Open tread stair w/ vent under top step. Wrong in Closing Step?

[Emmanuel Pagan]

I'm planning my first home project which encompasses replacing the carpetting on the open tread stairs and on the 2nd floor with matching laminate that is already installed on the first floor. My concern is that at the last step on the 2nd floor there is a heating/air vent below the last step. See my lame attempt at an illustration below ( | =wall, v=vent, __=step). If install a risers which will basically prevent the air from flowing through the step and force the air down, will I ultimately screw up the air circulation in a town home that already has issues with the 2nd floor being hotter than the 1st floor? On top of this the thermostat is about 4 feet down, and 3 feet to the left of that vent so I'm thinking the air forcing down will cause the furnace and air conditioner to turn off prematurely. Or am I being over concerned for no reason?

__ |v __ | __ | __ | __

Trying to really think this through since it isn't a cheap project.

Thanks,

-EMan

[HeyBub]

Planning, planning, planning. Good for you.

I'm sure you've already thought of:

1. No riser for the vent area
2. Extending the vent THRU the riser

[Doble P]

I'm planning my first home project which encompasses replacing the carpetting on the open tread stairs and on the 2nd floor with matching laminate that is already installed on the first floor. My concern is that at the last step on the 2nd floor there is a heating/air vent below the last step. See my lame attempt at an illustration below ( | =wall, v=vent, __=step). If install a risers which will basically prevent the air from flowing through the step and force the air down, will I ultimately screw up the air circulation in a town home that already has issues with the 2nd floor being hotter than the 1st floor? On top of this the thermostat is about 4 feet down, and 3 feet to the left of that vent so I'm thinking the air forcing down will cause the furnace and air conditioner to turn off prematurely. Or am I being over concerned for no reason?

__ |v __ | __ | __ | __

Trying to really think this through since it isn't a cheap project.

Thanks,

[mm]

I think you have something here. I"ve taken the liberty of adding a Y, and I call it "Nude Descending a Staircase".

My head is spinning.

[hrhofmann]

Put a grill in the riser to let the air out.