I’m building a screen porch that will be one step down from the existing 1st floor. The ceiling height is fixed because of the existence of an existing roof and I’m a little crunched. I can gain ceiling height by making the floor of the screen porch lower. Am I creating a hazard if I make the step 9″ instead of 8″? I realize that I’m only gaining an inch, but in this case, it could help a lot.
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If you have the horizontal room, you could make a single large step (say 12" wide, with two 4 or 5" rises).
My reading of the code is that the bottom step down to a porch is allowed to be less than the height of other risers, but not more. And risers can't be 9". (Different codes allow 7-8.25.) Now, does one step make a stairway? I'm looking, but can't find it.
One step makes a tripping hazzard at any height. I would add the suggestion of using a contrasting color of flooring at the transition to highlight it and I might even consider a ramp.
Of course, that's my "official" response. Tripping hazzards are everywhere. Most people learn to deal quite well with the ones they create in their own home. If it's subject to inspection I would ask the department who will make the ultimate decision. If this project is not subject to inspection I would set up a couple of test steps and see how a 9" transition feels to you. It would wear your legs out over a series of steps but it might be just fine for only one.
You will almost certainly want a convenient, easy to grasp hand hold nearby as well. Especially if there is any chance an elderly or feeble person will have to make "the climb" on occasion.Kevin Halliburton
"I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity." - I.M. Pei -
Chuck, I think you should make a mock up of the proposed step and somehow position it as if you were walking out a door. My feeling is a couple rises more in the 4-5" area with wide treads that are wide to the door are more comfortable and less likely to cause you to trip or fall going down. Alot of houses have one step down into the garage that's say 7-1/2" each rise and those feel steep with a hand on the door. For some reason they feel steeper than a run of treads up a stairway.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Chuck,
Are the ceiling beams also the rafters?
You definitely don't want a 9" step. It also wouldn't pass inspection if you were to get one and it's a problem for everyone. You should go with two 4-1/2" steps instead as DJMERC said.
I just had this problem on a remodel that I'm doing with the door going into the garage to a platform and three steps. What I did was cut away the garage ceiling beams out and headerd it offn and went all the way to the rafters with a new higher ceiling.
What is the height of your screen porch ceiling measuring from the top of your existing floor?
Joe Carola
As drawn, with one 8" step, the ceiling height will be 94". This isn't a huge problem except I'd like to put ceiling fans in the room. As a result the floor to ceiling clearance becomes crucial. After reading the feedback here, I now realize I'd have been nuts to do the 9" stair, cose or not. I would have spent half of every party picking up people who tripped!
Chuck,
If you can lower the floor to 9", what is stoping you from lowering it to say 14" and getting a two riser drop?View Image
There's a window about 12" down that would be partially covered if the deck of the screen porch were pushed down that far. I'm OK with having the window under the deck, but part of it showing won't look right. I guess I could do two 6" risers, but as a rule I don't like "short" stairs.
What is the feasibility of a ramp?Kevin Halliburton
"I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity." - I.M. Pei -
Chuck,
I'm 6'7" so I buy ceiling hugger fans for almost every application. This might be just what you need.
If you go with two steps, be sure the step heights, including finished flooring, are as near equal as you can make them. I 've read that even 1/8 th of an inch of difference will make for a trip hazard.
Joe makes a very good point about dropping the floor level, and I saw your comment about the window, but you might consider building, say a small window box / planter or some other built-in feature to hide the top of that window.
Good luck. Greg.
Edited 10/2/2003 12:31:19 PM ET by Greg Gibson