Long gone are the days when home owners had to climb up a cumbersome ladder into the attic. ladder. Modern options for the attic they are good because they take up a minimum of space both when folded and unfolded, and it is difficult even for an attentive person to guess the presence of such a structure behind a beautifully finished attic hatch.
And such a wonderful alternative is definitely pleasing to the eye. screw structures and stepladders, like a folding attic ladder - you can make it with your own hands with correct fastenings, with a strong spring mechanism and no worse than modern expensive market products. And even better!
Advantages and disadvantages of folding stairs
A folding attic ladder should be easy to hide and fold under the ceiling, and therefore it is customary to make it shorter, with a small number of sections. After all, every extra step in this regard means additional weight and volume.
Such stairs are good primarily because they allow you to significantly save space. At the same time, they do not spoil the ceiling of the living space at all. After all, the entrance to the attic is often located in one of the habitable rooms of the house. At the same time, such stairs are quite functional, durable and compact. And using them is as easy as shelling pears: just pick up a special rod with a hook at the end and hook onto the ring.
Next, with your left hand you easily reach the bottom step of the outermost section, reach the floor and straighten all the other components of the ladder. In the same way, by doing everything in reverse order, you can easily fold the ladder back and put it into the ceiling. Moreover, many modern attic ladders also fold and unfold using an electric drive, which is generally incredibly convenient:
Another advantage is safety. Going up and down such a ladder is much safer than using an extension ladder: it will not break under your feet and your legs will not unexpectedly “leave away.”
And finally, lightness. The lightest folding attic ladders are made of stainless steel and aluminum, so there are no serious loads on the attic floor. As you understand, due to the design features, such a staircase can only be made of metal.
Why is it better to make the stairs yourself?
Ready-made industrial stairs, which the market is actively offering today, are quite convenient, as far as can be judged from the available reviews on them. But we do not recommend placing them in attics that you often have to climb into (for example, our workshop or mini-library is located there).
Why? Because such stairs often turn out to be quite flimsy in practice - this is not hand-made production, but mass production, and no manufacturer needs to make them too strong. For any product, the maximum limit load is always calculated, which often does not take into account many factors and force majeure. And this is the same case when you, in a calm state and with almost no additional weight in your hands, carefully descend or ascend. You slip, fall, or a fairly overweight relative decides to take you up to the attic. heavy box- expect trouble.
And such stairs are often quite steep, and it is inconvenient to go down them with something in your hands - you need to stick to one. And go down only backwards. Therefore, it is quite natural that many home craftsmen who built their own house or bathhouse do not see any point in buying fragile and expensive folding stairs to the attic. Why, if you can make them yourself, and of excellent quality and much greater reliability?
Moreover, in this case, you have much more choice both in terms of the material for making the stairs and the fasteners themselves. The main thing is to calculate the dimensions correctly future design so that later it can be easily and compactly folded over the hatch, nothing will touch the opening and create a problem.
Another one common reason the reason that many undertake to build such stairs on their own is that most industrial options Usually the steps are very thin and fragile - they literally creak underfoot.
So, in order to make such a ladder for the roof with your own hands, you will need wooden scraps. First decide on the dimensions of the future attic opening, and the second step is to make the hatch cover and frame. You will then attach the ladder to it. It is advisable to leave gaps of 7-8 millimeters on each side. Technical specifications here they are:
So, now let’s figure out what types of attic folding stairs there are.
Design #1 – sliding stairs
Sliding ladders usually consist of two sections, one of which is attached directly to the hatch cover, and the second is extended vertically using special guides. When you fold such a ladder, one section seems to creep onto the other, which is quite convenient. The only negative is the bulkiness of the entire structure, which requires a wide opening in attic floor.
Design #2 – folding with a spring mechanism
The most popular today are folding stairs, otherwise called sectional ones. These consist of three or four sections that can easily be straightened into a flight of stairs. They are connected to each other by a special spring mechanism.
Folding structures are considered the most complex in their design, since they have many fasteners and must be correctly attached to the hatch opening. Such stairs are made of both wood and metal.
Design #3 – telescopic ladders
The next type is a telescopic design. It performs remarkably well in cases where the attic is visited quite often. For example, when it was specially insulated to make it residential, although it had not yet reached a full-fledged attic. That is, we are talking about a technical attic, like a dressing room or a workshop, but in this case it is better to install a residential attic spiral staircase made of wood or metal and always with railings.
