Stairs to the attic: photo, DIY technique. Design options for stairs to the attic Exhaust staircase to the attic
Hosts country houses, especially those suffering from insufficient space on the site, often try to accessible ways expand the living space of your property. One of the optimal and most popular solutions is the arrangement of a residential attic in attic.
The process of arranging an attic space into a full-fledged residential attic includes many stages, including the creation of an effective and subsequent high-quality finishing. But no less important is the organization of a convenient, reliable and safe interfloor passage in everyday use. This article will describe and show in detail how to build a staircase to the attic with your own hands, step by step.
Carrying out preliminary calculations of the attic staircase
The staircase to the attic can be located inside or outside the house. Of course, for all-season use, the internal staircase looks much more advantageous. It is this option that will be considered further.
The staircase itself can be a marching staircase, a winder staircase, or a staircase. If we reason from the point of view of ensuring maximum safety, then it is preferable to opt for the marching option.
But marching stairs have one distinct drawback - large sizes in projection onto the floor plane. And a common occurrence is when the area of the room in which the staircase should be located is not so large that it is possible to settle on the simplest, single-flight option. The fact is that if there is not enough space, such a staircase will turn out to be very steep and extremely inconvenient, and even dangerous for everyday use, especially for children or family members who have some kind of disability due to health reasons.
The maximum steepness angle for such stairs is considered to be 45 degrees. But this also seems a bit much in terms of comfort. rise and descent. So it’s better to stop at up to 40 degrees.
So, the one-march option is obtained very rarely. And in order to achieve the desired angle of steepness, you have to break the climb into two flights (sometimes more is practiced). A transitional horizontal platform is made between the flights (this is easier to install and safer for everyday use). Or the flights are connected by a curved section with winder steps (it looks beautiful, but is more difficult to calculate and install, and is not so safe to use).
Next we'll talk only about the flight of stairs with a platform, as it is simpler and safe option. Who's interested? winder staircase– he needs to go to another page.
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How to design and install a winder staircase
Drawing up a project for a staircase with a winder section, carrying out assembly work - all this has a whole series important features. Read more about it in a special publication on our portal.
So, the construction of a flight of stairs must be preceded by some calculations.
A. It is necessary to calculate how much area of the room the horizontal projection of the planned staircase with a certain angle of inclination will occupy. Or, conversely, how steep a march will be if built on a specifically designated area. If one march, for these reasons, is impossible (as often happens), then the staircase will have to be divided into two flights, and the mentioned parameters will have to be calculated for each of them, taking into account the location and height of the transition platform. At the same time prerequisite is the same slope angle for both marches.
Prices for wooden stairs
wooden staircase
The dependence of the steepness of the flight and the magnitude of its horizontal projection onto the floor plane will allow you to evaluate the calculator located below.
You can expand the space of your home by adding an attic. This convenient option, which can become a real decoration of the yard. The attic is always located on the second floor, so a staircase is required for such a building.
Peculiarities
Different stairs have their own advantages and disadvantages. But there is also general signs, which are typical for everyone.
Firstly, a staircase with a wide landing allows you to further increase the space used for living. This is very convenient, regardless of whether the family lives in the room is large or small.
If you select small staircase with narrow spans, this, on the contrary, allows you to save space. That is why owners of small premises prefer screw or lifting models.
Secondly, beautiful staircase and a properly decorated entrance to the premises will become a real decoration of a private home. Wide steps and railings, decorated forged elements or carvings will perfectly complement the corresponding interior.
And finally, the stairs leading to the attic are traditional element, which does not become outdated over time. As many decades ago, they are used to decorate houses even with a small area.
Materials
Stairs leading to the attic are usually metal or wood. The first option is perfect for the manufacture of external structures. If you cover the metal surface with additional protective equipment, then it will not lose its attractiveness over time and will not become covered with a layer of rust.
Wood is often used in the manufacture of stairs that are located indoors. Wood is a rather dual material. On the one hand, you can build wooden stairs yourself, on the other hand, wood is short-lived and flammable. Moisture usually has negative influence for similar raw materials.
Types of designs and sizes
There are two main types of stairs: spiral and marching. The former are considered more compact, but the latter look more attractive.
Marching
If there is a lot of free space in the room, then it is better to give preference to wide staircases. They are not only beautiful and comfortable, but also safe. Not only an adult will feel comfortable on such stairs, but also a child who has only recently learned to walk.
