Where to Install Stairs and which Type

[dirtrunner0519]

So I am finally ready to do my loft in my garage. It is just getting too cluttered with all the items that need to be in the attic area. However, I cannot seem to find a good location to put my stairs. Should I do a 5' spiral stair or a straight up stair, need ideas.

I have them in the middle and i was figuring to make them drop down. I realized that i will not be able to work on anything large if they are in the middle.

I also attached my concept for the lift design

 

[lakelandcat]

spiral is to hard to take boxes and longer materials up, straight stairs also give you a place for storage underneath. once you get your floor joist up for your loft the stairs should be the next thing so you can get your decking and wall studs sheetrock etc.

 

[dirtrunner0519]

I have an area boxed on the right side for a fork lift to lift boxes etc. spiral stairs would be 5’ wide for code.

 

[kelpaso1]

What kind of design program are you using? I can't make out **** looking at that. Looks more like a wiring diagram than a floor plan

 

[lakeroadster]

If you really want the loft for usable space, stuff you access frequently, you need a stairway with a railing, that is the standard code acceptable angle.

I say this because I have a loft in my barn and decided an industrial Werner 300# A-Frame ladder would work. It doesn't because you have to hold onto the ladder to climb it. In the end I built a regular staircase and found out the storage area under the ladder really results in better space utilization.

Stairway Construction

 

[dirtrunner0519]

Here is a better drawing for the loft I am talking about

 

[B.C.Biker]

In my shop ( work in progress) I went back and forth on different ideas. Even picked up a set of spiral stairs. Best for me was a rolling ladder. It's what I'm using now. Kinda steep but has handrails and like you will be using a forklift to place the heavy stuff anyways. Never seen a home depot flunky laying on the floor next to one so they must be safe enough.
It's on wheels so never in the way. Shelves can be built in the frame for storing lighter things.

 

[MushCreek]

In my barn, I use a ladder, and built a 2' X 4' freight elevator. Eventually, the loft will be closed in, and I'll build a proper set of stairs, but the elevator will still get used for things that are too heavy for an old man to carry up or down stairs. If I were tight on space, I'd build a better ladder, and still use the elevator. Someone on here built a really nice retractable ladder, but I don't remember who it was.

 

[dirtrunner0519]

The problem is the ceiling height is 14'. There will be a couch tv bathroom etc up there so they need to be some what accessible for everyone.