How to Build Loft Steps

Measuring

• 1

  Measure the height from the loft floor to the floor below it. Divide the total rise by 7; this is the average step height. Round down to the nearest whole number to get the number of steps. Divide the overall height by the number of steps to find the rise per step. Convert all feet to inches for calculations. A 6-foot height translates to 72 inches. Dividing 72 by 7 equals 10.28 or 10 steps. Divide 72 by 10 to get 7 1/16 inches per step. You will have ten steps with a 7 1/16-inch gap between them.

• 2

  Multiply the number of steps by the horizontal space each step takes up. Using the example of 10 steps, you would multiply 10 by the width of the 2-by-6-inch boards to find the total floor space taken by the steps. The example steps would take up 60 inches or 5 feet extending from the end of the loft -- 10 steps * 6 inches = 60 inches.

• 3

  Tie the string around the middle of the butter knife. Drop the knife straight down from the edge of the loft floor to the floor below. Measure the run of the steps along the floor from the knife. Mark the location.

• 4

  Measure the distance from the edge of the loft floor to the marked location below. This is the length required for the 2-by-4-inch lumber.

• 5

  Cut the 2-by-4-inch lumber to size. Lay the boards parallel with the wide face horizontal. Place the edge of the ruler at the lower right-hand corner of a board. Measure diagonally the needed rise of a step to the opposite edge of the board. Mark the spot. Set the ruler flush across the board face. Mark the spot. Repeat the measuring process up the board until you reach the end or the number of steps found in the calculations.

• 6

  Repeat the step measurements and locations on the second 2-by-4-inch lumber. Subtract the bottom step from the step count. This measurement will be the cut line to align the step with the floor.

Construction

• 7

  Turn a 2-by-4-inch board diagonal until a pair of marks lines up horizontally. Drill holes through the board 1 inch towards the board center using the perceived horizontal line of each pair. The line would be where the step will go.

• 8

  Set up one of the 2-by-4-inch boards in a vice with the wide face vertical. Line up each step with the drilled holes. Set a screw into each hole with the tip touching the side of the step. Drill the screw into the step. Drill the second screw into the step the same way. Repeat this process with each succeeding step.

• 9

  Remove the partially assembled steps from the vice. Set up the second 2-by-4-inch board in the vice. Line up the partially assembled steps alongside the board in the vice. Line up the steps with the holes in the unattached board. Screw the board to the steps as you did with the other side.

• 10

  Measure from the rear of the top step diagonally up to the opposite side the same way you measured for each steps rise. Mark the line between spots. This is the cut line for the top of the steps.

• 11

  Cut the boards making up the step sides at the top and bottom lines. These cuts form the angles that allow the steps to rest against the loft floor and the main floor below.

• 12

  Line up the steps with the face of the beam forming the edge of the loft floor. Hammer nails through the underside of the floor beam into the ends of the boards forming the sides of the steps.

• 13

  Measure and cut two 2-by-4-inch boards the length between the middle step and the floor below. These will become the supports. Nail the supports into position along the underside of the steps.