In a telescopic design, the blocks are pulled out one by one, taking up as much space as possible. less space. And such stairs are especially good because they can be extended to almost any length, which is especially valuable for high ceilings. But such devices are not suitable for children and the older generation in the house, for whom it is quite difficult to reach the lower section and generally cope with the entire structure.
Design #4 – simplified folding stairs
These types of folding ladders do not hide behind an attic hatch, but they can easily be tucked into a corner or behind interior decoration. For example, this rarer species, which is usually made independently, also has the right to life:
And these options for folding stairs are quite popular abroad:
But both of these options have considerable disadvantages, some of which can bring discomfort to the interior of the living space, from where there is access to the attic, and after a month or two, such designs already bore the owners with their stupidity to the point of setting their teeth on edge. And therefore, we still suggest that you take a closer look at the more practical folding ladders, which can be easily folded and hidden behind a hatch cover.
How to determine the parameters of the future staircase?
So, we will give you some tips on choosing an attic ladder.
- Tip #1. When you choose the parameters for a future staircase, consider the mechanism of the hatch: when it is opened and closed, it can move slightly forward and backward.
- Tip #2. If the ceiling in the room is high enough, and exceeds 3.5 meters, it is better to install a marching or attached structure, or a spiral staircase, which will be safer in this case.
- Tip #3. When making a hatch, keep in mind that the larger the opening, the more heat will escape into the attic.
- Tip #4. Another point you should pay attention to is how the hatch will open. For example, in ready-made market versions, most often it opens slowly, thanks to special springs, and certainly does not fall on anyone’s head. Be sure to work on this point, especially since special parts are not difficult to purchase today.
- Tip #5. The steepness of a staircase is always determined only by its angle. The larger the protrusion of the step, the greater the number of these steps and the smaller their height. But this does not mean at all that it will be convenient for you to climb and descend such stairs. Therefore, we will call the most convenient step height 20 centimeters, which is most suitable for a standard human foot.
Here is a very useful video that will help you avoid many mistakes when installing such a staircase:
What fasteners and materials are needed?
As for the main material, a wooden staircase will be the most affordable, but it is important here Special attention pay attention to the strength of the fasteners. To make such a ladder, you will need two long and two short bars, as well as a piece of plywood 10 millimeters thick.
Let's take a closer look at this point. All designs that help open a staircase with a hatch at the bottom differ only in the presence of additional mechanisms and shock absorption. The shock absorption, in turn, makes it easier to close and open the stairs. And you can buy all the necessary hinge elements at any store. But simple metal strips drilled in several places are quite suitable for constructing such a staircase, and the most expensive thing for arranging a staircase is an aluminum sliding system.
Simple and practical fastening:
More a complex system:
But what are the requirements for fastening the entire staircase? The first is the ability to withstand the weight of the entire structure, as well as the weight of the person who will climb and descend along it. And not only the static loads of a person standing on it with his certain weight, but also dynamic ones, which are much greater than static ones. For example, a person stumbled and suddenly stood on a lower step, or staggered and leaned on the stairs with all his weight, but abruptly and suddenly.
And finally, we note the ability to easily control the structure. As you understand, such a ladder weighs a fair amount and it is important that you then make sure it is easy to open. And when closing, you will have to lift all the weight at once, so provide special springs that will make the whole process easier for you over time - you will be grateful for this trick.
Instructions for making a folding ladder
So, let's figure out step by step how to make a folding ladder for your attic. You will need the following tools: a hacksaw, a ladder, hinges, two timbers, bolts, self-tapping screws, a screwdriver and a metal hook.
The process itself can be divided into several steps:
- Step 1: Secure top beam to the opening using hinges, and the bottom one using self-tapping screws. The fastener itself should be with reverse side stairs.
- Step 2. Now we connect everything using the most ordinary bolts, with a diameter of 6 or 8 millimeters. A smaller diameter may not withstand the load, a larger one is simply not needed. Remember that self-tapping screws cannot be used here at all - they will not withstand the load and on a certain day they will simply tear out the entire fastening of the system.
- Step 3. Now we divide the stairs into three parts, measure 2/3 and make a cut, just between the steps.
- Step 4. We connect the sawn parts again, but with loops.
- Step 5. Nail longer bars on the back side so that they turn out diagonally for strength.
- Step 6. Now the ladder itself is delivered under the hatch and is pressed against the wall with the top bar. Secure this block with bolts.
