Installing Attic Stairs Across Joists

You potentially compromise too many of the rafter cross ties by doing that.

Installing attic stairs across joists. Cut around ceiling trim with a utility knife. Joists carry the weight of the walls furniture and people on them. 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. Upward thinking overhead storage e extreme how to.

This way you only need to cut one of them to make the room for the rough framing opening. Boards are laid either diagonally or at right angles across joists. I would not put the attic stairs ladder assembly opening at right angles to the ceiling joists. Cut 2 joist sized boards long enough to span two joists on each side of your chosen location see figure 9.

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. How to install an attic ladder tos diy. How to install attic flooring on joists. Most homes will have a ladder of stairs that lead up to the attic.

How to install attic stairs trim by plans. Use a reciprocating saw to cut joists and nails holding any joists that must be removed. Determine the area where you want to place your stairs. Modifying floor or ceiling joists rafters for access.

You ll then use the ceiling joists to determine the final location. Installing a pull down attic ladder is essential for safer easier access to your attic. When a load is applied to a joist it creates a tension in the wood along the top edge. In this video this old house general contractor tom silva explains how to install attic stairs.

Mark rough opening of new fold down staircase on the ceiling joists in the attic. We ll show you how to cut out frame the opening then install a fo. Instead you should place the cutout opening inline with the ceiling joists rafter ties.