I’m curious how this compares to eras before this formula was normalized and if this is universal or more so just a matter of keeping things the same so people get used to them.
I know of a few cases in religious buildings where stairs were designed to have a mystical effect. In Angkor Wat, for example, the stairs have a steep and tall tread pattern. Commoners weren’t used to them so they’d be exhausted, but the local monks were used to them so they could ascend and descend with ease.
New England. When I was looking at houses I went in a few of these as that’s basically a lot of the market here, and most of them had at least one set of stairs I found myself uncomfortable on. Mine aren’t too bad, just narrow and short, but I’m short so it doesn’t bother me really. The attic is the weird one because it’s this set of spiral wooden stairs that leads into a really nice, large, fully finished attic. It could absolutely be another useful space…except…the stairs start out in a bedroom closet.
Same here. My stairs seemed to be an afterthought meant to squeeze in where it shouldn’t, built by someone who shouldn’t even been allowed to hold a hammer. I have size 13 feet, they hang several inches over the step when I use them. I’ve went down those stairs faster than intended a few times now. The basement stairs were even worse, but they’ve been replaced now.
Ya old houses can be… interesting to say the least lol! The last person that owned this place died on the living room floor about 4 feet where I’m sitting right now. Bonus is I got new flooring out of the deal.
I’m actually slightly surprised it wasn’t the stairs that finished him off.
I guess in China the number is smaller because the average people are smaller. Otherwise it is universal. It has been found out, not made up arbitrarily.
The “magical formula” for stairs.
If this rule isn’t followed when building stairs, then it feels uncomfortable and more accidents will actually happen there.
In easy terms, it says: 2x riser + tread = average step lenght, usually 63cm.
Oh man I hate it when stairs are not built to the proper ratio. It feels so weird.
I’m curious how this compares to eras before this formula was normalized and if this is universal or more so just a matter of keeping things the same so people get used to them.
I know of a few cases in religious buildings where stairs were designed to have a mystical effect. In Angkor Wat, for example, the stairs have a steep and tall tread pattern. Commoners weren’t used to them so they’d be exhausted, but the local monks were used to them so they could ascend and descend with ease.
Visit any old city in the UK (York and Edinburgh for example) and a lot of passages between streets have steps with uneven heights.
When you’re expecting it, its fine, you take extra care. But when its a modern building and they’ve fucked it up you really notice
How about the stairs leading up from a subway stop?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ap-22FjgoE4
My house is over 100 years old and all the damn stairs are different.
Yup. Can confirm from Canada. To be fair, they usually got them close to right here.
What part of the world? The house I grew up in is 110 years old and all the steps are even. Central Europe.
New England. When I was looking at houses I went in a few of these as that’s basically a lot of the market here, and most of them had at least one set of stairs I found myself uncomfortable on. Mine aren’t too bad, just narrow and short, but I’m short so it doesn’t bother me really. The attic is the weird one because it’s this set of spiral wooden stairs that leads into a really nice, large, fully finished attic. It could absolutely be another useful space…except…the stairs start out in a bedroom closet.
Yeah. The novelty probably wears off, but from here that sounds neat.
You have an effin secret lair and complain. Some people, I swear
Same here. My stairs seemed to be an afterthought meant to squeeze in where it shouldn’t, built by someone who shouldn’t even been allowed to hold a hammer. I have size 13 feet, they hang several inches over the step when I use them. I’ve went down those stairs faster than intended a few times now. The basement stairs were even worse, but they’ve been replaced now.
This is all so relatable lol… Oh well, have a spooky house with lots of quirks, so can’t really complain.
Ya old houses can be… interesting to say the least lol! The last person that owned this place died on the living room floor about 4 feet where I’m sitting right now. Bonus is I got new flooring out of the deal.
I’m actually slightly surprised it wasn’t the stairs that finished him off.
I guess in China the number is smaller because the average people are smaller. Otherwise it is universal. It has been found out, not made up arbitrarily.