To climb to the second floor of a private house or attic, as a rule, there are two options for stairs: spiral and flight. Let's try to study each of them in more detail and draw appropriate conclusions that will help you choose the most best option.
Peculiarities
Everyone knows that in order to get to the attic, you need a ladder. Some owners use a conventional attached structure (stepladder) for this purpose, but in this case there is no need to talk about aesthetics. To use an attic room for living, you need to do without high-quality, beautiful, and, most importantly, safe stairs will not work. This design can be made of metal or wood and have a wide variety of designs.
In some houses, a bathhouse, vestibule or kitchen may be located on the ground floor. There may be several rooms at once or just one of them. In this case, it is necessary to make careful calculations so that the ladder does not in any way interfere with free movement and does not take up too much space. It also needs to be taken into account that the stairs should not block sunlight, otherwise the room will be too dark. Its location should be as practical as possible.
To make proper use of living space and save space, the staircase should be as comfortable as possible. Moreover, it must be in harmony with common interior home and have a safe climb.
Flat staircase in small house takes up a lot of space, so this option is usually used in spacious buildings. Even its bulky design will not prevent sunlight from freely entering the room and will not interfere with the movement of residents.
If the house is small, then the best option would be a staircase with cool design, its arrangement is not very complicated. Such a staircase is less comfortable compared to a flat one, but it makes it easy to move around the house, and the entrance to it is very convenient. The spiral staircase (spiral) is considered the most economical and rational option, because it takes up little space and can radically transform any home.
Kinds
As you already know, the main types of attic stairs are marching and spiral structures. Let's look at these types in more detail. Marching stairs are considered the safest and most convenient option. This is very important if there are small children or elderly people in the house. It is quite easy to design such a staircase yourself. Its installation does not present any serious difficulties and can be done without the help of specialists, which will save considerable money. To provide reliable design it is necessary to use special stringers (a type of stair string), which are support bolts (a structural part of the staircase to which the steps are attached).
To save space, they most often use a staircase that has two flights, with winder steps or a platform installed between them. This type is often used if there is very little space in the house. The two-flight structure is built quite simply. It is worth remembering that single-flight options are more cumbersome compared to double-flight ones, but they are quite convenient in that under them you can make a convenient utility room or closet for storing various small items.
Some parents, in order to please the children, make it into a children's quarters or a real fairy-tale cave. In this case, children's joy simply knows no bounds.
Spiral attic staircases, as a rule, are used much less frequently. They are quite difficult to design and build with your own hands, and you can make a lot of mistakes. Most often, owners simply buy finished design in specialized stores. Fortunately, today there are plenty of such trading platforms, and similar stairs can be presented in various variations: for every taste and color.
If you still can’t find anything, you can easily order a staircase from manufacturing companies who will make it for you individually. In this case, the structure only needs to be assembled and installed.
The compact ladder to the attic can be retractable. Flip and folding options are also quite popular today.
General classification of stairs by type and number of flights:
- models with straight spans;
- single-flight (1-2 turns by 90°);
- two-flight (1 turn by 90° and 1 turn by 180°);
- screw spans ( required element– load-bearing column);
- circular spans (shaft in the middle).
Straight spans do not have any turns and are installed taking into account a certain angle. The width of the steps in this case should be on average 30 cm, and their depth at least 27 cm. Stairs that have turns, accordingly, take up much more space compared to straight ones. The width of the passage should be 50-100 cm, and the width and height of the steps may vary.
Materials
Everyone knows the fact that using wood as a material for an attic staircase is most advisable. Wood has aesthetic appearance, beautiful texture and rich color. Modern paint and varnish mixtures make it possible to give wood the most incredible colors and shades. Moreover, wood is a fairly durable and, most importantly, safe material that will serve for many, many years.
Sometimes a material such as iron is used to make stairs, but its use involves many specific difficulties. A good forged structure looks incredibly beautiful, but usually costs much more. If in this case you use ordinary metal rather than forged products, then it is better to get by with a used ladder, since the house should have a high-quality and beautiful product, and not an option that creaks and plays like a garage door.
Let's go back to the tree. This material is perfect for making attic stairs. A minimal amount of time and equipment will not prevent you from doing everything you have planned, and this is its main advantage. Moreover, wood, like no other material, can add coziness and comfort to a home.
Making a wooden staircase involves the use of hard wood such as oak, pine, larch, yew and ash. Such products, for example, are offered by the Fakro brand. A door or other elements of a metal staircase are usually decorated with forging, decorative figures, etc. Concrete products are used extremely rarely. They are quite bulky and difficult to manufacture.
How to do it yourself?
To make your own attic staircase, you must first decide on its design and location. It is necessary to take into account the area and availability of free space in the house. Most homeowners choose a straight design that has no turns or a staircase with several flights. These varieties are the most optimal, practical and convenient for home use. If the area of the room allows, then you can choose the option with several turns.
