Your bespoke loft staircase plays a pivotal role in your loft conversion. A poorly designed staircase or its incorrect placement can not only affect the conversion itself but also impact the overall aesthetics and functionality of your home. The loft staircase serves as the initial impression for visitors, making it essential to seamlessly integrate it into your home’s design, rather than it appearing as an afterthought.
There is a multitude of staircase designs to consider, including whether to incorporate a Curtail tread or a bullnose, and deciding whether the first two treads should start before fixing a newel, among others.
Regulations stipulate a minimum headroom clearance of 2 meters when stepping off the last tread, though in special circumstances, this can be reduced to 1.9 meters at the center provided the staircase’s side (String) remains at least 1.8 meters high.
Your new loft conversion staircase should adhere to specific dimensions: a maximum rise (height) of 220mm, a minimum going (tread depth) of 220mm, and a maximum pitch of 42°. While there’s no regulation concerning the width of the staircase, handrails should be at least one side and set at a height of 900mm, with no openings between spindles allowing a gap of more than 100mm in the rake or balustrade.
Means of Escape from a Loft Conversion:
When a roof space is converted into habitable rooms at the second-floor level, it must comply with stringent emergency escape provisions. These provisions include:
- Ensuring that existing stairways/stairwells at ground and first-floor levels are enclosed and open directly to a final exit or a space providing two escape routes.
- Compliance of the new stairway with regulatory requirements, including separation from new rooms and the rest of the house by fire-resisting construction.
- Protection of escape routes over balconies or flat roofs with guardrails, and installation of hard-wired and battery-backup smoke alarms in habitable rooms off the escape route.
Access to and from Your Loft Conversion:
Stairs leading to a loft room must comply with Building Regulations, escape requirements, and fire protection standards. Loft ladders should not be used for access to habitable rooms on the roof, except for storage purposes.
In cases where headroom is insufficient at the top of the staircase, a VELUX roof window can provide additional height, light, and ventilation. Alternatively, a dropped landing can be created to achieve the required head height while adding a unique design feature.
Optimizing Views from Your Loft Conversion:
Roof windows play a crucial role in maximizing views from a loft conversion. Velux roof windows, which follow the pitch of the roof and can open inwards or outwards, are commonly installed for their ability to bring in natural light. Dormer windows, typically integrated into rear dormers, feature full-height windows from floor to ceiling, providing abundant light and expansive views.
Advantages of Converting Your Attic:
A loft conversion offers numerous benefits, including the creation of additional living space and potential increase in property value by over 20%. Whether transformed into a workspace, games room, bedroom, or living room, a well-converted loft adds value to your home. Additionally, homeowners can generate income by using their lofts as lodger rooms.
Fire Safety in a Loft Conversion:
Fire safety considerations are paramount in loft conversions. Provisions for escape routes must be made throughout the full extent of the route, necessitating additional fire protection for existing parts of the house. Fire-resistant doors and partitions may be required, particularly when converting a two-storey house into a three-storey home. Interlinked smoke detection circuits and sprinkler systems can further enhance fire safety measures.
By adhering to these regulations and considerations, you can ensure a safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing loft conversion.