February 23, 2020 Kite Winder Stairs to the Attic
Here I go again with another kite winder stair. It just fits the space and gets access to the attic within the existing stairwell. Winding the steps up instead of a flat landing with a return set of stairs creates more than 9 feet of headspace in the main stairs.
However this time I needed to build an interior support helical stringer out of steel so I could avoid a post to keep the main stairway open. I used MC12 x10.6 C-channel steel cut to pattern shapes and reassembled with welds. LSL (type of engineered wood) was used as the cut stringers with one fitted into the steel C-channel both glued and fastened to it. The kite winder landing is not only hung off of the steel stringer but supported it too by LVL beams bracing it and spanning to connect with the stairwell walls. I placed LVL beams in the main floor below to carry the weight of the new stairs transferred through the walls with king studs and trimmers under the bracing beams, ( carpenter speak for how it’s structured). I am very pleased with the design and plan to add a dormer above with large windows to pour natural light down through the stairwell and into the house. This classic Denver Square will now get additional living space in the attic and with 3 new dormers adding light and views it will be a great place for kids to play or a home office.