Stairs to loft?

[hell_fish_65]

Im trying to figure out a good way to set up stair to go to my loft. I have kicked around a few ideas. 1) just build a stair case against the wall, but this will kill wall space. 2) install drop down stairs like attic stairs. 3) build a ladder against the wall, but carrying parts up and down will be a pain.

Other ideas?

 

[bobbyd]

Here is a suggestion I made in a previous thread:

As far as the stairs, I might consider a ships ladder. Takes up very little space and is very useful if you don't have to go up and down it all the time.

Here's an example of one I installed not to long ago.

 

[mleichtle]

How about stairs on the outside, up to a little beer deck?

 

[3/4tonYJ]

after thinking about alot of different designs i ended up building standard size steps, and using a platform/landing part way up. My starts with 6 or 7 steps then turns a 180 in the corner and has about 10 more steps to the 2nd floor.
they do take up alot of space, but also created some nice storage under platform, and i fit a regular size "back door" just under the upper run of steps.

 

[nova65ss]

after thinking about alot of different designs i ended up building standard size steps, and using a platform/landing part way up. My starts with 6 or 7 steps then turns a 180 in the corner and has about 10 more steps to the 2nd floor.
they do take up alot of space, but also created some nice storage under platform, and i fit a regular size "back door" just under the upper run of steps.

That's what I did also it uses up the least amount of wall and it makes it functional underneath. I'll be putting my bathroom under there once I get it plumbed later on down the road.I moved the workbench since this picture and added a hand rail.

Jimmy

 

[bobbyd]

Hey Nova, you gotta a OH door in the back of that garage too? It doesn't appear that there's enough room on either side of the front door for the set up shown in the picture.

 

[nova65ss]

Hey Nova, you gotta a OH door in the back of that garage too? It doesn't appear that there's enough room on either side of the front door for the set up shown in the picture.

Sure do, put siding on it also so it blends in with the back of the garage.

 

[bobbyd]

Sweet. Something I wish I had done when I built mine.

 

[DIGGER_DAVE]

Hey, my first reply!
I have a two story garage, and ANY kind of stairway INSIDE the shop would just take up too much room. (the darn shop is small enough as it is!)

So .. I installed a circular stair case outside the shop man door with a landing on the side of the outside wall with a door into the second story.

I checked around and found that places that fabricate outdoor metal railings will make them up.
The only dimentions they needed to make mine were; height from the deck to the landing, they then work out the number of steps there will be; and how wide a step you want. (radius)
If you DO decide on having one made; get it powder coated BEFORE you install it! (I hate having to touch up the paint every other year!)

 

[resources]

did you order the metal stairs and if so from where?

 

[ddawg16]

I'm doing spiral....several advantages....little floor space....and with my kids, it will force them to slow down and take it easy...less likely that they will come 'tumbling down".

Do a search on "spiral staircase" and you will find lots of companys that make kits....prices start around $1000....

Disadvantage....you can't take items up that are very large....but then again, that is what a trap door in the ceiling is for.

 

[Brad54]

A couple ideas: A staircase on the outside of the building will free up any floor space. That's a big advantage
Inside: Maximize the space the stairs are taking up: under the stairs, build either a closet for materials storage, insulate it for an air compressor closet (insulated, so it doesn't drown out all conversation every time it kicks on), put a bathroom under it, or at the very least your wash sink.

I was in one shop that made their stairs to the loft double-wide: that made it real easy to carry hoods and other big sheetmetal, seats, etc.

If you do a spiral staircase, I think it's a law somewhere that you must have a fireman pole next to it!

-Brad

 

[HHStang]

This was a clever way I made steps at my old garage. I was limited by neighborhood covenants that I couldn't have an outside stairwell. I also hated giving up the floorspace. So.....two cheapie HF (on sale) electric hoist motors later....

These stairs pivot and lift up and out of the way.