- Step 7: Now start crocheting. It is important that the ladder easily folds and presses against the wall. Screw the hook to the wall opposite the loop and hook it onto it.
Look at the photo, it will be more clear:
Believe me, in practice everything will be much easier!
In a country house, the space under the roof is often a useful area and is actively used, so a do-it-yourself attic staircase with a hatch would be useful.
Types of stairs to access the attic
Stairs have always been used to communicate between floors, and the last, most top level- attic or attic. The ascent to the under-roof rooms can be included in a single flight of stairs, that is, the floor located below will serve as a platform for the next flight of stairs. But access to the attic can be organized in two ways - through a door from a small platform, where you can climb the steps from residential floor, or through the hatch, directly onto the upper floor.
Now let's talk about the design of the staircase itself. It can be stationary with steps, or lowered directly into the hatch, being attached to its cover. The second option is more compact, but more difficult to implement, while the first requires a significant area, even for. Separately worth mentioning folding ladder with crossbars, which is fixed to the wall when not needed. The most practical are the movable models: folding, telescopic, sliding and scissor.
Often, when looking for information about folding models, you can find mention of sectional, hinged, folding stairs. All this different variants of the same type - folding, since this is precisely the principle of operation of the design. Don't confuse sectionals folding models with spans of the same type, but with bowstrings as a basis. The latter are ordinary steps mounted on flat bars, which are called bowstrings, one of which is rigidly fixed to the wall, and the second rises on the hinges of the steps.
Folding ladder - design features
First, let's look at folding models that are made of both metal (aluminum, stainless steel), and from wood in combination with steel parts. Regardless of the height of the ceiling, even if you can reach it with your hand, a folding staircase to the attic will always consist of at least 3 sections, both purchased and made by yourself; drawings rarely differ in this regard.
The fact is that the supports of the lower section must rest against the floor, and if you make only 2 long elbows, the attic hatch will have to be greatly extended in length. This, in turn, will take away some of the useful attic space. When taking into account its inclination to the floor, it is never installed strictly vertically. Accordingly, the lid should tilt down not at a straight line, but at an acute angle of about 70-75 degrees. In this case, the hinge between the two upper sections becomes the center of the arc that the folding elbow describes, and therefore the hatch must be such that the lower part of the second section does not touch its edge.
The line between the supports resting on the floor is 20-30 centimeters further than the edge of the attic opening, which provides a fairly comfortable angle for the staircase. The last factor also applies to telescopic or scissor structures. The uppermost section of the folding model is usually fixed directly to the hatch cover so that opening it simultaneously begins to feed the folded sections down.
Therefore, the hangers holding the sash must be strong enough; they are best selected based on a load of 150 kilograms. A do-it-yourself attic ladder should be made with a large margin of safety if it will be actively used with frequent visits to the attic, preferably made of metal. An exception may be steps; they can be made of wood so as not to make the structure too heavy. The sections are connected by conventional one-piece hinges or lever hinges.
Telescopic attic ladder - buy or make it yourself?
Telescopic-type retractable sections seem to be a very complex device to manufacture at home, and many people buy ready-made ones along with attic hatch. However, you can get by with purchasing only a retractable ladder, which is often found in hardware stores next to tools. Her distinguishing feature– aluminum sections and plastic elements for fastening the crossbars.
Such a ladder to the attic is mounted with your own hands on the hatch, with the thinnest part above the hinges of the lid that folds down. It will not be possible to firmly fasten it to the latter due to the fact that the telescopic bends are quite short, and fixing at least one, in addition to the top one, will prevent the ladder from extending.
Before you make and install such an attic ladder with your own hands, you need to carefully measure the distance from the floor to the ceiling of the upper residential floor. If the fully extended knees are too long even with the structure in an inclined position, 1-2 upper sections can be rigidly fixed to the hatch in a half-extended or folded position. It is worse if the supports of the ladder do not reach the floor, in which case you will have to attach it to lowering hangers without mounting it to the edge of the hatch opening, the cover of which will be held by separate levers.
At self-assembly mechanism for lowering the entire structure down, it is better to fix the suspensions on staircase racks using steel clamps, possibly with a through bolt fixation to the support. The telescopic ladder can be held in the lowered state using either commercial crank arms or regular cables. For the hatch cover, in addition to hangers, you will need springs, which, in addition to holding it in closed position, will allow you to lift it without special effort. However, the upper retractable sections of the stairs can also be equipped with such springs (even blocks, which will be discussed later, are used for such an operation).
