attic stairs

chunkyboy

hi...
looking for help!! I have just built on an extension to my house nd have very valuable space in the attic that I am going to use as a den for the kids.... my concern is that all the attic stairs/ladders that I can find are all very vertical!!! I need something with a decent slope on it that will be safe for my kids to use going up and down. I don't have the space for a proper stairs so am really stuck!!
would appreciate any help thanks

ps... I know that as it is an attic being used for a different purpose it is subject to regulations etc but it won't be listed as anything other than attic space when or if we ever sell the house... it is genuinely a space for kids to hang out for an hour between school and dinner etc.. it will never be used as a bedroom or liveable space

sky6

Have you considered a Spiral Staircase.?

650gs

sky6 wrote: »

Have you considered a Spiral Staircase.?

They take up to much space, remember even if you have a small 24 inch staircase and that is small, in a spiral because it turns you have to double that so you would lose 48 inches of space.
Just get a longer stairs it rakes the angle out more

IrlMonk

Doing the same work for the same reasons and I have the same access issues.
The attic ladders in my opinion are a bit awkward and unsafe for kids getting up and down them every day.
Maybe try and reinforce the ladder with extra rails and extra strong accessories!

paddy147

A mate of mine did the following in his own house......

Bought 2 Fakro attic stairs in a builders providers....(bought at allmost trade price).
Fitted 1st attic stairs into landing ceiling/attic floor.

He then took the last folding part of the stairs off the 2nd Fakro attic stairs and he added it on to the end of the 1 that he fitted.
This made the attic stairs around 900m longer and therefore increased its fold down length and decressed the slope/angle of the stairs.

The longer attic stairs is now at a shallower slope/angle and much easier for him and his family to climb up and down out of the attic.


He has kept the rest of the 2nd attic stairs for spare parts (hinges,springs and handles).


Simple solution.

IrlMonk

paddy147 wrote: »

A mate of mine did the following in his own house......

Bought 2 Fakro attic stairs in a builders providers....(bought at allmost trade price).
Fitted 1st attic stairs into landing ceiling/attic floor.

He then took the last folding part of the stairs off the 2nd Fakro attic stairs and he added it on to the end of the 1 that he fitted.
This made the attic stairs around 900m longer and therefore increased its fold down length and decressed the slope/angle of the stairs.

The longer attic stairs is now at a shallower slope/angle and much easier for him and his family to climb up and down out of the attic.


He has kept the rest of the 2nd attic stairs for spare parts (hinges,springs and handles).


Simple solution.

Hi,
Good idea
Although,
It would cost you double!
Would the hinges hold the extra stress and would they be strong enough for daily use and the odd heavy weight going up and down!

650gs

paddy147 wrote: »

A mate of mine did the following in his own house......

Bought 2 Fakro attic stairs in a builders providers....(bought at allmost trade price).
Fitted 1st attic stairs into landing ceiling/attic floor.

He then took the last folding part of the stairs off the 2nd Fakro attic stairs and he added it on to the end of the 1 that he fitted.
This made the attic stairs around 900m longer and therefore increased its fold down length and decressed the slope/angle of the stairs.

The longer attic stairs is now at a shallower slope/angle and much easier for him and his family to climb up and down out of the attic.
He has kept the rest of the 2nd attic stairs for spare parts (hinges,springs and handles).


Simple solution.

This is a very bad plan and could end in a very bad accident, read the spec for these stairs as to the weight they can carry it is based on the angle of the stair case/ladder. as they say Do not try this at home

paddy147

650gs wrote: »

This is a very bad plan and could end in a very bad accident, read the spec for these stairs as to the weight they can carry it is based on the angle of the stair case/ladder. as they say Do not try this at home

Appoligies...its 600mm (2 feet) extra and not 900mm.


He did....hense him doing this to create a solution to his dilema.


Neither he,his wife or any of his kids weigh 150 kilos/330lbs each.;):pac:

650gs

All warranty gone out the window

IrlMonk

With a greater slope I would be worried about stress on the runners and fittings becoming loose.

Can you run a fixed ladder down along the path of one wall, relocate access hatch to new location if necessary?
With a handrail the staircase should be solid and safe.

paddy147

650gs wrote: »

All warranty gone out the window

Yep......but my friend solved his dilema/issue..:)

As said...none of them weigh 150 kilos/330lbs in weight....or allmost 24 stone (23.87) to be old fashoined.



Lengthened attic stairs still going strong over a year later and after constant use from kids and mammy and daddy.

650gs

paddy147 wrote: »

Yep......but my friend solved his dilema/issue..:)

As said...none of them weigh 150 kilos/330lbs in weight....or allmost 24 stone (23.87) to be old fashoined.



Lengthened attic stairs still going strong over a year later and after constant use from kids and mammy and daddy.

Well accidents become accidents because they happen when people do not expect them to, as Im sure you are aware you could walk up and down the stairs for 10 years then someone could just be the unlucky one.
A really bad thing to do, major health and safety and even insurance issues there and accident waiting to happen

One shot on kill

In my limited experience. I would of though that when the ladder is open that the stress and weight are all supported by the rails on the ladder not the actuall hinges. They fold out in such away that the pressure stays on the stairs.

