Stairs: Framing house Decisions

A HOMEOWNER'S GUIDE

Have you noticed that some stairs are easier to walk on than others? Improperly designed stairs can make your everyday life significantly more difficult.

Stairs are a very important feature in your house that often goes unnoticed. However, the importance of stairs should not be overlooked; we tend to think they simply come as part of the home.

Properly designed stairs that are comfortable and easy to walk on require careful consideration of details such as the stair shaft (staircase opening in the floor) dimensions, stair rise and run, headroom, stair location (indoors or outdoors), width and shape of the staircase, handrail height, etc. All these components must be considered during the framing stage of the home, to ensure that they meet required standards and guarantee the most comfortable floor-to-floor transition.

Key Considerations for Designing Stairs

1. Staircase Opening Dimensions in the Floor Plan

Often, homeowners prefer to shrink staircase opening dimensions to gain more room or floor space. I wouldn't recommend this. Shrinking the staircase opening will cause your stair steps to rise steeper, making the climb more difficult. We will discuss the perfect riser height below.

2. Staircase Dimensions: Rise and Run by the Ontario Building Code

The Ontario Building Code requires that all stairs meet specific requirements related to the rise, run, and width. Steps are required to be constructed with equal rise and run throughout each flight of stairs, measured from the ground at the bottom of the stairs to the top of an intermediate landing or the top of the deck. The top and bottom steps are usually the most problematic due to grading changes.

Here are the rise and run dimensions according to the Ontario building code:

3. Most Comfortable Rise and Run for Stairs

The Ontario Building Code requires that the rise for stairs must be no more than 7 7/8 inches (200mm), and the run for stairs cannot be less than 10 inches (255mm).

However, the most comfortable rise and run for stairs depend on the height of the person.

For individuals from 5'4'' to 6'4'', it can vary between 7 inches to 7 3/4 inches for the riser and 11 to 12 inches for the tread. (see the image below)

Based on building science research, the above-mentioned tread and rise dimensions are where it is less likely to get injured.

If you are also considering stairs for elderly people, you can go as low as 6 inches for the rise and 12 inches for the tread. This will be the easiest to climb.

4. Headroom for Staircase

Headroom is the height above the top of a tread to the ceiling above it. The Ontario Building Code requirement for the minimum headroom is 6 ft 5 in (1,950mm).

5. Width and Shape of the Staircase

By the Ontario Building Code, the minimum width of the stairs shall not be less than 34 inches, but we would definitely recommend 36 inches or more. As for the different shapes of the staircase, you have to play around with different options. The key is to keep the minimum rise, maximum tread, enough headroom, and ensure the whole staircase shaft takes up less space in the house. When you find the shape that meets all the criteria, this staircase is for you.

By paying attention to these details, you can ensure that your stairs are not only safe but also a comfort to use everyday. Remember, good stair design blends functionality with aesthetics, making every ascent and descent a smooth experience!