Folding attic stairs dimensions. How to make and install a folding attic staircase with your own hands: step by step instructions

Many owners of private houses, in order to get to the attic, use an attached or stationary staircase installed on the street. Of course, for the sake of safety, such a ladder is fully justified, and will never become superfluous. However, for use in the winter, and especially in cases where an utility or even a full-fledged living room is equipped in the attic, it will be much more convenient to provide for the possibility of entering directly from the house.

But it often happens that the stationary construction of an internal staircase requires a very large area, and therefore cannot be implemented in practice in a small house. And even if the area is sufficient, it hardly makes sense to "squander" it if the attic is not used constantly, but only from time to time. What should I do? And there is a way out - this is a "transformer" construction, which is removed as unnecessary in the attic floor. So, the topic of this publication: do-it-yourself folding stairs to the attic - the most optimal option for both large and small private houses.

General information about folding ladders to the attic

What do they say about the advantages and disadvantages of such designs?

Folding ladders, if their design is thought out, safe and easy to use, are very convenient. However, they also have their drawbacks, which you also need to know about in advance, starting to similar reconstruction of one of the rooms of the house.

So to the advantages of a folding ladder structure include the following points that will greatly facilitate operation attic space:

The ability to safely enter the attic at any time, regardless of the season or current weather conditions.
The compactness and ease of operation of a high-quality structure allows all residents of the house to cope with the folding and unfolding of the stairs, since much physical effort is not expected.
The folded structure does not take up useful space both in the living room and in the attic. In the absence of the need, the staircase is most often removed into the opening of the attic floor, saving free space.
A hatch in the ceiling, which is necessary to accommodate the staircase, with a high-quality finish from below does not at all spoil the appearance of the ceiling surface.
When purchasing a ready-made design, it is quite possible to choose a model with an electric drive. This is, of course, extremely convenient, since if necessary, bring the stairs to working condition or remove it - no effort at all. However, in order to install this version of the ladder, you will have to invite a specialist. Yes, and there are such kits - quite a lot.

The disadvantages of installing this structure in the attic floor include the following:

Be that as it may, folding ladders, in contrast, do not always meet the criteria for maximum convenience in terms of the steepness of the rise, the number and size of steps.
Based on the first point, the second suggests itself - ascending and descending along such ladder structures still requires care and special measures precautions. This will especially apply to children, older people or those with some physical disabilities.
No matter how tightly the hatch fits into the opening cut out under the stairs, it will still deprive the ceiling of its tightness. Therefore, in order to avoid getting into living rooms cold air from above (or, conversely, hot air - during summer heat), the attic room will have to be insulated. This certainly leads to additional costs. True, you can consider this problem from the other side. If it is planned to equip an utility or living room in the attic, then in it, one way or another, it is necessary to carry out thermal insulation work on the roof slopes and perform flooring with

Criteria that a folding ladder must meet

In order for the ladder to be used for a long time and to be safe for its owners, it must meet certain criteria, regardless of its design and material of manufacture.

Folding ladder prices

folding ladder

These qualities of the product include:

The strength of the material of manufacture, all fasteners and connecting nodes.
Ease of construction in terms of weight. This is important not only for the convenience of using the stairs, but also so that when folded, it does not give excessive additional load on the attic floor.
Ease of operation - any adult family member should cope with the process of bringing the ladder to "combat readiness" and its folding.
Hinges folding the ladder or other units and devices should function easily, without even the smallest difficulty.
If the staircase will be used constantly, due to the fact that it is planned to locate a frequently used room in the attic, then it is better to make the product yourself or order good master to be confident in its reliability, and therefore in its personal safety.

Why is it better to make your own ladder?

Today, a considerable number of models are presented on the construction market. different manufacturers... They are usually quite convenient to use, but if they are not used very intensively. If the ladder unfolds and folds several times a day, then a more durable mechanism will be required, since the offered products may not withstand such intensive use due to the fact that each of them is designed for a certain "motor resource".

Finished stairs almost always have a small slope angle relative to the vertical. That is, the manufacturer makes them too steep, so it is inconvenient to climb and descend along them, especially holding a certain load in one hand, and insuring yourself with the other. The reasons, as you can see, are very significant, and therefore many home owners prefer not to buy ready-made kits, but to mount them on their own according to their own drawings, calculating them for their own weight and equipping them with durable mechanisms.

The main types of folding stairs to the attic

Before purchasing or manufacturing a folding ladder, you need to decide on its design, since there are several of them. So, the following types of stairs have been developed and manufactured on an industrial scale and independently: retractable, folding spring, telescopic, folding with a simplified design, simple folding compact stairs.

Retractable or extendable ladder

The retractable staircase structure can consist of two or three sections, depending on the height of the attic floor.

First option

The upper section of the structure is fixed with a metal flange on a transverse board that forms a box of the opening, which is equipped in attic floor... Each of the sections, when the ladder is folded, slides into the part located above, like along a rail. The assembled sections of the staircase are transferred to a horizontal position and laid on the floors of the attic. The hatch in this design can be fixed to the upper and shortest section, in which case the entire staircase will be hidden when the hatch is closed. The hatch can also be closed separately, that is, first the stairs are sent to the attic, and then the hatch is closed.

