dutch staircase

[Jacob]

Dutch stairs can be steep!
Something like this below would fit my next project (utility back staircase).
I guess the details take care of themselves once you get the geometry on the drawing board, but I thought I'd post here in case anybody has any useful hints or knows of particular problems.

 

[Rhossydd]

knows of particular problems.

Failure to comply with building regulations comes straight to mind.

 

[Jacob]

knows of particular problems.

Failure to comply with building regulations comes straight to mind.

Arguably as this would be access to a basement not a habitable space, then building regs don't apply, but I'll check it.

 

[Chrispy]

You better build in a trap door in your basement, for the emergency services to get you out strapped to a stretcher after you've slipped down that lot on your back?

 

[bugbear]

Perhaps a visit to a windmill or two? They have a requirment to fit stairs
into narrow spaces, although I think the commonest
solution is a ladder.

A quick google gives:

http://www.spaceclearing.com/blog/2013/ ... -so-steep/

BugBear

 

[Jacob]

You better build in a trap door in your basement, for the emergency services to get you out strapped to a stretcher after you've slipped down that lot on your back?

Lotsa Dutch houses have them this steep. Not a prob as far as I know, but can induce a touch of vertigo on first exposure!
Maybe it's the clogs - you slide down them but keep your balance like snowboarding.
The risings are smaller than UK regs. Are there Dutch regs or codes of practice?

 

[RobinBHM]

Paddle stairs?

With alternating treads, they work at very steep pitches. I'd attach an image, but am still a complete dunce on this tablet!

 

[billybuntus]

Surely it would work out better to double up the steps. You'd have twice the height and depth which would make it awkward to climb but at least your not going to die trying to climb up or down them?

 

[Jacob]

Going up is the easier bit. Can this cow get back down safely? Maybe it's a trap - some cultures you can't kill to eat but if it's died of natural causes (falling down stairs :roll: ) you can get stuck in.

 

[doctor Bob]

Be careful .......... I think this is a cunning plan to get some poor unsuspecting woodworker locked in Jacobs cellar where he will do unspeakable things to you for hours on end, day in day out


............ like demonstrating the curved bevel or worse still explaining the the merits of hand sharpening over a honing guide ...... I pity the poor fella who falls for his trap.

 

[paultnl]

I used to live in The Netherlands and can confirm that these type of stairs are very common due to the old tax laws that charged by the width of a house so everyone built narrow and high. Dutch people have no problems with them but they frightened the life out of this Englishman.

 

[Cheshirechappie]

Fireman's pole, instead?

 

[Alex H]

They are similar here in very old houses, but I think I'd definitely do without the carpet - far too easy to slip on it

 

[gmgmgm]

Have you tried the online Stairbox designer, to see if alternating treads would fit the space? (And they can then build them for you).

 

[Jacob]

Have you tried the online Stairbox designer, to see if alternating treads would fit the space? (And they can then build them for you).

I'll be doing them myself (I'm a woodworker).
The geometry is no problem - I just wondered if there was anything particular I need to know about structure/detailing etc. Perhaps not, as nobody has offered anything so far!

 

[Jacob]

Fireman's pole, instead?

Yebbut how do you get back up them?

 

[dunbarhamlin]

Given many Dutchmen speak better English than us natives, might be worth hunting down a Dutch WW forum?

 

[NickWelford]

Build without risers. At least going up your feet can fit in ok!

 

[Cheshirechappie]

Fireman's pole, instead?

Yebbut how do you get back up them?

Mm. Fair point. Fireman's pole and rope ladder?

More seriously, 'Modern Practical Stairbuilding and Handrailing' by George Ellis is pretty comprehensive. Available through Amazon, but Abebooks have some cheaper secondhand copies.

For something like this, I don't think you can beat setting it out on a scale drawing - as large a scale as you can manage. Given that the 'site' is easily accessible in this case, there's no problem getting dimensions. The discipline in committing it to paper very often reveals the unexpected problems - if they can solved on a scale drawing, they can usually be avoided when you start to cut wood. The drawing can then be used as a basis to set out rods, which can then be directly checked on site before starting construction.

 

[Jacob]

...
For something like this, I don't think you can beat setting it out on a scale drawing - as large a scale as you can manage. Given that the 'site' is easily accessible in this case, there's no problem getting dimensions. The discipline in committing it to paper very often reveals the unexpected problems - if they can solved on a scale drawing, they can usually be avoided when you start to cut wood. The drawing can then be used as a basis to set out rods, which can then be directly checked on site before starting construction.

I think that applies to almost everything in the way of woodwork, though you can often cut straight to the rod if you know what you are doing.