It is very important to correctly calculate the number of steps in each span. This can be done using regular string, measuring the distance from the end of the ladder to the floor. The depth and height of the steps are calculated based on the angle of inclination of the structure. The steeper it is, the smaller the width of the steps should be.
Before you begin, you should check all calculations and calculations very carefully. First, we determine the width and height of the rise, the dimensions of the hatch (if there is one), and the steepness. We must not forget that the staircase to the attic should not only be beautiful, but also safe. Therefore, be sure to provide handrails, fences and other safety features. The construction of the staircase involves the following steps:
- precise determination of the location of the structure;
- creating a sketch;
- creation of a detailed drawing with all dimensions, selection of manufacturing materials;
- selection of accessories and tools;
- production of staircase elements (steps, railings);
- installation.
Let's consider the standard procedure for installing a stationary wooden staircase.
- Initially, the base of the structure itself is installed. At the very bottom it is securely held by a block, for example, made of wood.
- Suitable stringers are screwed to the beam using construction screws.
- The upper tenons of each element are inserted into the provided grooves. The joint must be coated with wood glue.
- To more securely secure the entire structure, metal construction corners are used.
- To strengthen the stairs, threaded rods are used. With their help, all stringers are connected in several places. This is the standard for reliable and strong fastening.
- The main beam is then securely screwed to the wall.
- The steps are installed starting from the lowest tread. This sequence is very important. Secure the tread with dowels, or, in extreme cases, with self-tapping screws.
- Be sure to coat all visible joints with wood glue.
- After these steps, the riser itself is installed.
- At the final stage, all stringers are sewn up to the very top of the structure.
Some owners of a private house prefer an external staircase, since this option is very convenient if there is no place to place them in the room. conventional design. External stairs are made from various materials, the main ones being wood, concrete, metal and stone. Wood and metal still remain the best options. These materials are the most resistant to external environment, but only if they are pre-treated with special protective agents.
The main advantages of an external staircase:
- saving free space in the house;
- the opportunity to enter the attic directly from the street.
If you plan to equip a small house residential attic, there should be a safe and convenient staircase leading to it. This part of the structure is also important element interior design, with making the right choice it can highlight the style and character of a home. But first of all, the staircase to the attic should be comfortable, practical, and if our house is small, then it should not take up too much space. How to implement this task in practice will be discussed in this article.
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In newly built houses, stairs usually occupy a dominant position in the open spaces of spacious living rooms or hallways. In a small house, the staircase to the attic can be small so that it does not take up valuable space, but it must be comfortable and safe. Choice suitable option determined mainly by the size of the room in which it will be installed - different models have different requirements for the space required for their installation.
There is a huge selection of models on the market; we can make a custom design according to our sizes or buy a ready-made one, which will only require self-assembly.
Types of stairs to the attic and their designs
There are several types of stairs that connect the first floor to the attic. Among them are: panel (reinforced concrete) and modular.
They are distinguished by a self-supporting structure, which rests on the upper and lower parts of the ceiling and walls. They seem heavy and cumbersome, so these stairs are small house and small rooms are not recommended. This solution is suitable for large spacious houses.
Modular stairs are made from individual parts, which are called modules, they have a self-supporting system and are based on a single support beam. It consists of metal pipes located under the steps. The beam is fixed from below and above to the floor and ceiling of the building. These modular structures are assembled from top to bottom.
As the structure progresses, it can be attached to the wall one to three times using special anchors. Additional fastening will help us increase the strength of the structure and prevent the staircase from swaying from side to side. Height-adjustable steps are screwed to the beam. This model provides the ability to create any shape.
The installation of the modular staircase can be seen in the video below.
Modular models can be:
This model takes up very little space, so these stairs to the attic are very suitable for small houses. Since it is especially important to choose the right size of the stairs to the attic in a small house.
This structure is located around a central column to which it is attached. The column is usually metal, sometimes it consists of several elements superimposed on each other. Screw models can be left- or right-handed, depending on which side of the entrance there is a handrail.
Their steps are mounted on long beams on both sides. Beams, or stringers as they are also called, can be placed at the ends of the steps, in the middle or only on one side, and the other end of the step can be attached to the wall. Kosour – load-bearing element, can have a thickness of 60-80 mm.
One of their varieties of stringer structures are screw models, the steps of which are mounted on a stringer on one side, and on a column on the other.
They are very practical for small homes. They are used in small houses as stairs to a non-residential attic or attic. They are convenient and do not take up much valuable space, since they are most often folded; they are laid out only for infrequent visits to an uninhabited attic or attic. The structures can be made of wood or metal, some options have enough decorative form and can even become a decoration for a modern industrial-style interior. However, their practicality is low; such designs are not suitable for frequent use, especially in families with small children or elderly people.
