Installing Attic Stairs Across Joists

Boards are laid either diagonally or at right angles across joists.

Installing attic stairs across joists.

Cut around ceiling trim with a utility knife. Mark rough opening of new fold down staircase on the ceiling joists in the attic. In this video this old house general contractor tom silva explains how to install attic stairs. Determine the area where you want to place your stairs.

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. This way you only need to cut one of them to make the room for the rough framing opening. Most homes will have a ladder of stairs that lead up to the attic. How to install attic flooring on joists.

When a load is applied to a joist it creates a tension in the wood along the top edge. How to install an attic ladder tos diy. Joists carry the weight of the walls furniture and people on them. Modifying floor or ceiling joists rafters for access.

I would not put the attic stairs ladder assembly opening at right angles to the ceiling joists. How to install an attic ladder tos diy. How to install attic stairs trim by plans. Instead you should place the cutout opening inline with the ceiling joists rafter ties.

Installing a pull down attic ladder is essential for safer easier access to your attic. 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. Cut 2 joist sized boards long enough to span two joists on each side of your chosen location see figure 9. You ll then use the ceiling joists to determine the final location.

Use a reciprocating saw to cut joists and nails holding any joists that must be removed. You potentially compromise too many of the rafter cross ties by doing that. How to install an attic ladder tos diy.