Expert: Ted Barnhill (Principal, Design45 LLC) - 2/1/2010

Question
Our home was built in approx. 1950. The stairs are crazy steep. The tread on them is approx. 6in. I have size 5 1/2 feet and I have to walk down with my feet angled to the side. Our boys rooms are the only rooms upstairs. They are little right now but are growing fast and have slipped and fell down on their bums more than once, so has the old friend. It is bright with a secure railing for safety. How can I reduce the steepness? Is the only way to bump out the side of the house the lower the angle of the staircase? Is a spiral staircase a good solution, or does that just create a whole new set of problems? I'm thinking a reno is the only solution.
Thanks

Answer
Lynn,
The type of steep stair you describe was commonly used for attic access in homes of your era.  In many cases, such as yours, the stairs were not improved at the time of finishing the attic.  

Six inches is far too short for safe use, especially with kids.  Unfortunately, stairs (when built to code) take up a lot of space, and it isn't typically a simple matter to fit a full stairway into an existing home.  One possibility, if you don't have additional space but want a more functional stair, is to rebuild your stairs in the existing location, as an "alternating tread" stair.  This style of stair would allow for 12" treads, and while still steep, would be easier for most folks to use.  This type of stair is a simple idea but difficult to describe - do a search for alternating tread stair to see some images.  The drawback of this device is that it will typically not be considered code-legal, and as a result there may be limitations on the uses of your second level.

A spiral stair is often requested by clients, but is often less space-saving than hoped (when used as an interior stair), and uncomfortable for many users.  A full stair is your best option for safety, but will require careful design to minimize impacts on other spaces.  I'd recommend that you consult a local designer or architect for design help specific to your home; this will be a great investment if you do go forward with renovation work.

Ted Barnhill
Design 45 LLC