I just had architest add stairs from my garage to the basement. Foundation is 10′ Superior Wall Xi prefabricated. Current dimemsions are just over 3′ with a 30″ door at top and bottom of the steps. I was thinking of asking him to increase the 3′ to 4′ with a 42″ door at top and bottom. Any thoughts would be appriciated.
John
Replies
Looked at a house once that had 8-10 foot wide steps to cellar. Had plank over the steps. Nothing special in the cellar, expected to find a woodshop or a mortuary.
The wiring in the house was all relays. Little momentaries where the light switches were expected, and home runs from the breaker box.
The last 4 houses that I worked on here have had steps from the garage to the basement.
They all had somewhere between 36 - 42" wide steps with at least a 32-34" door, the current one has a 36" door. I dont like the idea of a 30" door, to many reasons to have a wider one.
Doug
Are the new stairs the only set leading into the basement? By those dimensions you would have to take the door off the hinges to get a washer and dryer down there. And it still would be tight.
If it's possible widen it so that you can get a 36" door at top and bottom, with enough room to case the door out.
I'm with Stilletto - 42" stairs and a 36" door.
Stairs from the geerage to the basement are great. I think you'll be glad ya did it.
Thanks all for your responses. These will not be the only steps to the basement. There will be the normal stairs from the house and also a set of walk up steps on the back of the house. 5' to 6' wide. Just trying to finalize these plans and get started in the spring.Thanks againJohn
Wider is Better
"Fat bottom girls, you make the rockin' world go round."
The best set up I've worked in was a concrete ramp from garage to basement with a 3'-0 door- but the builder didn't put the minimum 4" raised landing required by our building code, between garage and living area. At the base of the ramp was the furnace and water heater- volatile if fuel was ever spilled in the garage.