Loft Stairs

Given the minimum width of 600 for a staircase, does this have to be the distance clear from one side to the inside of a handrail - or can the handrail be within the 600 ?

Click here to read or post comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Ask The Expert.

Loft conversion Doors

by JoanieC
(Birmingham, UK)

I understand that I have to have a door at the top of the staircase and that it can't be at the bottom.

The top of the staircase will lead to a landing space, two bedrooms and a bathroom. The staircase is completely enclosed.

Having said that, I have just read in a home improvement magazine that putting a fire door at the bottom of the staircase to the loft conversion can lead to more space in the loft area.

Can you clarify please whether I can have at the bottom of the stairs?

Also, whether or not the fire door goes at the top or the bottom of the stairs, do the doors to the newly created bedrooms and bathrooms need to be fire doors?

Thanks

Click here to read or post comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Ask The Expert.

Small Landing

by Michela
(London)

For a small landing what is the best solution for fitting stairs from the landing or another room, also the cheapest?

Also what is the average price to convert a loft?

Thanks

Click here to read or post comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Ask The Expert.

Suitable Wooden Sliding Loft Ladder

I have a floor to floor height of 3m, a trap opening at 990 x 620 and a trap depth of 380(ceiling to loft floor).

The trap opening can be reduced but not enlarged.

Virtually all online suppliers tell me that the depth presents problems.

Whether this is because most ladders actually attach to the trap door and thus the ladder would foul the joist I don't know.

Is there a sliding ladder available that is irrelevant of the opening size and which hinges down from the loft floor on a spring arrangement.

I used to have one in a previous house and the hinge/spring arrangement came already complete on a blockboard base and simply screwed down to the loft floor.

Grateful for your advice.

Many thanks

Roger Wills

Click here to post comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Ask The Expert.

Loft Ladder

by Eamon Fearon
(Liverpool)

I have a wooden ladder which folds into three sections.

I am finding a problem with the hinges folding in as I clinb.

Do I need to shorten one of the parts to make it more vertical?

Click here to read or post comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Ask The Expert.

loft conversion: titanium zinc panels; landing required on the staircase

by Juergen
(Cardiff)

We are planning a loft conversion and come stuck on a couple of issues:

1) Landing on the top of the stair case:

Is a landing required at the top of the stairs or is it possible to have a fire door (preferable sliding door) directly positioned a step deep from the top step?

This would save a lot of space.

2) Flat roof and dormer panels material:

Has anybody got experience with titanium zinc roofing dormer panels?

And if, how do I get an experienced fitter. It appears the use of zinc is limited in the UK.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Best Regards

Juergen.

Click here to read or post comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Ask The Expert.

Loft Staircase Headroom

by Graham Cowan
(Fife, Scotland)

Hi. Your website says that sometimes a headroom of 1.8m can be acceptable above the stair to a loft conversion.

My architect and Fife Council both say 2m is required.

Can you tell me in what circumstances 1.8m might be allowable? As you may have guessed, I can manage 1.8m and not 2.0m. Very frustrating.

Click here to read or post comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Ask The Expert.

Latest Articles

  1. What Is Vermiculite Loft Insulation?

    Vermiculite Loft Insulation is an echo-friendly alternative to traditional insulation materials

    Read More

  2. The Loft Water Tank Moving And Repositioning

    The old loft water tank will need to be moved if the roof space is being converted into a habitable room

    Read More

  3. Structural Calculations For Loft Conversions

    Structural calculations for loft conversions are of course hugely important to ensure safety and that the proposed plans meet building regulations

    Read More