Pelican builders and home improvers: creating better access to my roof deck

Tishabet · 09-05-2012, 09:29 AM

OK Pelican brain trust, a quandary for you today! I know there are some guys on here with some real expertise in the home improvement and design areas, and I could use some advice on an issue that is really stumping me.

My condo back in the states is on the market. The main selling point (IMHO) of the place is the giant private roof deck, smack dab in the middle of a historic urban downtown. I wrote about it a while back on Pelican and got some great advice on how to develop it into a real deck, you can read about it here if you are interested.

Pelican thread about my roof deck

Anyway, we've been getting a lot of feedback from people who have seen the place that the access to the roof is a deal breaker for them... I have always thought it was adequate but not great, but the buyer feeedback makes it seem like I am perhaps sugarcoating things.

Here are the major issues with the access:

1) Steep/narrow spiral stair... I estimate the distance from the middle pole to the bannister is less than three feet, making it a bit claustrophobic for large people and also inconvenient/difficult if you are carrying a tray or something like that.

2) No rail at the top... you can't see it in the pic, but at the top of the staircase is a small platform which is about even with the highest visible copper when looking at the hatch from the outside, about 12 inches above roof surface. You climb to the top of the spiral stair which ends with the platform, then step over the hatch onto the outside stair. The problem here is that both the outside rail of the spiral stair as well as the center post of the stair terminate flush with the platform level. When the hatch is closed, the "glass" is only about 18 inches above the platform so a fixed rail is a no go if we keep the hatch as it would interfere with closing the hatch. This makes the top of the stairs precarious. I have made a bad drawing to give you perspective as if you are standing on the roof looking down.

3) Hatch itself is difficult to operate. Basically each "door" of the hatch (each bubble window) has its own latch mechanism that runs down the middle line of the hatch. I have created a poor picture (scale is really off... supposed to be same perspective as other poorly drawn pic) to show how this goes... kind of similar to marine hatch with two arms and a wheel in the middle, but in this case the wheel is actuated by an arm. I really need to hang off of this thing to pull the hatch far enough down to get the locking arms over the catches, which is a pain.

So, those are the problems! I would love to come up with a neat solution which doesn't completely break the bank but addresses these issues. What do you guys think? Replace the hatch with one of those little "houses?" Examine enlarging the existing "hole" to accommodate a larger stair? Leave it alone because I well never recoup my costs?

Here is a bonus bad drawing to show a cutaway of ceiling height up to the lip of the hatch.

stomachmonkey · 09-05-2012, 09:48 AM

I swear I saw your place on an episode of House Hunters.

Zeke · 09-05-2012, 10:14 AM

Will a single hatch/skylight help? Also, I think the 14" box is superfluous, but I wasn't there for the installation.

DanielDudley · 09-05-2012, 02:44 PM

Put the hatch on top of a box with a door in it. Stand on landing and open door.

MikeSid · 09-05-2012, 04:12 PM

You're in a different spot than when you asked about rehabing this for yourself.

Since you are selling, you want to limit your costs. Hire an architect to draw a concept of stairs and an enclosure with door (assuming it can be done without being seen from the street). Let your buyers know what is possible with that space. They're already thinking the access needs to be fixed. Help them get over the hurdle.

56 nomad · 56 nomad's Garage

if you could open up the existing access to the roof that would be better asthectically. the hatch type covers you currently have seem very cumbersome and heavy...i think you could find a "lighter looking cover that would be more appealing and lighter in appearance. try looking for a cleaner marine sliding hatch or a mechanical flip up...in my opinion both will look much better and be less cumbersome to open.
regards, ben

Tishabet · 09-06-2012, 08:07 AM

Hi guys, thanks for the feedback.

My place has definitely not been on house hunters... I wish!

The 14 inch box probably is superfluous, the existing hatch structure ( the 16 inches clad in copper) is the original hatch. I am thinking maybe removing part of the original hatch and installing a normal man door opening at the roof surface level would make sense, but would want to make sure it still let's in plenty of light. That way there could also be some sort of railing attached to the "box" to make things a little less dicey.

Any thoughts on the stairs themselves? The condo is 1100 s.f. so space is at a premium, but could see trading some floor for a more usable stair.

Mikesid, very good point about getting sellers over the hurdle... Showing what is possible may do the trick.

56 nomad, awesome suggestion on the marine hatches... Looks like a lot of very smart solutions for a similar problem, and of course weather tightness etc is built in. I would have never thought of this... Thanks!

HardDrive · 09-06-2012, 08:45 AM

Given the space concerns, I would stick with the spiral stair.

A) Unless code/historic overlay prevents it, I would construct a small room that covers the entire opening. Wood frame construction, metal roof. A pair of windows and a door with a glass center will let in plenty of light.

B) Carrying a tray is indeed dicey on a spiral staircase. So in one of the gaps around the spiral stair, I would construct a dumbwaiter. This could be a very simple DIY sort of thing (think a box with some pulleys and rope), or you could get a an off the shelf product, and include it in the design for your new 'house' that will cover the opening. Example: Home

GWN7 · 09-06-2012, 08:47 AM

You could build a railing out of preasure treated lumber to wrap around the hatch. Wide enough that it dosen't interfere with the hatch opeanings. It could sit on the tiles but not attached to them. It would be tall enough to assist with the transference from the stairs to the landing. It would give people a feeling of security but goes against your "open air" concept of the space. Or you could fab a metal hand rail that goes from the top of the hatch and down the outside stairs. Have it galvanized. It will match the hatch (silver coloured) and be minimal in it's interference of the open concept while offering support to those going from the roof/downstairs.