities
• When the vertical rise exceeds 12 feet, building codes typically require a central landing, a flat platform that breaks the run into two flights
• TERRAZZCO fabricates precast landings to match the terrazzo mix design of the treads for a continuous, seamless appearance.

Quarter Turn Stairs

Quarter-turn stairs change direction at a 90-degree angle, typically at a landing, allowing a staircase to wrap a corner.  They are more spatially efficient than straight stairs in buildings where the floor plan requires a directional shift between floors.

• Common placement: corners of lobbies, corridors, and multi-story institutional buildings
• The 90-degree landing introduces a visual break that adds architectural interest
• Both the landing and stair tread are fabricated in matching terrazzo for a cohesive system.

Half Turn Stairs

Half-turn stairs reverse direction by 180 degrees, connecting two flights of stairs separated by a landing. They are a hallmark of formal, grand interior staircases and are more common in courthouses, universities, and civic buildings.

• The 180-degree turn creates a natural focal point in the space, making the staircase itself an architectural feature

Winder Stairs

Winder stairs make a directional change, typically 90 degrees, using triangular or pie-shaped treads instead of a landing. The winder tread’s tapered geometry allows the staircase to turn within a tighter footprint than a quarter turn with a full landing.

• Best for: space-constrained floor plans where a full landing is not feasible
• Winder treads are more complex to fabricate as each tread has a unique geometry; no two winder treads are the same size.
• TERRAZZCO’s precast shop produces shop drawings for every winder configuration before production begins, verifying fit and compliance before manufacturing.

Curved Stairs

Curved stairs follow a continuous arc that never completes a full circle. The arc angle varies by design. Some curved stairs are gently sweeping, while others are nearly semicircular. Curved stairs are used in grand entrances, hotel lobbies, and high-end commercial spaces where the staircase is the primary visual statement of the interior.

• Curved terrazzo treads are custom-fabricated to follow the natural arc of the staircase
• Compatible with flat tread, self-supporting, and tread & riser profiles
• Curved terrazzo stairs deliver a visual impact that is difficult to replicate in tile, stone, & carpet.

Spiral Stairs

Spiral stairs rotate 360 degrees around a central structural pole. Each tread radiates from the center column, creating a compact helical staircase.

• Smallest footprint of all stair configurations, suited for secondary access, mezzanines, and feature staircases in tighter spaces.
• Every tread has a unique geometry requiring precise custom fabrication.

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.