What materials can attic stairs be made of?
Most often, stairs to the attic in small private houses are made of wood or metal, less often they are made of concrete with wood or tile trim.
For production wooden structures Hardwood is mainly used: oak, beech, ash, birch, cherry.
Sometimes very durable exotic wood is used. However, exotic woods such as teak or merbau tend to be very expensive. There are also pine products, but it should be remembered that pine is quite soft and dents can easily appear on it. Steps for wooden models are also made of wood; it is rare to find steps made of metal or some wood-like materials.
A very popular solution is metal stairs. They can be made from:
- of stainless steel;
- wrought iron;
- made of powder coated steel.
These products are quite durable, but they will cost us a lot, especially in forged version. However, they look very beautiful and expensive. Wood and metal can be used to make the steps of such stairs. Some modern models Tempered glass can be used for steps.
An integral element of the staircase is the balustrades (they must be placed at a height of at least 90 cm). Their choice significantly affects the safety and appearance the entire structure. A balustrade can take the form of an ornate wooden or wrought-iron metal railing, or vice versa - appear in the form of raw, almost ascetic steel rods. The stylistic balustrades in the form of a ribbon are interesting. They are usually made from bent wood, as well as metal or glass. They are very elegant and decorative.
To make the staircase to the attic comfortable
The ease of use of a ladder is determined by several factors:
- shape (simple, rotary, with a platform, screw, etc.);
- height and width of steps;
- width of the stairs;
- location (accessible from the hallway or from the living room).
The most convenient and at the same time the easiest to install is a simple straight model with one or two spans. Rotary models, and especially spiral ones, are much less convenient, since they have a variable width of steps.
According to the rules, the maximum height of a staircase leading to a living space should be 19 cm, and truly comfortable steps with a height of up to 17 cm. Moreover, their height should also be adjusted according to medium length step (60-65 cm).
Therefore, the steps must satisfy the condition:
2 * H + S = from 60 to 65 cm, where
H – step height;
S – step width.
Therefore, in order to make steps with a maximum height (19 cm), their width should be in the range from 22 to 27 cm. In practice, it is often difficult to implement this rule, since we do not have enough space to install a comfortable staircase, so stairs leading in the attic of a small house, they can be very cool. The minimum span width is 80 cm. This is the minimum, and such models are too narrow to stretch or lift large objects, such as furniture.
Attention! The width of the staircase is measured between the balustrades; the actual width is influenced by the shape and method of fixing the balustrade.
Choosing a location for installing the stairs
The choice of location for the stairs largely depends on the surface it occupies.
Smallest area occupied, of course, by a spiral staircase, but such options are inconvenient. In relatively small space you can install a convenient simple single-flight staircase. 4 m² of area is enough for it, compared to 6-7 m² in the case of a two-flight staircase with a rest area.
IN many respects, the best solution is a staircase located in the lobby or corridor. The staircase can even be completely divided and placed between two walls of the rooms. If we place it between the bedroom and the living room, this will also make it possible to create a sound barrier between these rooms, while we can freely receive guests in the living room when children are sleeping in the bedroom downstairs or upstairs.
Stairs located at the entrance to the house are good option if he lives in the house big family or people different generations. Even if its members go out and return home at completely different times, they do not interfere with each other.
Alternatively, the staircase is placed in the living room. This solution is currently very popular and is used in new homes, but it has a number of significant disadvantages:
- First of all, such a living room becomes an inevitable part of the communication space and it is difficult to avoid the transmission of noise between it and the rooms above;
- In addition, such a design in the living room takes up little space and is difficult to organize.
When choosing a location for the attic staircase and its shape, we must remember what kind of hole is required in the roof. The easiest way is to make a long and narrow hole for a single-span model with beams located in parallel. Designing any other opening in the floor is a job for the design architect, who will calculate the number of supports and how to organize its structure.
Regardless of which model you choose, it is also important to design it in accordance with the style of your home. Classic interiors love wood and wrought iron, and modern minimalist houses love chrome stainless steel simple shapes. For a house in a rustic or Provence style, models made of wood in natural form or painted are suitable, light wood will look good in Scandinavian interior. A house in the loft style will be decorated with a structure made of concrete or metal, rough, unprocessed, reminiscent of the climate of factories and factories.
Subject to proper arrangement, an ordinary attic space turns into a comfortable and perfect place for living. attic room. To ensure the safest and most easy access a reliable staircase must be installed to the attic floor. You can handle the assembly and installation of the stairs if desired. on our own. Read the instructions and get started.
There are several main types of stairs suitable for providing access to the attic space.
The most compact and easy to manufacture option. Such steps are assembled and hidden behind a lid that covers the entrance to the under-roof room.
The design is based on a spring mechanism, allowing quick and easy special effort open the stairs - you just need to pull the hatch down, after which the flights will smoothly unfold. Last flight of stairs Usually you have to lay it out manually.
