What to Consider When Choosing Stair Treads?

The size of stair treads should accommodate an adult's stride and depth, varying in different application environments and related to their functional use.

Step sizes include both height and depth, with the ratio of height to depth determining the stair slope. By lowering the step height or increasing the depth at the same angle, the stair length can be extended, and conversely, the stair length can be reduced. To ensure a comfortable climbing experience, the step values can be controlled within a reasonable range.

Proven by practice, a comfortable tread is achieved by increasing the depth of the tread and reducing the height of the step. Therefore, when designing stair steps, it is advisable to decrease the slope of the stairs. For tread plates of the same slope, the one with a smaller height is preferable, as it is more effort-saving during walking than a step with both greater height and depth. However, the depth should not be too small, and should be no less than 245 millimeters. 245 millimeters is an appropriate depth.

Foot pressure should be centered around the arch of the foot, or can be applied to the heel as well, with the majority of the weight distributed on the tread. Therefore, the depth of the stair treads should not be less than 245 millimeters and not exceed 300 millimeters. The height of the steps should be no less than 155 millimeters and no more than 200 millimeters.

On each step of the same stairway, maintain consistency in the height and depth of the tread. This ensures a uniform pace when ascending and descending, avoiding any discomfort for the user.

Stairs should be designed based on the number of people using them to ensure smooth traffic flow. The width of one-way stairs is generally designed to be 600mm or more, while for two-way stairs, it should be 1200mm or more. For areas with high foot traffic, the width should be increased to over 2400mm to prevent overcrowding. When the stair width exceeds 1.2 meters, consider adding a handrail at the end nearest to the wall.

Step plates are designed to be installed on staircases of various slopes, with a range of height and width specifications to match.