Attic appeal, page 6
Finished attics can offer gorgeous living space, but creating attractive stairway access to attics isn’t always easy. Floor area is usually limited underneath attic openings and few manufactured attic stairs that I’ve seen look great while also working conveniently.
That’s why something unusual caught my eye last year. It’s an Italian-made attic stair system called Karina, made by a company called Arke ( stairkit.com; 778-571-0824). After installing and using a set in one of my projects, I like it. That said, there are also a few things to consider before deciding whether stairs like these make sense at your place.
Though the company is European, Arke has strong Canadian dealer support that proved helpful in answering my technical questions. Their unique Karina stair is made with a series of swivelling metal parts that bolt together during installation to form the main framework of the stair.
This means the stair can be installed straight or curved in either direction, while also working with a range of ceiling heights. At the top end, you’ll need at least a 24-inch wide attic opening, with about five or six feet of horizontal floor space to accommodate the staircase. All in all, that’s a pretty small footprint for any stair.
The real test of any attic stairs is how easy they are to climb and I found Karina more comfortable than other attic systems I’ve used. That said, they’re not as easy to climb as regular stairs. The Lshaped wooden treads, which allow the staircase to take up 50 per cent less floor space than regular designs, do take some getting used to. After almost taking a tumble on the stairs while wearing socks, I installed high-friction tape on the front edges of each tread. This boosts safety more than enough to be worthwhile.
At $1,900, Karina offers good value compared with competing spiral attic stairs. The system includes a steel railing design that’s part of why this stair is so versatile. It’s made from a series of cane shaped steel pipes that fasten to the treads and to each other with plastic fittings and set screws. Though the pipes are small in diameter, the railing is surprisingly solid when tightened up. The shape is also easy to grab.
Looking at all the parts involved, installation seemed more daunting at first than it turned out to be. Arke does offer an installation DVD, but improved written instructions and visuals would make this work easier. I found the installation process more challenging than I expected until I figured out how railing configuration varies depending on the curvature of a particular installation.
All-in-all, I’d rate DIY installation of Karina as moderately challenging. If you’re a handy homeowner, you’ll be able to succeed. To help make this happen for you, these tips will prove helpful if you install a Karina system yourself.
First, you’ll find a straight installation easiest because it simplifies railing assembly. Curved layouts like mine are great, just don’t use the paper rail-drilling template that comes with the kit. You’ll find it best to wait until the stair frame and wooden treads are installed before drilling the treads to accept the railing.
Second, if you decide to curve your Karina, consistency is key. Overall staircase shape is created by swivelling the segments relative to each other as they go up, and this curve needs to be smoothly consistent from one segment to the next for best appearance. It would help if the manufacturer stamped graduation lines on the steel parts to guide assembly for straight or curved installations as they bolt together.
Finished attics are efficient, attractive and useful. Getting a good set of stairs might be all you need to let the attic loft lifestyle make sense for you.