Attic conversions for peace of mind

Falling over your golf clubs? Can't find the Christmas decorations? The children don't want to share their bedroom anymore? Perhaps it's time to add some storage space or another living area by opening up into the roof.

"It depends on how much height the roof has as to whether you use it for storage or living," says veteran attic builder Graeme Robinson of Attic Access Company. Check with your local council as to your options.

Constructing an attic

One of the difficulties with constructing attics is that if a house is short on space, then it probably can't afford to have precious floor area taken up with permanent stairs that lead up to the new level. With 30 years experience behind him, Graeme came up with a system to fix this issue.

"In the past, folding access ladders were all people knew - that or they had to build permanent stairs, which are expensive and space consuming," Graeme says. "Over the past five years we've introduced our sliding systems, which are so space efficient that they can be used in confined areas like alcoves or even a linen press."

Overlapping attic conversions

Graeme's patented design has one section sliding over another. "The double overlapping threads act like a loading platform - so if someone was half way up the ladder, passing boxes up, they have something immeasurably stable to hold the load."

The sliding system is also gas lifted to neatly fold away. Graeme also uses his gas and counterbalance system on the doors to the rooms. "You could install a full-sized house door and a child could lift it with our system," Graeme explains. This ease of use also gives it a safe fire rating.

The design is seamless so that the stairs sit flush to the floor, with a perfectly measured step up to the attic. "Some engineers can over-design an attic, and floor levels can end up 300-400 mm above the ceiling lines. We realised with our new design that it's important to get a good tread height, right up to the last step."

Contact a builder in your area to find out more: