Stairs For Loft ConversionsGetting the initial measurements right is only half the battle if you are using pre-build stairs, more of which later, but there is another way of building loft stairs. And that is to have them custom built by a carpenter or joiner. Bespoke Designs Although building a flight of loft stairs isn’t easy a competent professional should have few problems and there are a number of advantages in having your loft stairs custom built.
An efficient and cost effective loft conversion relies on all the component parts being built and installed in time and in order. If the custom built staircase is delayed then work on converting the loft will grind to a halt. Pre-Built Loft Stairs It is perfectly possible to buy pre-built stairs for loft conversions and these units can prove to be very cost effective. The important point when ordering these kind of loft stairs is to ensure that your measurements are exactly right. Another potential obstacle apart from getting your inches and centimetres mixed up is that because loft conversions are generally unique it is difficult to find a pre-built unit to slot straight into place. The loft stairs manufacturers will have systems in place to get around this but the process is a bit more involved than buying an off the peg suit. Headroom Prior to the loft stairs being fitted (typically against a wall to enter the roof space parallel to the ceiling joists) headroom becomes an important factor. Except in special circumstances the minimum headroom allowed by the building regulations is 2 meters. At the planning stage it is important to realise that the existing headroom could be reduced because insulation under the rafters or, in older houses, ceiling beams. In the worst case scenarios it is sometimes possible to incorporate a skylight at the head of the loft stairs to add extra headroom. Related Articles
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