This part deals with framing the attic opening.
Framing attic stairs.
Installing a pull down attic ladder is essential for safer easier access to your attic.
And standard ceiling openings of 22 5 in.
Weight capacity designed to fit ceiling heights from 8 ft.
Built for safety this sturdy wood ladder makes it easy to access your attic with nine non slip steps and a convenient handrail for support while climbing.
Traditional folding attic stairs are an economical option to reach attic storage space.
Construct the opening frame photo by karim shamsi basha.
Make sure you have a space between the joists at least as large as the rough opening shown on the box and that any cut joists are attached to uncut joists.
Shop folding attic stairs.
Check that the assembly is level and shim between the stair frame and joists.
In part 5 of this series using werner s instructions to install the easy access attic ladder we looked at cutting ceiling joists.
Attic folding stairs installed over an existing building stairway such as to a lower floor attic folding stairs folding down onto or into the lower stairwell unsafe to enter or exit attic stair frame not properly secured to the ceiling rough opening.
Temporarily screw a pair of 1x3 cleats to the ceiling across the rough opening.
Build a finished frame out of 1x8s to fit snugly into the opening.
Make sure you have someone helping from the garage level so you don t get stuck in the attic.
Lower the frame down onto the cleats from above then fasten it to the framing with 16d nails or 1 4 inch diameter 3 inch lag screws.
Place attic assembly on supports.
If you want the stairs to stop 3 inches 7 6 cm from the top of the deck however count the total rise as 2 75 feet 0 84 m.
Folding attic stairs are available in a variety of materials including wood aluminum and steel.
For example if you are building stairs to go up to a deck and you measure 3 feet 0 91 m from the ground to the top of the deck then this is the total rise.
Pull the stairs down until the hinges are extended image 1.