Space saving stairs would include any stairway that was
designed to save space in a building. The picture below represents a
stairway that was designed to increase storage space, by creating a
closet underneath the stairs. This particular closet even goes
underneath the split landing.
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Designing Space Saving Stairs For Small Buildings
This is probably one of the toughest jobs an architect or designer will
need to do. It's often difficult to fit a set of stairs into small
buildings, while still meeting local building and safety codes.
If you're looking for a small stairway, spiral stairs will usually get
the job done, but there rarely used to access spaces larger than 400
square feet.
If you can't use a spiral stairway, the only other option you have to
create a space saving stairway for a small building, would be to use
winders. This stairway uses triangular shaped treads to reduce the
length of the staircase.
Staircases Designed With Closets
Some building codes require fire protection under stairways and you
should make sure that you understand what the building department
actually requires, before starting on the project.
One time we needed to seal up a closet for a new home, because the local
building department required a fire sprinkler under a stairway that was
going to be considered living space or a storage area. It was going to
cost more money to install an additional fire sprinkler under the
stairs, than the homeowner was willing to pay.
Closets under stairs usually require a special drywall, to protect the
stairway, in case there ever was a fire underneath the stairs. Since the
stairs are the main exit for the people upstairs, we can't have them
burning down, before the people upstairs, get a chance to exit the
building.
Moral to the story, if you're not interested in doing things twice, make
sure that you understand how to do them right, the first time.
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