Most homes will have a ladder of stairs that lead up to the attic.
Installing attic stairs across joists.
How to install an attic ladder tos diy.
When a load is applied to a joist it creates a tension in the wood along the top edge.
Cut 2 joist sized boards long enough to span two joists on each side of your chosen location see figure 9.
I would not put the attic stairs ladder assembly opening at right angles to the ceiling joists.
How to install attic stairs trim by plans.
These boards will support the joists that will be cut and help keep the ceiling from sagging or completely collapsing while you are working in the overhead space.
Joists carry the weight of the walls furniture and people on them.
Determine the area where you want to place your stairs.
How to install an attic ladder tos diy.
Cut around ceiling trim with a utility knife.
You potentially compromise too many of the rafter cross ties by doing that.
Next using an electric drill pop a screw up through the drywall in the ceiling as a reference point so that when you go up in the attic you ll be able to locate it and find the general location of the attic stair.
In this video this old house general contractor tom silva explains how to install attic stairs.
Modifying floor or ceiling joists rafters for access.
Mark rough opening of new fold down staircase on the ceiling joists in the attic.
Use a reciprocating saw to cut joists and nails holding any joists that must be removed.
Upward thinking overhead storage e extreme how to.
Boards are laid either diagonally or at right angles across joists.
Installing a pull down attic ladder is essential for safer easier access to your attic.
You ll then use the ceiling joists to determine the final location.
This way you only need to cut one of them to make the room for the rough framing opening.
How to install attic flooring on joists.
How to install an attic ladder tos diy.