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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Building Questions >> Dead space above Stairs.... bigger third bedroom?? https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1505942457 Message started by rampaging_haggis on Sep 20^th, 2017, 10:20pm

Title: Dead space above Stairs.... bigger third bedroom??
Post by rampaging_haggis on Sep 20^th, 2017, 10:20pm

Hi all!!

Need to pick some brains.... we're looking to create a third bedroom whilst utilising the dead space above the stairs to avoid making a horrible and not very practical L shaped room (please see my terrible iPad scetches below)

This will include attaching a flat brace which will protrude about 300mm from the existing wall above the stairs and a further 500mm of some sort of timber frame which will create a small bulkhead in the bedroom and will allow for a sloped ceiling to sit 2200mm above the stairs (again see terrible picture...!)

My question is this - what materials will be required to make sure this is structurally sound? Directly above the new structure and where the existing cupboard is will eventually be a built in child's bed with some shelves above the bulkhead. Not a great deal of weight but bouncing on the bed not entirely out of the question.

Other question... is this something that will have to go through building regs bearing in mind we will sell the house eventually or is this not necessary.

Thanks all in advance!

Ps stairs are 900mm wide and the thick line on the pictures on is the supporting wall which separates us from next door - thick and solid wall!

First picture is what there is currently, second is what we would like and third is what is required above the stairs.

[album]rampaging_haggis&1505940824[/album]

Title: Re: Dead space above Stairs.... bigger third bedroom??
Post by woodsmith on Sep 23^rd, 2017, 7:42pm

Sorry we haven't got back to you but it is difficult to see exactly what you are planning to do. Normally any changes to or around stairs need buildings regulations approval and the building inspector may well be your best bet to get some help and advice as someone needs to actually look at the job to give you a fair idea of what's involved.