Ensure the steps in your house are not a hazard or a nuisance

In the last article we discussed some aspects of designing stairs for your new home. Designing stairs in your new home
​In this article I discuss stair design further.
When designing staircases or flights of steps it’s important to consider the following:

• The stairs must be well lit. Dark areas and shadows are dangerous and could lead to falls.
• The difference in elevation from the top floor to the lower floor.
• The regulations – which usually specify minimum widths, the height and depth of each step and the handrail requirements.
• Ideal dimensions are:
  • The width of the staircase should not be less than 900 millimetres (3 feet) (preferably wider – 1200 to 1500 millimetres (4 to 5 feet)).
  • The height of each step (riser) should be between 115 millimetres and 190 millimetres (4.5 to 7.5 inches).
  • The depth of each stair tread (going) should be between 240 mm and 350 mm (9.5 to 14 inches).
• The layout of the house. What’s the desired starting point for the stairs and the desired end point. You probably don’t want stairs ending inside a bedroom!
• Stair treads must be non-slip.
• Preferably the edge of the stair should be visibly different, so the demarcation between different stairs is clearly visible.
• There shouldn’t be any trip hazards at the top or bottom of the steps, so the finish on the stairs should merge seamlessly into the surrounding floor levels.
• The size of the risers (height of each step) must be a constant height - measured from finished top surface to finished top surface. The depth of each tread or step must be a constant size. To obtain the required number of steps divide the difference in elevation from the top to the lower floor (measuring from finished floor levels including the thickness of tiles, carpets, timber, etc) by a number between 115 mm and 190 mm (the desired range of step heights). Obviously the number of steps must be a whole number. Using the closest whole number of steps it’s then possible to work out the required height of each stair which must be in the range above (divide the nearest whole number of stairs into the height from bottom floor to top floor to get the height of each step). Regrettably many designers forget to take into account the thickness of the carpets, tiles or timber covering the steps and the lower and upper floors. Frequently we see evidence of this when the first step is shorter or higher than the other steps, or the top step is shorter or higher than the other steps. Not only is this unsightly but it can lead to people tripping and falling.
• They should have a handrail on at least one side.
• There should be a balustrade or wall to prevent anyone (especially small children) falling off the side of the stairs.
• Doors opening onto the stairs, or at the top of the stairs, shouldn’t open in such a way that the door could hit a person walking up or down the stairs, thus causing them to fall.
• It’s important when designing and constructing the stairs to know what the floor finish will be on the steps as well as on the lower and upper floors. If the stairs haven’t been designed to take account of these finished levels you could find that the bottom and top stair heights are different to the rest of the step heights.
• Your budget. Curved staircases are usually more expensive, as are some floor finishes, materials and balustrades.
• The finish to the stairs should be reasonably tough and hard wearing as stairs usually take more traffic than the rest of the floors and you also don’t want the edges of the stairs to become chipped and bashed.

Landings (which are flat areas part way up the flight of stairs) allow space for stairs to turn sharp corners and also provide a rest break for people walking up the stairs.

It’s important to remember that stairs are often the only way to move furniture up and down to other levels. Stairs that are narrow, steep, or that have sharp corners can make moving furniture difficult.
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Staircases should be designed by an engineer when they are only supported at the bottom and the top.

Well designed stairs will add value to your new home

It's important to get the design, position and construction of the steps in your house right. Poorly designed or constructed steps can be a hazard, a nuisance, and even detract from your home. While steps positioned in the right place, designed well and built correctly can add value to your new home.

Want to learn more about designing, renovating and building houses

​This article is adapted from information in the book 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Part 2: Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home' by Paul Netscher.
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Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.
© 2020 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.