Access to this elevated storage area

[pfmg]

I had another post about accessing this space from below, and that idea is out. I always had planned getting to this storage area from the great room as well, just looking for ideas how to access it. I could put a normal door, at floor level, would look the best, but it would only leave me a small opening to access the space.

i will have a small ladder or stairs pull down or flip put climb up into the space the suggested opening is the red square

Thought about using hidden door bookcase, Or just a door the the storage level, and hide it somehow.

This storage space never really figured into the planning, we didnt think it would be that useable, but once it was framed in that changed, it is 20x12, with a 6’ ceiling

 

[CombatNinja]

Why not a simple 4 stairs or so at the end (as in, where you have the 10' indicated above? Cut down a door and install it at the top if you wish, but I'd just leave it open.

 

[pfmg]

Why not a simple 4 stairs or so at the end (as in, where you have the 10' indicated above? Cut down a door and install it at the top if you wish, but I'd just leave it open.

Can’t have stairs in that corner, corner fireplace goes there. Cant have any stairs the protrude into the high lift bay, could cause clearance issues with truck on lift, or even a car

 

[CombatNinja]

Ok, stairs on the other end then. I don't know, you seem to have designed yourself into a corner on this one.

Hmmmm... Hidden bookcase is a cool idea but a lot of work. Maybe just a hatch hidden behind a nice big framed picture? I assume this would not be an area that will be accessed on a regular basis, I'm thinking holiday decorations and such?

 

[yatg]

Is that a hallway on the left side where the windows are? Put your access panel there so you're not taking up the wall space in the great room.

 

[pfmg]

Ok, stairs on the other end then. I don't know, you seem to have designed yourself into a corner on this one.

Hmmmm... Hidden bookcase is a cool idea but a lot of work. Maybe just a hatch hidden behind a nice big framed picture? I assume this would not be an area that will be accessed on a regular basis, I'm thinking holiday decorations and such?

Yea, it’s not ideal, but the storage space was bonus, so just need the best way to access it occasionally .

Is that a hallway on the left side where the windows are? Put your access panel there so you're not taking up the wall space in the great room.

No, that is where the storage area was kept away from the front, so a window could be put in the front wall

 

[fuggle]

What about floor to ceiling "cabinet doors"? When you open them a ladder, or fold out stairs are built into the wall below the storage floor. When closed it looks like a large cabinet. You could put in a push type opener if handles aren't aesthetically pleasing.

 

[pfmg]

What about floor to ceiling "cabinet doors"? When you open them a ladder, or fold out stairs are built into the wall below the storage floor. When closed it looks like a large cabinet. You could put in a push type opener if handles aren't aesthetically pleasing.

something like that is where im leaning, only wrinkle is it needs to be insulated, as the storage space is not heated. I found a reasonably priced steel insulated access door, 36”x 48” i think that will go in the wall flush with the drywall. Then some type of cabinet like you said, or a false bookcase to cover, and open to access it. Whatever is used to cover it can look like part of the fire place surround, will just build it to match something the same on the other side of the fire place

 

[Bucko]

If that space is not insulated you will be limited on what you can put in there. Heat rises so it will be alot warmer than the garage area. My workshop has a center section that was designed for an rv so it has 16' ceilings. I am in the process of putting a room at the rear of it with a loft above. It gets notably warmer up there and the "attic" area is still above that. The long term plan is to fully insulate but the total shop is 2600sq' so I'm working in stages and the room im currently building will have a mini-split and is only about 200sq'. Just enough to have a retreat when needed so I don't have to go up to the house to cool off.

Back to the access point. I agree with fuggle but see a big media wall with one of the cabinets being the access point. The stairs can be hinged like an attic access and fold back up into the false cabinet. Then you still have the lower cabinets for storage.

If you are not going to insulate the space you could make a foam box from the insulation sheets and slide it up to the access door and the access door would hinge out. I made one for my attic stairs and would just tilt it out of the way. Made a big difference in the temperature at the stair opening. You would also want a door with a good gasket seal because air leakage is worse than lack of insulation.

 

[firebirdparts]

This is lazy, but if that's unconditioned space, I'd use a full height exterior door, insulated. If it's conditioned space, I might put a cabinet face up there. Kind of like the titular wardrobe in "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe"

 

[billconner]

Insulated custom door - 6' or so tall and I'd do 3' wide - and a loose set of steps you can pull out and hook on sill. Some companies online that build them of aluminum. Then a hinged or rolling book case, picture or wall hanging, or a big corkboard.

 

[Bucko]

This is lazy, but if that's unconditioned space, I'd use a full height exterior door, insulated. If it's conditioned space, I might put a cabinet face up there. Kind of like the titular wardrobe in "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe"

After reading your post and re-reading OP's post its not a bad idea. Looks like his concern with this option was reduced access due to the finished floor height of the storage area. That could be solved with a taller door. All of my interior doors are 8'. It would also give you an access point from the garage that is much lower than the original post about access from the garage, although I would want a secondary level of safety with maybe a framed in plywood door with a padlock so no little ones take a curious plunge.

 

[LXCam]

Folding Stairs to wall 54º - Mezzaninesonline.com

The folding stairs to wall are the ideal solution when you need the stairs flush against wall, but there is not too much space. Thanks to their turning system they are folded and collected, taking the minimum space that possible allowing to use it as a transit area. The folding stairs to wall...

mezzaninesonline.com

 

[Zeke]

Ok, stairs on the other end then. I don't know, you seem to have designed yourself into a corner on this one.

Hmmmm... Hidden bookcase is a cool idea but a lot of work. Maybe just a hatch hidden behind a nice big framed picture? I assume this would not be an area that will be accessed on a regular basis, I'm thinking holiday decorations and such?

Yep. Like designing a dock for a lighthouse on to of an inaccessible rock.

 

[APEowner]

I like the hidden door bookcase idea. Since it's going to be custom anyway add some insulation to it.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I think I would insulate the space with some baffles in the roof area. That should trap any heated air and not make a "sealing" door as important.

I might lean towards a pull down attic ladder my option or just a push up scuttle hole access cover. Grab a ladder, push up the panel and climb on up.

 

[pfmg]

After reading your post and re-reading OP's post its not a bad idea. Looks like his concern with this option was reduced access due to the finished floor height of the storage area. That could be solved with a taller door. All of my interior doors are 8'. It would also give you an access point from the garage that is much lower than the original post about access from the garage, although I would want a secondary level of safety with maybe a framed in plywood door with a padlock so no little ones take a curious plunge.

Exacty, an 8’ door would work, i thought i might look odd, but seeing the ceiling is 10’, it might be okay.