Advice needed for stair design issues in new build
We are doing a new build and the stairs have recently been installed but are not what I requested. I asked for a half turn staircase with a flat mid landing which is what was drawn on the plans. The stairs installed have a step in the mid-landing.
The builder is saying the only way to put a flat mid-landing is to come out into the hallway. He says he needs an additional 400mm, the allowance for the stair and 10mm for each step to account for the pitch change. I don't really get why they need the extra 10mm for each step. There is about 250mm-300mm of distance that they could use at the bottom which would not impact on the hallway significantly but the extra 100mm would not work as the hall is already more narrow, and further narrowed because I asked for a door in the hallway to seperate the front of the house from back living space. The front will be used for business purposes and needs to be separated.
I have a 4 and 3 year old and a baby due in 4 weeks. The stairs need to be as safe as possible for them. That is why I wanted the relief from the flat landing. On top off all that the handrail installed is awful from an ergonomic perspective. No way a child could grip it.
I don't know what to do, it you can think of any way that the stair could be changed to allow for a flat mid landing and not impact on the hallway. Or should I just live with the step in the mid landing even though it's not what I requested. And should I ask them to change the handrail.
Photos for reference. The second 2 photos are at the bottom to show the distance available to play with. I don't have the actual stair design spec's but the builder says it's at the limit for compliance with the building code.
Comments (17)
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dreamer
5 years agoDawn park, I assume you mean a glass balustrade. In my opinion this would need constant cleaning, and there would be nothing to hang onto for little hands. Beck b has a 4, 3 year old and a new born on the way. Either a wooden balustrade with turned post, or powder coated aluminium. This balustrade could follow the stairs if the small wall in middle of stairs is angled.
Beck B thanked dreamerBeck B
5 years agolouiab
5 years agoI, too wanted a flat landing, especially with the garage door on the landing and this was the end result. With a 6 yo, 3yo and baby I was not impressed at the time. But to be honest none of the kids have ever fallen and I doubt ever used the hand rail. The baby learned to go down backwards on his tummy which terrified me at the time! I did have a stair gate for the first 6 mths or so. Good luck
Beck B thanked louiabBeck B
5 years agodreamer
5 years agoI am interested about the nib wall concept. If you had balustrade coming down at the same angle of stairs, this would naturally give something for little hands to hold. As I have posted before, the step in landing will be fine. What are you installing at the top landing, another wall or balustrade?
dreamer
5 years agoSampson Wong
3 years ago
Kate
3 years ago
dreamer