What are the best loft stairs for a loft conversion?
This one is an off the shelf stairs called a Gamia Mini Plus Space Saver staircase. This is one that can be assembled yourself. It also looks quite cool so has a nice finish to it. One type of loft stairs we haven’t looked at yet is the spiral staircase. And we’ve got a beauty here. This loft conversion stairs has actually been made out of copper.
How much headroom do you need for a loft staircase?
However, when it comes to loft stairs, the rules are more relaxed, allowing for the fact that awkward sloping ceilings often need to be accommodated. Here the minimum headroom on the low-ceiling side can be as shallow as 1.8m rising to 1.9m in the centre of the staircase width and 2m on the inner side.
Are loft stairs bad for the floor below?
Loft stairs are one thing that need a bit of ingenuity when planning one. And it doesn’t matter if it’s just for a loft for storage or a loft conversion stairs. And this is because they can ruin the footprint of the floor below your loft.
Does a loft conversion add value to your home?
A loft conversion improves the available space in your home and increases your property’s value. However, carrying out a successful loft conversion project requires you to focus on a wide range of things, including staircase placement. Because stairs take a large amount of space, make sure you position them in a convenient place.
Do loft conversions need stairs?
One of the most important aspects of your loft conversion is something which isn't in your loft. Planning the access stairs is an essential early requirement of your loft conversion project. Your stairs have to be practical and economical with regard to space as well as looking good.
How much space do you need for a staircase to a loft?
This is a very common problem when ordering a new staircase, in most cases you need 2m headroom – some loft conversions will allow 1.9m clear headroom. You will need to make sure the ceiling can be cut away enough to allow for this.
How much does it cost to put stairs in the loft UK?
Loft conversion stairs cost A basic staircase will cost around £1,000 – £1,500. If you want custom-built stairs you'll be looking at £5,000 – £10,000. For a spiral staircase the average cost is around £2,500 – £9,500.
What order do you do a loft conversion?
What does a typical loft conversion schedule look like?Step 1: inspection of roof space. ... An architect or surveyor confirms suitability. ... Step 3: Plans are made. ... Step 4: the loft is cleared. ... Step 5: rewiring is assessed. ... Step 6: floor insulation. ... Step 7: floorboards are laid. ... Step 8: rafters reinforced.More items...•
How much is the average loft conversion UK?
A loft conversion typically costs between £21,000 to £44,000, but you could easily pay up to £63,000 if you want a particularly large extension. For a conversion including a roof light or Velux window, you can expect to pay between £20,000 to £49,000, with a time duration of between four to seven weeks.
Can I board my loft and use it as a bedroom?
But when it comes to being a bedroom, a converted loft room cannot be called a bedroom merely because it offers enough space to fit a bed in, or because one has been put in there: a loft needs to be converted for the purposes of being a sleeping area, and in accordance with building regulations, in order to be called a ...
How much space do you need to add a staircase?
Most staircases require a minimum of 30 square feet at the top and bottom, allowing 3 feet of width with a horizontal run of 10 feet. The required space increases with an increase in length, width, ceiling height, and turns. If you still have some questions about the footprint of a staircase, don't worry.
How much value will a loft conversion add?
around 20%Several studies have been conducted to answer the question “does a loft conversion add value?”. According to Nationwide, a loft conversion incorporating a double bedroom and bathroom can add around 20% to the value of a three-bedroom, one-bathroom house.
HOW LONG DOES A loft conversion take?
On average, loft conversions can be done in as little as 4 weeks or may take up to 8 weeks, with certain styles less complex than others. Here are the different loft conversion types, broken down by a rough time estimation: Roof light conversions – 4 weeks on average. Dormer conversions – 5 weeks on average.
Why is my loft conversion so cold?
Your problem is likely insulation. Current building regs requires a lot when converting a loft so modern lofts are great. Fixing your window and beefing up your insulation should make the room great and lower your energy bills. Really the loft room should be the warmest in your house as heat rises.
Are loft conversion worth the money?
How much value does a loft conversion add? Recent research carried out by the Nationwide Building Society has shown that by converting a loft space, your house value can increase by as much as 20%.
Do loft conversions need fire doors?
Yes, fire doors are essential in loft conversions. Building Regulations provide that when converting an existing roof space into a room, or rooms, the provisions for escape need to be considered. This often means that additional fire protection will be necessary in the existing parts of the house.
How much space do you need to install a staircase?
A staircase takes up a lot of room on both the lower and upper floors, requiring careful consideration of the location. Plan a typical staircase for a house with an 8-foot ceiling at 3 feet wide with between 9 and 10 feet of horizontal floor space.
What is the minimum space required for a staircase?
According to the Indian National Building Code, the minimum space for staircase in terms of width in a normal residential building should be 3 feet and 6 inches, minimum width of tread without nosing should be 10 inches and if nosing is required, it should be 10 ¼ inches.
