Porcelain step landing detail, Gloucester
Steps are where a patio is judged. Every tread here was set individually off a string line, with equal risers, a consistent going and a small nose overhang so rainwater drips clear rather than staining the riser below.
Key facts
- Town
- Gloucester
- Year
- 2025
- Surface
- Porcelain treads on blockwork risers
- Detail
- Equal risers with overhanging tread nosings
Why must every riser be the same height?
People climb steps by feel, not by sight. A riser that differs by more than a few millimetres from its neighbours is the one that trips someone, so the flight is set out from total rise divided by the number of steps, not built up as it goes.
What is the nose overhang for?
A tread projecting slightly past its riser throws water clear and casts a shadow line that makes the step edge easy to read in poor light.
- Equal rise across the flight
- Consistent going on every tread
- Slight fall on each tread to shed water
Are the steps built off the same structure as the patio?
Yes. The risers are blockwork tied into the terrace structure, so the steps and the patio move together instead of opening a crack along the joint.
Photographs from this job
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Porcelain patio in progress
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Frequently asked
What riser height is comfortable outdoors?
Around 150mm with a generous going. Outdoor steps are shallower than indoor stairs because they are used in wet weather and with hands full.
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