1 - Beam of the attic floor.

2 - Screw flange.

3 - Retractable ladder sections.

4 - Swivel mechanism.

This illustration shows how the retractable ladder works. However, it is quite obvious that it can only be suitable if the attic is not used as a living space and is visited quite rarely, and not constantly.

Second option

Another option sliding ladder, consisting of two sections - a short one, fixed on the hatch cover, and a long one, which, after unfolding, will rest against the surface of the room's floor .. This option is also suitable for an attic used as a utility room. So, if you need to get to the attic, the hatch opens, and with it the stairs descend. Then, from the folded structure, its lower part is pulled out all the way to the floor.

When unfolding the stairs, the passage to the attic is freed up. In ready-made, factory versions of sliding or folding ladders, the hatch is equipped with its own thermal insulation. And a seal is installed along the contour of the opening so that warm air from the room does not leave through the gaps around the roof hatch. We must not forget about such methods of minimizing heat losses when making a ladder on your own.

Folding ladder

A folding ladder differs from a sliding ladder in that its sections do not slide into one another, but fold together. This is ensured by special hinge mechanisms installed in the spans connecting nodes. The construction is folded according to the accordion principle. Top section fixed on the hatch panel, onit folding handrails are also installed, which make it easier to climb to the upper floor or attic.

The advantage of this design is that it does not take up more space than the opening in the ceiling, as it is completely hidden in a special box, which frames the opening hatch. Therefore, having climbed to the attic, the stairs can be lifted so that it does not interfere on the lower floor, and in order not to accidentally step on the hatch, being at the top, you can provide an upper strong hatch or an opening fence.

Ladder prices

stairs

The diagram above shows a finished design, one of those offered in specialized stores... However, focusing on it, it is quite possible to make a staircase yourself. How to do this will be discussed in detail in the instruction table below.

The diagram shows a box framing the opening. It is equipped with an elastic rubber gasket, thanks to which the hatch will be tightly, without gaps, pressed against the inner walls of the box.

The hatch of the shown design is made of chipboard, but by making such a ladder on your own, it is quite possible to replace it with boards by assembling a shield from them. For this purpose, it is recommended to choose lightweight porous wood, such as linden or pine.

The wooden steps are equipped with an anti-slip coating. When making a ladder yourself, you can use a router to cut grooves on the steps in the form of two or three grooves running along the entire length of their surface.

The treads are fixed in the side posts of the ladder sections with a dovetail joint, which is more reliable than straight tenons.

Metal scissor ladders

Another option for a folding structure is the so-called scissor ladder, which is made of metal. As a rule, aluminum is used for this purpose, due to its low weight. The design has proven itself quite well, especially for those cases when the attic has to be visited quite often.

The advantages of this type of stairs include its versatility. This means that the modules forming the steps can be stretched "to the full" if the room has a high ceiling, or they can be compressed to a certain level, of course. The main thing is that the lower step rests on the floor. Thus, the staircase is designed for a certain, and quite considerable range of ceiling heights.

When folded, such a staircase is quite compact and does not go beyond the box intended for it, installed in the thickness of the attic floor.

The disadvantage of such a scissor design can be considered that certain efforts must be made to install and fold it. This can present a problem for some residents of the house who do not have the necessary physical data.

It is quite difficult to make such a ladder on your own, since the most accurate fitting of metal parts is required, and the design itself is replete with hinged joints. Yes, this is not profitable, since the material for self-made will probably cost no less than the cost of the finished product.

Folding ladder to the attic is a type of compact auxiliary devices for lifting to utility rooms country house... Quite often, the stationary construction of stair flights for attic floors looks simply irrational - you don't often have to use it, or it takes up a lot of living space, which, as always, is sorely lacking.

Many are familiar with these circumstances. Previously, they arose when it was necessary to climb into the attic, where, according to established traditions, old things were stored that were no longer needed, but it is a pity to throw it away. Of course, you can use a regular ladder to climb and descend, but for greater convenience and safety there is another solution - a folding ladder to the attic.

Significantly saves the living space of the house. It is located in a specially equipped ceiling opening of the interfloor overlap.

The ladder for the attic is foldable - functional, compact and very easy to use, and the variety of models and provided options for this design allows you to choose exactly the type that is ideal for the specific operational conditions of any country house.

Among the variety of folding attic systems, three main configurations are most in demand:

lever;
pincer;
telescopic.

Lever designs

Lever or tricycle systems consist of three folding parts. The first part (knee) is fixed in the hatch cover, and the next two, with the help of springs and a special mechanism, are sequentially stacked on top of each other.

In order to install the ladder, it is necessary to hook the ring installed from the outer part of the hatch using a long rod with a hook and pull it down. After the hatch is opened, the structure independently, under the influence of its own weight, will expand into the desired position.

