I would like to turn my attic into 2- 10x12 rooms and add a half bath. But I need to add a regular staircase?

Question

All I have now is a pull down attic door. Any suggestions on how to start this project, any and all ideas welcome.

Answer 1

Plan, Plan, Plan. Where do you want to put the new stairs? Will it disrupt the existing floorplan or access to or from the room it is in? Big step, you want to discuss with your family and friends as well-they may point out issues you won't see that are obvious to them. Down side of spiral stairs is the difficulty in getting anything up them of any size. If you put in regular stairs, you need to take that into consideration too, I have delivered appliances to houses upstairs where the turns make it almost impossible to get anything up.

Answer 2

Yes I do have a suggestion. When someone ask a question like this it tells me one thing you need a pro who knows what theye are doing!! You have to pull permits then will your entrance pannel handle the add. load on it with these new rooms . How are you going to run the pluming? Are there load bearing walls under the attic floor? And yes you do need a real staircase. You have to have a way to heat and cool these new rooms. This is not something just any one can do. If you do not know what you are doing you can kill yourself. Find someone who is qualified to to do a job of this size. Check them out befor hiring them. I am now retired from doing this kind of work trust me you do not sound like someone who can take on a job like this GET A PRO good luck You can contact me thru my email add.

Answer 3

There are software programs at Home Depot and Lowes that let you come up with pretty good architectural drawings of your home after you enter all the critical data......You have to see where you can add a staircase that is in a convenient spot. Jsut remember that in really old home there were often staircases in strange places. You can also opt for an entrance outside. All this is going to require good drawings and approval from the city. They won't have a problem with it but its important that the staircase meet code!

Answer 4

You may want to consider a pre-made Spiral staircase for space reasons. A regular staircase requires a certain amount of Risers to not be too steep and the Steps be big enough for foot placement. I think a Lumber Company like Lowe's or Home Depot can Explain this better and show you. They can Design it too according to where it will start, end and how high, and tell you how to measure for this.

Answer 5

Your best bet might be to add an exterior entrance via a flight of stairs. This will grant some privacy to who ever might be living up there as well as preventing having to tear up the inside of the house. It will also serve as a good fire exit. You could then seal the pull down door or leave it to allow entrance into the main house from the attic.

Answer 6

well this is the sucky part you have to get it aproved cuz if you do it then try to sell your house or whatever you will get fined out the butt for buliding with out a licence....a nice spiral stair case would work best for your space..............also you need to make sure you ahve a sewer acceptiable for anohter 2 bed and bath...if you have a 3 bed house and you have a 3 bedroom sewer then you cannot build with out redoing that and thats a buttload of money (however if the rooms dont have closets in it then they dont count as rooms lol)

Answer 7

you will need a architec first to draw you some plans, then apply for planning and building regulations. Ring your local council to see which you need to apply for. Your architec will tell you if the job possible to do. Do not cut any of you loft beams until you have proffesional advice. very dangerous

Answer 8

Find a local carpenter and get a estimit for the whole job ask about local codes and restrictions and Good luck!!

Answer 9

Code wise it has to be easily accessible and the steps must be right, i would use one of them spiral stair cases pre fabed, i have seen them on lofts they look good and add style, good luck

Answer 10

maybe a SPIRAL STAIRCASE ?