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Small Cabin Forum / Cabin Construction / Loft ladder ideas
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jerryotis
Member
# Posted: 12 May 2018 22:58
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I have built a loft in our small cabin but floor space is a premium. I am hoping for ideas and pics of your loft ladders that stow when not in use. I was trying to come up with a design that could swivel up and latch, possibly forming a bit of a loft rail? Any thoughts?
I also saw a post somewhere, not sure if it was here or not, where someone re-engineered an attic ladder to use for their loft. I thin k they mentioned that they reversed it or something? Anyone recall that?

Thank you for your help!

Just
Member
# Posted: 13 May 2018 09:50 - Edited by: Just
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how big is yoour cabin??and loft ?loft hight?ceiling hight?

fiftyfifty
Member
# Posted: 13 May 2018 11:50
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And will you use your loft just for storage, or will people sleep up there?

rockies
Member
# Posted: 13 May 2018 19:10
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This will give you some general information on "ship ladders" and you can adapt the dimensions to wood.

http://www.fsindustries.com/more_info/steel_ships_ladder_60_degree_ibc_design/steel_s hips_ladder_60_degree_ibc_design.shtml

One thing I've seen is you can run a metal pipe between the two side rails at the top and attach the pipe to the edge of the loft (to use it like a hinge). Then attach a couple of cables to the bottom of the side rails, run them up through pulleys, over to the side and then down through pulleys to a counter-weight. When you want the ladder out of the way you lower the counter-weight and raise the ladder.
Raised Staircase
Raised Staircase


jerryotis
Member
# Posted: 14 May 2018 01:54 - Edited by: jerryotis
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the main cabin room, where the loft is, is 13.5 wide, the loft is at 8' with about 5' to the peak. It will be used for sleeping.

paulz
Member
# Posted: 17 May 2018 22:03
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Quoting: jerryotis
I was trying to come up with a design that could swivel up and latch, possibly forming a bit of a loft rail?



Hmm, ladder/rail, that'd be brilliant. I think I need to try that, looks like it would work in my cabin.
Capture.JPG
Capture.JPG


NorthwoodsGuy
Member
# Posted: 20 May 2018 21:13
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Quoting: paulz
Hmm, ladder/rail, that'd be brilliant. I think I need to try that, looks like it would work in my cabin


I agree, I love this idea. Hmmmmm.....

carr0406
Member
# Posted: 23 May 2018 09:42
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Awesome, idea. I found someone that did something similar but they had to have a custom swivel attachment made.

http://journal.goingslowly.com/2016/02/tiny-house-loft-ladder

meloj
Member
# Posted: 23 May 2018 09:54
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My bunk is about the same size. I am putting a 3x bunk bed on the back wall and will put a ladder/stair to the loft on the end. The only challenge is it lacks a little head room on the sides but its okay.

KinAlberta
Member
# Posted: 23 May 2018 10:59
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Dual purposing the ladder is a really cool idea. Unfortunately with most things dedicated functionality is usually the most desirable end product.

A couple concerns. Spacing between rungs may not be safe enough should smaller kids be in the loft, say putting their back to it then tumbling out. (An easy fix might be a second layer with spacing deep enough for feet. This might give you a better surface for mounting a swiveling bracket.)

The other concern is simply the lack of a railing when the ladder is in use or someone can’t be bothered to swing up the ladder.

Then I guess complexity issues around speed of using it if there’s a fire or emergency.

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