Cutting 2x8 Ceiling Joists For Attic Stairs

Weight capacity designed to fit ceiling heights from 8 ft.

Cutting 2x8 ceiling joists for attic stairs.

Hopefully the attached pictures provide additional info. 2 how much weight could the ceiling joist hold. Its length depends on how much headroom you need. Attic ladder kits are made to fit between existing framing in the ceiling that is the floor of the attic.

Ceiling joist are 2x4. 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. The following diagram figure 1 shows the floor or ceiling joists after the access hole has been cut to install a new flight of stairs or provide an attic access. Cut around ceiling trim with a utility knife.

Use a reciprocating saw to cut joists and nails holding any joists that must be removed. Mark rough opening of new fold down staircase on the ceiling joists in the attic. Saw through the joist s being careful not to cut through the ceiling and making sure the cut ends of the joist s are flat and vertical. The thought of cutting through your floor might seem scary but installing any new staircase whether rigid stairs from one floor to another or pull down stairs leading to an attic requires an opening in the floor.

In some cases the ladder may fit into an existing attic access hatch. In this video this old house general contractor tom silva explains how to install attic stairs. You ll then use the ceiling joists to determine the final location. And standard ceiling openings of 22 5 in.

Determine the area where you want to place your stairs. Built for safety this sturdy wood ladder makes it easy to access your attic with nine non slip steps and a convenient handrail for support while climbing. Unless expressly built so an attic s joists are meant for carrying the load of the ceiling below and related elements collectively known as the dead load. Click here to purchase the easy access attic ladder by werner.

1 can the joist be cut to make room for the attic ladder. Part 6 shows you how. The werner wood universal fit attic ladder features the werner wood universal fit attic ladder features a 250 lb. Single story house built in the 1940s.

Figure 1 modified joists there are some important points to highlight. Ceiling joist are support by a wall that runs roughly down the middle of the house. Now that you ve cut your joists it s time to frame the new opening.