Sliding sectional structure for access to the attic
Many people believe that a retractable telescopic staircase to the attic is identical to a sliding model, but the difference between them is quite significant when made with your own hands. If in the first version, sections the length of a rack segment between two crossbars extend one from the other, then in the second case they consist of 5-6 steps and slide one along the other along external guides.
In other words, the telescopic design is more compact, but the sliding one is easier to make yourself. After all, it is easier to assemble sections moving on a slide than to select pipe sections of different diameters, not to mention fixing these sections so that they do not fall apart when pulled out. As for the assembly of sliding stairs, they can be different. The simplest option is all sections same size and laid one on top of the other, with a connection on a slide with rollers.
Another type - the lower sections are narrower than the upper ones and are located one inside the other, according to the principle of a fire escape. In this case, the supports of the upper knee should be wider than the lower one so that the section easily fits on top of the crossbars, while the slides are located with inside racks, and the rollers are on the outside. For such a model, the uppermost elbow, regardless of the type of structure, must be rigidly fixed to the hatch cover, equipped with strong hangers and springs.
Scissor attic ladder – advanced technology
This option is perhaps the most interesting, since it makes it possible to climb into the under-roof rooms along full-fledged flat steps of sufficient width to comfortably place the sole of your foot. At the same time, the ladder folds as compactly as a telescopic one. This design has one undeniable advantage: if you attach a spring to at least one section, pulling it up into the hatch, the tension element will fold all the elbows, which are interconnected levers.
The whole structure resembles several dozen scissors, which are hinged in pairs by rings and the tips of the knives. The steps are always mounted at the intersection points of the metal strips, where the screw is located on the scissors. At the same time, they are rigidly fixed in relation to the axes, which have rotation restrictions. It is not difficult to make such attic stairs with your own hands; you just need to have 100 metal strips, preferably made of durable stainless steel, for 25 steps.
Each 2 strips are connected with a bolt exactly in the center, and then the resulting elements in the shape of the letter X are movably attached to each other using short bushings. The steps are installed on the crosshairs. At the same time, to prevent them from swinging, you need to either hang them a little lower at the corners, or make limiting projections on opposite metal strips.
Attention - when folding the scissor sections, be careful not to get your fingers caught between the slats.
Folding ladder mounted on the wall
There are 2 possible ways to make a staircase to the attic. At the very beginning, we mentioned that two-section folding ladders are impractical if the hatch is small. However, such a model can be mounted on the wall if the opening is located at the edge of the ceiling. In this case, we make 2 sections, short and long, and fasten the second one under the hatch itself, with loops on thick timber, attached at the top of the wall. The second elbow is made longer than the remaining distance to the floor, and is screwed onto hinges at the bottom of the beams of the first, so that in the folded position it is between the wall and the long section.
Another do-it-yourself folding attic ladder is made on inclined strings with full steps instead of rungs. One board is rigidly fixed to the wall, as we already mentioned above. Loops are screwed to it for mounting movable treads, to which, in turn, we also attach a second string on hinges, even with railings on rod balusters. In the upper part, under the opening, we place emphasis for the lowering bowstring board. In order for the entire structure to be kept in the tilted up position, it must be hooked to a metal loop specially attached to the wall.
Attic stairs are one of the typical types of stairs for country houses. They provide maximum comfort and space saving. For lifting, you can use a stepladder or a ladder. Safety plays vital role. Therefore, it is best to acquire just this type of lifting device.
Attic stairs are divided into three types:
- Sliding or telescopic.
- Scissor or pincer-shaped.
- Folding or lever.
Sliding stairs have two or a couple of sections. The sections can be expanded, they protrude from one another. Good side this option: the sides of the attic are larger than the hatch itself. The advantage of this ladder is that it does not have lever mechanisms. Levers are the weak link of any design. This ladder is the most reliable and strong for loads.
Folding structures are made of 3-4 sections. The first compartment needs to be screwed to. The sections are screwed to each other with special parts that can be used to fold and unfold the ladder. To unfold, pull the ring or string with a stick.
To understand what a scissor model is, imagine an accordion. It has many levers, which are secured with special clamps.
All staircase options are made up of a pair of sections that can be stacked into each other. The result is a small structure that quickly folds and unfolds. The roof can be closed with an attic hatch, then the stairs are invisible.