For the convenience of disassembly and assembly, the system is equipped with special lever mechanisms that help the mobile march to smoothly unfold and fold into the staircase. The hatch cover is equipped with latches, which are designed to fix the entire device in the interfloor overlap.

Claw ladders

The pincer-shaped design of the march received this name from the shape of its elements. This type of device folds like an accordion, and they are also called pantograph ladders. The basis of such systems is a multi-link hinge mechanism, which is regulated by springs.

When the hatch is open, the device is stretched down and is fixed to the floor using a special spring stop. When removing the mechanism from the stop, the structure is assembled under the action of springs to its original position.

Telescopic devices

The telescopic system, taking into account the operational properties, is made only of a lightweight aluminum profile.

Therefore, attic metal folding ladders with a telescopic system are separate sections made of profile aluminum pipe, which are sequentially inserted into each other.

The whole structure is mounted in the manhole cover, and, if necessary, easily extends into the working position.
Clamps provide stability located at the joints of the sections.
The number of parts may vary, depending on the required height and model of the selected device.
For the purpose of safe operation, the mechanism is designed in such a way that it excludes arbitrary axial displacement of the sections.
Special latches firmly fix the structure in the folded position.
It is easy enough to pull the ladder down for a special bar (rod) provided for this purpose.

How to choose a folding ladder

Before choosing and purchasing an attic staircase, you need to learn a few rules:

The design should be selected taking into account the prepared opening in the interfloor overlap. And for this you need to know the optimal dimensions for this type of stairs.
The minimum recommended size of the opening is 500–600 mm, but according to the experience of some manufacturers, 0.6–1.20 m is better. You can consult the seller - what dimensions are now on sale, and adjust your opening according to the selected template.
The second required parameter is the height and angle of inclination ("reach") of the device in working order. To do this, you need to know how often the stairs will be used and its future location (length of the room, furniture, etc.). The most acceptable and convenient in operation is considered to be a structure with a height of 2.80-3.5 m.

Tips: If the room height is more than 3.5 m, the installation of a folding loft ladder is not recommended for safety reasons. In this case, you need to think about installing a fixed economy class staircase, which has a greater angle of inclination and is equipped with a handrail.

As is customary, attic systems are sold already with ready-made sizes, so you need to provide for a situation when the required size may not be available. In this case, as mentioned above, it is necessary to prepare the opening for the finished dimensions, or order the required size individually. In the latter case, the construction price will be higher.

Metal folding ladders are best suited for outbuildings, and a wooden structure is most appropriate for a country house, which, with a certain finish, can become an interior decoration (see the video in this article).

Attic systems, in their execution, are unpretentious in operation, and if you have the necessary tools and instructions for assembling a specific architecture, they can be freely assembled with your own hands.

Assembling a folding wooden ladder

Before assembling the finished structure, you need to familiarize yourself with some basic safety rules:

the use of these structures for plasterboard floors is not recommended;
it is forbidden to disassemble the constituent elements of the mechanism during installation;
do not unscrew or adjust the fasteners to the hatch;
trial operation of the device is prohibited until the installation of all elements is completed.

Folding stairs to the attic with your own hands - instructions:

Installation of the attic system is carried out by two people. First, with everything necessary tool and a strong twine, rises to the second floor, and the second remains below.
We check the dimensions of the opening, which should be 2 cm larger than the box.

To support the kit, tie two safety bars to the box during installation. Moreover, the initial lower level of the box should be slightly below the ceiling level (see photo).
Then, using the prepared wooden wedges, align the level of the ceiling and the mechanism box.

Open the ladder and check the health of all elements.
After that, lift the device to its original position, and proceed with the installation of the box.
Before starting the installation, check that the length of the diagonals matches between opposite corners of the duct.

In the gap between the structure and the interfloor overlap, in the places where the screws are installed, insert the strips for a snug fit of the box to the opening.
Screw the box to the base of the opening with screws (8x80).
The gap between the box and the opening must be filled with polyurethane foam.
Open the device and check the correct operation of all mechanisms, and, if necessary, adjust them.

The unfolded structure should form a straight line, and the bottom of the bowstrings should fit snugly against the floor.

A folding loft ladder can have a wide variety of designs and improvements. It can be equipped with dust covers, handrails, electric motors and a remote control that activates the automatic folding and unfolding mechanism of the system. Therefore, depending on the chosen design, the cost of such improvements can vary widely.

The space between the ceiling and the roof in private houses is occupied by the attic space. It is used by owners for storing things, provides an opportunity to inspect and repair the inside of the roofing pie. A folding ladder installed to get to the attic can be made by hand. Portable structures such as a ladder are not always convenient and reliable. The stationary version, which can be easily pulled out if necessary, and is folded most of the time, will become optimal model for a small space.

At the place of installation:
- outdoor - they are mounted outside the building, the disadvantage is the need to leave the room in any weather;
- internal - located in the house.
By design:
- monolithic - screw or marching;
- portable - attached, ladders;
- folding - sliding, folding, scissor, folding.

