Tripping Into A Step-down Living Room

The Forest

I'm trying to figure out a solution to an "invisible" top step.

A client is having issues tripping while entering his step down (two steps flanked by columns) living room. He just moved into the house and has already fallen twice. Had the floors redone when he purchased it, so replacing the treads with a different/border wood or stain to catch the eye isn't going to happen.

I suggested a decorative painter customize the top step (as well to catch the eye), and that might be one way we go.

He's interested in me routing a series of shallow coves so he has a "feeler" as he frequently walks in the dark. I think that it would look funky and if he's wearing shoes it wouldn't do squat.

Still, to follow up on his request I'm trying to figure out something that would satisfy his need for a tactile warning... perhaps a brass strip of some sort or a (for lack of better words) *rumble strip that would be decorative. It's a nice home in the $1 million range.

Anyone deal with this before? Any suggestions would be great.

If not, thanks for taking the time, anyway.

KHouse75

I wouldn't do anything. He'll get used to the stepdown.

If he still want you to do something, some type of home automation should work well. You could install sendors that detect when he breaks the beam near the stepdown that sound a chime or alarm of some type to warn him. You could have it slightly illuminate the lights when he enters the adjacent room or breaks the beams.

K2

I agree that he would get used to it. But for guests etc something hanging from overhead like a couple of decorations or a couple of lights might signal a change in elevation. Just an idea..

Floordude

Give him a dog shock collar and an invisible fence.

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jamestrd

Lower the archway so he hits his head instead of tripping.

nEighter

If need be maybe a "texture" added to some clear acrylic paint.. that way when he gets to a certain area near the steps he knows the steps are there. The texture added to the clear acrylic will be "hidden" for the most part, and give traction if the area gets wet :shrug:

genecarp

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jmic

Automated gates similar to those found at RR crossings, so he has to stop, push a button for them to raise and then proceed.

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Burby

hahaha, I like that one & would indeed teach him quick...

If he walks a lot in the dark, put some low voltage/watt lights in the risers, would look nice just to wash the trads with a bit of light and would surely help him seeing his way.
That is to funny though, but I guess not if him.. I think I would take another path when walking at ight or I have a really great idea, turn on the light maybe??

In no time he will get used to this, but low lighting would be a nice feature for guest & him while learning his way.

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mrghm

route in some bars of aluiunium strip 1/8 thick have it standing up 1/8. its done in commerical all the time for stair nosings

Jerry T

I think that's the best approach.

Bud Cline

Hang signs everywhere saying:

YOU ARE AN IDIOT
AND FOR IDIOTS WE CAN DO NOTHING.
NO ONE CAN FIX STUPID

This whole thread is a joke - RIGHT?

K2

Tripping on step downs/step ups kill people.

I've read that a 3/4 inch change in a rise in the middle of a flight of stairs will trip 6 out of 10 that havn't walked those steps before. The tripper will think nothing of it.

Bud, I have great memories of Hastings. Nice place,nice people.

astor

just plug some christmas lights along the risers since they are on sale now! but i agree lowering archway works fine and for sure

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Bud Cline

Agreed!
If you know the Hastings area then you know we are always the last ones to know about anything. The last ones to see the latest trends and the last ones to feel a recession. Hastings, Grand Island, Kearney, even North Platte are still going strong and in fact still begging for qualified tradesmen, especially electricians. Omaha got a kick in the ass and major developers have gone down there but Lincoln is also going strong for now. Maybe you should consider a return for a while.

Spent Christmas in the Springs at Ft. Carson and did some of the usual touristy stuff. Garden of the Gods, Cripple Creek, Pikes Peak, Manitou Springs, always love it. Even went to Joe's Crab Shack and devoured three buckets of crab legs. Great trip but good to be home looking forward to Estes in the spring.

astor

good to know at least somewhere trades are in demand!

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Bud Cline

Same goes for Wyoming. Wyoming is in a boom. Casper, Gillette, Sheridan, all doing well. Stay away from Cheyenne.

The Forest

thanks for the replys: some in good humor, and some just good.

I've got a decorative painter scheduled this week, and I'll broach possible aluminum strips (thanks) at the same time.

The guy's not an idiot at all... a race car driver, actually -- and his wife is a great client of my wife... so I'll try and accomodate.

Thanks all!

A W Smith

http://www.latham-australia.com/illuminated.html


or

http://www.latham-australia.com/luminescent.html

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silvertree

Love it

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