Most nice option– this is a convenient two-flight ladder, leading to the second floor. But if there is not enough space for such a design, you can limit yourself to a one-march variation.
Some designers adapt the space under the stairs as a closet. You can also install a custom-made cabinet or shelves there.
Screw
The second type of stairs is used a little less frequently. The fact is that making them with your own hands is much more difficult, and moving around them can be quite difficult. But, if you want to decorate your home like this unusual design, then it is quite possible to make it to order or select suitable option in a furniture store.
Staircases also differ in location. In some cases it is more convenient to place it inside the house, in others - outside.
External
Exterior stairs are made from durable materials. The most common of them are stone, metal or wood. Despite the apparent fragility of this material, sometimes preference is given to wooden stairs. If you further process them protective coating, then they will be able to last no less time than the same stone or metal structures.
True, external wooden stairs also have a significant disadvantage. They are quite difficult to clean. But even here you can find a way out. For example, use a retractable or extension ladder. It can be put away for a while and used only when it is really needed.
Domestic
You have to think longer about a design like this. It should be not only comfortable, but also aesthetically attractive. It is difficult to combine everything in one model, but, as practice shows, it is possible. Inside the house they install either spiral staircases or multifunctional ones with the space used underneath them.
Lifting
Such a staircase, as a rule, is also located indoors and leads to the attic. For those who store some temporarily unused things in the attic, or rarely visit it additional room, such a model will fit perfectly.
The arrangement of such a staircase allows you to save free space and use the room on the ground floor completely. There are folding and retractable models. The first ones fold like an accordion, and the second ones can be raised and lowered if necessary. Such simple design turns out to be surprisingly useful in everyday life.
Design options
Like any detail in the interior modern house, the staircase should be its decoration. Now there are many interesting options design. Some of them are very modern, others, on the contrary, are stylized as antique.
Many designers prefer to use in the interior marching stairs with wide steps and beautiful railings. This move leaves a lot of room for creativity. Handrails can be decorated, for example, with carvings if a wooden base is used. And metal or stone stairs will be decorated with elegant forging.
The spiral staircase can also be original. This design itself looks unusual. Therefore, by choosing a spiral staircase, you can emphasize your good taste and love for beautiful things. This type of model resembles a spiral, so it should not be heavily decorated. Too many decorations will blend together, which will spoil the overall impression of the structure.
Separately, it is worth noting that, as a rule, different staircases are chosen for residential premises and places for meeting guests. In the living room, for example, you want to put a luxurious, richly decorated model. But in the corridor or hallway you can get by with simpler options.
Where to place it?
There are several options for staircase placement. It all depends on the size of the room and the characteristics of its use. For example, if there is already little space in the house, you want to save every free centimeter. In this case, it is much more rational to choose an outdoor model, preserving the free space indoors.
If there is enough space, then you can even allocate a separate room for the attic staircase. Such vestibule rooms, as a rule, are made very small, and their arrangement and design are not thoroughly thought through. The only requirement is that the room be warm and comfortable. The presence of a vestibule is especially good if you do not want children to go into the attic, or if it is simply not heated. It is enough just to hang a lock on the door and close it tightly, and the cold will not penetrate into the house, and the path to the attic will be closed for children.
When is it possible to install a ladder in a small separate room no, you have to use the free space of one of the rooms. As a rule, this is the hallway, a little less often – the living room. In this case, the transition from the first floor to the second should be beautifully decorated. You have to select a staircase model that matches the style of the room’s interior, and think about how to use the space under it.
Best option layout - place the stairs near the far wall of the living space. Ideally, on the street side, because in this case you won’t have to sit or sleep next to a cold wall.
As a rule, it is recommended to trust the installation of stairs to professionals. But it often happens that owners want to do everything themselves. It's not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. The main thing is to use simple tips.
Firstly, when planning a DIY project, you always need to think through a full-fledged project and calculate everything. First of all, the location of the stairs is determined. A lot depends on this in the future.
If the house is small, then you should not choose massive luxurious stairs.
Although they look really impressive, they always disappoint the owners of small rooms, leaving no free space for the installation of sofas, tables and other important pieces of furniture.
The second thing to do is to prepare everything necessary tools. Their choice depends on what materials the staircase is made from and on the skills of the craftsman. All design details, as a rule, are made in several stages, and only then are assembled together. This also applies to staircases with several openings, and spiral or single-flight ones.
