How to Cut an Opening for Attic Ladders

Installing attic stairs allows you to access the attic easily and can come in handy when hauling up large items for storage. In order to install attic ladders, you will need to cut a hole in the ceiling of the floor beneath your attic. You need to measure before cutting to give your opening a professional, even look, and ensure the ladder fit securely.

Tape measure
Ladder
Chalk line
Drywall saw
Reciprocating saw
2 by 6 boards
3-inch nails
Hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Position a ladder beneath the current access hole going up to the ceiling. Climb up the ladder until you can comfortably look inside the hole. Check for duct pipes or wires that may be directly above or around the area of the hole. Relocate any pipes or wires as needed before proceeding.
- 2
  If you have a ladder kit, or a ladder you will be attaching beneath the hole directly, measure the ladder kit or diameter of the ladder. Mark those measurements around the outside edges of the hole.
- 3
  Snap chalk lines across each side of the rough hole in the attic. Use the tape measure to add an additional 1 1/2 inches to each side if you have a ladder kit.
- 4
  Use a drywall saw to cut an opening parallel to the attic joists. Cut through the joists with a reciprocating saw.
- 5
  Attach a pair of 2 by 6 boards, which will serve as headers to the ends of the joists previously cut. Use 3-inch nails and a hammer to secure them. The headers will later allow you to attach a set of stairs or a ladder leading to the attic.

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