Monolithic structures provide complete safety when lifting to the attic. But they occupy the usable area of the room. Portable models are convenient as a temporary option, but they are not suitable for permanent use due to the increased risk of injury. The best choice is a folding ladder that takes up a minimum of space. Such a design is often attached to the hatch, it has a compact size, and making it yourself will save money.

Features of folding structures

Transforming models have several options of execution, from which you can choose the one suitable for your home. When designing a product, one should take into account not only dimensions, but also design features. The minimum number of ladder sections must be 3 pieces. The 2-piece model will require a significant increase in the size of the attic hatch. The folding ladder is lowered manually, using a weight for weight, or automatically, using an electric drive.

Varieties of folding attic stairs

Telescopic model consists of parts that slide into each other. The material for it is aluminum, which has lightness, strength, and corrosion resistance. It is compact, functional, will last a long time, but it is difficult to make such a product with your own hands. The option of mounting on a ready-made hatch is possible.

Scissor model made from metal parts. It folds like an accordion. The robust construction with comfortable steps has one drawback - over time, creaks appear at the joints. Timely lubrication of the attachment points will help prevent the problem.

The scissor ladder is reliable and has a beautiful appearance

Folding ladder will not take up a single extra centimeter. It is difficult to design and install. Its steps are attached to the bowstring with card loops, and in the folded position the folding model is fixed on the wall.

Retractable ladder the attic consists of several sections, the upper part is firmly attached to the hatch, it is equal to the size of the cover. The rest of the sections are connected with special fittings and hinges. When unfolded, they form an even flight of stairs. It is easy to bring the product into working position due to its mobility. The difference between telescopic and sliding models is in the way of sliding sections. In the first case, they are placed one in the other, and in the second, they move with the help of rollers outside along the guides.

The structure for lifting to the attic should be installed in a place where it will not interfere, usually a hallway or corridor. Sliding and folding ladder adapts to standard sizes that are designed with safety in mind:

the angle of inclination of the structure is 65-75 degrees, a higher value will make the use unsafe, and a lower one will require a lot of space for placement;
the optimal staircase width is 65 cm;
the recommended number of steps is 13-15 pieces;
the length of the structure should be about 3.5 m, with an increase it loses its rigidity and strength, the processes of lowering and lifting are complicated;
the distance between the steps, convenient for movement, is 19.3 cm;
a ladder made by hand is calculated for a load of up to 150 kg;
the safe thickness of the steps is 1.8-2.2 cm;
the horizontal bars are mounted parallel to the floor, for safety they are supplemented with anti-slip pads.

The attic hatch also has standard dimensions, its parameters are 120x70cm, they provide an unobstructed passage and minimal heat loss.

Materials for making

Strength and weight requirements are imposed on the materials from which the staircase is made by hand. Construction for frequent use due to rapid wear is not made of wood. Metal is the best option for such a product; it will ensure safe and durable operation.

A combination of materials will reduce the overall weight of the ladder attached to the hatch. Steps are made of lighter wood. Bars of hard wood with a thickness of about 2 cm are used. To connect the products, metal or plastic fittings are installed, the latter reduces the friction of parts. In the folded position, the structure is attached to the hatch, which excludes spontaneous falling out.

Manufacturing technology of a simple folding structure

If the hatch is located near the edge of the ceiling, then for lifting, you can install a folding ladder of two sections with your own hands, which will rest on the wall. The basis for the design can be a finished product; it will take about two hours to transform it.

Simple folding ladder that is easy to make by hand

Tools for work:

screwdriver;
roulette;
hacksaw.

Materials:

wooden blocks 2x3 cm in size;
card loops;
self-tapping screws;
hook and loop.

Take two bars equal to the width of the stairs. One is attached with loops to the upper edge, and the second is firmly fixed at the bottom, ensuring the stability of the unfolded structure.
The ladder used is divided into two parts - one of them is 2/3 of the length, and the second is 1/3. A neat cut of the bowstring is performed along the marked line.
Metal hinges are screwed to connect the sections. Pay attention to how the hardware is located. It should ensure that the lower part of the ladder folds under the upper one.
A bar is fixed on the wall under the attic opening, to which the folding structure is attached.
For reliable fixation in the folded position, a loop is screwed in near the cut, and a hook is installed on the wall in the appropriate place.

The advantage of such a product is the simplicity of do-it-yourself execution, and the disadvantage is its open location.

Manufacturing the hatch

If the folding ladder is placed on the cover of the opening, it is not visible from the room and will not interfere with the interior. Simple drawings will help determine the size of the hatch and product. Having measured the sides of the passage to the attic, they begin to assemble the hatch with their own hands.

The following materials must be prepared:

bars with a cross section of 50x50m;
plywood sheet 10 mm;
PVA glue;
fasteners;
door latch with handle.

