Building an Attic Door With Stairs

Conventional Doors

• Some attics are accessible by a set of fixed stairs. These stairways often open to a garage, outdoor space or interior closet. Installing a door that swings inward is impossible because the stairs begin just inside the doorway. This means you may need to reverse the hinges and install them so that the door opens outward. While this will take up additional space in your home or garage, it allows you to secure your attic with a conventional door of your choosing or one that you build yourself.

Pull-Down Stairs

• Pull-down stairs are a convenient solution to attic access if your attic doesn't have fixed stairs. This type of door takes the form of a hatch with an expanding staircase attached to its top surface. Building your own attic door with folding stairs requires engineering skills and an understanding of the materials used, which include metal hinges, wood and high-tension springs. The easiest way to build a pull-down attic door is by measuring and copying a prefabricated door.

Installing Prefabricated Doors

• Prefabricated attic doors with folding stairs are available at most hardware stores in prices ranging from under $125 to more than $600 at the time of publication. This means that buying and installing a prefabricated door with stairs may be the safest and most economical option. You will still need to cut your own opening in the ceiling, or enlarge an attic hatch to accommodate the new door. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for mounting the door between ceiling joists for stability.

Considerations

• Depending on the height of your ceilings and the frequency with which you use your attic, building a door with stairs may not be worth the cost or effort. A basic ladder, which doubles for outdoor and general household use, can provide access to an attic hatch or door without stairs. When designing your own attic door or stairs, be aware of your local building codes, which may place special structural requirements on fixed stairways and exterior doors.