ᐅ Where to place the staircase? Attic conversion in a hipped roof bungalow
Created on: 4 Jan 2015 19:47
S
Silke123
Hello!
I am new here and could use your help. We are the owners and residents of a hipped roof bungalow. Now that we have a child and are planning for more in the medium term, we want to convert the existing attic into living space.
We are currently facing the problem of not having a clear idea where to place the staircase. Although the hallway is quite large (unfortunately, because this means losing actual living space), there still seems to be hardly any room for a staircase.
We have considered a few ideas:
1. A straight staircase from the kitchen door up toward the bathroom door (problem: the hallway is only 1.85m (6 ft) wide, so the staircase would make it very narrow)
2. A built-in staircase in the pantry (problem: the pantry is only 1.51m (5 ft) wide, so this option is probably not feasible)
3. Combine Child’s Bedroom 1 with the living room, close the door to the bedroom, and install a straight staircase from the middle of the hallway toward the new living room (problem: the staircase would divide the hallway, and you would always have to walk around it)
4. Same as option 3, combine Child’s Bedroom 1 with the living room, close the old door to the living room, and install a half-turn staircase with a landing in the newly created corner (problem: the convenient access to the living room would be lost, and closing the current (glass) living room door would make the hallway darker)
5. Sacrifice Child’s Bedroom 1 and install a half-turn staircase with a landing there (problem: this would sacrifice a lot of living space)
Do you perhaps have a good idea?
I am new here and could use your help. We are the owners and residents of a hipped roof bungalow. Now that we have a child and are planning for more in the medium term, we want to convert the existing attic into living space.
We are currently facing the problem of not having a clear idea where to place the staircase. Although the hallway is quite large (unfortunately, because this means losing actual living space), there still seems to be hardly any room for a staircase.
We have considered a few ideas:
1. A straight staircase from the kitchen door up toward the bathroom door (problem: the hallway is only 1.85m (6 ft) wide, so the staircase would make it very narrow)
2. A built-in staircase in the pantry (problem: the pantry is only 1.51m (5 ft) wide, so this option is probably not feasible)
3. Combine Child’s Bedroom 1 with the living room, close the door to the bedroom, and install a straight staircase from the middle of the hallway toward the new living room (problem: the staircase would divide the hallway, and you would always have to walk around it)
4. Same as option 3, combine Child’s Bedroom 1 with the living room, close the old door to the living room, and install a half-turn staircase with a landing in the newly created corner (problem: the convenient access to the living room would be lost, and closing the current (glass) living room door would make the hallway darker)
5. Sacrifice Child’s Bedroom 1 and install a half-turn staircase with a landing there (problem: this would sacrifice a lot of living space)
Do you perhaps have a good idea?
It’s not possible from the bathroom side, since you can only use up to 295 cm (116 inches) there.
And honestly, I don’t see your problem with version 2. It’s just about the small corner that needs to be added here, marked in red. The green shows the existing vestibule wall. The door there might need to be moved slightly to the right.
Otherwise, you should draw in where everything is located. I created versions 1 and 2 using the dimensions from the floor plan you posted.
Also, if the staircase is properly designed, you can place built-in cabinets or cupboards under the stairs on the right side.
And honestly, I don’t see your problem with version 2. It’s just about the small corner that needs to be added here, marked in red. The green shows the existing vestibule wall. The door there might need to be moved slightly to the right.
Otherwise, you should draw in where everything is located. I created versions 1 and 2 using the dimensions from the floor plan you posted.
Also, if the staircase is properly designed, you can place built-in cabinets or cupboards under the stairs on the right side.
Sorry, I was confused. I thought the entire wall of the vestibule would need to be moved closer to the entrance door. If it’s just that small corner, then it really shouldn’t be a problem.
I also really like the last suggestion because I’m a big fan of the half-turned staircases.
Thank you very much for your effort!
I also really like the last suggestion because I’m a big fan of the half-turned staircases.
Thank you very much for your effort!
B
Bauexperte6 Jan 2015 09:14Hello Silke,
why don’t you choose the simplest option and install a double 180-degree staircase in the current children’s room "1"? The access to the attic should end up fairly central, so there shouldn’t be any issues with headroom there... provided that the existing roof pitch even allows for an extension.
Best regards, Bauexperte
why don’t you choose the simplest option and install a double 180-degree staircase in the current children’s room "1"? The access to the attic should end up fairly central, so there shouldn’t be any issues with headroom there... provided that the existing roof pitch even allows for an extension.
Best regards, Bauexperte
Hello building expert,
We also considered that option and initially favored it. But as kbt09 mentioned, we would lose the possibility to expand the living room. However, that was never really an issue before the attic conversion – so maybe it’s not that important after all. Still, a lot of living space would be lost "just" for a staircase.
The potential problem with the roof pitch could be solved with a dormer. That would of course add extra costs, but light needs to be brought into the upper hallway anyway. Considering today’s prices for good Velux windows, a dormer solution might not be that much more expensive?! I haven’t really looked into it in detail yet.
I find it quite unfortunate that the staircase can’t simply be placed in the (quite large) hallway. But it is what it is. When we bought the house, we didn’t expect to need children’s rooms someday.
We also considered that option and initially favored it. But as kbt09 mentioned, we would lose the possibility to expand the living room. However, that was never really an issue before the attic conversion – so maybe it’s not that important after all. Still, a lot of living space would be lost "just" for a staircase.
The potential problem with the roof pitch could be solved with a dormer. That would of course add extra costs, but light needs to be brought into the upper hallway anyway. Considering today’s prices for good Velux windows, a dormer solution might not be that much more expensive?! I haven’t really looked into it in detail yet.
I find it quite unfortunate that the staircase can’t simply be placed in the (quite large) hallway. But it is what it is. When we bought the house, we didn’t expect to need children’s rooms someday.
B
Bauexperte6 Jan 2015 09:51Hello,
Of course, it always depends on the roof pitch; that’s why I wrote it exactly like that.
Best regards, Bauexperte
kbt09 schrieb:What difference does it really make—apart from the renovation effort—whether the new staircase is positioned where you sketched it or in the existing room "1"? In both cases, the staircase should be located pretty much under the ridge; although I almost think your options place the staircase too close to the roof edge.
Do you think this could work? After all, it’s a hip roof bungalow, roof pitch currently unknown.
Of course, it always depends on the roof pitch; that’s why I wrote it exactly like that.
kbt09 schrieb:The original poster wants to largely keep the ground floor as is, or did I miss something?
And, of course, you would rule out the possibility of expanding the living room into children's room 1.
Best regards, Bauexperte
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