Would you have a space saver stair?

[Lemoncordial]

We're looking at putting a loft conversion on our house. It's a small house so the room is going to be small, so we need to make the most of the space. We're going to put a shower and toilet up there.

If we put a space saver stair in, then we can put the shower room at the top of the stairs so you don't have to go through the bedroom to get to the toilet and shower.

If we use a normal stair case, the shower and toilet will have to be ensuite. Which means that if anyone else in the house needs to use that toilet, they'll have to go through someone's bedroom, which will be annoying when our young kids are teens. However, I hate space saver stairs and worry about someone falling down them, especially young kids.

Our existing bathroom and toilet is on the ground floor.

Wwyd?

I'm not keen on them, my brother in law has a set and I find them a little worrying and my mother in law who has a slight mobility issue cannot use them at all. Personally I would avoid if they were going to be used regularly.

I'd move. Anyone buying your place in future will not think of the loft extension as a 'real' room.

@Rollercoaster1920

I'd move. Anyone buying your place in future will not think of the loft extension as a 'real' room.

Sorry I don't follow? Why don't you see it as a real room?

No, not if it is like the one in our house. It's awful, and we're going to have it taken out. I worry about older people and also anyone carrying a baby. Too steep and the treads are really narrow.

Sorry I agree with pp, I wouldn't buy a house with this set up. A friend has them and a) they are pretty lethal, and b) they're unlikely to pass building regs so if you sell it can't be marketed as a bedroom up there.

Having the main bathroom accessible only via a bedroom would negate any value gained by having an extra bedroom

Don't do it.

Can you post a pic of what type of 'space saving stair' you mean? Those fold down ladder type things or a set that is permanent but very steep? Do you need it to pass building regs?

I read somewhere that they can only be used if for one room - wouldn’t the fact that there’s a bedroom and bathroom make that not work? (Re building regs)

Doesn't sound great. Where are any other bathroom/s?

As far as I understand it they can be used to access a single room, or singe room and ensuite, so it might be worth getting some careful advice before you start. Another option might be a spiral staircase?

What's the current layout? If you put the main bedroom in the loft with an en-suite can you then turn one of the other bedrooms into a bathroom? And turn the downstairs bathroom into a downstairs loo and utility or study?

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

Having the main bathroom accessible only via a bedroom would negate any value gained by having an extra bedroom

Don't do it.

It won't be the main bathroom. It will be a small shower room. The main bathroom will remain as it is.

Absolutely not, they’re terrifying.

@titchy

What's the current layout? If you put the main bedroom in the loft with an en-suite can you then turn one of the other bedrooms into a bathroom? And turn the downstairs bathroom into a downstairs loo and utility or study?

It's a two up, two down, with the kitchen and bathroom sticking out at the back of the house single story.

Good idea to think through but the house is too small for this. We currently have two small doubles on the first floor. It's too small to put a bathroom on the first floor unless we build a first floor extension over the kitchen, which would be very expensive and need planning permission.

No way.

Yes you're right @katmarie. We have an architect doing drawings. I hate spiral staircase even more!

@Elouera @Honeyroar @WatchoutfortheROUS
Our architect says it will pass building regs as it's one room and ensuite.

My parents have these, I fell down them as a teenager. They are lethal, I wouldn’t want to go down them as an adult daily, I didn’t mind as a kid as it meant getting my own room.
If I was looking at a house to buy they would certainly put me off buying. Sounds like normal stairs and en-suite would be a better option.

@Elouera

Can you post a pic of what type of 'space saving stair' you mean? Those fold down ladder type things or a set that is permanent but very steep? Do you need it to pass building regs?

Permanent but steep. With half treads.

We looked at a house with these, I managed to get up just fine but was terrified trying to get down. It's a big no from me. It will absolutely decrease the value you could otherwise achieve if you have them, so many people dislike it for so many different reasons.

Normal stairs and an en suite definitely.

Stairs and an en suite, and make that your bedroom.

As per my earlier point, it I was looking at a house with space saver stairs to a loft room, I'd factor in the cost of redoing with proper stairs. That's a large cost, so would you add value to your house by doing it? A loft with en suite is about 50k all in in London. Would your house sell for an additional 50k?

Bought a house with these to the loft bedroom and at that time it was not counted as a bedroom. Even with handrails it was fairly hairy going up and down. Can’t imagine trying to get up or down them in a rush. Would there have to be a fire door at the top/bottom which is meant to remain shut at all times?

I don't see the big deal in the attic bathroom only being ensuite. You're keeping the ground floor bathroom, so guests can continue to use that as they are now. Wouldn't touch one of those space saving stairs with a barge pole, especially if you're intending on using that room as a child's bedroom.