To lift the structure, it is best to install special automation - with it, using the stairs will simply be more convenient and easier.
Traditional and most common option. Such ladders are extremely reliable and easy to use. The steps of the stairs can be fixed on bowstrings, bolts and stringers.
Installation of a conventional single-flight staircase is performed at a certain angle. The specific slope value is selected individually, taking into account the height of the ceilings in the room. If the distance from floor to ceiling is large, the staircase will have enough steep descent, which is not very convenient.
Using stairs of two and three flights, you can organize the most safe and convenient ascent to the attic. However, to place such rotary structures you need quite a lot of space. Typically, such stairs are provided at the attic design stage.
The spiral staircase to the attic can be equipped exclusively with the use of winder steps. This design allows you to significantly save useful space, but trapezoidal steps can hardly be called completely safe and very comfortable, especially for older people and small children.
A spiral staircase must be equipped with comfortable and stable railings.
Very beautiful and original design. Set up on a curved stringer. It is extremely difficult to independently calculate and assemble such a staircase without the proper skills.
However, provided that it is properly arranged, an involute staircase will be a wonderful addition to any interior.
Pay due attention to the design of the stairs to the attic. The optimal depth of steps is considered to be 30 cm. The most comfortable step between steps is about 15 cm. A staircase with such parameters can be climbed and descended comfortably and safely, resting the entire surface of the foot on the steps.
The most convenient width of the staircase is considered to be 80-100 cm. If the width of the staircase is more than 1.2 m, an additional central stringer must be included in the design.
One person of average build will feel comfortable even when using a ladder with a half-meter width.
Try to make the slope of the span no more than 45 degrees.
Current regulatory documentation requires that the staircase steps have a depth of 25-40 cm, and the riser height is 12-22 cm.
Try to design the staircase so that there is at least 200 cm between each step and the ceiling free space. Even tall people will not experience discomfort on such stairs.
For the rest, be guided by your own preferences, not forgetting about personal comfort and, of course, safety.
What to make a staircase from?
A wide variety of materials are used to construct attic stairs. Their list includes:
- glass;
- concrete solution;
- wood;
- metal.
In practice, stairs are most often made of wood or a combination of materials. At this point, you must make a decision yourself, focusing on the interior design features, personal preferences and available budget.
Each material has a number of strong qualities, and certain disadvantages.
Eg, metal stairs with glass steps they look very impressive, but are quite expensive.
Wooden structures bring a certain sophistication and comfort to the interior, but require competent and regular maintenance.
All metal and concrete structures They can withstand even very heavy loads, but do not fit very well into the interior of residential premises and create large loads on the base (floor).
In general, when choosing a material for making stairs, be guided by your personal preferences.
Where to install the ladder?
The staircase to the attic floor can be installed outdoors or indoors. Most convenient option– this, of course, is the internal placement of the stairs. In such a situation, you won’t have to go outside, which is especially valuable in bad weather.
However, in some situations there is a need for external arrangement of stairs to separate the attic space. It is best to make an external staircase from metal. IN similar situation Be sure to install reliable burglary-proof doors at the entrance to the attic to protect your property from attacks by intruders.
You can come up with original options registration street stairs. For example, quite often owners add a beautiful tower around the steps to the house. Such a solution adds its own flavor to the architecture of the site.
Choose the best option for placing the stairs to the attic, taking into account the above recommendations. If possible, try to give preference to the internal location of the structure.
DIY wooden stationary staircase
The simplest option for self-construction is a single-flight staircase, the design of which is based on stringers. This design is convenient and practical. It does not require a lot of free space and can be set up on its own without any difficulty. It is the order of assembly of such a structure that will be discussed further.
Set for work
- Glued laminated timber (preferably from pine or other durable wood) for arranging stringers.
- Board for decorating steps. Use elements at least 4-5 cm thick. You can also buy steps at finished form. Do what is most convenient for you.
- Boards for making risers. Optimal thickness elements - 2 cm. In most cases (if the load on the stairs is not too large), the use of these structural components can be abandoned.
- Fastening elements.
- Railings to choose from.
- Balusters.
The manual in question provides instructions for making a staircase with embedded treads.
Start preparing the stringer. To do this, make markings on the original beam. The product must be divided into triangles. The hypotenuse of each such triangle will serve as the edge of the beam, one of the legs will be responsible for the depth of the step, and the second for the height of the riser.
Cut out the triangles using a suitable tool. The easiest and fastest way to do this is with a circular saw.
Mill the edges of the products. The optimal chamfer size is 2-5 mm.
To make marking work more convenient, you can pre-make a triangle template of the required size.
Proceed to install the stringer in the designated place. The top edge of the product should be adjacent to the end interfloor covering. The result will be a reliable and sustainable system.