Did your buddy have any problem folding the stairs back up to close it.

paddy147

650gs wrote: »

Well accidents become accidents because they happen when people do not expect them to, as Im sure you are aware you could walk up and down the stairs for 10 years then someone could just be the unlucky one.
A really bad thing to do, major health and safety and even insurance issues there and accident waiting to happen

Sure you can fall down the any stairscase just as fast,or fall off a chair when changing a lightbulb in the house......so IMO thats a rather pointless comment to post.

paddy147

One shot on kill wrote: »

In my limited experience. I would of though that when the ladder is open that the stress and weight are all supported by the rails on the ladder not the actuall hinges. They fold out in such away that the pressure stays on the stairs.

Did your buddy have any problem folding the stairs back up to close it.

Nope...folds up and down just fine.


He lengthened installed the attic staircase last year while he was reslabbing the landing area upstairs and doing some work up in the attic space.

paddy147

To the OP.

Maybe give this crowd a shout,they have several types of attic stairs avaiilable.

I like the 2nd one myself......can be used on ceiling height up to 11 feet.

650gs

paddy147 wrote: »

Sure you can fall down the any stairscase just as fast,or fall off a chair when changing a lightbulb in the house......so IMO thats a rather pointless comment to post.

You can also get run over by a bus any time but you still dont stand in the middle of the road waiting for it to happen and the second staircase is a Fakro made for small openings it closes like a scissors not very practical for every day walking up and down

paddy147

650gs wrote: »

You can also get run over by a bus any time but you still dont stand in the middle of the road waiting for it to happen and the second staircase is a Fakro made for small openings it closes like a scissors not very practical for every day walking up and down

Ah will you stop it.

1st you are going on about weight capacity limits for the stairs.

You were told that neither he,his wife or their kids weigh 150 kilos/330lbs or 23.87 stone in weight



Now you are looking for something else to try and create/make an issue with.


My mate used his initiative and solved his dilema successfully........so will you leave it at that now.


regards.

chunkyboy

crikey didn't mean to start ww3 but thank you all for your contributions!!
the spiral staircase would indeed take up too much space as mentioned; the attic ladders in the video clip wouldn't be what I am looking for either..... I just thought that there would be something a bit sturdier than any of the attic stairs that I have seen and a bit safer for the kids to go up and down on!!
I can't move hatch to a more convenient location to put in a stairs so it's back to the drawing board for me!! after all necessity is the mother of all inventions and when I invent it, i'll revisit this post and show you all!!
thanks again,
watch this space :-)

glineli

Try looking at something like this:

http://www.tradestairs.com/acatalog/karina_spacesaver_staircase.html

http://www.stairplan.co.uk/spacesaver.htm

I am going to invest in one for my little den when the kids are a little bigger. They look pretty neat i think

chunkyboy

wow the first one is fabulous..... I love it!! do I really need a new kitchen??? or should I just blow my whole budget on the stairs?????

650gs

paddy147 wrote: »

Ah will you stop it.

1st you are going on about weight capacity limits for the stairs.

You were told that neither he,his wife or their kids weigh 150 kilos/330lbs or 23.87 stone in weight



Now you are looking for something else to try and create/make an issue with.


My mate used his initiative and solved his dilema successfully........so will you leave it at that now.


regards.

1 the speck for the Fakro stairs is 160 kilos as is now you calculate the difference when you extend it and change the angle you can be sure its way down from that.
2 I simply pointed out that the stairs you mentioned is made for a smaller hatch,
3 as you said you can fall off a chair but would you cut off one leg to make it lighter and sit on it, I think not.
3 your friend used his imitative all right, pity he didnt use his brain as well might save someones life or save someone breaking there back and winding up in a wheel chair, its his home so he can do what he wants but if the staircase fails which it will sooner or later he will have to answer.
So you give it up and don't go advising people about a really bad safety issue and if your not sure give Fakro a ring on (045) - 409050 Im sure they will be happy to tell you its ok to extend the stairs :mad::mad::mad:

paddy147

chunkyboy wrote: »

wow the first one is fabulous..... I love it!! do I really need a new kitchen??? or should I just blow my whole budget on the stairs?????

Does the wife have a say in it??:pac::pac::D

chunkyboy

I AM the wife lol

paddy147

650gs wrote: »

1 the speck for the Fakro stairs is 160 kilos as is now you calculate the difference when you extend it and change the angle you can be sure its way down from that.
2 I simply pointed out that the stairs you mentioned is made for a smaller hatch,
3 as you said you can fall off a chair but would you cut off one leg to make it lighter and sit on it, I think not.
3 your friend used his imitative all right, pity he didnt use his brain as well might save someones life or save someone breaking there back and winding up in a wheel chair, its his home so he can do what he wants but if the staircase fails which it will sooner or later he will have to answer.
So you give it up and don't go advising people about a really bad safety issue and if your not sure give Fakro a ring on (045) - 409050 Im sure they will be happy to tell you its ok to extend the stairs :mad::mad::mad:

Oh stop it and stop acting like a little child who has thrown their toys out of the pram.:rolleyes::(


All your posts show this to be the case now.

