Loft conversion staircase

littlevet1

Hello

We currently have two bedrooms and are are considering a loft conversion. We can create a reasonably sized (approx 3.5m2) third bedroom without creating a dormer window but only if we use an alternate tread staircase, like this:

http://www.stairplan.com/spacesaver.htm

The building control adviser has said that this staircase is acceptable. However both him and a couple of builders say that this staircase could put off potential purchasers, when we come to sell our property.

So my question is, would this be enough to put you off buying a house, if there was an alternate tread staircase going up into an extra bedroom in the loft? Obviously we have a normal staircase going from the ground floor to the first floor where the two original bedrooms and bathroom are.

Thanks for reading

phil24_7

These were common many years ago but most people now want 'normal' stairs.

I have a friend that use to have these up to his room and they were bloody steep. Not sure if it would put me off a house but it definitely wouldn't do anything to encourage a sale.

J_B

littlevet1 wrote: »

We currently have two bedrooms and are are considering a loft conversion. We can create a reasonably sized (approx 3.5m2) our property.

Do you really mean 3.5m2?
That's 1.88m x 1.88m
or do you mean 3.5mx3.5m?

McKneff

I think it would probably put me off to be honest

EssexExile

Those & spiral staircases are completely out for me.

Owain_Moneysaver

It would put me off, and it also makes it obvious the loft has been converted. A good extension should feel like it's part of the original house.

If you aren't putting up an en-suite as well you'll be climbing down the stairs in the middle of the night whenever you need a noctural tinkle. You'll also be climbing down them if there's a fire.

I would look at dormers. Apart from usable headroom I hate rooms with only slopey walls and velux style windows.

phoebe1989seb

EssexExile wrote: »

Those & spiral staircases are completely out for me.

This ^

We've previously ruled out houses with these types of staircase a) because we're not keen on the look and b) because we have large furniture, much of which cannot be dismantled

rach_k

Stairs like those wouldn't put me off a house, but only if I wasn't needing to count the room they led to as a proper bedroom. If you used those, I'd see your house as a 2 bedroom house with a playroom/storage in the attic. If I was wanting a 3 bedroom house, I'd not buy yours.

I don't think I'd mind a spiral staircase as much, as long as it was a nice one.

littlevet1

J_B wrote: »

Do you really mean 3.5m2?
That's 1.88m x 1.88m
or do you mean 3.5mx3.5m?

Sorry, yes I mean 3.5m X 3.5m making just over 12m2

Thank you for all the replies.

Gloomendoom

I have a staircase like that leading down to my cellar.

I think it is where the phrase "Setting off on the right foot" comes from.

Otherwise, you're stuffed!

Grenage

littlevet1 wrote: »

So my question is, would this be enough to put you off buying a house, if there was an alternate tread staircase going up into an extra bedroom in the loft? Obviously we have a normal staircase going from the ground floor to the first floor where the two original bedrooms and bathroom are.

We ruled out one house that was otherwise fine, because it had one of those as access - it might as well have been a ladder.