Cutting Rafters For Attic Stairs

Cut any diagonal braces in the truss with a reciprocating saw.

Cutting rafters for attic stairs.

Where possible choose a size and location for your attic ladder that allows it to fit between existing ceiling joists or trusses. Once you ve marked the lines use your pencil to draw the diagonal length on the rafter. In some cases the ladder may fit into an existing attic access hatch. He then proceeded to cut 8 feet out of one truss for a stairway to the attic.

Cut the ends to the same angle you used for the pony wall. These trusses are usually engineered by a structural engineering company in order to carry a specific roof load. This way you only need to cut one of them to make the room for the rough framing opening. Next set the framing square on top of the rafter beam and use a pencil to trace the outside edge of the framing square s tongue.

To cut roof rafters start by fixing the stair gauges on your framing square to the dimensions of your pitch. I would not put the attic stairs ladder assembly opening at right angles to the ceiling joists. Hello i am working on a project which i am using attic trusses to be used for a living space approximately 32 wide 10 12 pitch spaced 2 o c. When a truss becomes damaged cut or modified there is a.

Use a hammer to knock the bottom end loose. Homeowners should avoid cutting or modifying their roof trusses. I think he spread the load over 4 other rafters by gluing and nailing 4x8x3 4 plywood sheets spanning the vertical members of the truss that were right close to the stair opening. Instead you should place the cutout opening inline with the ceiling joists rafter ties.

You potentially compromise too many of the rafter cross ties by doing that. Cut each support off at this mark with a circular saw. Location of the ladder. I have never built a staircase to attic trusses only drop down stairs but i am planning on leaving one truss out and doubling the ones to ether side to create a 4 opening.

Trusses are similar to roof rafters. Attic ladder kits are made to fit between existing framing in the ceiling that is the floor of the attic.