New staircase - hollow or solid inside?

[nancysh]

Hello! We are going to build a completely new outdoor staircase (from scratch), similar to the one in the picture. My husband has thoughts about making a "door" on one of the short sides, under the actual standing plate/platform, so you can go in there. He means that moisture, etc. might occur, and he simply finds it strange to just seal everything and leave it empty inside. He wants to be able to go there and "check the situation." My question is, can't you just fill the space with concrete? I understand that it might be a lot of concrete and therefore very costly, but can't you just fill it in, or does that risk damaging the façade in some way (moisture, etc.)? Perhaps above all a question of how "it's usually" done?

 

[nancysh]

No one?

 

[Immobil]

Let him install a door if he wants to. He can appropriately install a couple of vents while he's at it.
Filling with concrete = costs a fortune.
Filling with soil might work if you don't fill against the facade.

 

[nancysh]

Let him put in a door if he wants to. He might as well install a couple of vents while he’s at it.
Filling with concrete = costs a fortune.
Filling with soil can work if you don't fill against the façade.

Thanks for the answer! And a third option is to "just close it up" without filling it with anything, is that ruled out?

 

[Ulf123]

Thank you for the answer! And a third option is to "just close it off" without filling it with anything, is that ruled out?

Another aspect against filling the space is that the stairs then get a very large thermal mass, which can make the staircase very icy in the spring when the moist spring air settles on the steps and freezes to ice.