How to Brace Ceiling Joists for Opening an Attic

Once you cut the drywall ceiling hole for your new attic stairs, you have access to the ceiling joists blocking the opening. Before cutting the ceiling joists, it is necessary to brace the joists to prevent the ceiling from sagging or possibly collapsing. Bracing ceiling joists for opening and attic requires tying in the joist you need to cut with the surrounding joists. Once you install the attic ladder, the joist brace also gives you something to walk on in the attic until you install a floor.

Tape measure
2 boards, 2-inch-by-4-inch, 8-foot long
Circular saw
Drill
1/8 inch drill bit
Phillips head adapter for drill
3-inch wood screws

Instructions

- 1
  Go into the attic and place the end of the tape measure on the third joist beyond one end of the attic stair opening. Measure to the third joist beyond the opposite end of the opening. This is the measurement to use for cutting the brace supports.
- 2
  Exit the attic and cut two 2-inch-by-6-inch boards to the measurement with a circular saw. Place the two boards inside the attic, one on each side of the opening.
- 3
  Position the brace support boards across the joists two feet from the edge of the opening. Ensure the ends of each board are over joists.
- 4
  Drill pilot hole through the brace support boards and the top of the joists with an 1/8 inch drill bit. Drive 3-inch wood screws into the brace support boards at the pilot holes with a drill and Phillips head adapter.

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