Install & Replace

[RJB]

I want to install some attic stairs that pull down out of the ceiling.  They should be simple to install and inexpensive, sine I will use them less than once a year and just for personal access, not for a lot of stuff.  Can you get them with some insulation, since I have a lot of ceiling insulation in the rest of the house?  Which stairs do you recommend and any installation pointers would be helpful.

[HD116]

Greetings,

My name is Tom, known here as HD 116 and allow me to welcome you to our community. Utilizing the space in the attic for long term storage and off season items is a great idea. This space is wasted in many cases, and the addition of attic stairs allows easy access.

You will find many options, prices, and configurations when shopping for them at homedepot.com. The three most popular are wood, aluminum, and a steel "scissor" style. Another consideration is your ceiling height and the width of the ceiling joists. Wood is by far the most popular, and even the most basic style is rated for 250 lbs. There models that are insulated as well as non-insulated, and Owens Corning now offers an insulation "box" that covers the installed assembly if your choice is a non-insulated, less expensive model.

Following you will find a link to our site which will show 48 examples of the three types,  wood, aluminum, and steel scissor type in different configurations.

http://bit.ly/jB3K8a

Louisville ladder has installation guidelines on their page which you might find useful. You will find it here;

http://bit.ly/kl1QV9

Hope that helps, and again welcome to our community!

[RJB]

How do I find the insulated box that you mentioned, that I could choose if I select an uninsulated attic ladder?  What is the part number and if it is not offered by Home Depot, who sells it?

Thanks,  RJB

[RJB]

Tom,  I even tried  Owens Corning's web site, but could not find the insulated box for the attic stairs.  Can you help me find it?  Thanks,

RJB

[HD116]

Greetings,

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, I was out until this morning. The model number is AS2, and it is manufactured by Owens Corning. The store sku is 554355. You can order it on-line by choosing Internet # 100676399. A link to the page where you can order on-line is found by clicking the link below;

http://bit.ly/lad5Fk

Thanks again,

[ale]

Hi Tom: I've chosen the 8 foot wooden option. It fits neatly between the joists in my hallway. Do you have an idea of how long on average it takes to install?

[Chris_HD_CHI]

Hello ale and welcome to the community!

For this kind of structural work it’s hard to give a time estimate, but I will try.

Just like with painting jobs, it’s the prep work that takes the most time.  I’d like to think of this as a 1 day job, with 2 people available when the ladder is to be placed and secured in the new opening.

In the morning you will be in the attic clearing away insulation, moving if necessary any interfering electrical lines, building the headers and structural support, and cutting out the opening in the ceiling.

Later, and with help, you will set the stairs in place and cut the feet so they sit flush on the floor.  While at this point the stairs are installed, there is always the clean-up time and optional tasks like applying trim around the opening or painting the stairs.

This can be a DIY project if you or your helper has the framing skills to build walls, set windows or doors.  The only real tricky part has to do with maintaining the structural integrity of the home and soundly attaching the stairs to the new framework.  Keep in mind that some building codes will require double headers.  Talk with your local building inspector about this when you pull the building permit.  Here is a link to one set of installation instructions from FAKRO in pdf form.

I hope this helps,

Newf.

[ale]

Thanks Newf:  That's fabulous.  Ale

[Chris_HD_CHI]

You’re welcome ale. 

Please keep us updated on your projects and feel free to join in helping others.

Again, thanks for joining the community,

Newf.