Two parts are cut from the bar, equal to the length of the opening and two parts similar to its width (120x70 cm). Each edge of the bar is cut half the width. These areas are smeared with PVA glue and glued together in a rectangle. To keep the exact diagonal, they are attached to the frame right-angled triangles from plywood, called kerchiefs. After the glue dries, the bars are additionally connected with self-tapping screws, and the kerchiefs are removed. A prepared plywood sheet is screwed to the workpiece. The structure will fit into the opening. To keep the hatch closed, a door latch is cut into it. The fittings have a convenient handle with which the hatch will open.

Assembly of the opening mechanism

Making a hatch opening mechanism with your own hands is a rather complicated process to facilitate the task, it is enough to purchase a finished product in a store.

Those who decide to assemble the entire structure on their own must prepare a metal corner, two strips and a sheet of metal.

In order not to be mistaken with the size of the hinges, they are initially cut from cardboard. After trying on, go to work with metal.

Places for fastening according to the template are marked on the metal strip.
Holes are drilled for a bolt with a diameter of 10.
Parts are assembled and bolted. The small one measures the selected angle of fixing the ladder, and then the parts move apart by the desired amount.
On the metal, a section is indicated, which, when lowered, is overlapped by a corner. This area is clipped. After removing the excess, the details are processed to give an aesthetic appearance.
The second mechanism must be identical to the one already made. For exact matching of the holes, the parts are connected with a clamp and drilled.
Having inserted the bolts into the second mechanism, it is equalized according to the sample, cutting off the excess metal.
Ready-made opening mechanisms are installed by hand on the hatch . They will create a stop by fixing the folding structure at the desired angle.

An even distribution of the load will be ensured by the installation of a second hinge mechanism supporting the hatch in the middle. You will need: two metal strips 2 cm wide, a corner and a piece of metal. The corner serves as a support for the mechanism when opening. A piece of metal is welded to one part, against which the second part rests. When the hatch is lowered, the hinge will move apart, taking part of the weight of the structure.

Wooden staircase, do it yourself

The easiest way is to make a structure of wood, the material will be a board of 2.5x10 cm. The product consists of three sections, the first two are equal in length to the hatch, and the size of the latter is the distance remaining to the floor.

The length of the sections is marked on the two boards used to make the bowstring. The marks should mirror each other, therefore, before work, the workpieces are connected with tape. Holes for the hinges are drilled in the designated places, after which the boards are sawn. All wooden parts are sanded and covered with two layers of varnish to make them look attractive. Before installation, metal hinges are coated with a primer and paint with their own hands.

For fastening the steps, holes 5 mm deep are cut from the inside of the bowstring. PVA glue is applied to them, and then fixation is performed with self-tapping screws. The next stage is the connection of three sections in general design with loops. Having checked the possibility of bending the parts, the ladder is fixed to the hatch. The upper section of the product is fixed to it with anchors. The folding ladder to the attic is ready.

In contact with

Almost all developers engaged in the construction and subsequent arrangement of their country house, requires a staircase to the attic.

Its installation makes it as convenient as possible to visit the attic space as needed, and if your home has an attic floor, then you definitely cannot do without it.

Today there is a fairly large selection, for example, one of these is a folding staircase to the attic. It is thanks to its design that it allows you to save living square meters.

In general, a staircase to the attic of any complexity can be easily erected with your own hands. How? Read about it below.

Foreword

The use of the attic a few decades ago was observed exclusively for storage purposes. On them it was possible to find all the garbage that was once not needed. But today, when developers more and more often need additional living space in the attic spaces, attic floors are arranged in no way inferior to the main ones.

It should be understood that the attic space is present in almost any building. For example, in a barn, garage, hayloft, so stairs should be present everywhere. In order not to spend on their device and the creation of additional cash, the staircase to the attic, even a folding one, is done by hand.

A do-it-yourself folding ladder to the attic must fully comply with regulatory documents, which include some drawings. But, despite this, some "professionals" consider it superfluous and often behind their careless attitude to the case there are injuries of varying complexity.

Immediately before creating a staircase, it is worth deciding on the purpose of the attic space. This will help you find out its optimal location. It is worth noting that the folding ladder to the attic requires the installation of a special hatch that will open upwards.

The retractable staircase to the attic usually consists of several separate sections. The most common way of nesting them is manual or automatic. Please note that the use of this type has important advantages - saving space, finances and ease of use.

What designs of attic stairs exist

Folding stairs to the attic, as mentioned above, should be as compact as possible. To date, the construction industry knows both folding and sliding, and both metal and wood can be used as a material.

Folding ladder to the attic

This type of stairs, as a rule, have separate parts and consist of 3-4 components, connected by fasteners. It will not work to change the dimensions of the purchased structure, but if you do everything yourself, then it becomes possible. This type also includes standard "accordions". They look very simple and can be closed against the ceiling. It is thanks to this design that this staircase does not take up space.

Sliding staircase to the attic

By design, this type has two main elements that are attached to the hatch. For convenience, special sliding handrails are attached to it. In order to create the highest quality staircase, it is worthwhile to correctly calculate the parameters of the opening in which it will be mounted.