Detailed description of stairs
Recently, home owners have increased their demand for using the entire space in the house. Many people have the habit of bringing to Vacation home all unnecessary trash, which is a pity to throw away or will be needed later. The stairs have an inclination angle of 45%, which is why they are considered steep. They small height, have a few steps, approximately 10-15 pieces. Attic stairs are constructed from lightweight material so that they are light.
The type of material from which the stairs are made must withstand the weight of the owner, but at the same time be durable and practical. In most cases, antique objects with their own weight are taken into the attic, and the main function is to support the weight of a person and objects.
Many attics are decorated with attic stairs, they are accessible to many buyers. Modern staircase designs have many advantages: convenience, compactness, ease of use, comfort. Stairs take up little space, they have good functionality, and a large assortment.
They are inexpensive, so you can choose best option for your attic. Attic stairs are made from metal, wood, and can be combined. They can be made with handrails, spring, folding.
Stairs can be made in any size, color, shape. Our specialists will select a staircase for you according to your taste and requirements, and discuss price and functionality with you.
Folding ladder Construction of stairs
Anyone can install a ladder, but it is better to leave it to a professional. Check that the installation space is suitable for the dimensions of the structure. There should be no problems at this stage because when the model was selected, it was necessary to compare the dimensions on the packaging of the stairs and the opening. There are companies that write the dimensions of the box instead of the dimensions of the space; in this case, the opening should be increased by 0.5–1 centimeter.
To begin, attach a block to the bottom of the opening - it will hold the ladder during installation. This requires two people, the first will be in the attic, and the second in the house. Raise the ladder to the attic and lay it on the block. At the fastening site, between the box and the opening, install spacers, and then fix the box with two screws.
After this, the person who is in the house takes the block and straightens the stairs. Secure it on the sides with screws. Fill the gap with mounting foam. Slightly loosen the screws on the sides of the ladder, unfold it to the end and tighten the bolts again. Install handrails and hatch guards, and feel free to use the stairs.
Types of structures
Ladders and stepladders are traditional, they are not particularly comfortable. They are used for a short time, or if they are not climbed into the attic very often.
Standard type staircases can be marching or spiral. Staircase made of wood or metal screw type allow you to save some space. Not very comfortable for older people and children. Marching structures take away a large number of places.
Folding stairs for the attic have become the most popular in our time. There are stairs different types. The sectional type is especially popular; the design is divided into several parts. The scissor ladder is also popular.
Sliding staircase structures are made using the example of a telescope. Areas with steps are moved apart one by one. When this model is folded, it does not take up much space. The staircase can be extended to any distance. Such stairs are made - plastic, wooden, metal, combined. The ladder is durable and safe.
Installation of attic stairs Advantages and disadvantages
Staircase structures give us the opportunity to gain more space, and are especially invisible once they are installed. The advantages of these stairs are functionality, strength, compactness, and lightness.
When they are folded, they resemble a hatch with a block, which is built into the ceiling, and is not particularly noticeable. The design can be easily retracted into the ceiling. The stairs are not heavy, safe, comfortable, and inexpensive. The staircase has no particular disadvantages.
Requirements for attic stairs
Attic stairs must be safe and durable. Many stairs are very beautiful, but non-functional. It is better when there are railings or holders. Don't forget about fire safety, if you decide to do it yourself. Remember to support a weight of at least 150 kilograms.
How to make an attic ladder with your own hands
The staircase can be made in 3 hours. Let's take: a hacksaw, a tape measure, a ladder, 4 loops, 2 screws, hooks, loops. We take a block, mount it to the upper end of the ladder on the hinges, and attach the second one to the lower part. We screw 2 slats onto the flight of stairs diagonally.
After this step, you should measure 2-3 lengths of the stairs and carefully cut them. We fasten the two pieces with loops. Attach the hinges right side. Attach the block from above under the hatch. This staircase is not hidden.
Folding attic ladder diagram DIY folding ladder
We will need:
- Two boards, 3 centimeters thick, 20 centimeters wide.
- Boards for steps, width 12 cm, thickness 3 cm, length 20 cm.
- For each step there are 2 loops.
- Hooks, anchors, screws to attach the structure to the wall.
The first step is to secure 1 string to the wall. Then you need to lay out the steps. Mark the bottom step and draw a line. Draw 2 straight lines at the ends of the parallel segments. At the end of 1 piece we draw a perpendicular. After this line, step back 1 cm to the right.