Select the fixation method in accordance with the design features of the staircase, the thickness of the beams and other significant parameters.
The optimal option for fixing the stringer to the beam located above is using plunging. It is also possible to attach the stringer by going under the surface of the site and without directly cutting into the beam.
The plunge-in technique is the most reliable and widespread. To make such a connection, make a notch of a suitable size in the support beam and insert the edge of the stringer into it. The created gash should not be too large, because any depressions lead to a decrease in the strength and reliability of the structure.
Instead of cutting in, you can use options with bolts or corners. However, such installation options are only suitable for lightweight staircase structures.
The stringer must be secured as rigidly and reliably as possible so that the risk of shifting is completely eliminated. To attach the lower end of the stringer, you can use two methods.
In accordance with the first method, it is necessary to make a corner cutout for the supporting beam at the bottom of the element. A groove of the appropriate size is prepared directly in the beam. As a result, all you have to do is insert the stringer cutout into the groove prepared in the support beam and fix the element with the help of corners or tighten it with vertical pins.
In accordance with the second method, a cutout is created directly in the support beam, after which the lower corner of the stair stringer is inserted into it. This type of fixation is reliable, but the support beam in such a situation must have a fairly large cross-section.
If you plan to make a staircase of two flights, first determine the dimensions of the site. The platform must be fixed before attaching the stringers. To do this, provide stable and reliable mortgages in the walls. If it is impossible to attach the platform to the wall, use vertical support posts.
It is best to use screws and glue to connect treads and risers. The nails will weaken over time.
The fixing elements are placed hidden. You can also use corners and strips to fasten the structure. In addition, a fairly reliable and very durable connection option is installation using wooden dowels.
If the staircase is made of hard wood, it is recommended that the fastening pins be made of soft wood, and vice versa. Otherwise, the fasteners will split the base material.
Attach the steps so that their edges extend beyond the borders of the riser by 2-4 cm.
Secure all planned steps.
Finally, all you have to do is install the railings and balusters, and then treat all wooden structural elements with an antiseptic. It would be a good idea to coat the wood with a fire retardant. Also, the material can be subjected to such treatments even before the final assembly of the stairs. Do what is most convenient for you.
If you wish, you can cover the stairs with paint and varnish or decorate it with another finishing material of your choice.
Happy work!
Purchasing a ready-made staircase to the attic is not always the right decision. The internal dimensions of the rooms differ, and the design may simply not fit in size. Individual order- expensive pleasure. Therefore, many people think about making a staircase with their own hands.
Working locally is the optimal plan of action. This is how it will be possible to take into account any nuances of the layout of the house and eliminate inaccuracies in a timely manner. Any craftsman with even the slightest carpentry skills can construct a wooden staircase correctly.
Options for stairs to the attic: advantages and disadvantages of the main types
Installing an attic space is a relevant and effective method of expanding the living space of a private home. However, in this case, it is necessary to resolve the issue of climbing to the upper floor. Mistakes made during the design and installation of a staircase structure can “zero out” all the advantages of the attic space. An ill-thought-out location and type of construction can “eat up” the additional meters acquired when arranging a living room.
Based on the location of the staircase relative to the house, two types of structures are distinguished: external and internal.
An external staircase can be used as a temporary or permanent staircase. The external design has some features:
- Attic floor with separate entrance allows you to delimit living space. This is especially true if the owner of the “attic” room wants to enter his room without disturbing the rest of the household.
- The external staircase does not clutter up the space inside the premises, which is very important for houses with a small area.
- It should be taken into account that intruders and thieves often try to enter through the external staircase. To arrange a house in an unguarded holiday village, it is better to choose internal compact structures.
Internal staircase layout is the most common option. If the area of the house allows, then such a design - optimal solution. An attic staircase can become an interior decoration, and in winter time to get to the second floor you won’t have to cross the street. A possible disadvantage is the use of usable space.
Based on the type of construction, there are five main types of stairs to the attic:
By comparing the pros and cons, taking into account the dimensions of the room and existing circumstances, it will be possible to determine optimal design stairs for home.
Installation of stairs to the attic: basic terms
The main structural elements of the staircase are: stringer, tread and risers.
Stringer - load-bearing beam. Essentially, this is a board on which fragments have been cut for installing steps. When making a wooden staircase, the thickness of the stringer should not be less than 50 mm, the minimum permissible width is 250 mm. As a rule, two load-bearing beams are used. An additional stringer is installed if the width of the attic staircase exceeds 1.2 meters.
Tread is the horizontal part of the step that is stepped on while walking. When developing a drawing, it must be taken into account that the greater the distance between the load-bearing beams, the stronger the steps should be. For the manufacture of these parts, boards with a thickness of 25-50 mm are used. The treads have an overhang of 20-40 mm over the proper step.
