Now that building codes have limited the depth of the narrow end of a winder tread to 6 inches, the use of a single winder actually adds 2 inches to the overall length of the stair so there is little reason to increase the complexity and reduce the safety of a stairway by adding a single winder. As far as I can tell, the only layout advantage of a single winder compared to a conventional square landing (under 2009 IRC rules) is that it adds 6 inches to one end of the stair and subtracts 4 inches from the other end which might help a bit if the floor plan were tight on one level but not on the other. As far as headroom is concerned, the winder doesn't help at all if there's a winder in the stair above and when there is not one above any small advantage it might provide is offset by the need to start the stair 6 inches sooner. Starting another 4 inches sooner would allow the use of a square landing with even more headroom. In short, under modern codes, it would be a very rare stair layout that would benefit from a single winder tread.

Ken, I think that you are totally misunderstanding my point of view. First of all, I never got the impression that Cube's dad owned his house fee and clear. She said that he said, Âbut the house and car insurance snuck up on meÂ. I took that to mean house payment, although, it could have meant homeowner's insurance, or real estate taxes. I don't know. But I assumed that he did not own the house free and clear. Also, I could care less about the inheritance. I don't care if I inheret a dime from my relatives, and I guess that I make the presumption that others don't care either. My concern is what is best for Cube and her dad. Sure, she could continue to supplement his income, and write IOUs, but that really is not what's best, because Cube is planning for a layoff, and the money simply will not be there for her to give to her dad. You can't give what you don't have. The RM is a possible alternative, but I don't think it's best for Cube's dad, mainly because, as you said, he may have another 20 years of living to do. That RM is gonna come due eventually. Or, he will tap it out, and then, how will he pay for his living expenses? As stated above, my opinion was not based on the fact that the RM would prevent Cube from obtaining an inheritance. My point was, the best way for Cube to help her dad out of this situation, which she feels a moral obligation to do, is to help him to not spend more than he earns. I'm sorry that you feel that that would be "treating him like a child." But, I disagree. My grandfather does not feel like he is treated like a child. My mother does not insist that he hand his money over for safe keeping. He willingly gives it to her and asks her to hold it (because he is well aware that he is not good with money,) so that if his cars breaks down and cannot be fixed, he can purchase a new one. And, I'm not talking about huge sums. Currently, my Mom is holding $3000 for my grandpa, and that is his entire net worth. In the case of my family, this is not an inheritance issue, it's a looking out for one another issue. No one has $3000 to give to grandpa, but my mom can help him be prepared in case an emergency pops up and he needs money. Perhaps the term "allowance" makes you think of a child. But many adults put themselves on an allowance. It's just the amount of money that they have to spend each week (or month) after they have met all other financial obligations. Call it something else if you like. And, I never called anyone "money stupid." I don't like the term "stupid." But, I would not equate someone who is not good with money with someone who has different money priorites either. Someone who has different money priorities is not necessarily someone who cannot meet all of their financial obligations. Do you see the distinction? I think Anita's last paragraph is a very good suggestion, IF it's even possible for Cube's dad to downsize.

I know the stubbornest you talking about, dealing with that often myself LOL... as the old saying goes " you can't stop an old dog from barking" As there railing goes, the height for a graspable handrail should be anywhere from 34-38". Here is pretty much everything related to handrail code. R311.7.8 Handrails. Handrails shall be provided on not less than one side of each continuous run of treads or flight with four or more risers. R311.7.8.1 Height. Handrail height, measured vertically from the sloped plane adjoining the tread nosing, or finish surface of ramp slope, shall be not less than 34 inches (864 mm) and not more than 38 inches (965 mm). R311.7.8.2 Continuity. Handrails for stairways shall be continuous for the full length of the flight, from a point directly above the top riser of the flight to a point directly above the lowest riser of the flight. Handrail ends shall be returned or shall terminate in newel posts or safety terminals. Handrails adjacent to a wall shall have a space of not less than 11/2 inches (38 mm) between the wall and the handrails. Exceptions: 1. Handrails shall be permitted to be interrupted by a newel post at the turn. R311.7.8.3 Grip-size. Required handrails shall be of one of the following types or provide equivalent graspability. 1. Type I. Handrails with a circular cross section shall have an outside diameter of not less than 11/4 inches (32 mm) and not greater than 2 inches (51 mm). If the handrail is not circular, it shall have a perimeter dimension of not less than 4 inches (102 mm) and not greater than 61/4 inches (160 mm) with a cross section of dimension of not more than 2-1/4 inches (57 mm). Edges shall have a radius of not less than 0.01 inch (0.25 mm). 2. Type II. Handrails with a perimeter greater than 6-1/4 inches (160 mm) shall have a graspable finger recess area on both sides of the profile. The finger recess shall begin within a distance of 3/4 inch (19 mm) measured vertically from the tallest portion of the profile and achieve a depth of not less than 5/16 inch (8 mm) within 7/8 inch (22 mm) below the widest portion of the profile. This required depth shall continue for not less than 3/8 inch (10 mm) to a level that is not less than 13/4 inches (45 mm) below the tallest portion of the profile. The width of the handrail above the recess shall be not less than 11/4 inches (32 mm) and not more than 23/4 inches (70 mm). Edges shall have a radius of not less than 0.01 inch (0.25 mm). Good luck

Thank you for all the input. I am not an electrician (obviously) but I am an engineer so I understand the basic science behind it but not the practical code requirements. My kitchen includes 3 sections: 1. The refrigerator side (6 feet) which is now totally filled with a fridge/freezer combo served by 2 independent 20A circuits. There used to be 3 outlets boxes (different circuit) which are now converted to junction boxes. 2. The rangetop side (10.5 feet) which includes oven, microwave, rangtop, and vent hood all served by independent circuits. The 28" of countertop on both sides of the rangetop is served by one 20A circuit starting with a GFCI/AFCI outlet connected to 2 undercounter power strips. 3. The island (9 x 4.5 feet) includes a sink with undercounter garbage disposal, hot water dispenser, and dishwasher. I plan to support the dishwasher with one 15A GFCI/AFCI outlet on a dedicated circuit and the garbage disposal + hot water dispenser on one dedicated 20A GFCI/AFCI outlet. The garbage disposal outlet will be connected to a switch on the end of the island. The island will have 4 outlets near the countertop served by one 20A circuit. I plan to reroute the 20A circuit from the refrigerator junction boxes to a GCFI/AFCI outlet on the island end, connect the load side to two outlets opposite the sink, then connect to another outlet on the far end of the island, then on to 3 outlets in the dinette area. Concerns: 1. Do they make a GFCI/AFCI that can be wired 1/2 hot to a switch? 2. The code calls for two 20A circuits to kitchen countertops. Am I going to run into issues leaving the two 28" countertop outlets on one circuit when I eliminate the refrigerator side countertop and reroute that circuite to the island? 3. What am I missing?