With so many people choosing to add more space to their homes rather than move, loft conversions are the ideal way to create an additional room without reducing your garden size. When planning this type of home renovation, you’ll need to consider staircase requirements.
Here are our top tips for designing new stairs for loft conversion projects.
Loft conversion building regulations
While many decisions (such as materials used and staircase style) will come down to choice, every new staircase project must meet building regulations. This includes constructing fire safe staircases for loft conversions.
The regulations cover the size of the opening for the new stairs and any replacement support required if existing ceiling joists are altered to accommodate these changes. They also touch upon solutions if there’s not enough space for a full traditional staircase, including space-saving stairs (although retractable features aren’t allowed).
Creating the perfect staircase design
Building new stairs for a loft conversion can be a really exciting part of the project, bridging the way between the old and new sections of the property. Therefore, you should involve a staircase architect in your project as early as you can to find the best design for the space.
They’ll guide you through all the elements you’ll need to think about. This includes ensuring your house flows well with perfectly placed stairs that don’t stand out from the rest of the property, how to meet building regulation approval and sizing requirements.
Beautiful & practical stairs
While your new staircase should look beautiful, it should also be highly practical, taking into account all who might use it. You’ll need to cover headroom requirements as part of your plans, but there are other practical considerations too, such as adding an appropriate handrail.
While you may design your new staircase to remain in keeping with the rest of the property, this doesn’t mean it has to be constructed with a straight configuration. Loft conversion stairs often have to navigate their way around other features, so helical or L-shaped stairs may work better in the space.
Complete home renovations
Many property owners choose to undergo a complete renovation when designing a loft conversion, using it as an opportunity to start afresh and create their ideal home. Therefore, you may like to talk to your staircase architect about redesigning your existing stairs too.
This often creates more flexibility for designing loft conversion stairs you’ll love, complementing your renovation plans rather than trying to fit in with your existing décor. For example, you may even decide to upgrade your walls with beautiful staircase panelling.
Hire a staircase designer for your project
If you’d like to design the perfect stairs for your new loft conversion, speak to the experts at DDC London. We’ll work closely with you to create the perfect staircase for your home. Our architects work on projects across the South East of England, including Cobham, Croydon and Dulwich.
To arrange a free staircase design consultation, call now on 020 8004 9635 or send a message to sales@ddclondon.co.uk.
