How Are Witches’ Stairs Defined? Unraveling The Unconventional Home Design Decision

Unveiling Alternate Tread Stairs

An intriguing architectural element known colloquially as alternate tread stairs garnered attention on social media platforms like TikTok a few years back, igniting curiosity due to its unconventional structure. Despite its evocative nickname, the backstory of these stairs contradicts superstition, demonstrating their practicality and aesthetic appeal.

Dispelling Misconceptions: Tracing Origins

Contrary to common misconceptions, alternate tread stairs aren’t steeped in superstition. Rather, they serve a pragmatic function, particularly in dwellings with spatial constraints, commonly found in lofts, attics, and petite residences. Architects often term them as ‘alternate tread stairs,’ devised to optimize space while facilitating vertical movement.

Functional Ingenuity: Space Optimization

Alternate tread stairs boast slender steps arranged in a staggered manner to economize on space, ensuring utility without compromising safety. Furthermore, they can double as storage zones for books or ornamental pieces. Adhering to building regulations and safety protocols, residential variants typically measure between 27 to 30 inches in width, narrower compared to conventional staircases.

Origins Unveiled: Innovation with Purpose

In 1985, entrepreneur J.M. Lapeyre patented a metallic rendition of alternate tread stairs, initially conceived as a safer substitute for ladders in industrial and warehouse environments. This design, also known as ship stairs or alternate tread stairs, found utility across various sectors beyond residential applications.

Dispelling Legends: Facts Over Fiction

Despite urban folklore associating alternate tread stairs with 17th-century New England and the Salem witch trials, historical evidence contradicts these narratives. While the true genesis remains somewhat obscure, there’s no substantiated link indicating these stairs were devised to ward off witches.

Celebrating Distinctive Design

Though the exact origins of alternate tread stairs may remain elusive, their unique design contributes charm and practicality to contemporary spaces. Whether embraced as an eccentric decor choice or recognized as a pragmatic innovation, alternate tread stairs continue to intrigue and captivate.