The two points must meet. So mark the stairs. Make a gap of 1 cm in the steps, this is necessary so that the folded steps do not touch; we attach the hinges to the steps. Place the loops on the string. Attach loops on the piece that moves, and in the right place there is a hook on the wall.
Materials, tools, drawings
In order to choose a material, consider some factors and decide what type of stairs you want. Decide what the width of the staircase will be, how many departments there will be, and what function it will perform. The function of the ladder plays a big role in manufacturing. For wooden stairs, the load should be no more than 150 kg.
Metal ladders can support approximately 250 kg. This factor does not mean that the load can be greater, just that this is not necessary often. The dimensions of the stairs should not be larger than the attic space.
A wood material that has very strong properties is pine. These properties combined with metal profile give high quality and heavy weight.
To make a staircase with your own hands, take good material, this material is considered to be pine. Pine is easy, accessible, inexpensive, well processed, and of high quality to use. For work, take working and durable tools: compasses, jigsaw, saw, drill, screwdrivers.
Attic staircase drawings are made for people who know how to hold tools in their hands and do not want to overpay for the work of professionals.
Step-by-step manufacturing guide
- Prepare wooden materials.
- Put all the tools, screws, drill in one place.
- Prepare a plan and dimensions of the stairs.
- Get to work. Good luck!
How to install:
- Measure the size of the future hatch and ladder on the packaging.
- Attach the bars to the bottom of the stairs.
- Tighten all screws and fasteners.
- Check the ladder for strength.
- Secure the ladder.
Making a staircase for your home is a very difficult process. The staircase is a very important item in the house. When constructing a staircase, it is important not to make any mistakes.
Positive aspects: low price, easy use, safety. It is best to contact a specialist who will choose a staircase according to your requirements.
The attic for each person can serve as any room, for example, a workshop or a living room. It all depends on imagination and size attic space. One thing is clear for sure, this room needs to be equipped, and begin this work follows from the stairs.
Very often it is difficult to get into the attic, and you have to use a stepladder, which requires a lot of space. To fix this, you can make the stairs yourself.
Equipment for space under the stairs
Before you start equipping your attic, you should first decide on a place for the stairs. This staircase involves the installation of a hatch, that is, a ceiling door.
It will take a little time to create such a staircase; you will need the following materials:
- Hacksaw for wood;
- Roulette;
- Any staircase made of wood;
- 4 card loops, stringer width;
- Bars - 4 pieces with a thickness of 2-3 cm, 2 bars the width of the hatch, and 2 bars 20 cm longer than the hatch;
- Self-tapping screws, anchors, loops and hook.
The stringer is the main beam; it is on it that the steps will be attached.
First, short bars are used. One is attached with hinges to the top of the ladder. And the second block is attached to the bottom using a rigid fastening.
For reliability, 2 slats are screwed on the inside, but they should not interfere with unfolding.
2/3 is measured from the bottom and a cut is made in this place. After which they are attached to each other with card loops. The fastening is done so that it folds easily
The first bar is screwed to the hatch, after which a hook is attached to the wall, and a loop is attached to the bottom bar, all this is done to firmly fasten the structure when closed.
This type of staircase is considered the easiest.
Attic ladder on hinges
It is created from three sections and an additionally equipped hatch.
From the beginning, the hatch opening is determined. For the right size hatch, you should add 0.7 cm on each side.
For this staircase you will need:
- 4 bars measuring 5x5, 2 long and 2 short;
- Plywood sheet 1 mm thick;
- 2 metal corners;
- Sheet metal;
- 4 metal strips 2 cm wide.
Cuts 25 mm deep are made from the edge of each block, after which they are fastened with glue and self-tapping screws into an even rectangle. A sawn sheet of plywood is attached to it.
The locks are replaced with a door latch.
For the mechanism that will open the hatch, you can buy everything in the store, or you can make it yourself.
To create the mechanisms yourself, you need to make models from thick paper, that is, create corners with the required dimensions.
Using a saw, the part that will be covered with a corner is cut out on a sheet of metal. Unnecessary strip lengths are removed and the edges are rounded. After which the corner is assembled. It is necessary to make two absolutely identical corners.
The staircase is assembled from three elements; you should not be mistaken with the size of each part. The first is the size of the hatch, the second is shorter, and the length of the third is the remaining length.
