Framing Attic Pulldown Stairs
Installing temporary support boards will also make the installation process easier.
Framing attic pulldown stairs. The easy part is framing the rough opening in the ceiling and hanging the stairs. I install pulldown attic stairs in half the homes i build. In new installations a rough. 22 1 2 x 54 for the smallest pull down stairway.
Fold down attic stairs provide convenient access to your attic without taking up space in the floor below the attic. You ll need at least three critical measurements. Roughing an opening for fold down attic stairs. You ll then use the ceiling joists to determine the final location.
25 x 54 most common small width pull down attic stair. Construct the opening frame photo by karim shamsi basha. 25 1 2 x 64 often used for a longer pull down ladder attic access from a higher than standard ceiling. 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.
Figuring out the angle of cut and the length of the lower stair section is the hard part and the installation guides aren t much help. Determine the area where you want to place your stairs. Standard rough openings for typical attic pull down 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.
Build a finished frame out of 1x8s to fit snugly into the opening. How do measure pull down attic stairs. Temporarily screw a pair of 1x3 cleats to the ceiling across the rough opening. Wood framing works particularly well for attics and is easy to install before an attic pull ladder kit.
Installing temporary support boards will also make the installation process easier.