Door at bottom of stairs

[jetlag]

I wanted to put a door at the bottom of a stair case but I wont have room unless I raise the landing up level with the first step and then have one step off the side to step down to living room. My other option is put the door at the top of the stairs but it will open back against a closet door and would have to be closed to open the closet. If I swing it the other way the knob would be on the side where a wall is and would have to step back out of the way when you open the door. Id rather have door at the top but wondering how bad it is to open against a closet door. It is large walk in closet and door could swing in if had to. That way the bedroom door would not have to be closed completely to go in closet. Any opinions

[frenchie]

Nope. 3' minimum landing at the top and bottom of any stairs. 2 exceptions:

exception 1: The top of an interior flight of stairs, only if the door doesn't swing over the stairs

exception 2: an outside door, only if that is not the main entrance/exit for fire exit, and only if it's 2 steps or less.

[jetlag]

Nope. 3' minimum landing at the top and bottom of any stairs. 2 exceptions:

exception 1: The top of an interior flight of stairs, only if the door doesn't swing over the stairs

exception 2: an outside door, only if that is not the main entrance/exit for fire exit, and only if it's 2 steps or less.

I had already read the code but was still confused about if a door could be between the steps and the 3' landing at the bottom. So you say it cannot. I did understand about the landing at top . The door will not swing over the steps but into a bedroom . The prob is a closet door will be behind the door when it opens against the wall. How bad do you think that is ? Also the last riser steps up onto the floor level. Can I put the door frame right out to the edge of the floor level

[Scuba_Dave]

Lots of older houses had doors at or on the bottom step
No longer meets code
Going up you need the 3' landing to stand on when you open the door
-no risk of falling down the stairs

At the bottom you also need a 3' landing...then the door
Imagine an older person leaning forward while on the stairs & opening the door
Slips & falls...or doesn't exactly let go of the door knob & falls

[jetlag]

Lots of older houses had doors at or on the bottom step
No longer meets code
Going up you need the 3' landing to stand on when you open the door
-no risk of falling down the stairs

At the bottom you also need a 3' landing...then the door
Imagine an older person leaning forward while on the stairs & opening the door
Slips & falls...or doesn't exactly let go of the door knob & falls

Thanks Scuba
That makes sence. But you agree no landing required at the top if door swings into room and not back over the steps , right . Thats on interior door only. Also what do you think about the door will swing back against a closet door? I dont have any choice

[hj]

If this door and stairway are in a bedroom, there is no way I would want the door at the bottom of the stairway, unless my wife was being a "pain in the neck" and I told her I needed a drink of water from the kitchen, hoping she would forget where the stairway was in the dark.

[jetlag]

If this door and stairway are in a bedroom, there is no way I would want the door at the bottom of the stairway, unless my wife was being a "pain in the neck" and I told her I needed a drink of water from the kitchen, hoping she would forget where the stairway was in the dark.

I dont have to worry about the wife anymore someone else does. But after a few beers I could forget the stairway is there myself without the door to have to open first. As far as going for water I will have a small kitchen area for the master bedroom . Thats one of the problems . The door at top of stairs will open back against the door to kitchenette . How bad is that ? I dont have much choice.

[Ian Gills]

I will have a small kitchen area for the master bedroom

Now that Sir, is a bedroom.

[jetlag]

Now that Sir, is a bedroom.

The master suit is on the 3rd level by itself. Double tile shower. Double jetted tub . Computer room and office . Kitchen room with counter top frig . microwave and sink.

[frenchie]

Daym, that's no bedroom, that's a studio apartment!

AFAIK, there's no code against having the door swings overlap - although it'll be irritating, I can tell ya that.

[jadnashua]

The only thing about overlapping door swings is if it is possible to get the handles caught or locked together so if say, you were in the bathroom, and the stairway door was opened, you couldn't get the door opened because the handles locked together. Then, you'd be stuck in the room until someone unstuck them.

[hj]

With that room, why do you need a stairway? Just nail the door shut and work from home. If you need something, have it delivered and pull it up with a rope and a basket.

[jadnashua]

If you could change one (or both) of the doors to be sliders, the swing would become immaterial. I'm a fan of pocket doors, but you often need to plan ahead, since plumbing and wiring can make their retrofit hard. They do make surface mounted tracks (sort of like a barn door) that can work as well which avoid the problem of wiring inside, but could cover up an outlet or switch when opened.

[jetlag]

Daym, that's no bedroom, that's a studio apartment!

AFAIK, there's no code against having the door swings overlap - although it'll be irritating, I can tell ya that.

You guessed it, I will be living up there , The rest will be for company when and if they come. Staying 2 years I wont have to pay income tax when I sell it. Good loophole for a retired contractor. Forgot to mention the covered 10 x12 Deck , with a view of lake , its 25 ft above grade. I didnt think I would be able to get the kitchen in the attic of another roof that butts to the wall of the master suite but I was able to , thats why I didnt plan on a door there.

[jetlag]

If you could change one (or both) of the doors to be sliders, the swing would become immaterial. I'm a fan of pocket doors, but you often need to plan ahead, since plumbing and wiring can make their retrofit hard. They do make surface mounted tracks (sort of like a barn door) that can work as well which avoid the problem of wiring inside, but could cover up an outlet or switch when opened.

The doors are not there yet , all is new, The slider at top of stairs would solve the prob but I would nt want that on bedroom door . It wouldnt help to put on kitchen door because I still have to close the other dooor to get to the slider. There is no problem with the door knobs . The main door swings in right against the kitchen door which also swings in right into kitchen. I dont even have to put a door on the kitchen but would still have to partly close the bed door to get to opening.. I know this sounds confusing