How much space do you need to add a staircase?
Most staircases require a minimum of 30 square feet at the top and bottom, allowing 3 feet of width with a horizontal run of 10 feet. The required space increases with an increase in length, width, ceiling height, and turns. If you still have some questions about the footprint of a staircase, don't worry.
How much space do you need for top of stairs?
At any point on the staircase, a user should have a full 6 feet, 8 inches minimum vertical distance between the top of the stair tread and the bottom of the ceiling. Anyone walking up or down the stairs should have plenty of clear headroom without having to duck down.
How long is a paddle stair?
Made using alternating threads in a paddle’s shape, the paddle stair is generally about half the conventional staircase ’s length and saves more space. Although steeper than other stairs, they are perfectly safe.
What is bespoke stairs?
Custom-made according to your specifications and designs, bespoke stairs are sturdy and elegant, as they add a unique flair to your home. Obviously, they are more expensive, but you gain in style and endurance what you lose in cost.
Why are premade stairs so popular?
These stairs are attractive and durable, and economical because they are made by large manufacturers who use their economics of scale to keep the cost down.
Where Should Loft Conversion Stairs be Located?
In an ideal situation, your loft conversion stairs would be above the existing stairs as this is the most space efficient solution. "This is the best way to try and make the new stairs look like they have always been there too," says Emma Tucker from Simply Loft. "In short we want the loft stairs to just feel part of the original home."
How Much do Loft Conversion Stairs Cost?
When it comes to stairs, the cost will depend on the type of staircase you choose and the quality specified . You can expect to pay the following, depending on your choice.
What Can I Do if I Have Insufficient Headroom for my Loft Conversion Stairs?
The main challenge when designing loft conversion stairs is that there always seems to be an inconvenient roof slope just at the point where you want them to enter the loft.
What Fire Regulations Apply to Loft Conversion Stairs?
Whatever style your new loft stairs ultimately take, they will need to comply with fire safety regulations.
Why is Studio 8fold positioned?
Studio 8Fold positioned this staircase to maximise the flow of natural light throughout the house. Rooflights and clerestory windows have been positioned above to create a sun-soaked channel through the centre of the property (Image credit: Adam Firman)
How much headroom is needed for a loft?
Here the minimum headroom on the low-ceiling side can be as shallow as 1.8m rising to 1.9m in the centre of the staircase width and 2m on the inner side.
How long does it take for stairs to be protected from fire?
In most loft conversions, the stairs form part of the ‘escape corridor’ and need to have a minimum of 30 minutes protection from fire. This can normally be achieved if they are located within a fire-protected zone or by lining with fire-rated plasterboard with a skim plaster finish.
What is loft conversion stairs?
Loft conversion stairs: a complete guide to a successful design. The stairs of a loft conversion can be the key to a successful design. Here’s what you need to know. The position of the stairs can be the key to all great loft conversion ideas and designs. But they’re also vital in terms of safety, and must meet the rules laid down in ...
How much does it cost to put stairs in the loft?
If you’re working with a loft conversion company, the cost of the staircase will be part of the total price with a cost from around £25,000 for the most basic of conversions, and from around £35,000 for a dormer loft conversion.
How else could your design achieve the necessary headroom for the staircase?
How else could your design achieve the necessary headroom for the staircase? With the inclusion of a dormer window is the answer. This can permit sufficient headroom for the staircase while leaving the best of the loft space for the room you’re creating.
How much headroom is needed for a loft conversion?
When it comes to loft conversions, however, staircase headroom can be 1.8m to the side of a stair, and 1.9m in the centre.
Can a loft conversion staircase fit in another staircase?
There are space-saving loft conversion staircase designs, which can fit where another staircase won’t. These straight flights of stairs have alternate treads plus handrails for safety, and they’re really compact. However, not everyone finds using these types of stairs comfortable, which might rule them out in your home.
Can you put a loft conversion over a staircase?
Loft conversion stairs are frequently positioned over the existing stairs. This is convenient and space saving, and can often be the best solution. However, this may not work in your home and, if that’s the case, the loft staircase can be located away from the staircase below.
Do loft stairs have to have a fire door?
Headroom isn’t the only issue you need to be aware of, though. It’s important to know that loft stairs have to meet fire safety standards, and they must be fitted with a fire door. It can be located at the top on a small landing. However, in some designs the fire door should be at the bottom of the loft stairs. Your loft conversion company or architect can discuss the options with you.
What to consider when doing a loft conversion?
If you’re thinking about doing a loft conversion, you want to consider where your staircase will go. This is an important part of the conversion because it’s going to take up a pretty sizeable portion of space and it also has to adhere to regulations that ensure it’s safety. You want to be able to position it in the best place possible to make the most of the space you have without it compromising either the functionality or look of your home.
How much headroom do you need for a loft conversion?
Headroom – You must have two meters headroom at all points when walking up the staircase from the pitch line. However, you can have an 1800mm headroom at shoulder height where there’s a sloping roof. This is only applicable for loft conversions.
