A zig zag staircase is one of the most visually distinctive staircase designs available today. Characterised by its alternating series of treads that create a striking visual rhythm, it brings a unique blend of dynamism and contemporary sophistication to any interior space. Where traditional staircases use strings, newel posts, and balusters to frame the flight, a zig zag design strips the structure back to its essential geometry — and the result is a staircase that commands attention precisely because of what has been removed.
The zig zag staircase — sometimes called a Z-shape or sawtooth staircase — transforms a functional element into a work of art through its distinctive pattern, which introduces a dynamic rhythm and creates a striking visual effect that enhances any space with contemporary sophistication. In structural terms, the stringer is cut above and below each tread, exposing the edges of the steps and creating the characteristic open, stepped profile that gives the design its name. The staircase is typically self-supporting — the folded structure of the stringer itself providing the rigidity needed to carry the load without additional posts or columns — and the treads cantilever cleanly from it, with nothing above or below to interrupt the line.
One of the most technically interesting aspects of a zig zag staircase is its self-supporting nature. Unlike conventional staircases, which rely on newel posts at the base and top of the flight to carry the structural load of the balustrade, a zig zag staircase derives its strength from the geometry of the folded stringer itself. The continuous zigzag form — alternating between the horizontal plane of each tread and the vertical plane of each riser — creates a rigid, triangulated structure that is inherently stable. This means the flight can stand free of newels and supporting posts, giving the staircase its characteristic clean, uncluttered profile from every angle.
The zig zag staircase is a design for spaces where every line matters. With no balustrade in the conventional sense — typically just a slim wall-mounted handrail running parallel to the flight, as our photograph shows — the staircase is reduced to its purest form: a sequence of treads rising in a precise diagonal, each step defined by the sharp angle of the folded stringer beneath it. The open design allows light to filter through the gaps between treads, creating interesting shadow patterns that add a dynamic element to the overall effect. It is a staircase that looks as considered at night, with artificial light, as it does in natural daylight.
Scale technical drawing of our Elliptical Curved Half-Turn Staircase, prepared by our design team ahead of manufacture.
As the architectural drawing for this staircase clearly shows, the plan of a zig zag staircase is elegantly straightforward — a single straight run of treads, each one identical in width, set within the narrowest possible footprint. There are no landings, no turns, no winder treads. The entire floor plan is defined by the width of the flight and the depth of each tread, making it one of the most space-efficient staircase configurations available for a straight-run layout. This simplicity of plan is both a practical advantage and a design principle — the zig zag staircase is a design that does one thing and does it with complete conviction.
The material specification of a zig zag staircase has a significant impact on the character of the finished piece. Solid timber treads — in oak, beech, walnut, or other hardwoods — bring warmth and natural texture to what is otherwise a very geometric design, softening the angularity of the stringer profile and grounding the staircase within the interior. The thickness and profile of the tread is also a key design variable: a deeper, more substantial tread reads as more architectural and considered, while a slimmer tread gives the flight a lighter, more refined appearance. Every element is chosen and specified as part of the bespoke design process.
The zig zag staircase is at its best in open-plan, light-filled interiors where it can be seen from multiple angles and appreciated as the sculptural object it is. In a space with generous ceiling height and a clean material palette — timber floors, plastered walls, minimal detailing — a zig zag staircase adds a layer of precision and intention that elevates the whole interior. It is equally at home in a contemporary new build, a high-specification apartment, or a sensitively modernised period property where a clean architectural contrast is the desired effect.
Every zig zag staircase we design and build is made entirely to your specification — the width of the flight, the rise and going of each tread, the thickness of the stringer, the species and finish of the timber, and the profile of the handrail are all resolved through a detailed design process tailored to your space. We manage every stage in-house, from initial survey through to manufacture and installation, and we work with homeowners, architects, and developers across the UK. Get in touch to discuss your project and find out what we can create for your home.
Every staircase we make can be completed with a bespoke continuous handrail — individually shaped to follow the exact geometry of the stair without a single break, comfortable in the hand and fully compliant with Part K of the Building Regulations. We also design and manufacture continuous handrails for existing staircases, so you are welcome to browse our completed handrail projects for inspiration.
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