Nite nite.

paddy147

chunkyboy wrote: »

I AM the wife lol

Executive Decision time so....:D

650gs

paddy147 wrote: »

Oh stop it and stop acting like a little child who has thrown their toys out of the pram.:rolleyes::(


All your posts show this to be the case now.

Nite nite.

Just cant handle when your wrong Ive noticed this in a lot of the posts you have put up before your right go to bed or get the facts right

paddy147

650gs wrote: »

Just cant handle when your wrong Ive noticed this in a lot of the posts you have put up before your right go to bed or get the facts right

Maybe you should go and read your posts since you 1st replied to me on this thread.


You seem to want to create an issue every time.......its like you have this burning desire to be a "I told you so" poster.


Why dont you just give it a rest now.




My mate successfully solved his dilema.


He reslabbed his landing area,strengthened the ceiling/floor joists to fit the attic stairs.
He modified/installed the attic stairs,it has not failed and is still in perfect condition over a year later.
None of them weigh 23.87 stone in weight and have not broken the attic stairs.
The attic stairs is just as sturdy today as it was when installed last year.


Now will you please stop harping on and on at me about it,and looking for even more things to complain about.


Have a nice night.

Thanks and Regards.

650gs

paddy147 wrote: »

Maybe you go and read your posts since you replied originally to me.


You seem to want to create an issue every time...its like you have this desirre to be a "I told you so" poster.


Why dont you just give it a rest now.




My mate successfully solved his dilema.

He reslabbed his landing area,strengthened the ceiling/floor joists to fit the attic stairs.
He modified/installed the attic stairs and it has not failed and is still in perfection condition over a year later.
None of them weigh 23.87 stone in weight and have not broken the attic stairs.
The attic stairs is just as sturdy today as it was when installed last year.


Now will you please stop harping on and on at me about it and looking for more things to complain on about.


Have a nice night.

Thanks.

You are the one that needs to get the chip off his shoulder I simply pointed out a fact that what he did was not safe, voids warranty and has issues with his home insurance. no more no less, I didn't lose the head, I didn't get smart I didn't get childish or petty, its an open forum for people to give there point of view if you cant handle the facts then don't post.
I think the mod should be giving out some warnings now or lock this post

650gs

Good night to you to and thank for proving my point:D:D:D:D

paddy147

650gs wrote: »

You are the one that needs to get the chip off his shoulder I simply pointed out a fact that what he did was not safe, voids warranty and has issues with his home insurance. no more no less, I didn't lose the head, I didn't get smart I didn't get childish or petty, its an open forum for people to give there point of view if you cant handle the facts then don't post.I think the mod should be giving out some warnings now or lock this post

So you have looked at and read all your posts here since you 1st posted??...(especially post 22,where you are rather narky and quite rude about my friend)

Because it seems to me that you cant accept that a person came up with a solution to a problem,did some DIY and successfully solved the problem/dilema.




The attic ladder is just as sturdy today,as it was over a year ago when fitted.The owner has house insurance,the attic/ceiling joists are beefed up,the ladder has not failed,no one has fallen off it and none of them weigh 23.87 stone in weight.


Now I really dont see the need for you to keep on and on and on at me over it anymore.

So on that note..........I wish you the very best.

Regards

650gs

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-133720.html
A really good read

Stoner

Ok Paddy and 650. Can you please stop wishing each other a good night and ignore each other. I've read the whole thread plus the ten or so deleted posts, it's foolish stuff so please give it a rest.

paddy147

650gs wrote: »

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-133720.html
A really good read

Man falls from attic ladder and then later dies..........tragic accident

No mention of make of ladder,how it was secured to joists,any hand rails,load weight capacity or even the condition of said attic ladder (whether it was maintained well or not).

No mention of weight of person in question and weight of item he was carrying up ladder when he fell.


So all you have done is post an American forum....(with no specifics or facts at all)....that you just found on the internet.........great and thanks.

paddy147

Stoner wrote: »

Ok Paddy and 650. Can you please stop wishing each other a good night and ignore each other. I've read the whole thread plus the ten or so deleted posts, it's foolish stuff so please give it a rest.

Appoligies Stoner....I was in the middle of replying/posting to 650gs.



Only see/read your post now.:)

Stoner

Ok I'm assuming that you missed my post above Paddy as your post was just after it.
But I'm shutting down the thread if there is any more BS on the public forum.

glineli

chunkyboy wrote: »

wow the first one is fabulous..... I love it!! do I really need a new kitchen??? or should I just blow my whole budget on the stairs?????

I got a quote of just under 1000 to open new opening, fit stairs and fill in the old opening, which i thought was ok. The only problem was the 1000 euro!!! Anyway in time something like that will do the trick for me

650gs

Good price and safe

chunkyboy

thanks glineli,
seeing as the hatch is in the middle of the ceiling, I am kinda limited to what I can install.... think I will just have to go back to the drawing board to see if there is an alternative.... there has to be :-)

bozd

I know - spring loaded platform - circular with hole in the middle for the pole of course. launches you up and then kids will have lots of fun sliding down the pole!