Attic Stair Installation Across the Joists

Attic accesses are important for maintenance aspects of a home. If a home does not have an attic access already installed and maintenance has to be performed in the attic, then the cost of the project will be substantially more. Proper attic access is also important for safety reasons, as it allows fire fighter professionals access in case of an electrical fire. The easiest attic access to enter is a pull-down attic access. Because these are larger units, they almost always have to be installed by cutting ceiling joists and performing some supportive framing.

Stepladder
Tape measure
Pencil
Level
Utility knife
Reciprocating saw
Miter saw
Cordless drill
3-inch screws
4 2-by-4s 8 feet long
Shims

Instructions

- 1
  
  Level
  
  Measure over between walls in a hallway in your home if an attached garage access point is not available and mark the center of the hallway. If a garage access can be installed, measure off the wall in an area where the ladder can be folded down without any obstructions in the way. Make sure you measure off the wall in two places. Connect the marks by tracing a line along a level.
- 2
  Measuring from the line in Step 1, measure over 11 1/4 inches each way. Make marks at the same measurement further down the line and connect them by tracing along a level. When done, the line will be parallel to the middle line.
- 3
  From one line, use a square to make a perpendicular line at the top of one of the side lines by lining one side of the square on a side line from Step 2. Continue this line by tracing along a level, using the mark you made along the square. Measure 54 inches from this mark and make a mark on each side. Connect the marks with the level. The lines should form a perfect rectangle.
- 4
  
  Utility knife
  
  Cut along the lines with a utility knife. You will have to do this at least three times. Pull the piece of drywall off. It is all right if it does not come down in one piece.
- 5
  Locate the ceiling joists that need to be cut out. Use a reciprocating saw to cut out the ceiling joists. Make sure you stay right at the edge of the drywall you cut out.
- 6
  
  Lumber
  
  Measure between the cut ceiling joists and cut 2-by-4 blocks to go between them with a miter saw. This serves as the sides for the attic access. Attach the blocks screwing them into place through the sides of the ceiling joists. The blocks should be flush with the face of the cut ceiling joists when screwed into place.
- 7
  Measure the distance between the sides of the opening and cut 2-by-4 pieces for these areas. They should be 22 1/2 inches, but you should measure them anyway, if they are slightly larger or smaller. Attach with 3-inch screws through the sides that you built in Step 6.
- 8
  
  Screws and lumber
  
  Measure the total length of the long sides of the access frame. Cut two 2-by-4s this length and lay them on top of the sides of the access frame. Make sure they are even on the access side and the ends, and screw into place with 3-inch screws using the cordless drill. Measure between the two sides and perform the same operation for the ends. The access frame is now complete.
- 9
  
  Stepladder
  
  Climb into the attic through the access hole you have made making sure you take 3-inch screws, the cordless drill, and shims with you. Have a friend lift the stair access hatch into place. As they hold it in place, shim the sides and attach access using the 3-inch screws. Open the access and install two screws every 6 inches around the perimeter, making sure to install shims between the framing and the access. Climb down and test the staircase closing and opening mechanisms as well as the ladder.

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