Comments for Loft Staircase Headroom

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Headroom
by: Stuart

Hi Graham,

You havent said whether or not your loft is already converted or it is just going through the building regulations approval stage?

If it is going through approvals then just ask your architect to draw in a velux window over the stairs as this will provide you with at least another 120-150mm head height.

When you rise up the stairs your head will actually rise within the confines of the window.

It's a cheeky way of gaining additional height but totally legitimate. This is because a velux window actually sits onto the outside / top of the rafters

We have done this many times on jobs where head height has been tight. Just make sure that whoever installs the window does it correctly with 45 degree angled reveals and not the 'easy way-out' 90degree which may be painful on your head if you were to catch the edge of a reveal on it.

Hope this helps.

Kind regards,

Stuart - High Room Loft Conversions Ltd
Answer from our expert
by: Martin Holmes

Hello Graham,

Headroom for stairs is anything from 1.8 to 2.0 Meters. The way this is worked is as follows. The stair width is say 800mm the middle of these is 400mm, at the middle point there has to be from 1.95 to 2.0 meters, this is to allow for a good head height and also makes moving furniture easier.

Now stair cases in different properties do not have straight headrooms, straight as in regards to head height at all points of the 800mm we have just covered. There may be a slight slope at one or both of the edges that is 1.8 or 1.85 meters.

This is allowed at the edge of the stairs but not in the middle the middle must be from 1.95 to 2.0 meters minimum.

This also will depend on the Building Control Officer in charge at your home. He may allow a slightly lower height but not too low.

I know this sounds a little vague but there is no straight forward explanation to this. I do help this will help you though.

Martin Holmes.
Builders GB - London.

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