If you plan to convert your attic space into a living area, then you will need a way to get up there. There are many types of stairs you can use depending on the layout and the space you have.

Spiral staircase

One relatively cheap and space saving staircase for attic is a spiral staircase. A spiral staircase looks like a cork screw like below.

It can be made completely with metal, or metal and wood. Some are made with stainless steel. It could be difficult to move large items up a spiral staircase because space is rather limited. If you take a look at the photo above, you will see that there is a center metal column and the handrail on the other edge of the stair.

The distance between the two is quite small, perhaps about two and a half feet. Some spiral staircase are larger however, generally speaking, it is much smaller than the usual staircase.

Retractable stairs or ladder

The other option if space is a concern and if the attic space is not usually used is retractable stairs or ladder. Both types of stairs are hidden in the attic until they are pulled opened or pulled out for use.

Such stairs and ladder are only suitable for attics that are not frequently used.

Floating stairs

Floating stairs, those that have the steps attached to a single side of a wall can be used as staircase for an attic. They are generally small and don’t take up much space. Since they are small, they are not suitable for young children or old people since they can be dangerous if you are not careful when using the stairs.