Space-saving staircases

onlyroz

Anybody got one for a loft conversion? I'm thinking of something like this:



And was wondering if they were a great innovation or a recipe for a broken ankle.

Owain_Moneysaver

I wouldn't have one with a half-landing, the risk of losing the rhythm and stepping out with the 'wrong' foot is too great.

kingdavid2012

I think that should be a recipe for two broken ankle.Trying to pull your leg.
If it were a recipe,the dental parts should be at one side.:cool:

fto

I have had one for eight years.My two sons,who use it to gain access to the attic,have never had accident.
I once carried a box & fell from the top......but that could happen on any stairs.

cyclonebri1

I wouldn't have 1, and I don't think many would.

Lets call it a last resort if not using 1 would scupper your project otherwise.

Vision of returning home from the pub and starting of on the wrong foot so to speak:A:A

greyteam1959

Do Building Regs actually allow stair treads like that ???
Look bl**dy dangerous to me !!

onlyroz

Thanks for the input - we're considering all options and are now looking at spiral staircases. To fit in the staircase we'll need to split our smallest bedroom in two - and the aim is for the staircase part to take up as little room as possible so that the remaining room is still big enough to take a bed. We also have to make sure that the opening into the loft is big enough to allow us to take furniture etc up there. Either that or provide an access hatch somewhere else...

cyclonebri1

Having done this in a 3 bed semi, the best option is to sacrifice the 3rd small bedroom. In our case it was only 6 ft x 7ft .
We were able to free up a space that could easily house 2 additional much larger bedrooms with an onsuite each.

Plus we had a lovely and safe 2 landing staircase with loads of wall and display space, plus storage under the stairs :T:T:T:T

onlyroz

Well our 3rd small bedroom is still pretty big. It's an L shape and is 11'9'' on the longest side. The width is 6'7'' on the shortest side and 9'6'' on the longest side. I think even if we had to fit in a full staircase there would still be enough room left over for a box-room with a single bed in.

cyclonebri1

If you have that option I would forget all about spacesavers and spirals. :beer:

bob_the_builder2012

The regulations that govern the use of spiral and alternating treads is called approved document k, and is free to download from the government websites. I use buildingnotice.co.uk and regs tab to get to them all it easier.
The rules state that the regs prefer a normal stair at 42 degrees with normal 220mm stair goings (step), as there are so many accidents on stairs. But spiral and alternating treads are allowed where a normal fight is not possible. Look at the document k mentioned above and from memory it is paragraph 1.19 you need.
Take your scheme to the local council building regs department and ask the duty officer for his input, approval before you place any order as you Will need to make a regs application for these works.
Wish you all the best.
Bob.