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Franki198612 Apr 2015 12:02Hello everyone,
I’m new to the forum and glad to get some advice from you all.
Briefly about my project: I have an older building and want to convert the attic.
Currently, there is access from the hallway through a hatch with a pull-out ladder. However, this ladder is in the middle of the room. Since I want a fixed wooden staircase for access, the location needs to be changed. Ideally, it would be above the entrance to the basement.
So:
1. The hatch is about 160 x 100 cm (63 x 39 inches) in size. The hatch should be closed in such a way that weight can safely be placed on top. Since the access is in the hallway, I don’t care about impact sound insulation. Later on, there will be parquet flooring in the attic. I was thinking of either a wooden structure or concrete. The only drawback with concrete is that I have no experience with it. For the wooden structure, I thought of using sturdy wooden beams lengthwise with additional cross beams underneath for support. Then OSB boards on top, chipboard in the attic, and drywall on the ceiling below. In between, I’d insulate with mineral wool.
2. The access now needs to be installed in a different location. The obvious choice is a staircase above the basement stairs. The issue here is that if I cut a hole in the ceiling, it would have to go through two floors. That means cutting out a roughly 2 x 1 m (6.5 x 3.3 ft) hole in concrete, which is problematic. I was thinking of drilling holes continuously every 30 cm (12 inches) and then knocking out cubes of about 30 x 30 cm (12 x 12 inches) each.
Do you have any advice for me?
I’m new to the forum and glad to get some advice from you all.
Briefly about my project: I have an older building and want to convert the attic.
Currently, there is access from the hallway through a hatch with a pull-out ladder. However, this ladder is in the middle of the room. Since I want a fixed wooden staircase for access, the location needs to be changed. Ideally, it would be above the entrance to the basement.
So:
1. The hatch is about 160 x 100 cm (63 x 39 inches) in size. The hatch should be closed in such a way that weight can safely be placed on top. Since the access is in the hallway, I don’t care about impact sound insulation. Later on, there will be parquet flooring in the attic. I was thinking of either a wooden structure or concrete. The only drawback with concrete is that I have no experience with it. For the wooden structure, I thought of using sturdy wooden beams lengthwise with additional cross beams underneath for support. Then OSB boards on top, chipboard in the attic, and drywall on the ceiling below. In between, I’d insulate with mineral wool.
2. The access now needs to be installed in a different location. The obvious choice is a staircase above the basement stairs. The issue here is that if I cut a hole in the ceiling, it would have to go through two floors. That means cutting out a roughly 2 x 1 m (6.5 x 3.3 ft) hole in concrete, which is problematic. I was thinking of drilling holes continuously every 30 cm (12 inches) and then knocking out cubes of about 30 x 30 cm (12 x 12 inches) each.
Do you have any advice for me?
Yes, I have a piece of advice for you: consult a structural engineer.
Especially when creating a new ceiling opening, it is a major intervention in the structural integrity of your house. No one can help you properly from a distance.
In the worst case, the entire ceiling could collapse at the point of the opening, potentially causing damage to walls or even the whole house. That would be too risky for me.
Especially when creating a new ceiling opening, it is a major intervention in the structural integrity of your house. No one can help you properly from a distance.
In the worst case, the entire ceiling could collapse at the point of the opening, potentially causing damage to walls or even the whole house. That would be too risky for me.
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