AboutRichard Taylor, AIA Expertise Ask me about all aspects of house, remodeling. , and room addition design and construction. Ask me about historic homes, renovation, and restoration. Ask me about materials and techniques, and about how you can get the best value for your design and construction dollar. Ask me how you can make your home a very special place. I can't, however, answer specific structural engineering questions in this forum - that's something you'll need on-site observation for.
Experience I own a five-person residential architectural firm, and have been designing custom homes, remodelings, and room additions across the country since 1983. Check us out at Richard Taylor Architects and RTA Plans. I have written and been published extensively on the subject of residential architecture. .
Organizations American Institute of Architects, City of Dublin Architectural Review Board, Past Editor of SPLASH (a CAD program), Past Editor of Open Directory Project, Boy Scouts of America
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architecture) Miami University 1983
For more about home design, check out my blog at Richard Taylor Architects Looking for great Luxury Home House Plans? Try ours at RTA Plans.
Question QUESTION: We are in the middle of a renovation and are having issues regarding steps outside being built from the courtyard up to the deck. They are going to be brick. Is there a standard size height/width for steps? And should there be an overhang? Last but not least, if one step is off 1/2 inch from the others should we be concerned? After they are built we will then be installing a wrought iron handrail. Thank you
ANSWER: Melissa - thanks for your question!
Yes, building codes are very specific about the "rise and run" of stairs, interior and exterior. In the current national model building codes (there are 3) the shortest tread dimension (horizontal) allowed is 9"; the tallest riser dimension (vertical) allowed is 8 1/4". Some jurisdictions require longer treads and shorter risers - you'll have to check your local codes.
A one inch "nosing" (overhang) is required by some codes, not by others.
Typically, riser heights may not vary more than 3/8" in any single run of stairs. More than that and the stairs become a tripping hazard.
And there are also specific codes about handrail height, baluster spacing, handgrip size, etc...lots to think about!
Hope this helps!
Richard Taylor, AIA
www.rtastudio.com
www.rtaplans.com
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QUESTION: Richard - thanks - just one more question - how would I go about checking our local codes?
Answer Melissa - simplest way is to call the city (or county) goverment where you live and ask for the building department (sometimes called "building regulations" or something like that). Talk to a plans examiner - they'll be able to tell you what's required.
If your city or county has a web site it should list contact info for the building department.