The angle of inclination, which was measured on the hatch, is transferred to the board; this will be the inclination of the steps.
Then the boards are marked with the length of each section. The boards are pressing masking tape, the steps are marked and sloped.
You can make a staircase to the attic with your own hands without extra effort and serious expenses. The cost of such stairs is significantly lower than those made to order. And the view is not inferior to them at all.
Many owners of private houses use an extension or stationary ladder installed outdoors. Of course, for safety reasons, such a ladder is completely justified and will never become superfluous. However, for use in winter period, and especially in cases where there is a utility room or even a full-fledged living space in the attic, it will be much more convenient to provide the possibility of entry directly from the house.
But it often happens that stationary design the internal staircase requires a very significant area, and therefore cannot be implemented in practice in conditions small house. And even if there is enough space, it hardly makes sense to “waste” it if the attic is not used constantly, but only from time to time. What to do? But there is a way out - this is a “transformer” structure, which is removed when not needed into the attic floor. So, the topic of this publication: do-it-yourself folding staircase to the attic - most optimal option for both large and small private houses.
What do they say about the advantages and disadvantages of such structures?
Folding ladders, if their design is thought out, are safe and easy to use, are very convenient. However, they also have their own disadvantages, which you also need to know in advance when starting similar reconstruction of one of the rooms of the house.
So to advantages of folding staircase design include the following points that will greatly facilitate the operation of the attic space:
- Ability to safely enter the attic at any time, regardless of the season or current weather conditions.
- The compactness and ease of use of a high-quality design allows all residents of the house to cope with unfolding and folding the stairs, since no great physical effort is expected.
- The folded structure does not take up usable area both in the living room and in the attic. If there is no need, the ladder is most often retracted into the opening of the attic floor, saving free space.
- The hatch in the ceiling, which is necessary to accommodate the staircase structure, with high-quality finishing from below does not spoil at all appearance ceiling surface.
- When purchasing a ready-made structure, it is quite possible to choose a model with an electric drive. This is, of course, extremely convenient, since if necessary, bring the ladder into working condition or remove it - you won’t have to make any effort at all. However, to install this staircase option, you will have to invite a specialist. And such kits cost quite a lot.
The disadvantages of installing this structure in the attic floor include the following:
- Be that as it may, folding stairs, unlike, do not always meet the criteria for maximum convenience in terms of the steepness of the climb, the number and size of steps.
- Based on the first point, the second suggests itself - ascending and descending such staircase structures still requires care and special measures precautions. This will be especially true for children, older people or those with some physical limitations.
- No matter how tightly the hatch fits into the opening cut out for the stairs, it will still deprive the ceiling of its tightness. Therefore, in order to prevent getting into living rooms cold air from above (or, conversely, hot air - during summer heat), the attic room will have to be insulated. This, of course, leads to additional costs. True, we can look at this problem from a different angle. If it is planned to arrange a utility or residential space in the attic, then, one way or another, it is necessary to carry out thermal insulation work on the roof slopes and install flooring with
Criteria that a folding ladder must meet
In order for a ladder to be used for a long time and be safe for its owners, it must meet certain criteria, regardless of its design and material of manufacture.
These product qualities include:
- The strength of the manufacturing material, all fasteners and connecting nodes.
- Lightweight design in terms of weight. This is important not only for the ease of use of the ladder, but also to ensure that when folded it does not put excessive additional load on the attic floor.
- Ease of operation - any adult family member should be able to handle the process of putting the ladder into combat readiness and folding it.
- Hinged or other components and devices that fold the ladder should function easily, without even minimal difficulties.
- If the staircase will be used constantly, due to the fact that a frequently used room is supposed to be located in the attic, then it is better to make the product yourself or order it good master to be confident in its reliability, and therefore in your personal safety.
Why is it better to make the stairs yourself?
Today there are a considerable number of models on the construction market. different manufacturers. They are, as a rule, quite convenient to use, but if they are not used very intensively. If the ladder will be unfolded and folded several times a day, then a more durable mechanism will be required, since the offered products may not withstand such intensive use due to the fact that each of them is designed for a certain “motor resource”.
Finished stairs almost always have a slight slope relative to the vertical. That is, the manufacturer makes them too steep, so it’s inconvenient to climb up and down them, especially while holding a certain load in one hand and securing yourself with the other. The reasons, apparently, are very significant, and that is why many home owners prefer not to buy ready-made kits, and install them yourself according to your own drawings, calculating them for their own weight and equipping them with durable mechanisms.
