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We just finished the construction on our hurricane damaged attic and I started thinking. After the hurricane we added the door back to the stairs that go up to the attic. But the stairs end (or begin) right on the other side of the door. In other words, you open the door and you immediately step up. Which is fine going up. Coming down is a different story. Coming down you are on the 2nd step up and have to reach way down to grab the handle. Which is normal height for the opposite side. But the stair side is super low. So I'm trying to come up with some kind of ingenius way to put a handle higher up that "feels" more normal on the stair side that will turn the normal handle and open the door. I've probably really cocked up that explanation.
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Was it always that way?
I'd probably reinstall the door knob higher up, patch the hole in the door with one of those round plates for patching a door knob hole in a door, and make the corresponding necessary chisel/cut in the frame.
Unless you think little kids need attic access (they know it's haunted anyway, riiiight?) it shouldn't be a big deal to reach up at shoulder height for you to turn the knob when entering it.
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I have that situation, too. Not a solution to move the knob, but perhaps if you install an ADA type handle (flat) then you can kludge a rope tie through an eyelet or similar to pull on.
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Why do you want to make it easier for the ghosts and the creepy dolls to escape the attic?
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I should have said I do NOT want to raise the door handle b/c I'd rather it be weird on the stair side vs the living side. Having a doorknob way up high on the hall side would be strange.
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Or perhaps 2 dowels about a foot long. Dip one end of each about 3-4 inches into liquid rubber, drain and let dry. Lay the dowels parallel, wrap a few rubber bands around the undipped ends (cut notches to hold the bands if required). Spread the dowels apart to form an upside-down V, place the open, dipped ends around the door knob, and secure the dowels above and below the knob with more rubber bands. Positioned vertically, the dowels shouldn't cause the knob to turn unless sideways pressure is applied, and less than a 45 degree lean should turn the knob enough to open the door.
Or use mrbigstuff's idea and use your knee to push the lever down.