Drop-down ladder to the attic

A scissor ladder is often referred to in the construction of a pantograph. It looks like a tram current collector. Its structural elements are attached to each other like scissors, and folding is like an accordion. Appearance when folded it is like a spring. Such ladders can be arranged with or without a pneumo-electric drive and have a purely mechanical way of tilting.

Requirements for stairs

Any mounted ladder to the attic in a private house must meet some safety requirements and some considerations.

All elements must be made of quality materials and have sufficient strength in order to ensure a safe passage
The functionality of the ladder must be respected for all types and sizes. For example, a spiral staircase is not a suitable choice for the elderly.
The opening should be as large as possible. This will allow you to build in a wide, reliable ladder. But do not overdo it, because the larger the opening, the more heat you will lose.
The attic floor must be well insulated
Provide all steps with anti-slip mats or indentations, and install handrails and guardrails
Wood used as material for stairs must be treated with fire retardants
The minimum allowable value for the load must be from 150 kilograms. Ideally, this value should be as large as possible, because when sending large items to the attic space, this weight may not be enough, and the stairs will collapse

IMPORTANT: When transporting furniture and other interior elements to the attic floor, take into account not only the weight of the element itself, but also the mass of people carrying it.

The location of the stairs in the building

If you think that a purchased design will be better, and all the stairs to the attic in a private house created by yourself have insufficient aesthetics, then look at the photo on the Internet and make sure otherwise. Therefore, if you still change your mind and now you have an acute question "how to make a staircase to the attic with your own hands?"

Even at the initial stage, it is worth considering some questions. For example, where the stairs will be located. Indeed, if it is not so important and the attic is used as a storage room, then you can arrange it outside the building, but if you have residential squares above your head, then the best option there will be internal access.

It is very important to ensure maximum convenience operation for all residents of your home. The staircase should not be arranged in the kitchen or in the living room, it is not only not advisable, but also violates the design of the house as a whole.

Its installation, as a rule, is carried out in the hallways, hallway or other place convenient for you.

The dimensions of the stairs should in no way interfere with people being in this room.

It is allowed that the folding ladder to the attic is located in the living room, but subject to not frequent use attic floor... To do this, it is worthwhile to think over and somehow fence off this site, and it is better to make it closed.

But if the staircase is performed exclusively as an addition to the interior, then it is better to leave it open.

Selection of dimensions

When you just start calculating, then first think over and present your design in finished form. For example, when using a folding type, the parameters during operation should be taken into account, i.e. in the unfolded state.

It will not be superfluous to know the height from floor to ceiling, because the hatch into which the staircase to the attic will be mounted with your own hands must be selected according to its parameters.

All additional calculations are as important as the main ones. The obtained data should be recorded on paper, because a drawing will be created on them in the future.

Without a drawing, not only the developer, but even the most experienced professional can easily get confused and create far to the highest quality construction. And this is not permissible in construction. Any poorly created structure in construction entails not only inconvenience during operation, but also possible injury.

Pay attention to the placement of the steps relative to the floor. They must be strictly parallel. Otherwise, it will be quite difficult to climb such a ladder, and this activity will be far from safe. The steps should also not be located far from each other. This will lead again to some difficulties and dangers.

All ladder sizes are usually taken from normative documents, which describes the optimal parameters at which an adult can climb it without problems.

It is believed that the operation of a wide staircase is more convenient than a narrow one.

Here, of course, to each his own, but think about it at the design stage. By the way, you shouldn't make a very narrow climb. For the minimum value, you can safely take a value of 0.8 meters. If the passage is arranged in a staircase, then the minimum will be slightly larger and is 1.1 meters.

As for the doors and hatches, they must be mounted in such a way that their opening occurs from the flight of stairs.

One of the frequent inconveniences is the very close placement of the steps relative to each other. To avoid this, it is worth remembering only one number - 10. This is how many millimeters should be between the steps in a folded staircase. It should be understood that the steeper the rise, the more steps are created.

If you create a staircase that is perpendicular to the floor, then it will simply be impossible to climb it without using your hands, so it must have some slope.

For example, the optimal degree at which a self-made folding ladder to the attic will be easy to use is 20-25 degrees.

This is why blueprints are so important. They allow you to see the final picture on paper.

Material for the construction of attic stairs

All knowledgeable people prefer to work with unpainted wooden elements. This allows in the future to set the necessary tone in order to fit the design into the overall scale. Probably the most frequently asked questions to me are: "how to make a staircase to the attic from wood" and what kind of wood to use.

Almost all knowledgeable people are advised to use pine for this. Therefore, if there are any additional decoration elements on your staircase, then this option is right for you. In addition, the wooden structure is easily assembled with your own hands, and very beautiful stairs are obtained.

If you don't know which idea to start from, then get inspired by looking at the photo on the Internet or on our website in an article. You can also take some drawings as an idea.

If you still want a more confident design, or for some reason could not use wood as a material, then metal is your choice. Here everything is already a little more complicated and folding types of stairs with your own hands, it is impossible to create without certain skills and costs.

