A Guide To Loft Stairs
Without a doubt adding the loft stairs is the most important element, in both an aesthetic and practical sense, of your new conversion. Getting the loft stairs and access right will have a massive bearing on the success of your conversion but the building regulations throw up a number of things that you will need to consider when planning your staircase to the loft.Adding a new floor or story to a home requires a permanent staircase. In a very few instances a fixed ladder can be used but the vast majority of loft conversions will need a staircase. In any event, it is highly unlikely that you would even consider a loft ladder. | New service - Get A FREE Loft Conversion Quote From Up To Five Local Contractors - No Matter Where You Are |
The usual solution is a traditional staircase. Installing this style of access is usually straight-forward though the building regulations stipulate that there should be a clear 2m of headroom though 1.8m can be acceptable.

There isn’t any standard width though the staircase needs to wide enough to ensure safe passage in the case of emergency though you should really be looking at a minimum width of 600 - 800mm. A landing will probably need to be provided at both the top and bottom of the staircase.Another style of staircase often considered when converting the loft is a spiral design. They look good and seem to save space but often use up more than a traditional staircase. And, actually using a spiral stair can often pose problems – especially when moving furniture! Location Deciding on exactly where to locate the stairs is a major part of the planning process and may have to involve some kind of trade-off on your original ideas, as it is unlikely there will be enough room on the second-floor landing to install a flight of loft stairs. In most houses there is little space for a second staircase as bedrooms and bathrooms take up all the available second-floor area. Because of this it may be necessary to sacrifice a second-floor room to locate the new staircase and make a bigger, or even two rooms, in the loft. The actual loft stairs themselves will either be built on site or, and a far more economical way, is to choose one of the many models of pre-manufactured staircases.
One thing to consider when planning your loft stairs is ‘what will you do with the space underneath?’
The area under the actual staircase should not be wasted and could have many uses. Additional storage or small work station for example. You are converting your loft to increase space so there is no point in allowing any ‘dead’ space so make sure you include the area under the stairs in your planning.
As for the loft stairs themselves there are several alternatives.
For a look at each staircase option click one of the links below:
Traditional Staircase
Spiral Staircase
Ladder or Alternate Tread Staircase
Whichever access solution you decide upon do take your time. Getting the staircase right is a fundamental aspect of your loft conversion and is probably the biggest decision you will have to make. Related Articles
Stairs For Loft Conversions
Making a loft staircase
A City Loft Conversion
Loft Conversion Access
Quick guide to the building regulations
Loft conversion guide
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