How Do I Install a door to this Loft/Bonus Entry way ?

Sam
by Sam
It is a open entry way right now, and I want to close this entry way to loft with a door either at the foot of the steps or the top of the steps on first floor . I want to make sure its upto code.
Loft , top of the stairs .
Loft , top of the stairs .
Loft , top of the stairs .
  7 answers
  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Dec 20, 2017

    My first thought before seeing the pictures was a sliding door like a barn door but, more modern. The little columns on either side are problematic, though. You have the wall space but, they are in the way. From the video, I gather the doorway is right at the top of the stairs. I hate stairs without a landing. Could a small area be framed in to give you a door frame as well as a small landing at the top of the stairs? Then you would have room for a door to swing in (and a pretty light fixture). A door swing towards the stairs would be dangerous. I don't see an easy solution for the bottom of the stairs without enclosing the stairs, something else I don't like with stairs. I went back and looked at the pictures again, and it struck me that at one time, this area may have been open and these little columns were the top of the stairs? Anyway, that's my thoughts on it.

    • Sam Sam on Dec 20, 2017

      Yeah i thought about barn door at the top of stairs, but have to remove the columns and that means re doing the railing etc. Bottom of stairs is not easy either

  • Emily Emily on Dec 20, 2017

    Rather than try to enclose the bottom of the staircase I would choose to put a door at the top. I would do that by framing in the columns (since one holds the railing) and then framing out that so that it can hold a door. BTW are you in England? Because my English friends call what I would call an attic, a loft? the posts at the head of my attic stairs are similar to yours.

    • Sam Sam on Dec 20, 2017

      Thanks for your reply. I am in Florida ! they have called it loft or bonus room here ..

  • Sam26000073 Sam26000073 on Dec 20, 2017

    Pocket. Doors or the new look of the barn door on rails.

  • V Smith V Smith on Dec 20, 2017

    You could put 2 skinny doors that swing in if the door frame is wide enough. Removing the posts that flank the door way would mean drywall, trim, and carpet work. You could frame out around the posts and make that the entry point. I think I would put the door at the bottom of the stairs where things are less complicated.

  • William William on Dec 20, 2017

    I would eliminate the the two little walls at the top of the stairs, shorten the handrail into the stairs, and install a prehung door in the opening with the door opening into the room.

    • Sam Sam on Dec 20, 2017

      is that to the code if there is no landing ?

  • Sharon Sharon on Dec 20, 2017

    I would rip out the whole staircase, and put in a spiral staircase. Add your door at the top swinging into the loft space.

    This would give so much openess to the first floor without those ugly stair enclosures cutting your space visually, light and flow wise.

  • William William on Dec 20, 2017

    Doesn't have to be a landing if there is no place to put one. Never heard of a code for door placement.