Help building wall next to stairway

JessM · 05-07-2012, 12:55 AM

Hi there,
Purchasing an old row house, and we're attempting to un-subdivide two floors to make an owner's duplex for my family. We're faced with losing the beauty of the whole foyer, or building a doorway perpendicular to the stairs. If we do that, we will have to build up a wall over(or next to) the balustrade--but the ceiling doesn't quite align--so I'm afraid we will have to build a whole wall next to the stair and lose the beautiful wood paneling. Theres no design I've seen that doesn't destroy either the stair itself or the panelling on the side.

Does anyone have tips on how to close in the stairs with just a triangular structure/wall/window over the opening? Any pictures of this done the right way?

We're still in the planning stages, sorry I don't have a better diagram/picture--I'd appreciate any help you can offer!

Just Bill · 05-07-2012, 07:20 AM

Wow........Beautiful wood work!!!!! There is no easy way to do this that gives justice to the rest of trim. You should do your best to duplicate what is there in a wall.

JessM · 05-07-2012, 10:27 AM

Thats just a sample picture! But it is very similar--so sad to see it go

joecaption · 05-07-2012, 10:35 AM

I'm confused, (does not take much lol) And how would adding that wall do anything to separate the two units?
Is the plan is to add a door in the stairway? If so think again about that idea, not going to meet code to do so.

JessM · 05-07-2012, 11:00 AM

No, its very confusing---thanks for attempting to help!

Right now there are 3 levels to the house...each with their own doors. At the back of the stairway on floor 2 there is an entrance stairway to floor 1. But right now, in order to access that floor, you have to leave the residence on floor two, enter the communal foyer and then go down the stairs. The goal is to create an external doorway in that foyer, and open up an internal doorway into that new private area. It would make a portion of the foyer a part of the residence on floor two, so that you can access the first floor without having to leave the unit. Does that make sense?

I've attached a VERY rudimentary picture to give you an idea. Top is before,bottom is after

mae-ling · 05-07-2012, 11:09 AM

So stairs will go to upper unit?
Seems then a wall is in order.
The wall and the door at the top of the stairs should not be right at the top. There should be a minimum of 3'. So probably turn it 90degrees so it goes the other way from the top of the stairs.