Abo wrote:
Chris, curiosity compelled me to have a look at a US site for rise and run dimensions.
Where you are, they say the rise/run combination should only be 20 inches.
The rise and run on my back steps is only 17 inches, but having said that, my toes
always extend over the back of the step when going up them and I'm
only 5' 9"... hence I placed "no slip" on the very trailing edge of each step
after I recently painted that area with the "pale eucalypt" colour you see in my photo.
That part of the building was added (a "sun room") by the very short Maltese
family that owned the property before me... I guess that explains the smallish dimension of
17 inches.
Chris, curiosity compelled me to have a look at a ... (
show quote)
By that logic, Alan - then the steps of the houses for the pygmies in New Guinea - should be just 10" !!!!
I think that you should go with whatever combination makes you the most comfortable. As already stated - the old steps had too much rise, and I tripped, coming up them, more times than I care to count. After I asked the stonemason to re-do them, using a lower rise, their first design - was STILL too high, and I told them - so, they had to redo it, once again. In order to avoid a TOTAL rebuild, they compromised on the front-to-back depth, I think - as now, rather than trip, I tend to stub my toes, more. But, that's alright. They used a facing on the front of each step, which tends to make that depth even less. But, I think it's a total of 2" and along with the actual 1" LAYER of each step - you have a 3" total rise - which is quite a bit easier for me to handle, than the old steps, were. As we get older, we tend to not be able to raise our feet as high, as we move forward. A combination effect, brought about by many factors - age, diabetes, etc.
It cost quite a bit, to have them do that - but the expense was well worth it - not only are they easier to handle, and prettier to look at - but the old steps had weathered thru time, and there were enormous cracks and holes large enough to admit critters - so, it was done for practical aspects, as well. Bought the house in 1973 - so that's 47 years, I've been here, now. In 45 years, the weather did a number on them.
Also, had them do some work on the garage facing, and the sides of the front steps area, simultaneously.
They also created a wall at the top of the steps, above the ramp, to prevent the land in the back from crumbling down onto the pathway leading to the back door and porch. That was quite an eyesore, too!!!
Thanks for your comments, Alan ... and that clever sketch, you did - explains a lot!!!!