Phuh... is it comfortable to step up and down? Cant imagine that? But looks interesting.

 

I would say it's a nice build but definetly a safety hazard and not up to code.If his insurance company saw that they would cancel him in a heartbeat.If the city saw that they would cancel residencies
What's the purpose of it?

 

Oh, I'm pretty sure it probably would not pass an inspection. The purpose is to reduce the run distance. As for ease of use, the primary difference is that on a regular stairway, your feet are typically closer together to your body's center point, but on this type, they are spread a little wider apart so you feel a little bit like you are waddling. It's a staircase up to a storage loft so it is not intended for common use. But he lives way out in the woods, I doubt any inspector will ever set foot near his place. As for safety, hey, life is risky. If you don't pay attention to what you're doing, you will get hurt.

 

Disagree w/ the commenters.
Been an Architect for 38 years, and yes it's a code issue, but at the same time the codes are overdone.
It works, is safe as used (for a loft).
If you're feeble, don't go up it.
No worse than a ladder on bookcases, in fact safer.

 

I couldn't agree more. I've thought to build one but we here are not at liberty to do with our own homes as we see fit. It's called loss of liberty. We are also told how much water to wash with and flush our toilets with.

To the OP. Very nice work and great application. Thanks for sharing. But watch out for the nay sayers and the code junkys.

Al

 

I bet after a couple flights up and down, a person gets the hang of it.

They don't have a fence around the Grand Canyon, or oceans, people need to LOOK where they walk/step.

Dale in Indy

 

I have never seen any steps like that, which isn't saying much, but I think they are COOL!!!

 

no need for hysteria...

As with most subjects, you must start off on the "right" foot to go further along..... on a ladder it doesn't matter.
I would still feel safer facing into the steps coming down than out into the room, but I'm a lousy judge I've never tried one. I have seen the concept many times before and it does serve it's purpose.

 

Never seen 'captains steps' before, very cool. Thanks for sharing, I like them codes be darned.

Thats one heck of a rise though. Whats the height on the treads?

 

The height from tread to tread is 7 1/2", pretty standard. Remember, you're going from the step on the right to the step on the left.

 

I've seen that called a "Jefferson Staircase" with the implication that TJ invented it.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

I have a buddy that has these in his house. You get used to them after once or twice up and down them. They save a lot of space.

Nice work.

 

Kids WOULD be the first to feel comfortable using, and I personally wouldn't have a problem.

I would guess people that plant both feet on the same tread, before moving to the next, might feel uncomfortable, maybe.

I like,

Dale in Indy

 

One of the virtues of custom work is that it is intended to please the customer, not everyone in the world. And he IS very happy with it. However, I don't think I would care much for one in my own house. Mainly, I posted this because I thought it was interesting.

 

I found it interesting, thanks for posting, to each their own, if the customer is happy you have done your job.:icon_smile:

 

I think it's pretty cool. We actually have one at work made out of metal. I like wood better.

 

These steps look intriguing and make a good conversation piece. That said, I would not want them in a house that I owned or had any legal control over. They would be a lawsuit waiting to happen.

With my arthritis problems I could not go up and down them.

George

 

Thanks for the post, I think it`s great except ( and I hate to say it `cause it`s a small thing) that the three bolts at the bottom kinda stick out. There`s all this wood around, then there they are.... But really, 99 out of a 100 for me....

 

I couldn't agree more. I've thought to build one but we here are not at liberty to do with our own homes as we see fit. It's called loss of liberty. We are also told how much water to wash with and flush our toilets with. To the OP. Very nice work and great application. Thanks for sharing. But watch out for the nay sayers and the code junkys. Al

'Merica....

We can build em in Canada

 

In my northern home we can too. But I have my doubts many places in Canada also have and use a building code.

Al