House Framers/Construction question

Nukem1040

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I'm building a 10' deep x 6' wide walk-in closet for my daughter's room that is above the garage. The new floor (above the garage) will be 21"s above my daughter's floor. I don't care to have your average steps going up into the closet so I'm asking what ideas you all have to build this.

Here's the ideas I came up with:

Steps in the link below, but they only sell 11 in a set, and I only need two. So I'd be stuck attempting to build these. Mini Plus Stairs - Modular Stairs | Stairs by Design #1 in North America

A pull out step where the step would be stowed inside the garage in which I could build a box around it to conceal it. I'm assuming I'd have to build this pull out drawer.

Steps that drop down when you open the door, but then again, the door will be 21" off the floor. No clue how I'd make this.
 

Nukem1040

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Four Door SVT

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Why do you need steps? Should just cut a door in that wall and put plywood on garage rafters with walls



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Nukem1040

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The garage rafters are 2x4s and I don't want to cut, therefore, I need steps up into the new closet, above the garage. Again, the garage ceiling/new closet floor sits 21"s above the bedroom floor.

I have the floor plywood and drywall ready to install after I insulate this week.
 

HudsonFalcon

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The garage rafters are 2x4s and I don't want to cut, therefore, I need steps up into the new closet, above the garage. Again, the garage ceiling/new closet floor sits 21"s above the bedroom floor.

I have the floor plywood and drywall ready to install after I insulate this week.

I would probably do 2 wide steps up to a small landing then double doors into the closet.

I would also utilize the space under the steps for storage. Maybe building some large pullout drawers.

You could even frame in the sides of the landing floor to ceiling and put bookshelves or shoe racks on each side depending on how far into your daughters room you would want to "bump out."
 

quad

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The garage rafters are 2x4s and I don't want to cut, therefore, I need steps up into the new closet, above the garage. Again, the garage ceiling/new closet floor sits 21"s above the bedroom floor.

I have the floor plywood and drywall ready to install after I insulate this week.
What are the size of the garage ceiling joists? If the rafters are 2x4 then the joist are also probably 2x4? What length do they span and are they 16" o.c.? You would not want to add a lot of storage weight to that depending on the span.

Our attic has 2x6 rafters with 2x4 ceiling joists or rafter ties. But our roof is steep and these 2x4's only span about 7'-6" - 8'-0". I added 1x4's and plywood over that and some rigid insulation but I don't feel comfortable storing a lot of heavier items up there. If they were 2x6 or 2x8s I would have felt a lot more comfortable about it.

 

Nukem1040

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Hudson,
Thanks a lot. Good ideas that I am thinking of. Did you have a picture of the double doors idea you have?


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Nukem1040

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Quad,

Yes, both 2x4s, span 20 feet, and 16 o.c. I was worried about the weight as well so I reenforced 2x4’s from the joists up to the rafters for additional weight support. I do not plan on having much things in her closet other than wire hangars shelves from Lowe’s with her cloths in there. Great points though and thank you for the video. I did a lot of YouTube for this project.


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HudsonFalcon

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Hudson,
Thanks a lot. Good ideas that I am thinking of. Did you have a picture of the double doors idea you have?


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Sure.

I like something like this. The styles are endless.
diy-double-closet-doors.jpg


I also like the barn door idea. The hardware can get quite expensive though.
519YlGIWjaL._US500_.jpg
 

Nukem1040

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We were thinking about the barn door idea too. Then you do t have to worry about a swinging door or lose space behind the door so it can open. Thank you for the pics.

Only downside is it will look awkward as a floating door 21” off the floor.


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HudsonFalcon

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We were thinking about the barn door idea too. Then you do t have to worry about a swinging door or lose space behind the door so it can open. Thank you for the pics.

Only downside is it will look awkward as a floating door 21” off the floor.


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Yeah, that's why I mentioned putting a landing in in my previous post so you're almost creating an entrance way into the closet so it looks less awkward.

With the Barn Door The Landing can be much smaller as well since like you said you don't have to worry about the door swinging.
 

Nukem1040

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Great points! Thank you. Always nice to get another guy’s opinion on what looks “right” or normal.


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Nukem1040

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Here’s after day one of cutting into the wall. Completed the flooring and all the drywall. Few minor touch-ups today.

We’re looking at a barn door style door.

Any updated ideas on the steps situation now that you see this pic?


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Nukem1040

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This is the idea I like best.


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08mojo

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View attachment 1536762

Here’s after day one of cutting into the wall. Completed the flooring and all the drywall. Few minor touch-ups today.

We’re looking at a barn door style door.

Any updated ideas on the steps situation now that you see this pic?


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Can you put the barn door inside the closet? then it wouldn't look like a door floating 21" off the ground, and it would be hidden when open.
 

Nukem1040

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Great idea! Wish it could work though. Light switch is right where the door would open. I only have 2” on the other side of door, that’s why I couldn’t put the light switch on that side.


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08mojo

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Great idea! Wish it could work though. Light switch is right where the door would open. I only have 2” on the other side of door, that’s why I couldn’t put the light switch on that side.


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Flip that switch to the other side of the wall. The walk in closets of our house have a mix of some with the switch outside the closet and some inside. I very much prefer the switch to be outside of the closet.

Edit: on another note: do you know the name of the interior paint? I really like that grey. We are having a tough time finding the right neutral grey for our home.
 

98 svt

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What about a pocket door?
I'd pop that switch on the opposite side.
It would slide into the wall to the left.
 

Nukem1040

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I want the switch on the inside for two reasons:
1) door is 21” off the floor, so it will look awkward with the light switch that high.
2) I want to keep the option of potentially making this a hidden closet i.e a mirror that swings out with hidden steps that drop.

No pocket door. Thank you though.

I will get the name of the interior paint later. I really like it and the whole house is done in this color. It’s a light grey, and almost looks light blue depending the way the light hits it.


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08mojo

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I want the switch on the inside for two reasons:
1) door is 21” off the floor, so it will look awkward with the light switch that high.
2) I want to keep the option of potentially making this a hidden closet i.e a mirror that swings out with hidden steps that drop.

No pocket door. Thank you though.

I will get the name of the interior paint later. I really like it and the whole house is done in this color. It’s a light grey, and almost looks light blue depending the way the light hits it.


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I'd keep the switch at the correct height inside the bedroom, but I hear you on the hidden closet. Although, not sure how you are going to pull that off with steps.
 

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