Loft Stairs

Wooden Staircase For A Loft Conversion

Some of the most crucial aspects of planning loft conversions are the placement and design of your staircase. Loft staircases can occupy an abundance of space due to their various unique constructions.

For obvious reasons, installing your staircase in a location that grants ample space for the rest of the conversion is crucial to the process. Based on this information, it's advisory that you plan and design your staircase from the outset.

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Regulations

Notably, all loft conversions have to comply with the building regulations that apply to your specific region. Even if your build does not require permission, compliance with these regulations is mandatory. Please take note of some of the fundamental regulations that you must educate yourself on before you begin planning your loft staircase:

  • A fixed staircase must provide safe access to the loft.

  • The minimum headroom height is 1950mm at the centre of the stairs.

  • The pitch of the staircase must not exceed 42 degrees.

  • All risers must be equal in height.

  • A handrail must be present when there is a drop of more than 600mm, thus meaning the maximum number of steps permitted on most staircases without a handrail is two.

  • Space saver stairs are only acceptable if serving a single room.

The worst possible scenario for a builder or customer is for the staircase construction to be underway or completed when you finally realise that your build won't pass Building Control inspections. Such situations are both time-consuming and financially straining, hence why we urge you to familiarise yourself with the regulations stated above.

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Options for your loft staircase

Continuation of or over the existing staircase

This type of loft staircase is excellent for sparing space whilst also being the most popular option. Not only is it symmetrically aesthetic, but the placement of the new staircase over the existing staircase provides sufficient headroom for ascension.

Modifying an existing room

If structural limitations and restrictions in the existing design of your home mean that placing the loft staircase over an existing staircase will not be possible, another alternative is modifying an existing room. Regarding this option, it is up to you or your builders to find appropriate space in an existing room for the new staircase. This method is most effective in a room with substantial space, or a room less frequently used.

Space saver stairs

Space saver stairs are self-explanatory since they save space within an area, meaning they aren't as spacious as any standard staircase. The compact nature of their unique design prides itself on fitting into tight spaces. The alternating treads they possess provide a less space provoking structure at the expense of shorter tread space. These structures generally take up roughly half the floor-to-floor space of a conventional staircase. For many reasons, space savers are not a popular choice with building inspectors. Some of the reasons include the fact that they are harder to use and not as safe as traditional staircases.

Turn Your Ideal Bespoke Loft Staircase into a reality

Whether you prefer oak or pine, straight, quarter turn or half turn, our stair builder tool provides the perfect means to design and view your new wooden loft staircase in 3D.

We work with builders and renovators daily, delivering new and replacement loft stairs across the country. With a Mr.Stairs timber staircase, you can be sure that your loft will have the best quality staircase, designed by yourself and made by yours truly, all whilst occupying minimal space in your household.

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If you need more information, clarification, or help using our online stair builder tool, just call us or drop us an email and we’ll respond as fast as possible. We have a friendly customer support team waiting to answer all your questions and concerns.

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