Step down into extension?

Apip99

Evening all,

We are planning on starting our extension (finally) in the next few weeks, and I have a question regarding a step.

I'll explain:
We live in a standard 3 bed semi-d, and are just building a standard extension (nothing flash) At present there is a step down from the back doors to the garden of around 9". We were planning the keep the step down into the extension, for a couple of reasons. Firstly will be so that it will give us more height to the roof, and the second it that we like the look and feel of stepping down into a room.

Does that make sence

Any how, a friend said last night that we can't do that due to wheel chair access, and that it would be hard to sell with a step down. Something to-do with building regs???

Does any one know if this is correct, or have any advice.

Thanks a million,

Phil

Mellor

Whats the new room going to be? Technically you can probably do it, regarding part M. But its not good practice.
Do you need extra height in the room?
will this room be used alot, as I wouldn't like to negoiate a step at a doorway while carrying the washing.
as for selling, it could make it harder.

ibh

Don't know about a step-down into an extension, but when you build a Sunlounge onto a house the door is NOT required to be big enough for wheelchair access. (That is the door to the outside of course.) The reason is, the Sunlounge is not considered to be the main entrance to the house.
In a way this logic may apply to your extension.
Regarding the selling price, if the step feature is added in a way that provides character and something different to the house, it should add to the value rather than detract from it. On the other hand if you leave a rough and ready concrete step then it will look like a half-arsed job, and will decrease value.

muffler

There was always an anomaly in the bldg regs about steps. Technically you need no less than 3 steps but that refers to a flight of steps between floors. But then again you will have 2 different floors and hence you may have to go down lower than you planned.

There is divided opinion on it but frankly i wouldnt have a problem with 1 step down but I would still prefer not to see it. It shouldnt have any impact on the requirements of part M.

Advice: Dont do it.

Kashkai

We've just finished our extension (1,600 sq ft mind). The part that goes out the front was built on the part of our site that slopes down and away from the house. The architect suggested that we consider a step down but we didn't go for it in the end cause we have 3 kids, 2 of whom are 17 months and having steps is a recipe for falls.

The other thing that you might consider is that your proposed step down might be close if not below the existing damp proof course and thus you might have problems trying to keep damp from rising up between the new and existing build.

Steps inside a house look great, are a nice feature and can be a good selling point (we looked at a couple of houses that had steps downs and were impressed). However you must consider if this will only give rise to potential falls for the young or old. Perhaps you should think about keeping everything on the level and having the steps outside the sun room or else have tiered decking that will step down into the garden.

Good luck with the build.

Mellor

Prosperous Dave wrote:

We've just finished our extension (1,600 sq ft mind). The part that goes out the front was built on the part of our site that slopes down and away from the house. The architect suggested that we consider a step down but we didn't go for it in the end cause we have 3 kids, 2 of whom are 17 months and having steps is a recipe for falls.

The other thing that you might consider is that your proposed step down might be close if not below the existing damp proof course and thus you might have problems trying to keep damp from rising up between the new and existing build.

Steps inside a house look great, are a nice feature and can be a good selling point (we looked at a couple of houses that had steps downs and were impressed). However you must consider if this will only give rise to potential falls for the young or old. Perhaps you should think about keeping everything on the level and having the steps outside the sun room or else have tiered decking that will step down into the garden.

Good luck with the build.

If it had to be done there is no problem doing it regarding part M.

But there is no reason that the floors can't be the same level. If you really want extra height go for a collared roof.

Apip99

Thanks all for replying to my post.

The step down is something that my wife is dead set on. (more work for me!!!)

I've spoken to a few people and its coming back as a real 50/50, as to wether it will effect the house price when we sell, and if it will cut out a part of the market. But its some thing that we are rally keen on doing as we've had it in our minds for a good while.

Now where did I leave my JCB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kind regards,

Apip