When the foundation is done, you need to take care of your safety. Any staircase should not only be beautiful, but also comfortable and safe. In order to make it so, you need to use handrails or other additional barriers, if necessary.
Finally, the structure can be decorated, but this is an optional step. Especially if the budget is too limited, or the staircase is used where almost no one sees it.
Beautiful examples in the interior
Houses with several floors and a beautiful attic staircase are considered a sign of luxury. This means that every detail in such a building should look appropriate. The same applies to external structures, because they largely change the exterior of the site. It is difficult to understand how you can turn your ideas into reality without any experience. To make the task easier, you can look at real examples.
The presence of an attic in the house makes it easy to equip a comfortable and functional room for any needs without the need to add additional floors or rooms. An important element This room is a staircase, because it is thanks to it that you can quickly and safely get to the attic floor.
What a staircase to the attic should be like, what to look for when choosing a design and material, and whether it is possible to make attic stairs with your own hands - we will look in more detail in our article.
Types of attic stairs
According to the type of installation, the staircase to the attic, photo below, can be:
- Internal – universal type attic stairs, which is located inside the building. It can take up quite a lot of space, so it is important to carefully choose its design if the room area is small.
- External - located outside the building, this rise to the attic floor is an integral part of the facade. Thanks to this type, the attic will have a separate entrance from the street. It is better to design an external staircase to the attic during the construction stage of the house.
Construction of attic stairs
The standard single-flight is a straight structure located at an angle, the magnitude of which depends on the height of the ceiling. Optimal angle the rise should be 30-45 degrees, so such an attic staircase should not be installed if the floor height is more than 2.5 m - the steps will be too steep and inconvenient, and the structure will take up a lot of space. In addition, this type requires a long opening in the ceiling, which will reduce the usable area of the attic.
In the photo - a straight attic staircase
Double-flight - an option suitable for spacious rooms, since it requires the allocation of space for it, designed for a turntable. Suitable for any ceiling height, maintaining convenient step sizes. The rotation can be either 90 degrees or 180, and to save space it is better to install such an attic staircase in the corner.
One of the options for the location of the attic staircase
With winder steps - instead of a turntable, trapezoidal steps are installed, which are laid with the narrow side into a smaller turning radius. For convenience, the width of the middle step should be at least 0.3 m. This design will take less space than a rotary one, but will provide a comfortable climb to the attic.
You can make such an attic staircase yourself
Screw - the most economical option of all, since it takes up the least space. Capable of transforming and making any interior original. Consists of winder steps attached to the central axis ( support pillar). But at the same time, spiral attic stairs are very inconvenient, since you can easily trip on them. In addition, it is worth taking care of installing reliable railings and installing additional lighting for the ascent to the attic.
How to correctly position the stairs to the attic without getting lost usable area
Folding - the simplest and inexpensive option attic stairs, but it is better to install it if the attic is not used constantly, for example, in the country. It is a compact design of several sections, which, when folded, are easily stored in the ceiling hatch. Such attic stairs are easy to install, do not require planning and are convenient to use, do not take up space, are durable and reliable.
Small folding attic staircase
Which material is better?
The attic staircase is a full-fledged part of the interior, and in the case street installation– important architectural element. When choosing the material and design of the stairs to the attic, you should focus on the interior of the room.
Wooden attic stairs, photo below, can be of any design, shape and color, they are very easy to fit into the interior. In addition, wood is durable and durable material, which can give the room additional comfort. But wood needs timely treatment with special compounds that can extend its service life.
Important: The surface of the steps should not be too smooth, since varnished or polished, they cannot ensure safe ascent or descent from the attic.Metal attic stairs will highlight the unique design of the room. They are durable and reliable and look very original. They can be painted any way suitable shade or order chrome ones - it all depends on the design of the attic and the whole house. Attic metal stairs are suitable for any house: brick, wood, stone.
How to make a spiral staircase to the attic
Stone - solid and reliable structures for climbing to the attic floor. But it is better to install them in brick houses, since visually they are heavy and can overload the interior. It is best to install such a ladder outside. It can be plastered and painted to match the color of the facade.
How to build an attic staircase with your own hands
You can buy finished staircase into the attic, but there is a risk that it will not fit into internal dimensions Houses. Manufacturing according to individual order– the solution is very expensive and takes a long time to manufacture. Therefore, the easiest way is to make a staircase to the attic with your own hands.
