clonestocker
Active member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2018
- Messages
- 41
Is there a code that specifies how high the step going into our attic (exterior door) is? How high would you make the step?
thx
matt
thx
matt
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Step Height @ 2nd Floor Door
- Thread starter clonestocker
- Start date
7 inches is usually considered comfortable, 8 is usually max. Egdege- an outside stair
to an attic frees up a lot of interior space, Here the advise is always go bigger, so interior
space is valuable. That said I went with interior stairs for security and winter access.
to an attic frees up a lot of interior space, Here the advise is always go bigger, so interior
space is valuable. That said I went with interior stairs for security and winter access.
CraigStu
Well-known member
I suspect there is a code for that but don't know for sure. I do know there is code for interior steps.
pmiranda
Well-known member
Total rise from ground? I know there's a limit on how far you can go up before adding a landing to rest.
7 inches is usually considered comfortable, 8 is usually max. Egdege- an outside stair
to an attic frees up a lot of interior space, Here the advise is always go bigger, so interior
space is valuable. That said I went with interior stairs for security and winter access.
I'm suburban CA born and bred, house with garages. Definitely uncommon to have an attic space over a garage accessed from outside.
But, when there are living quarters above a garage, it is very common for there to be steps outside. Guess that evidences my mental-block.
In my city, they want a 3' landing every 12 steps. I put 24 steps with 12" of tread and 8" of rise up my back hill, with a 3' landing in the middle. I'm going to double-nickle this summer. The older I get the more I appreciate the 3' landing. I can't imagine 24 steps straight down now. It would be like living in a stadium.
The max step height is 8" but they tried to talk me into 7 when I put stairs on grade up my back hill. I try to have a full 12" tread if I going with an 8" rise.
That said: Rise and Run can be limited because of the height above grade vs. the space available for the stairs to lay. Don't forget the possibility of a winder stair, especially turning into a bottom landing as a way to allow longer treads in too short of a space:
https://inspectapedia.com/Stairs/Stair_Winders.php
I googled 'winder stair' and was very intrigued by the slanted staircase as way to clear an obstacle in the path of the stairs. Don't recall seeing something like that!
Last edited: