Some clients have asked me to design houses for them with the master bedroom on the ground floor, presuming that when they grow old, they can avoid using the stairs. But how old is old? What I have noticed is that those who have gotten used to climbing up and down the stairs are healthier; living proof of this are my parents who are well into their 80’s and still navigate those steps several times daily. This is probably because of the forced workout they have to do each day walking up and down stairs that actually keeps them healthy. Of course this is only beneficial if the stairs are properly designed and built to avoid accidents. To this end, here are a few practical tips.
Avoid straight flights from one floor to the next. It is better to have landings midway between floors, especially for longer or steeper stairs. Ideally, straight flights must not exceed 10 steps but if they do, a landing must be provided. The landings must be wide enough for at least one person to sit or stand and rest.
Use non-slip materials. Wood is an excellent material for stairs. For exterior applications exposed to the elements, non-skid tiles or textured stone would provide the necessary traction.
Steps must be flat and not sloping. Each step must be level and wide enough to accommodate the whole foot. The ideal step width is between 30 to 35 cm. Even the nosing on the edges must be installed with care because any protrusion or unevenness is potentially dangerous.
Risers must not be too high. The ideal rise is around 15 to 18 centimeters per step, consistent over the whole flight of stairs to ensure a comfortable ascent.
The use of railings is a must and these must be easy to hold. The hand hold must be easy to grasp.
Sometimes a narrower width of stairway is safer than wide ones because you can grab the railings on both sides. However, the stairway must be wide enough for at least two people to pass each other.
There are other factors that you may want to look into regarding stair safety. Any door must be at least a few feet away from the stairs, enough for these to swing fully without hitting people along the stairway.
Particularly if your stairs are made of wood, avoid placing and storing flammable items underneath. Often the stairs are still your best emergency exit and you would want it to be a safe place to be in case of fire.
Some homeowners might think that because of a limited space they have to contend with steeply sloping stairs. Instead, they must ask their architects for a better solution to address their safety and comfort; after all, there are always several options in making it safer and more comfortable, such as converting the landing into additional steps or putting in a spiral staircase. In fact, spiral staircases are safer than you may suppose, as long as these are properly designed and constructed.
However you regard your stairs, whether as merely a way to get from one floor to the other or as the focal point of your building, the safety and comfort of its use must always be a prime consideration. In fact, with the best design in place, your stairs can work for you in more ways than ordinary: as a decorative feature, as an extra storage or resting spot, or even as an exercise tool! So, here’s to stairs to your health!
No comments:
Post a Comment