How much space do space saver stairs need?
Space saver stairs can only be used for loft conversions or single rooms. The rise should be no more than 220mm and the going no less than 220mm.
How far should a handrail be from pitch line?
Handrails & Balustrades – The top of the handrail needs to be between 900-1000mm from pitch line. The handrail must be provided at the sides of the stairs where there’s a drop of more than 600mm.
What is the pitch of a stair?
The individual going between 220mm and 300mm and the pitch of the stair no greater than 42 degrees.
Is it safe to put a staircase in a loft conversion?
It’s important to be aware of the regulations in place when it comes to placing a staircase for a loft conversion. All staircases have to adhere to these regulations, otherwise, they’re dangerous and could be flagged so by a building inspector. These are the following rules that must be met when it comes to a domestic staircase.
Is a loft conversion cheap?
There are different options to consider, and a loft conversion isn’t cheap, so you want to make sure you decide on the right spot before committing to the work needed.
Why are loft access stairs put directly above the current staircase?
In certain ways, this is because the stairs are not only the most convenient way to go but also the most efficient.
Where is the door on a loft conversion?
In Sussex , this loft conversion places the door at the foot of the stairs, and as this covers the opening of the landing on the floor below, it ensures that the room above opens up while you ascend the stairs. (A split-screen is the graphic, showing the views up and down the stairs.)
How to prevent bulky landing enclosure?
An alternate solution that can prevent the issue of a bulky landing enclosure dominating the space upstairs is to carry the staircase into the room. In this case, you’d see the bedroom door at the foot of the stairs instead. There is a need for a landing (you can not just place the door on the bottom step) and this can pose its own problems, but there can be tremendous advantages in terms of light and room in the loft.
Where is the dormer on a loft?
A conveniently placed dormer is only visible at the top left of the frame, behind the chimney, which allows the staircase to come up to the left. For the current master bedroom and en suite bathroom, this leaves the best of the renovated loft space.
What is the most important thing about a staircase?
To be both sculptural and functional. A staircase’s first and most significant condition is that it allows secure and reliable access from floor to floor. Stairs, though, exist in double-height spaces by definition and, as such, have the ability to construct stunning and sculptural characteristics within your house.
What is an alternate step stair?
The idea of this is that with each move when you walk on alternate feet, it is only appropriate to have a step when you go up on alternate sides.
Can you put stairs up to a loft?
People always believe that there is only only one place to position the stairs up to a loft, but there are a variety of creative options that might dramatically affect both your new loft floor and your current upper-floor plan in certain situations, and certainly with the help of the imagination of a good architect.
How much headroom is required for loft conversion?
Building Regulations require loft conversion stairs to land where there is 1.9 metres or more of headroom. This measurement is for the centre of the flight of stairs with a minimum 1.8 metres of headroom at the sides.
When creating a new floor and another staircase on the existing top floor, it is important to consider how it will effect?
When creating a new floor and another staircase on the existing top floor it is important to consider how it will effect the light to the existing landing. With careful planning and consideration a new loft conversion is in fact the best opportunity to create light in an existing dark landing.
Why is it important to have a staircase?
The most important requirement of a staircase is to provide safe and efficient access from floor to floor.
Do you need a landing on a loft?
A landing is usually necessary as you can’t just locate a door on the bottom or top step. This can however cause its own difficulties, but the benefit in terms of light and space in the loft can be enormous.
Do loft conversion stairs take up space?
As loft conversion stairs take up space on the floor below, the design of the existing first or top floor is a crucial factor in deciding where to locate your new staircase.
How many treads can you have between floors?
@Richard_ Is right, you only have 2.6M between floors so you can only rise 3 treads before hitting your head on the ceiling if you turn the stairs before the purlings or supporting wall to come up into an open area you will only have that 600mm under the stairs on the return landing from the flight below.
Can you put a dormer on a stairway?
It is easier if the conversion creates gable wall next to the stairs. An alternative is to put a dormer above the stair to give you headroom to run the new stair in the same layout as the one below but that'd add a lot of extra cost.
What are loft conversion stairs made of?
This loft conversion stairs has actually been made out of copper.
What is the advantage of pull down stairs?
The big advantage of pull down stairs is that they don’t impact the floor space below whereas a non pull down stairs most definitely will.
Why is timber placed on steel plates?
Timber is then place on the steel plates to give a nice finish.
Do you need to trim out an opening in the ceiling joists?
You will need to trim out an opening in the ceiling joists so you will need to check the structural stability of it.
Do loft stairs matter?
Loft stairs are one thing that need a bit of ingenuity when planning one. And it doesn’t matter if it’s just for a loft for storage or a loft conversion stairs. And this is because they can ruin the footprint of the floor below your loft. In this blog post we’re going to share with you what we consider to be 11 great options for you to consider.