Important: It is better to use wood for construction coniferous species: larch, cedar, pine. From deciduous trees it is better to choose oak, beech or ash. The lumber must be well-dried, smooth and free of knots - this will ensure the strength and stability of the future structure.Layout of the stairs to the attic
The construction of a staircase to the attic begins with determining the location of its installation: for a residential attic floor, it is better to make the exit from the hallway or living room, and for a temporary one, from the veranda or street. The easiest way to build a staircase to the attic is along stringers (wooden or metal beams located along the wall).
Basic concepts for calculation
A string should be stretched along the wall, connecting the top point of the attic subfloor and the beginning of the stairs on the first floor. After this, you should calculate the number of steps. It is advisable to first draw up drawings with a work plan and be guided by them during installation.
The dimensions of the tread and riser will depend on the angle of inclination. In this case, the maximum height of the step should not exceed 20 cm (at 45 degrees) and be less than 12 cm (at 30 degrees). The depth of the step should be between 30-38 cm. Optimal width the span is about 100-120 cm.
Angles are marked on the stringer based on the number and position of steps. At the top of the board, you should leave a spike measuring 50-100 mm, depending on the cross-section of the beam, designed to secure the hatch to the attic. A groove is hollowed out in the ceiling under the tenon using a chisel.
After this, the board should be grabbed to the wall and the calculated number of steps should be drawn (lines should be drawn strictly according to the level). In this case, the first board from the bottom is drawn taking into account the thickness of the tread board.
Then the board can be removed and teeth cut into it. The second board is cut according to the pattern of the first. For wide stairs, it is better to prepare three beams.
Installation
First, the base of the staircase is installed, which should be secured with a block. The stringers are screwed to it with self-tapping screws; with the upper tenons they should fit into the prepared grooves coated with wood glue. The strength of the structure will be given by strengthening the structure metal corners And threaded rods(connect the stringers in 3-4 places). After this, the first beam is screwed to the wall.
The lower step is mounted first; it can be secured with self-tapping screws, which need to be recessed and closed with wooden plugs. After this, the riser is installed.
Important: All joints must be coated with wood glue.The tread is screwed with reverse side. This way the stringers are sewn up to the top. The outer line of the steps is sheathed with boards or plywood.
If the width of the attic staircase is more than 120 cm, then the installation of handrails is not necessary, otherwise vertical racks They are bolted to the stringers, and the railings are attached to them. Optimal height the railing of the stairs to the attic is about 85 cm.
You can learn more about how to make a staircase to the attic in the video:
Rational use of living space allows you to create not only comfort, but also reduce home maintenance costs. One such opportunity is to organize attic floor. This is a room that is usually allocated as an attic. If the height of the roof allows, then you can make a small living room there, where it will be pleasant to spend time with your friends or relatives. But you still have to climb there, so it’s important to know how to make a staircase to the attic with your own hands.
Main choice
If you have already tried to imagine the future staircase to the attic, then you have already thought that it can be of two main types:
- external staircase to the attic;
- internal staircase to the attic;
Each of these solutions has both positive and negative sides. It is impossible to say for sure which one will be better. This is important to evaluate locally depending on your specific home project. An external staircase to the attic, for example, has the following advantages:
- does not reduce living space;
- may have an enlarged design;
- greater safety due to design solutions;
- makes it possible to clearly define the boundaries of the living space;
The disadvantages of an external attic staircase include:
- limited choice of material;
- accessibility to attackers;
- the complexity of the work on combining the attic staircase with the facade;
- high maintenance requirements.
The external staircase to the attic is more susceptible to wear and tear. This is due to the fact that it is constantly used, exerting a mechanical effect. Various precipitation in the form of rain, snow, icing and dust deposits also contributes. The most popular are stairs for the attic inside the house. Here are its advantages:
- Can be used in any weather;
- variety in the choice of materials;
- may have expanded functionality in the form of storage shelves;
- a wide variety of design solutions.
The disadvantages of this solution include:
- reduction of living space;
- high cost of production;
- danger due to insufficient space.
Regardless of what type of staircase to the attic is chosen, they all have common design features and are classified according to shape and size.
