Standard geometry
Open two sides
Both stringers exposed; balustrade on both sides for maximum visibility.
- Both stringers visible from below
- Balustrade and newels on both sides
- Common in foyers and great rooms
- Showcase configuration
- Est. 198739 yrs
- Family-Owned
- Veteran-Owned
- 4.8★ Verified
- Lehigh Valley
Definition
What is a open two sides stair?
An open-two-sides stair has both stringers exposed and a full balustrade with newels on each side, so the run is visible from the foyer or great room on both faces. It is a showcase configuration that maximizes the staircase as an architectural feature.
Built & reviewed by Snyder Stairs · Whitehall, PA · Est. 1987 · Updated June 2026
How it compares
How does a turn-style stair save space?
The trade-off across the turning configurations is footprint versus comfort. A landing is easiest to walk; a winder is the most compact. Here is where each one sits.
| Configuration | Turns on | Footprint | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| L-shape | Flat square landing | Largest of the turns | Comfort, code rest point |
| Winder | Pie-shaped treads | Most compact | Tight footprints, basements |
| Switch-back | Mid-landing, 180° | Stacked / vertical | Apartments, stair towers |
| Curved | Custom-radius arc | Open sweep | Formal foyers, statement |
Open two sides FAQs
Common questions about open two sides.
Q: When is an open-two-sides stair worth the cost?
When the staircase sits in the middle of an open foyer or great room and is seen from both sides. You're finishing two stringers and two full balustrades, so it's the most expensive of the box-family layouts — but it's the configuration that turns the stair into the room's centerpiece.
Q: Can both sides use different baluster patterns?
Yes, though we usually keep them matched for symmetry. Mixing patterns side to side only reads well when the foyer geometry treats each side as a distinct space.
Browse every profile we carry.
Two full product catalogs — wood and iron. Flip through the whole line, mark what you like, and bring it to your first call.
Ready when you are
Custom stairs and railings, built in Whitehall.
Custom stairs and railings, built by a family of Pennsylvania craftsmen for nearly forty years. We'll give you a realistic budget on the first call — not a teaser, not a pressure-close. Get in touch, or send a few photos.
Budget on the first call · (610) 443-2240 · Whitehall, PA
