Attic access

gsxr1

Attic access is what i am trying to plan.

I need to find a way to get into the attic.


I want to use the space as a gym or the like. Not a bedroom as there will be no proper fire escape. This room will always be classed as storage space.

It has 2 velux windows. I have 9 x 2 attic trusses The en-suite in the red is not there in my house as I did not want it in the building of the house.

I have been designing a stairs . The best I can do without destroying my bathroom is a 40 degree stairs with an 8" inch rise and an 8" 1/2 tread . Which is not ideal either.
I will lose big space in the bedroom below and I will have problems trimming out and doubling up the 9 x 2 joists upstairs . I have sewer vents which may require boxing off in bedrooms below to reroute.


All this would work . But I would rather avoid it if I can by finding a drop down stair case. I have been thinking. I could save a load of space if I could buy or make a stairs that would lower in the landing area. I have an attic ladder which is not really great for everyday access.

Is there a big drop down attic stairs available . One that could be lowered via motors. Something big stiff and strong.

Here is a pic of what im dealing with.

The attic is the biggest room in the house and I have already insulated and slabbed the walls and ceiling.. coffin tank in out of the way already. Heating pipes and electric have all been first fixed during house build. I want this room.

gsxr1

I found this on you tube. Its exactly what im after. But need plans to build it or buy the lot

http://youtu.be/8QlEnVhoq4M

Poor Uncle Tom

Why not combine your gym idea with another work out alltogether?

Scrap the shelving in your hotpress and put a ladder access to the attic in there instead. Also put a firemans pole for coming down from the attic in the back of the bedroom. The pole has the dual purpose......;):p,

A fitted wardrobe (with a small radiator) in each bedroom will make up the space and more.

gsxr1

Thanks uncle tom. I was searching the web all day and came up with the same solution . I found this

http://www.loftcentre.co.uk/stairs/dolle-graz-space-saving-stair-kit

I have tore the attic floor up and found it to fit perfectly in the hotpress . I could even keep the door at the bottom.

the total run length is only 1700mm with 13 rises.


AND ITS ONLY 450 pound for the kit!!!!. I would be hard pushed to build a timber open string stairs for that.

The pipes and the tank will have to stay exposed though . I have no room to cover them. Pros and cons I guess.


Im to fat for a firemans pole. It would only end in tears:o and a big hole in the downstairs ceiling


I have insulated all over with 200mm of kingspan and used 1000 gauge builders film as a vapor barrier.

Im sure it will be quite air tight and warm ..

But dont know how to construct a airtight cubby hole access to the eaves.

I have 1000mm x 500mm rough openings left in each side.

I am quite capable of making an MDF or paneled door. But to keep them air tight is a challenge

Any suggestions on ideas?

Poor Uncle Tom

gsxr1 wrote: »

I found this

http://www.loftcentre.co.uk/stairs/dolle-graz-space-saving-stair-kit

That's actually the picture I was looking for. It's based on a naval stairs from a military ship I believe.

gsxr1 wrote: »

The pipes and the tank will have to stay exposed though . I have no room to cover them. Pros and cons I guess.

There's a beauty in that all in its own.

gsxr1 wrote: »

...and a big hole in the downstairs ceiling

gsxr1 wrote: »

I have insulated all over with 200mm of kingspan and used 1000 gauge builders film as a vapor barrier.

Im sure it will be quite air tight and warm ..

But dont know how to construct a airtight cubby hole access to the eaves.

I have 1000mm x 500mm rough openings left in each side.

I am quite capable of making an MDF or paneled door. But to keep them air tight is a challenge

Any suggestions on ideas?

Why not go foraging. Recycle some fridge or freezer doors.

Seal a flat metal strip around the ope to the proper dimensions, fit the door with the magnetic seal strip, paint the colour you want. Job done.

Mellor

Just on the workouts in the attic,
what exactly are you planning doing? There's a chance it might not be suitable up there

gsxr1

Mellor wrote: »

Just on the workouts in the attic,
what exactly are you planning doing? There's a chance it might not be suitable up there

I have a couple of machines . rowing and bike types thingys. A few weights and a heavy bag. They have been there for 4 years now and used. Just in an unfinished environment. Very drab.

Those big 9x2 attic conversion trusses are very stiff. I can jump around up there with no bounce .

There is a 1 month min wait on the kit stairs .

How does one work out what size of rad is needed for a 3.7 x 5m room? I have to learn how to plumb a rad in now.

Rhys Essien

This would be just what you are looking for

<SNIP>


Mod edit: PM the link please. Thanks

gsxr1

Rhys Essien wrote: »

This would be just what you are looking for

<SNIP>


Mod edit: PM the link please. Thanks

please PM me. I would like to know;)

gsxr1

I have ended up buying the Dolle Graz stairs from England.

We have a supplier here in Dublin , but getting them to act on an order was like pulling teeth. Their loss I guess.

It will be delivered hopefully next week.

The stairs is so light weight and steep pitched , i dont believe the structure of the attic will have to adjusted much. Im going to treat it as an attic ladder install , with a bit more beefing up.

Im not going to double up whole 9x2 joists to the wall plate. This is a fraction of the weight of a proper timber stairs.

gsxr1

been tipping away at it.

Got an extra foot behind the hotpress. Boarded and skimmed it this morn.

I fitted the stairs. It fits with 5mm to spare.

I did double up two 9x2s across 16' for trimming the opening . Needed splicing to get up there. But turned it all solid. Im glad I did it now.



was so tight. had me wondering if it was going to work. Head height is a bit of a problem, but to cut a second truss would have turned a simple job into a very extensive one with all the household pluming being moved. Hell I dont mind ducking a little on the way down. Its my room.

Mellor

What's the headroom like about 6 steps up, directly under the floor to the left of the photo, ie the worse case

gsxr1

its 1700. I have to duck on the way down. I had to cut headroom on the double 9x2. Not great. But its as good as Im going to get without a big plumbing job. This is not a bedroom .

Mellor

Well, 1700mm is a bit low, the limit in the TGDs is 1900mm. But as you said its not a bedroom or habitable room. Besides, the fact that it turns also doesn't comply, if it was a bedroom.
An other requirement of the TGDs is a handrail and non-slip surface to steps. While there is no obligation to do so for a storage space, i'd really recommend it. The non slip especially will costs next to nothing, and could prevent a serious injury.

Gmol

gsxr1 wrote: »

please PM me. I would like to know;)

Me too

BryanF

Gmol wrote: »

Me too

dont grave dig threads