Lindsay / flickr
If you’ve spent time on TikTok, you may have heard of witches' stairs.
What Are Witches' Stairs?
Witches stairs have alternating treads that are spaced out in what looks like it’s a checkered formation.
Lindsay / flickr
Thestaircaseis designed to save space because it can be built steeper and narrower than a traditional one.
Most people gravitate to one side of a staircase when going up or down.
Where Do They Come From?
Witches stairs are also known as alternate-tread stairs.
Architects use them to save space in small homes and tiny homes.
The treads are only half as wide as traditional steps and staggering them saves space.
Sometimes one side of the stairway can become storage, a bookcase, or display space.
Metal versions, called Lapeyre Stairs, were developed and patented in1985 by entrepreneur J.M.
Lapeyre for use in place of ladders in commercial and warehouse parameters.
Witches' stairs in a residential setting can serve a purpose.
The design fits into very narrow spaces while also providing potential storage options.
Witches' stairs also offer easier access to lofts and mezzanine-jot down storage spaces.
Astandard staircaseis 3 feet wide.
A residential witches' staircase is typically between 27 to 30 inches wide though dimensions vary.
However, there may be special variances allowed in certain locales to build witches' stairs.
There are many discussions about who invented witches' stairs.
Thomas Jefferson was said to have developed the idea but there is no real proof.
Stairs in a tiny home hold storageand typically access a loft.
Alternating tread stairs were not built to ward off witches.Reuters.
Stair having alternative half treads.Google Patents.
Image 31.Library of Congress Archives.
Appendix Q Tiny Houses.International Residential Code.
