How do I build a new set of steps & open a 2 foot space between steps?

Chrissy
by Chrissy
My house was built in the 90's as most stairs built @ that time stairs were not built open. Stairs were built between 2 walls & straight. The house has a finished Attic as well as a finished Basement, so there are 3 sets of steps all on top of each other. The walking tread or step its self is 10 inches & risers are 9inches including the stairs tread sitting on top of the riser. This makes for steap steps that u don't get a good footing on. In turn tripping even when your walking up. I want to make the stairs tread a 12inch stair tread & the riser no more than 71/2 inches including the stairs tread sitting on the riser. I've also got more than ample space to turn the top & bottom few stairs to make them in a U shape. I'd like to have a 2 foot space between the steps & the walking landings with post & pickets for an allusion of an open foyer from the top floor to the basement. How do i build these & install them.
  8 answers
  • William William on Jan 19, 2017

    This is a big job to tackle! Some of what you want to do may involve some structural work with space limitations (walls, ceilings). I would consult a contractor and see if what you want to do can be done. You don't have to have hire him do the work, just advice, unless there is some structural work. You can also consult the building department in your village hall for advice. The stairs are steep. I don't know how the builder got away with it. The dimensions you want are close to the basic stair rule...... http://stairs4u.com/articles/17_12_inch_stair_rule.htm

  • Chrissy Chrissy on Jan 20, 2017

    Thank you very much!

  • Kathy Bitzan Kathy Bitzan on Jan 21, 2017

    What exactly are you trying to accomplish? These are two different stair wells. I would call a contractor or maybe two, just to get a couple ideas.

  • Mar12004966 Mar12004966 on Jan 23, 2017

    Before calling contractor consider: can you afford to lose extra floor space needed minimum 2ft, each floor. the landing top and bottom needs to be the width of your stair square. therefore if treads are 30 inches wide the landing needs to be 30x30inches minimum. You may require to put a turn in stairs if not enough space which will take up said 30 inch square plus the extra 2 ft each floor. There is another type of stair with offset treads which although costs a lot to make and install will take up less room, though will make your property less suitable for older people. I will try to post an image of it.

  • Candiegirl Candiegirl on Jan 23, 2017

    Post pics when your done....

  • Charly Charly on Jan 24, 2017

    Just to throw an idea out there. What if you nailed another board directly on top of each step. It would still be a 12 inch riser but the steps would each be taller.

    • CeeJay CeeJay on Jan 28, 2017

      This wouldn't help, the only change would be to the top and bottom steps. All other step measurements would stay the same.

      Correcting this issue sounds like a big job. It sounds like it could need a professional opinion.

  • Brian Rayl Brian Rayl on Jan 24, 2017

    The building code standard is maximum 7 3/4 inches on the risers. Who built and or inspected your home? Besides calling contractors, I would call your local building inspections department, someone needs to lose their license.

  • Charly Charly on Jan 29, 2017

    Well then.....it sounds like a huge undertaking both money wise and deconstruction and then construction to fix the problem. If it were my house I'd learn to live with it.