Riser - the vertical part between the treads. This structural element usually carries no load. In some versions of stairs, there are no risers at all - such a rise visually seems easier.
Choosing a material for making a wooden staircase to the attic
The staircase structure is a full-fledged part of the interior, and in the case of an external staircase to the attic, it is an important architectural element. When choosing the design and material of the stairs, you need to focus on the interior of the house.
Wooden stairs are suitable for many styles and easily fit into the interior. In addition, wood is easier to work with than other materials. Therefore, if you plan to make your own stairs, then it is better to choose wood.
Important! Wood needs protective treatment that increases the material's resistance to moisture and fire.
The staircase can be erected from both coniferous and deciduous wood. Ideal coniferous options are cedar and larch. The wood looks good, is easy to process and practically does not rot.
Spruce is slightly inferior in its characteristics. Its main disadvantage is the presence large quantity knots. It is easy to work with pine; an additional advantage of wood is its affordable cost.
Of the hardwoods, oak is best suited for creating stairs. Beech is in second place in terms of performance characteristics, and ash is in third place.
Metal attic stairs emphasize the individuality of the home design. The design is very durable and reliable. The metal can be given any color or chrome plated - the decision depends on the style of the attic and the entire room.
It is quite difficult to build a metal staircase yourself - you will need welding machine and experience working with it.
Stone or concrete stairs- heavyweights that visually burden the interior of the house. It is better to build such a rise outside the house. Subsequently, the stairs can be plastered and painted in a suitable shade.
How to make a staircase to the attic: step-by-step installation of a marching structure
Choosing a place to install the stairs
To install the stairs, you need to determine the most optimal place:
- It is optimal if the entrance to the attic is located in a separate room such as a vestibule. This will allow you to equip the staircase with convenient dimensions and provide additional thermal insulation of the room. If necessary, the vestibule can simply be closed and cold air from the attic will not reach the lower floor. This is convenient if the attic is used as living room only in summer.
- If there is no vestibule, it is better to erect the lifting structure near the far wall of the room. This arrangement saves usable area, and the steps will not interfere with walking around the room.
- When planning the installation of folding steps, it is better to provide not just a passage in the ceiling, but a closing hatch - this will help minimize heat loss in the room.
Calculation of stairs and drawing up drawings
There are certain standards that determine the permissible values of the main parameters of the stairs. Manufacturing of structures in compliance established sizes guarantees safety and ease of movement on the stairs. The following standards must be adhered to:
- the width of the stairs should not be less than 80-100 cm;
- comfortable step width - 20-32 cm (optimally - 30 cm);
- the narrow part of the winder step - at least 10 cm;
- riser height - 15-19 cm;
- the slope of the flight of stairs is 20-40°.
An approximate procedure for calculating the dimensions of the stairs:
- Measure the floor height - the difference between the finished floor level of the lower floor and the attic. Let's say the value is 250 cm.
- Determine the height and number of steps. To do this, the lifting height should be divided by the riser height (18 cm), that is: 250/18 = 13.88 pieces. Since fractional numbers are not suitable, 13.88 must be rounded to 14 pieces. Accordingly, the actual height of the steps will not be 18 cm, but 17.85 cm (250/14).
- Calculate the length of the march. If we take the width of the steps as 27 cm, then the total length of the march will be 405 cm (14*27).
- Based on the calculations performed, make a drawing and apply markings.
- Then measure the distance between the edges attic floor. Mark the lines on the drawing.
- Measure the distance from the edge of the attic floor to the steps of the stairs. According to GOST, this value must be at least 185 cm for unhindered movement along the stairs. If this size is smaller, then the length of the march must be reduced by increasing the height of the steps and reducing their number.
- The calculation of stringers is carried out according to the formula: step height + step length * 4.76. That is: 4.05+2.5*4.76 = 4.75 m.
- The width of the stringers should be doubled larger size riser, that is: 17.85*2=35.7 cm.
The procedure for assembling the stairs
Prepare boards for stringers - you need to buy them with a small supply. For example, if the required length of the stringer is 4.75 m, you need to take a board 5 m long. Mark the slots on the stringers using a carpenter's angle. Draw out the places for cutting the steps and number them.
Since the calculations were carried out without taking into account the thickness of the boards, this value must be taken into account when cutting the lower part of the stringer.
Important! After cutting out the stringers, they must be compared with each other - they must coincide clearly, otherwise it will not be possible to assemble a strong staircase.
The next stage is cutting out the platform beam. The width of the beam is calculated as follows: width of the staircase (90 cm) + double thickness of the stringer + 14 cm (depending on the parameters of the staircase). So, according to the example given, the platform beam is equal to: 90+2*5+14=114 cm. Two such beams will be needed.
Make cuts in the prepared beams, moving 7 cm from the edge. The width of the cuts should correspond to the thickness of the stringer. Then the beams are fixed to the ceiling using anchors.
