Build Steps Safe to Use

Properly designed steps are safe and comfortable to use. If you must pull your foot back or reach p out to make contact with the step bel low, or if you have the sensation of pitching forward as you go down a flight of steps, the proportion of treads to risers is wrong and the steps are a safety hazard.

Build steps of stone, cinder block, concrete, brick or wood, but make them safe and comfortable by following the proportion of riser to tread as indicated.

Riser Height	Tread Depth
4 inches	23 inches
4-1/2	20-1/2
5	18
5-1/2	16
6	14
6-1/2	12- 1/2
7 inches	11 inches
7-1/2	10
8	9
8-1/2	8-1/2
9	8
9-1/2	7-1/2

On steep grades the risers will have to be near the maximum height, although rarely on outdoor steps should they exceed 7 inches. On gentle grades the risers will need to be lower and, therefore, the treads deeper as shown.

Nosings make steps look attractive but they do not add any useful width t0 the treads. Disregard their width in measuring the depth of your treads. For safety, nosings should not be more than 2 inches wide and a 11/2 -inch nosing actually looks best.

Steps narrower than 30 inches cause a feeling of uncertainty in the user. Pitch treads slightly to the front so water drains off them quickly.

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