I’ve got two sheds connected end to end down a slope. Top shed is 20′ long and the bottom is about 8′. I’m building platforms to get to the lower shed. From the floor of the upper shed to the floor of the lower shed, there is a 24-3/4″ drop. The top platform is 42″ wide x 8′ long, the next step down is 6′ long and the next is 4′ long, and the bottom level is 9-1/2′ long. The rise between the platforms comes out to 8-1/4″ high, half an inch more than the recommended max of 7-3/4″ for stairs. Since these are not really stairs, does it work? If I do four steps, they are only 6″ high, a little shallow and tricky to build with 2 x 6 PT and 2 x 6 Western Red Cedar decking. I’ve attached my SketchUp drawing. Looking for opinions please.
Thank you!
Replies
In the northeastern states, code allows 8 1/4 in. risers. As a former NJ stairbuilder, I'd say that 90% of the stairs I built had 8 1/4 in. risers. You'll be fine.
If you are concerned with the high steps, you can pitch the platforms slightly to decrease the step height. A lot of construction folks advise 1/4” per foot of slope to drain water anyway. If you do this, you’ll probably be very close to your ideal step height.
Or if I’m reading correctly you have about 27’6” of platform distance between the two sheds? You can easily ramp between the two sheds. A typical ADA ramp is at 1/12 pitch, so 27’ of length gives you a rise of 27“. You could go less than 1/12 which will provide an easy walkable slope.
Thank you all for the replies. I checked code here in Oregon and max riser height is 8". I can easily make up the difference by sloping the 6' and 4' sections about 1/8" per foot of run to get to 7-3/4".
Didn't think of making it a ramp. I already have the top section installed, so no going back now.