Install stringers into the grooves and secure them to the beams with pins or dowels. The stringer, which is joined near the wall, is secured to it with anchors. Then the steps and risers are installed. Fixation of structural elements is carried out in one of the following ways: cutting, screws or dowels.
The final stage is the installation of balusters and the installation of handrails.
Installation of a spiral staircase in the attic
The design of a spiral staircase has a number of features that must be taken into account during design and installation:
- V spiral staircases oh usually there are no risers;
- when people move, the middle of the steps is exposed to the main load, so the width of this part should be at least 20 cm;
- the narrowest part of the step should not be less than 10 cm;
- the optimal diameter of the screw structure is 220 cm;
- the branches of the steps should be located at a distance of about 2 meters from each other;
- the steps are arranged with a slight overlap - this provides additional structural strength; the edges of adjacent steps are connected by brackets.
Assembly sequence of a spiral staircase:
- Installation of the support stand. TO wooden floor the beam is fixed with special fasteners, and it is concreted to the cement beam with braces.
- Cut holes in the treads and “put” them on the support post.
- Separate the steps with bushings required height. Place safety washers between the steps and bushings.
- Distribute the steps according to the plan and secure with brackets.
- Install railings and handrails.
Stairs to the attic in a private house: photo
Staircase to the attic: the dimensions of the structure allow for efficient use of space. Under the stairs there is a built-in kitchenette and a library.
Compact stairs to the attic, installed in the corner, are the best option for small rooms.
Metal external staircase in the attic: photo
A simple way to increase the living space of a small country house– organize the attic in attic. To bring the living conditions in the attic to normal, it is necessary to carry out a number of construction operations, where it is important to organize safe movement from the first floor of the house to the attic. In this article we will talk about stairs to the attic: what types are used, what materials are they constructed from, what requirements for staircase structures are imposed by SNiPs, as well as several technologies for their construction. The information will be useful to all those who are thinking about building an attic in a private house.
Types of attic stairs, their advantages and disadvantages
Let's start with the fact that the stairs to the attic themselves can be installed both inside the house and outside. The second option is rarely used, only if the area of the rooms on the first floor does not allow the installation of a staircase structure. It is dangerous to use such stairs in winter or in the rain, so they are covered with canopies or awnings different shapes and sizes. Although not always. The photo below shows an example of such a wooden structure.
Basically, staircase structures to the attic are installed inside the house. Purely constructively, three varieties are chosen: marching, screw or folding. He will talk about each of them.
Online staircase calculator
To find out approximate cost stairs various types, use the following calculator:
Marching stairs to the attic
This is the simplest option in design. Such stairs are very convenient in terms of moving along them. But they are subject to one very important requirement - the angle of inclination should not exceed 45°, but, as experts say, it is better not more than 40°. Therefore, this type is not always possible, especially in small spaces. Because marching stairs have a large projection onto the plane floor base. In fact, they take up a lot of space.
Flight structures are distinguished by the number of flights: with one, with two with a 90° turn, with two with a 180° turn and an intermediate platform. In the latter option, the platform can be replaced with winder steps. To help you understand what we are talking about, the photo below shows such a design.
Let's consider each variant of marching models separately.
Single march
This is the most simple design, straight without turns or turns. Name her compact staircase You can’t go into the attic, it takes up too much space, taking into account the slope of no more than 40°. If the room through which the transition to the attic is organized has decent dimensions, then this type can be installed. It is not installed in small private houses.
The single-flight design has many advantages:
minimum materials from which it is made;
accordingly and low price products;
simplicity installation and assembly;
if you install it correctly near the wall, then places she will occupy A little;
can be arranged under the stairs storage space for household utensils or a recreation area, as shown in the photo below.
Installation of a single-flight staircase is a simple process. If it is small in size, then it is delivered to the house ready-made. Such structures are made to order, the main thing is to accurately measure the dimensions of the area where the stairs will be installed. And this is the height of the ceiling in the house, the angle of inclination of the structure, its width and the height of the railings.
Often craftsmen bring only lumber with them and do the manufacturing locally. In this case, all dimensional parameters are measured in the house and immediately transferred to boards and beams. We must pay tribute that the first option is simpler. Ready product you just need to install it in the ceiling opening and secure it to the floor of the first and attic floors. If the staircase is located near the wall, then it also goes to this plane.
Pay attention to the photo below, which shows how easy it is to assemble a simple one-flight staircase.
Install two beams connecting the floor of the attic and the lower floor of the house.
They are installed on their internal planes and secured with self-tapping screws. bars section 50x50 mm.
On the bars install boards, performing the functions of steps.
After which they produce installation of railings fencing.