Remember that in difficult situations you can always contact a specialist. They usually help throughout the installation process and the creation of the intended structure. For example, I can advise you to use exclusively galvanized types of metal.

This will protect the entire structure from corrosion and provide the necessary strength. And the material itself allows you to create an even more compact size compared to wood, and the folding ladder looks like a toy.

IMPORTANT: Use additional plastic elements if your structure is made of metal. This will prevent friction, which will prolong the life and keep you safe. For example, plastic removable inserts will eliminate the possibility of side sliding.

Appearance and shapes

The use of various materials and the general idea allows the staircase to acquire an ergonomic shape, be small and compact, or, on the contrary, decorate all housing with its massiveness. Of course, you can't really roam on small squares, and developers often choose the first option.

And if your room is quite large, then you can safely put an ordinary one.

If your home is more like a palace, and there is more than enough free space in it, in this case it is worth installing a staircase not with one flight, but with several.

The single flight design is the simplest and most affordable option. They are usually used in one-story houses, whose floor height does not exceed three meters.

Do not think that this option is the standard, because with the help of your imagination you can recreate anything.

For example, when using a single run, you can choose not a standard view, but an arched one. Mount the steps in such a way that they resemble diverging rays.

Using such an element, your ascent to the height will not be so boring in the eyes of your guests.

Creativity involves do-it-yourself work, and at the same time unique projects are created that decorate not only the building of the tenant, but even the Internet through the photos taken.

Preparation phase

After finishing work on sketching individual elements in the drawing and determining measurements, an estimate is drawn up. It determines the need for materials and time, so that their use is carried out as efficiently as possible. In order for the retractable structure to be created by hand, you will need some tools, namely:

Phillips screwdriver set
Screws and other fasteners
Keys of different numbers
Hacksaw (if wood is used as the main material)
Roulette
Various kinds of hinges
Polyurethane foam
Protractor

An ordinary flight of stairs is assembled, as a rule, from two components - steps and a base. As the latter, beams are suitable, with the help of which the entire structure will be held.

The maximum possible load on the base will be based on its strength. Therefore, wooden beams are a frequent choice.

The first way to create

The foldable loft ladder is the simplest and most common. It will take only a few hours to collect it. The finished structure as a result turns out to be about 30 centimeters more than the distance from floor to ceiling. This is done to give the element itself a higher stability.

You only need a few blocks to create the ladder elements. Two of them should have an equal span, and the other two should be slightly longer, about 20 centimeters. By the way, if you have boards whose thickness is more than two centimeters, they will also fit. In doing so, you will save on material.
Attach one short beam at the top, behind the end of the ladder from its inside, thanks to the card loops. As for the second, it should be fixed at the lower end. By the way, to give more confidence, you can use several screws in some places.
Find out with a construction tool a segment from the top edge and make a mark when the value reaches 2/3 of the entire length, and then saw a bar between two steps.
After cutting, install card loops on it. By the way, they are arranged on the side where the upper bar is. This is not unimportant, because at a different location, the structure will not fold.
Then the two remaining long bars must be fixed to the two halves of the staircase obliquely from the back side. this work will give the entire element the necessary rigidity.
Now it is worth taking it to the required place, which is under the hatch and fixing the upper bar with anchor bolts to the wall. That's all. Of course, you can take additional measures to keep the ladder at the top. For this, an ordinary hook is installed. The loop from it, as a rule, is in the stringer of the staircase itself immediately after the cut, and the hook itself is in the wall opposite it.

As you can see, this method is quite easy, but there is also a second one.

Second way to create

It is clear that the second method will have several difficulties, but the result will also receive a more aesthetically pleasing look. Therefore, if this is important to you, then this option is for you. It will differ in that the folding occurs not across, but along. It should be understood that to achieve such a goal, one of the sides of the stairs is made motionless, and the other, on the contrary, is not fixed anywhere.

As building materials again, two boards are used. Their parameters should be 20x3cm, where the first value is the width, and the second is the thickness. It is these parameters that are used here, because the length is selected purely individually and directly depends on the degree of slope. Boards are also used as steps, but the parameters are slightly more modest. Width 12 cm, thickness 3 cm. Their depth is chosen individually, but, as a rule, all developers with whom I worked are satisfied with sizes up to 50 centimeters.
Card loops, as in the previous method, will play an important role here. So pick up quality items. Their consumption will depend on the number of steps in the march, because one of them will take two pieces. To find the required slope, you should attach the board to the wall and draw a line. By the way, being at this stage, remember that the upper edge of the stringer should in no case reach the ceiling by about half a meter.
The steps are placed in advance. For this job you will need a construction tape and a level. Work should start from the bottom step. To do this, find a point on the board where the board and the floor will be parallel to each other, and draw a line that will determine the width of the future steps.
The fastening of the steps is made thanks to card loops and this is done so that they ride with the movable stringer, and on the fixed one they fall. When the construction is completed, you can proceed with the installation. For this, the created structure is placed under the hatch and secured.

