It's only 2 steps to get down to pool from existing brick patio. Trying to get pool as close to house as possible to get away from trees in the back of property. It's only a matter of inches, but what's least depth to be adequate. I have size 15 foot. Initially had the concrete steps being 24" deep. Now considering more like 18" ish.
How deep to make steps to pool??
- Thread starter Wadeod
- Start date
- Jun 7, 2017
- 9,998
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
The height of the tread is what matters. Depth of 18" or more is fine in fact that is a lot. Mine are maybe 10".
I think it's Per code. Here in Florida it's 12" treads or less?. Anymore may require rail. When they shot mine I thought 12" tread was too steep once in water the buoyancy helped tremendously.
This is for outside steps, not in pool. As I read more it sounds like 11" is the norm. Thanks for the help
7 inch Riser with 11 inch Tread is standard. Initially PB had tread at 24 inches, now we are thinking 14" is enough
- Jan 4, 2016
- 5,392
- Pool Size
- 44000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
7" rise and 11" tread are indoor stairs where space is constrained. That combo tends to look steep outdoors, especially in a leisure area.
The formula in inches is to make "tread width(") plus 2 times riser height(") equal to 26 or 27".
So if you need a 7" rise to make your stairs work, then it's 12" to 13" tread (13 + 2 X 7 = 27). If it's an option to reduce your rise to 6" then 14" or 15" tread will feel natural. This is the max rise I would go outdoors, but that's partly personal preference. 5" to 5.5" rise with 15-16" tread gives a more relaxed feel to stairs.
Your PB may be confusing stairs with stepping stone centers, where 23" is the magic number to match average step distance for people. If he's inexperienced with steps, keep a close eye on getting the rises all the same (within 3/8" max error). Otherwise steps become a tripping hazard. This sometimes happens when the thickness and effect of finish stone at the top or the finish paving at the bottom of the stairs is not properly calculated.
The formula in inches is to make "tread width(") plus 2 times riser height(") equal to 26 or 27".
So if you need a 7" rise to make your stairs work, then it's 12" to 13" tread (13 + 2 X 7 = 27). If it's an option to reduce your rise to 6" then 14" or 15" tread will feel natural. This is the max rise I would go outdoors, but that's partly personal preference. 5" to 5.5" rise with 15-16" tread gives a more relaxed feel to stairs.
Your PB may be confusing stairs with stepping stone centers, where 23" is the magic number to match average step distance for people. If he's inexperienced with steps, keep a close eye on getting the rises all the same (within 3/8" max error). Otherwise steps become a tripping hazard. This sometimes happens when the thickness and effect of finish stone at the top or the finish paving at the bottom of the stairs is not properly calculated.