Design solutions
In addition to assessing which staircase will be best based on its location, it is important to decide on its design. There are several main solutions. One of them is a staircase to the attic with one flight. People often pay attention to it.
This is due to the ease of implementation of the project. She represents one inclined plane, which runs along the entire length of the rise. For internal stairs in the attic, such a solution will only be available if there is enough space in the room. In order for the lifting angle to be comfortable, it should be no more than 45º. And in order not to hit your head on the ceiling on a certain section of the stairs, you will have to increase the opening, which will increase heat transfer and take part of the room from above.
If such a solution is not suitable, then a two-flight one can be evaluated. Such a staircase to the attic will take half the length. It is essentially a single-flight, which was divided into two parts and mounted at an angle. The latter can be from 90º to 180º. At the same time, there should be enough space on it to easily turn around without the threat of falling and injury. A corner is usually used to place such a staircase, because then you can create a pleasant place to sit under it, and the main area remains untouched.
Pay attention! Another subtype of a two-flight staircase is a design without a platform. In its place, additional steps in the shape of a trapezoid are mounted. It is less secure, but also takes up less space.
A staircase in the shape of an auger or a screw will help you save space. It perfectly complements the interior and gives it special solidity. There is no need to mount it in a corner. With proper planning, it can fit into an area of 1 m2. For it, you can use several types of materials and combine them.
The most compact stairs to the attic are folding ones. They don't take up space at all. When it is needed, simply pull the cord and it will extend to the required position. But such a staircase is suitable if the attic is not used too often, since constantly unfolding it is not very convenient.
Main Components
Once you've gotten comfortable with the basic form factors, a deeper understanding of the matter is required if you really want to know how to make an attic staircase. The basis is the kosour. It is the central beam, which bears the main load. This definition applies only to flight stairs. In order for it to withstand the weight of users, which partially increases when moving from one step to another, it is advisable to select its width to be 50 cm for wooden stairs to the attic.
The place where your foot stands on the step is called the tread. Its width should be sufficient to allow you to fully position your foot. Only in this case can we talk about comfort for the user. In any other it is easier to trip or twist your ankle. If the stringers of the stairs to the attic are located at a great distance, then it is advisable to strengthen the treads. This can be done using a support strip or riser. The latter is the supporting central plank under each step. It prevents the treads in the central part from sagging.
Pay attention! The treads should not be too slippery. To avoid this, you can lay special rubber pads on them or make the surface partially rough.
It’s not worth talking about railings for a long time, because everyone knows what they are. They also have their own requirements. For example, their height should be sufficient so that the center of gravity of the body is difficult to transfer beyond their boundaries. The space between the steps of the stairs to the attic and the railings is closed with a decorative lattice or balusters.
Which material is better
The design of the staircase to the attic should fit perfectly into the surrounding interior or exterior, so the choice of material will depend on what the house is built from and what kind of design it has. Metal and concrete options are suitable for outdoor use. The first is less cumbersome and can emphasize the exclusivity of the house. It can be made as a screw or a marching one. A spiral staircase to the attic from outside the house will look more interesting. The disadvantage of such a staircase to the attic will be the need for periodic maintenance, which will be expressed in replacement paint coating. If this is not done in a timely manner, the ladder may rot and someone will end up getting injured. Concrete option Attic stairs can be made of brick, prefabricated blocks or cast on site. It is more practical and less susceptible to precipitation. But it looks rather bulky, so such an attic staircase will look more harmonious in a large house.
Wood products are placed inside the house. Such attic stairs are most susceptible to wear and tear, and their repair is very expensive. In some cases, owners decide to have one outside, but a roof is installed over it or it may be an enclosed hallway. To make such stairs to the attic, dense wood is used. This, for example, could be oak, beech and hornbeam and others hardwoods. Larch and cedar are suitable conifers. They have antiseptic properties, so they perfectly resist putrefactive processes. Requires 1st or 2nd grade. The array must have a minimum number of knots and defects. For the attic staircase to the second floor, wood species that have a high resin content are not suitable. The latter will interfere with high-quality processing and application of varnish.
Combined options for attic structures can consist of metal and wood, metal and glass, wood and glass. These are usually design solutions that are quite expensive. Although you can spy on the idea and implement it yourself. But it is worth remembering that if there are children in the house, then you should select very durable glass so that it does not break into pieces and injure the children.