As you can see, the second option requires significantly more physical and mental costs. Therefore, if the aesthetic appearance is not important to you, and you very rarely use the stairs for the attic. Choose the first method... It not only saves time and effort, but is also the cheapest possible.

By the way, when I start talking with developers about stairs, they very often answer that there is no more reliable store-bought stairs, but after a few arguments given by me, they think, and after a while they still choose my point of view.

After all, there is no better thing made with your own hands, right?

Or cottage there is no need to explain what the attic is. Often, the layout of the internal space does not allow equipping a stationary ladder to climb to the named room. This circumstance is due to a rare visit, theft of the square and the clutter of the interior. Of course, many will say that they do a good job with a stepladder, but regular trips for this device, as well as its precariousness, make many owners think about building a compact staircase. To solve the problem, it is necessary to understand the variety of types of the named element and figure out how to make a staircase to the attic, without resorting to the help of specialists and without exhausting a huge amount of funds.

General rules for the construction of attic stairs

When arranging structures of this type, it is important to know a number of basic recommendations and advice from professionals, which will subsequently help to quickly and efficiently complete the assembly work, as well as ensure reliable operation over a significant period of operation. The main ones are:

the width of the stairs is not more than 65 cm;
height no more than 3 m;
the optimal number of steps is up to 15;
the distance between the steps is not more than 19 cm;
step thickness from 2 to 2.2 cm;
classic tilt angle from 60 to 75 °;
the structure is made with a margin for a greater weight;
the position of the steps at the time of opening should be strictly parallel to the floor;
the standard dimensions of the hatch are 120 × 60 or 120 × 70 cm.

Compliance with all of the listed requirements for arranging stairs to the attic will allow you to perform work with proper quality and focus on the durability of functioning, and also eliminate excessive heat loss in winter periods time.

The optimal solution for the arrangement of the structure under study, which allows taking into account all household aspects, is the manufacture of a folding ladder. This type can be erected both in the external version and in the internal one. The only fundamental difference is that last option more comfortable to use, since it eliminates the need to go outside, which is acutely felt in the cold season. In addition to this, during internal version it is protected from influences from external factors and is a kind of gasket between the cold streams of air masses of the attic and the adjoining room.

In the assortment of modern stores, there are many options for the execution of the stairs, however, it is more expedient to highlight the most common types:

scissor - is a ladder made of metal and, when folded, is a kind of accordion;
folding (retractable) - includes several retractable sections, which, as they open, fold into a one-piece structure thanks to hinge mechanisms and hinges;
telescopic - consists of several flights of stairs, which at the time of assembly are stacked one on top of the other (aluminum is usually used as the primary basis of such a design).

Making a folding ladder to the attic with your own hands is a simple event and does not require deep knowledge in the field of construction, so you can cope with this task without much difficulty.

Before starting any activity, you should prepare the toolkit and acquire the material. The set of tools does not provide for the presence of expensive equipment and includes a list of improvised tools that are familiar to each person:

saw or jigsaw;
drill or screwdriver with a set of bits;
roulette;
wood screws;
anchors, corners and hanging hooks;
one-piece construction of the ladder with a 20-25 cm margin of the side bases;
4-6 card-type loops;
timber with a thickness of 3-4 cm.

The variety of this element allows the home owner not to become too attached to traditional methods and to choose the type that is best for himself, depending on the available quadrature, interior and other important characteristics. However, with a little building experience, it is more expedient to independently make a staircase for an attic using simple accessible methods, which are represented by hinged and folding types.

Hinged view

The named type of stairs can be easily made in 3-4 hours. To make it, it is enough to take two beams with a cross section of 50 × 50 and a length of 70 to 100 cm. Next, measure 2/3 from the upper edge of the prepared wooden staircase and make a cut. Then we fasten these components and the top with the upper support bar using hinges. The structure is ready, it remains only to equip a hook in the wall in the place where the lower section is folded so that the ladder is securely fixed to the wall.

It would be a useful measure to reinforce the upper support partition with steel corners or anchors, since most of the load will fall on this element.

When equipping a folding ladder, you can choose a classic wooden stairs sawn into several component parts. To do this, you need to take 2 bars with a length that provides a passage in attic hatch, and fix them on the upper and lower edges of the prepared structure, respectively, by means of hinges and nails. Next, it is necessary to measure from top to bottom by 1/3 of the total length and make cuts. The component parts are also held together by means of card loops.

In order to avoid the spontaneous opening of the resulting ladder, you should equip the bar located on the upper edge of the structure with a crochet hook.

Before fixing the hinge devices, additionally check the correct opening of all components. It will not be superfluous to install a sheet of plywood on the back of the stairs, so that when closed, the staircase folds completely into the gap between the hatch and the overall surface of the ceiling.

Photo of a folding wooden structure

The photographs show the sequence of making a folding ladder for the attic:

In conclusion, I would like to note that the independent arrangement of auxiliary structures from time immemorial has been the subject of attention of most owners of private houses. Adhering to the general rules of construction and following the presented simple recommendations, you can easily make a beautiful staircase to the attic without spending a lot of money on it.