I’m building a new home that a balcony overlooking the greatroom lies above a hallway leading to the master suite. The owner would like a pull down type stair at the master end of the hallway that could be accessed from the master suite to reach the upper balcony.
My question, anyone aware of a resource for a hidden stair or pull down stair that has more of a furniture grade appearance than the utilitarian look of a typical pull down attic stair?
I’m thinking as a last resort to buy a Bessler, strip it for hardware and rebuild it in oak. Any ideas?
Never serious, but always right.
Replies
The oak sounds like a great idea ,take out a router and then show them what your made of....
Making the stair is not too difficult, but the owner's going to have to stand the the cost of the manufactured stair to demolish for parts, the oak stringers and treads AND my time and I'm up to $6.80 an hour. Being a brain surgeon he probably can't afford the highway robbery of my time.Actually he's a great client, I was just hoping to find someone that built a library stair grade hidden stair.
Never serious, but always right.
$6.80 an hour is pretty steep :)
Well, I have to admit, a lot of people that have seen my work, feel I'm outrageously high.Never serious, but always right.
As long as people keep paying, more power to ya. :)
Does the owner think that they would use the balcony much if they have to pull down a ladder. Was a small spiral stairs considered?
Yes, unfortunately it would "interfere" with the "balance and "decor" of the room. (In my next life, I'll be able to describe snobbish wine.) Thanks though.Never serious, but always right.
Hey!
I seen a really bitchen stair well mounted on a hinge with a pully and wine bottle combination as a counter balance. OK some rocks too. But you could raise and lower it easily!
TRIGGER
I'd consider these nice, in an industrial iron and white oak sort of environment.
http://www.architecturalstairs.com/08_2002.html
http://www.calvertusa.com/indextemplate.cfm?file=SteelAtticStairs6000.htm
What sort of dimensions do you have to work in? Do you have enough run to just build a flip up set of stairs tucked into some extra-thick joists? What's to be above the stair area on the loft?
Considered the batman "to the batcave!" design...pole to get down, rocket lift hassock to get up the pole?
Can't they afford a little elevator?
Some of those library ladders seem to be furniture grade. Is there a chance that might work.