Loft conversion - compact/spiral staircase

[Woody]

Guys,
We're looking at a potential move.
Place we're looking at has a bit more ground floor space than our current bungalow in the living areas but unlike ours has a huge loft.
Now as to not take up too much space can you use a space saver or spiral stair for loft conversions?

Before anyone asks why not just a house my wife is a paraplegic, the loft room would be an office for me/guest bedroom.

Thanks

Chris

[roofer]

Yes, as it doesn't need to be enclosed for fire regs in a bungalow.

[bobtail4x4]

before putting a space saver, try walking up and down a few, they are dangerous,
a spiral wont save anymore room than a straight flight.

[smokey mow]

Space saver stairs are only acceptable where there isn't sufficent room to accomodate a conventional stair and even then they can't serve more than one habitable room.

See paragraph 1.29-1.32 of approved document K

[Woody]

Thanks guys.
Have got approved doc K to read through.

Quick question - how will a spiral stair take the same space as a conventional one?

Thanks

[Hitch]

They take up space because the treads create a significant circumference for the whole spiral. If you plot the floor space required on a scale plan you'll see that you lose a chunk of space. You tend to need quite a big/square room for them to rise out of too as you can't just run them up a wall like a normal rise.

[Little Lofty]

A well designed winder will take up less space than a spiral, also something to consider is it can be a struggle getting big furniture up a spiral.

[C0ffin D0dger]

Little Lofty said:

A well designed winder will take up less space than a spiral, also something to consider is it can be a struggle getting big furniture up a spiral.

This, we've had enough trouble getting stuff up a double wind staircase into our loft conversion so anything tighter than that would be a right PITA. Couldn't get our kingsize divan up there event though it splits in two, luckily we were going to by a new bed anyway / want a superking but it will have to be a flat packed bed frame.

[Rangeroverover]

Have a look at a website called stairbox, I have bought a few staircases from them, very good value for money and the website makes it possible for a diy moron to do it properly.

Don't get a spiral, they "take over" a far larger bit of floor than a proper winder