Main types of folding stairs to the attic
Before purchasing or making a folding ladder, you need to decide on its design, since there are several of them. So, they are developed and manufactured on an industrial scale and independently the following types stairs: retractable, folding spring, telescopic, folding with a simplified design, simple folding compact stairs.
Retractable or sliding ladder
The retractable staircase structure can consist of two or three sections, depending on the height of the attic floor.
- First option
The upper section of the structure is secured with a metal flange to a transverse board that forms the box of the opening installed in the attic floor. Each section, when folding the ladder, slides into the part located above, as if on a rail. The assembled sections of the stairs are transferred to a horizontal position and laid on the floors of the attic. The hatch in this design can be attached to the highest and shortest section, and in this case, when the hatch is closed, the entire staircase will be hidden. The hatch can also be closed separately, that is, first a ladder is sent to the attic, and then the hatch is closed.
1 - Attic floor beam.
2 - Screw flange.
3 - Retractable ladder sections.
4 - Rotary mechanism.
This illustration shows how a retractable ladder works. However, it is quite obvious that it can only be suitable if the attic is not used as a living space and is visited quite rarely, and not constantly.
- Second option
Another option sliding stairs, consisting of two sections - a short one, attached to the hatch cover, and a long one, which, after unfolding, will rest against the surface of the floor of the room.. This option is also suitable for an attic used as a utility room. So, if you need to get into the attic, the hatch opens, and the ladder goes down with it. Then, its lower part is pulled out from the folded structure until it touches the floor.
When unfolding the ladder, space for access to the attic is freed up. In ready-made, factory-made sliding or folding stairs The hatch is equipped with its own thermal insulation. And along the contour of the opening, a seal is installed so that warm air from the room does not escape through the gaps around the ceiling hatch. ABOUT similar methods minimizing heat losses should not be forgotten when making stairs yourself.
Folding ladder
A folding ladder is different from sliding theme that its sections do not slide into one another, but fold together. This is ensured by special hinge mechanisms installed in the span connection points. The structure is folded according to the accordion principle. Top section fixed on the hatch panel, onhim Folding handrails are also installed, which make it easier to climb top floor or attic.
The advantage of this design is that it does not take up more space than the opening in the ceiling, since it is completely hidden in a special box, which frames the opening hatch. Therefore, when going up to the attic, the ladder can be raised so that it is not in the way on the lower floor, and in order to avoid accidentally stepping on the hatch while at the top, you can provide an upper strong hatch or a fencing for the opening.
The diagram above shows finished design, one of those offered in specialty stores. However, focusing on it, it is quite possible to make a ladder yourself. How to do this will be discussed in detail in the instruction table below.
The diagram shows a box framing the opening. It is equipped with an elastic rubber gasket, thanks to which the hatch will be pressed tightly, without gaps, to the inner walls of the box.
The hatch of the design shown is made of chipboard, but when making a similar ladder yourself, it is quite possible to replace it with boards and assemble a shield from them. For this purpose, it is recommended to choose light, porous wood, such as linden or pine.
The wooden steps are equipped with an anti-slip coating. When making your own stairs, you can use a router to cut out recesses on the steps, in the form of two or three grooves running along the entire length of their surface.
The steps are fixed in the side posts of the staircase sections using the connection " dovetail", which is more reliable than straight spikes.
Metal scissor ladders
Another option for a folding structure is the so-called scissor ladder, which is made of metal. As a rule, aluminum is used for this purpose due to its light weight. The design has proven itself quite well, especially for those cases where the attic has to be visited quite often.
The advantages of this type of stairs include its versatility. This means that the modules that form the steps can be stretched “to their fullest” if the room high ceiling, or compressed to a certain level, of course. The main thing is that the bottom step rests on the floor. Thus, the staircase is designed for a certain, and quite considerable, range of ceiling heights.
When folded, such a staircase is quite compact and does not extend beyond the boundaries of the box intended for it, installed in the thickness of the attic floor.
The disadvantage of this scissor design is that it requires some effort to install and fold it. This may pose a problem for some home occupants who do not have the required physical capabilities.
It is quite difficult to make such a staircase yourself, since it requires precise adjustment of metal parts, and the structure itself is replete with hinged joints. Yes, this is not profitable, since the material for self-made It will probably cost no less than the cost of the finished product.