Converting multi-family buildings into single-family homes or townhouses often requires "reworking" a stairway to make the new floor plan convenient and useable. In many cases this can be as simple as breaking through the wall between the stairway to a second floor unit and the entry hall to the first floor unit. Sometimes there is enough space in this situation to create a generous entry foyer. Other times, even with the wall removed, the entryway can feel cramped. A
professional architect or designer can help you consider your particular situation and formulate a workable solution.
Click here or on the image below to open a downloadable pdf file of this detail. A similar procedure may be used to remove the stair wall and put in a wood railing instead of the half-wall.
If you have to rebuild a stairway, the new stair may be required to meet current building codes. Download the following reference files for more information on how a stairway is constructed.
