There’s a lot of terminologies when it comes to stairs. One of the most common pieces of vocabulary you will come across is “rise.” So, what does rise mean regarding stairways?
Rise refers to the height of your stairs. That’s why you call a single stair a riser. The total rise is the height of the stair starting from the bottom floor to the topmost stair.
We will get into what you should expect from the rise in your stairs in the following sections.
What is a Good Rise for Stairs?
Knowing that rise comprises the height of a single stair or set of stairs, you might wonder what makes a good height. Below, we will start with a single stair.
A single stair, or riser, is typically no more than 7.5 inches. You might see some reach up to eight inches, but seven is a good start.
That’s because lifting your leg any higher than would require some effort. You might not think much of it, but someone who has movement limitations appreciates these stair limits.
For those who struggle the most with movement limitations, ramps are their option. But regardless, standardized heights ensure everyone can travel up and downstairs.
Considering the Total Rise of Stairs
When factoring in the total rise of stairs, you need to consider the other half: the run. Stair run refers to the length of your stairs, which averages at about nine inches.
Shorter runs are possible, but you might have to move up the stairs awkwardly. Again, these standardized heights are convenient for those who struggle to get up and downstairs.
The total rise of and run of these units will tell you the number of stair treads you need. Depending on your desired rise and run of individual steps, the tread count might change.
How Do I Know If I’m Making A Comfortable Stair?
First, ask yourself how long you plan on keeping those stairs? If you plan on keeping them for the long run, you might want to consider how the old version of you will clamber up.
Second, you might consider who is currently going to use those stairs. A longer run of ten inches per stair will be appreciated by any elders who might need access to the upper floors.
The same can be said about having a limited rise, which brings us to the last point: the budget. The more run and less height you have, the more material you need to make the stairs.
Typically speaking, budget is inversely proportional to convenience. For example, elevators are incredibly convenient, but you wouldn’t want to put one in your house because of how insanely expensive it would be.
Final Thoughts
Having a basic amount of knowledge of stair terminology will help you understand what a contractor is talking about. Typically, most of the math is handled by the person you are going to hire. Don’t be afraid to ask how they plan on accommodating older members of your family.
For more information on how stairs would work in your house, contact us at Stair Star for further details.