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Double march
When the task is to make a staircase to the attic in a small house, they often choose a two-flight or spiral design. In this section we consider the first model. They can be of two versions: with a turn of 90 and 180°. It cannot be said that one of the two options is preferable. It all depends on how high the ceiling is in the house, and how much space in the room is allocated for the construction of the stairs. The second option takes up less space.
Let's look at how craftsmen assemble a staircase with a 90° turn.
First it is applied to the walls marking intermediate platform. That is, its height, width and length. The last two parameters may be the same.
According to the applied marks site is being constructed, under which four support posts made of timber with a minimum cross-section of 100x100 mm must be installed. The racks are attached to the floor, and those that stand against the wall are also attached to its plane.
Supports tied with boards 50 mm thick or beams 100x100 mm.
The resulting structure on top covered with boards 30-40 mm thick, you can use plywood, OSB or chipboard.
The platform is ready, now a single-flight staircase is installed to it from the floor of the lower floor, which with its upper ends will rest against the prepared platform. It will be attached to it. The technology for installing a single-flight structure is described above.
Now, from the intermediate platform towards the entrance to the attic, another single-flight is installed staircase design. It just goes along adjacent wall, and is additionally attached to it.
Video description
The video shows how a two-flight staircase to the attic is assembled with a 90° turn:
A two-flight structure with a 180° rotation is a more complex structure, although it consists of two flights, like the previous version. They just fit relative to each other in opposite directions. Often such stairs are installed in the attic in a small room that is not residential. For example, it could be a corridor, veranda, etc.
The essence of the whole design is that the intermediate platform is made wider so that two flights can fit on it on one side: lower and upper. And since the minimum width of the marching structure is 80 cm, accordingly, the width of the platform should be at least 160 cm. It is from this value that one must start when constructing a staircase of this type.
As for the assembly process itself, it is no different from the previous one. That is, first an intermediate platform is assembled, then a lower flight is installed on it from the lower floor of the house, and then the upper one. Both parts of the staircase can be assembled in the workshop, and once ready to be installed, they can be assembled on site.
It should be noted that today, stairs connecting the attic with an intermediate platform are increasingly being abandoned. Preference is given to models with winder steps. They are easier to install and cheaper in terms of material consumption. We will not describe how such a structure is made. Watch the video where you can clearly see all this.
Video description
The video shows how easy it is to assemble a finished two-flight staircase with winder steps:
I would like to add that today the so-called modular stairs. They are assembled in modules made of metal pipes. Parts of the structure are selected according to size. They are easily connected to each other using a socket method and secured with bolts, which already guarantees high reliability of fastening. But the steps are made of durable wood. The result is a kind of symbiosis of metal and wood, which always looks presentable. Metal is often painted black, but here manufacturers offer different variants.
Screw
These are the most original and unusual stairs with which you can climb to the attic. Their main advantage is compactness. They fit in almost any room.
Their design feature is a pillar post on which the steps are attached along a spiral ascending line. Moreover, the shape of the latter can be different: from classic rectangular to original rounded.
This design can be installed in a corner or against the wall of the room, and it will not interfere. At the same time, the space around the stairs can be used in different ways.
Today, manufacturers offer different options for assembling spiral staircases to the attic. But increasingly, consumers choose modular designs. They consist of pipe sections to which they are welded supporting elements. The latter are already metal steps. They will subsequently be finished (covered) with wooden steps. The modules are assembled together using a socket method, followed by bolting.
Folding
What can we say about folding stairs to the attic? They did not take root in Russia. They are used too, but not as often. After all, our compatriots are accustomed to monumental construction. They do not accept the Western approach to housing.
Purely structurally, these stairs consist of several parts that are connected to each other by hinges. Therefore, they easily fold up to the ceiling or, in general, are stored in the attic. Such structures are called attic structures and they belong to the category ladders. Today, manufacturers offer a huge range of them. They can be selected by length and number of sections, by design, as well as by the type of raw material: metal or wood.
Here are some advantages of this type of stairs:
Maximum compactness.
If necessary, they can be put away(fold), and in the lower room they will not interfere.
Manufacturers do everything to ensure that transforming stairs have maximum security. After all, very often children’s rooms are organized in attic rooms, which means that children will mainly move along the stairs.
Unfolding the device or folding it is not very difficult. All it takes several manipulations.
Small specific gravity- also a big plus.
Acceptable price in comparison with other varieties.
Let us add that in terms of design, folding stairs are divided into the following types:
folding in the form accordions;
telescopic type;
folding- not the most popular type, because this option resembles a single-flight staircase with a large angle of inclination.
Conclusion
Regardless of where the staircase to the attic will be installed: from the veranda, corridor or living room, it is recommended to make it beautiful. Its appearance should fit into the interior design of the room. It shouldn’t stand out too much, but it should definitely highlight the interior decoration. Therefore, when choosing the option proposed in this article, we recommend that you coordinate it with the designer whom you have entrusted to organize the interior of your home.