Taking measurements
If you have the skill to work with power tools and carpentry machines, then you should not have difficulty making own project wooden stairs. The main components of the attic lift can be ordered from craftsmen, and everything can be assembled yourself. Before you get started, you should do exact drawing and choose right place location of the attic staircase.
The location should be such that the ladder does not take up too much space. If we are talking about marching options, then it is better to choose a corridor or a small vestibule for them. For spiral staircases there may not be such a restriction. In the absence of a corridor or similar area, a distant or side wall, where there is a minimum of usable area or it can be sacrificed for the sake of the stairs. IN small house A simple design with one or two flights will look great.
Regarding the dimensions of stairs, there are accepted standards that have been tested over a long period of time and refined. So for indoor installation The ceilings will need to be at least 2.5 meters high. The width of the final product must be from 80 cm. The width of the step is determined by largest size feet of the residents, but usually a size of 30 cm is enough. If there are small children in the house, then for their comfort it is worth making the height of the step from 15 cm. The slope of one flight should not exceed 45º, but should not be less than 20º. Otherwise, the design will turn out to be long and awkward.
Now you can create a sketch of the rise to the attic and apply specific dimensions to it. The first thing you need to do is decide on the number of steps. To do this, the height from the floor to the top edge of the stairs must be divided by the height of one step. If overall height is 3 meters, and the height was chosen to be 20 cm, then there will be 15 of them. It happens that the number is fractional, then it is rounded to big side. Now the length is calculated. To do this, the number of steps is multiplied by their width. In our case, it will be 6 meters. Quite a large staircase for the attic, so it can be divided into two flights. The length of the stringer can be easily calculated using the Pythagorean theorem. To do this, you need to add the height square to the total length square flight of stairs and take it out from under the root. In our case it will be 6.70 m.
Stages of work
Beams for stringers for stairs are taken twice as wide as the height of the step. They are tried on in place and temporarily fixed. To do this, you can pre-drill holes that will be used later to fix the stairs. Markings of future steps are made on a fixed stringer for the stairs. To securely fasten it to the beam in the attic, a square cut is made. Three or more stringers will be needed if the span exceeds 1.2 meters. The remaining stringers are copied following the example of the marked one.
The first to be installed is the bevel, which will be near the wall. It’s the easiest to display, and then you can look up to it. In addition to the fact that it is fixed along its entire length, it also needs to be supported at the bottom. One or two more components of the staircase to the attic are mounted with strict adherence to the angle of the first. To do this, you can periodically use several levels. For stair stringers that are not fixed to the wall, you can use additional supports in the form of columns.
Installation of steps begins at the foot of the stairs. This will give you the opportunity to climb upward systematically. The crossbars are screwed to the base using self-tapping screws. After they are ready, the balusters are installed. Often, for a more reliable fixation, a pin is placed inside along the entire length, which is attached to the steps using washers and nuts. Railings are attached to the balusters.
The final stage of installing the stairs to the attic are finishing work. First everything is cleaned well grinding machines using sandpaper with different grids. The varnish is applied in three or more layers with intermediate sanding with fine sandpaper. The stairs to the attic are left to dry completely, which can take up to a month.
Conclusion
If you dare to undertake such a project, be sure to share your experience gained in installing stairs to the attic with your friends, perhaps some of them will also be inspired by the idea.
A simple way to increase the living space of a small country house– organize an attic in the 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 canopies of various shapes and sizes. Although not always. The photo below shows an example of such a wooden structure.
Basically, staircase structures for the attic are installed inside the house. Purely constructively, three varieties are chosen: marching, screw or folding. He will talk about each of them.
Marching stairs to the attic
This is the simplest design option. 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 of the floor base. In fact, they take up a lot of space.
Distinguish marching structures by the number of marches: 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 simplest design, straight with no 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 in finished form. 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. Finished 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. Only it is laid along the adjacent wall, and 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 for installation, they can be assembled on site.
It should be noted that today, more and more often, stairs connecting the attic with an intermediate platform are 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 from 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 options.
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 are choosing modular designs. They consist of pipe sections onto which support elements are welded. 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 can easily be folded up to the ceiling or, in general, 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 in attic rooms they organize children's rooms, which means that children will mainly move along the stairs.
Unfolding the device or folding it is not very difficult. All it takes is several manipulations.
Small specific gravity- also a big plus.
Reasonable 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 one-flight staircase with high angle tilt
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. Her appearance must 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.
