Attic pull down staircase question.

Moses · 02-03-2006, 06:56 PM

I need to get one of these to install for access to good storage space above my garage. All the ones I see on the internet and look like ladders rather than the pull-down stairs I'm looking for. Any ideas?

LeeH · 02-03-2006, 08:59 PM

I think they're all ladders the fold. I put this on in a few weeks ago:
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=107006-287-S2208&lpage=none
My neighbor had done his the week before, saw mine and yanked his old one out to put in this type. Would have been nice to have some help but can be done solo without too much trouble.

Joeaksa · 02-04-2006, 12:35 AM

I put one in my house 3 years ago and love it. Very few houses in this part of the country use the attic very much and I needed to store boxes, Christmas stuff and such somewhere. The stairs really makes it easy and we use the attic a lot more these days.

Very good improvement to any house. Agree with Lee and get a second person to help, as its just a lot easier.

JoeA

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Home Depot carries them. I installed one in San Diego before I moved.

Becareful of the weight ratings. You need think about the weight of the stuff you are moving up, not just your weight. Also make sure you know the heigth of you ceiling.

masraum · 02-04-2006, 08:58 AM

I installed one that was in stock at the local home depot last summer. It was a fairly easy install. It's kind of a cross between stairs and a ladder. You can carry something up or down without holding onto something because the angle is shallow enough, but it's definitely not as big and beefy as a set of stairs would be.

M.D. Holloway · 02-04-2006, 06:28 PM

We have two of them - one above the garage and the other for the house attic. It is standard in every house here. I would actually like a stair case going to the attic but that would chew room.

Moses - the space above your garage is dorment?

dhoward · dhoward's Garage

Get the aluminum one. Not the wood one. Like steep stairs.

Moses · 02-04-2006, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LubeMaster77

Moses - the space above your garage is dorment?

Yeah. Unfortunately they used scissor braces or I'd have a ton of space. As it is, there should be enough room to clear out a lot of the garage and make some room.

masraum · 02-04-2006, 08:42 PM

The one that I have is wooden, and it seems like steep stairs to me.

Vipergrün · 02-04-2006, 10:46 PM

Hmmm "Christmas Vacation" comes to mind

David · David's Garage

I bought an oversize one at Home Depot for the garage. It makes it easier to get all the crap upstairs.

M.D. Holloway · 02-05-2006, 06:58 PM

Your gonna have to cut a joist (sp) and beef-up the framing around it. Seems like all of ours a similar set-up. Are you gonna do it our hire out?

LeeH · 02-05-2006, 08:18 PM

Lowe's has a good step-by-step guide.
If you ask me, the dust mask and safety goggles are not optional when cutting the wallboard.

Moses · 02-05-2006, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LubeMaster77
Your gonna have to cut a joist (sp) and beef-up the framing around it. Seems like all of ours a similar set-up. Are you gonna do it our hire out?

I'll do this myself as soon as I get the OK from my surgeon. Most of these units look like they fit between joists on 24" centers. Cut a hole in the sheetrock, add some crossbracing and Finish casing. That's pretty much all there is to it. (I hope).

Joeaksa · 02-05-2006, 10:14 PM

Moses,

Thats about it, but make sure you get some shim stock to even things out a bit. If you have an attic fan, turn it on before cutting and it will suck the dust and insulation AWAY from you as you make the cuts!

Joe A

David · David's Garage

Make sure you've got the ends of the ladder measured correctly before you cut them. Many folks screw up that step.

LeeH · 02-06-2006, 05:53 AM

The Werner has a metal frame instead of wood. It also has hagars with thumbscrews that attach to the joists so you can adjust it before you screw it in. Another advantage to the Werner is that the bottom of the legs are adjustable... no cutting.

RickM · RickM's Garage

I did an oversized, extra tall one as well. My advice is to have someone help you. It'll be easier to position correctly and insur eit's 100% square.

masraum · 02-06-2006, 07:27 AM

The only thing that I needed an extra hand for was to get it flush. I was up in the attic with a hammer and nails. I had someone hold it flush to the ceiling from underneath while I pounded the nails the rest of the way in.

The model at Home Depot also has hangers that go over the joists.

It's all wood but pretty sturdy. I believe the listed weight limit however is 250lbs.

stevepaa · 02-06-2006, 07:27 AM

I would suggest the widest one you can find. I've done three.