When you have a mobile home, you typically expect to have stairs and steps leading up to each entrance. “Stairs” and “steps” are often used interchangeably, but stairs encompass the entire unit, while steps make up the individual pieces. If you are repairing, remodeling, or replacing the steps on the exterior of your house, here are some helpful mobile home stair requirements that you need to know.
Materials
One of the first choices homeowners need to make when making any adjustments to their stairways is what material works best for them. Some of the most common material options are wood, fiberglass, metal, or concrete. Wood is cost-effective, easy to work with, and customizable but may require more long-term maintenance. Fiberglass is lightweight, weather-resistant, long-lasting, and has a natural surface for reducing slipperiness in rain and snow.
Metal is easy to put together and install, but many homeowners choose not to use metal as a long-term solution because it tends to rust over time. Concrete is one of the longest-lasting materials but is known for being pricier. You may also need to check that concrete stairs remain level and do not sink into your foundation.
Banisters and Handrails
When we go down a set of stairs, many of us instinctively hold onto the banister or handrail without thinking about its height, angle, or positioning. However, these guards are part of the mobile home stair requirements that you need to know. The banister is an angled piece of wood or metal that we can use to balance ourselves when walking up or down the stairs. The vertical pieces that rise from the stairs to keep the banister at an angled height are known as the balusters. Typically, banisters are a requirement for any set of stairs that extends beyond three risers.
General Regulations for Steps
When constructing stairs, it’s always a good idea to check your local laws for specific regulations and codes regarding outdoor steps. However, a few of the basic codes are good places to get started. We discussed how any stairs with four or more risers must have banisters. Handrails should be around 34 inches from the tread of the step and maintain an angle of about 36 degrees. Risers typically should not exceed 7¾ inches and must not have a difference of more than 3/8 inches between them, so measuring is an important step of the process. As always, consult your local laws for more detailed information on stairway codes for construction.
To learn more about mobile home steps and helpful ways you can improve the interior and exterior of your mobile home, Mobile Home Outfitters is here for you. With useful blogs for home projects and a wide range of replacement parts and pieces for your next renovation, we’ve got what you need. Contact us anytime with any questions, comments, or concerns.