Can SolidStep Fold-Down Steps be Used Inside a Home

Updated 09/25/2019 | Published 09/23/2019

Question:

Hello - this is an odd request. We are looking for a solution to the situation shown in the attached picture. Our rented home was rehabbed as single family, but new owners cut in an opening for the door in side of the house and removed 2-3 basement steps to create an entrance for a garden unit apartment. Our daughter now lives downstairs, so it is like a single family home again. However, the safety of moving between the first floor and basement is a problem. These folding steps look like I could attach to the landing, open the door and fold these steps down. For privacy, the stairs could be folded up and the door closed. Does this seem workable to you? It looks like they swing all the way up because of a piano hinge on the top plate...right?

asked by: Jeff H

Helpful Expert Reply:

I like how you are thinking outside the box because from your photo, I can see what you mean; the current "steps" which are there now don't seem like the sturdiest way to get from the basement to first floor. And to answer your question, it is absolutely workable for you to use the SolidStep Manual Fold-Down Steps for 24" Wide RV Door Frames # LC713662 in the exact manner you are speaking.

So long as you are willing to drill into the floor to install the steps - which sounds like isn't an issue - then the SolidStep will install and allow you (or your daughter) to fold the steps up and close the door as the hinge will allow the steps to be stored upright, as you can see in the photo I added.

The SolidStep Manual Fold-Down Steps # LC713662 only require your door frame be at least 24" wide and the entry height be 22" to 28". This is a double step so if you have a larger entry height you can use a triple step, the SolidStep Manual Fold-Down Steps for 26" to 29-7/8" RV Door Frames # LC791572 which is for entry heights from 27" to 36" and requires the door frame to be 26" - 29-7/8" wide.

expert reply by: Kyle S