Lofty goals: How to get there

A Client recently came in with a picture of a space saving stairway. Apparently this is a relatively common design in Great Britain.

He asked me if it was something I could do. I said yes because I love the problem solving involved in trying new things. This project wasn't too difficult once we settled on an angle. The material is 1.25" thick knotty pine, and the treads are dadoed into the carriages.

The concept of the alternating treads is pretty interesting. Since your right and left legs would naturally fall on alternating steps, this staircase has an effective rise/run of 9.25"/9.5". I'm curious to see how well this works once it's installed.


This client had been using a fiberglass ladder to access his sleeping loft and he wanted something that didn't take up much room, but looked "cool". I'd say we accomplished that goal.