Do-it-yourself folding ladder drawings. DIY folding attic stairs

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 it will never become superfluous. However, for use in winter period, 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, which 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 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 - climbing and descending such staircase 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 a 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 ease of use of the stairs, but also so that when folded, it does not give an excessive additional load on the attic floor.
• Ease of use - any adult member of the family 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, in view of 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 would it be better to make the ladder yourself?

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 assemble 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, which 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 abut against the floor surface of the room .. 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 the stairs descend with it. Then, from the folded structure, its lower part is pulled out all the way to the floor.

When unfolding the stairs, a passageway 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. One should not forget about such methods of minimizing heat losses even when self-production stairs.

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 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 raised 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

ladder

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 a 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 that form 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 bounds of 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 also unprofitable, since the material for self-production will probably cost no less than the cost of the finished product.

First of all, you need to understand that the attic is most often used as a warehouse. It is convenient to store on it temporarily unnecessary things at hand, or bulky, old items, as well as used for the seasons.
Therefore, access to the attic space does not require a permanent large structure that will take up a lot of space. There are special staircase mechanisms for access to the attic upstairs.

Features of attic stairs

• transformers (folding);
• stationary.

Both are convenient, easy to install, and most importantly, take up a minimum of space. Most the best way when such a mechanism is not visible or it is hidden in the interior. After all, things that will not be useful for a long time are removed to the far corner.

Drawing of a folding attic ladder on bowstrings

Folding structures

The range of manufacturers of folding ladders is quite wide, the price of the goods depends on the material of manufacture and functionality.

The folding option for the attic is a structure of 3-4 sections that fold into each other and are transformed into a compact unit located under the ceiling.

Thus, it easily unfolds if necessary, is stable, it will not be problematic to climb up. If the dimensions of the room are small even for placing the bed and the staircase together, then the folding version is definitely suitable in this case.

Drawing of a sliding attic staircase

Transformers are driven by a special rod. It is activated when you open the sunroof, there are models with a remote control.

DIY folding ladder to the attic

Easy to manufacture retractable ladder to the attic with your own hands, though you have to make some effort and patience. Such structures can be wooden or metal.

Before work, you need to make sure that the opening for the hatch cover is made and equipped correctly. Also, prepare the necessary tools and materials in advance, including for strengthening the entrance to the attic.

Preparation

For work you will need:

To make a staircase made of wood:

• wooden blocks;
• boards suitable in size;
• plywood;
• Styrofoam;
• polyethylene;
• awnings and hinges, lifting mechanism (purchased from the construction department);
• boards for steps, other things;
• sealant (silicone or rubber).

A do-it-yourself folding ladder to the attic is made of almost the same materials as the bed.

For the installation of the hatch and stairs, it is best to use a silicone or rubber base sealant.

Ladder installation process

Manufacturing and installation of a hatch with a cover is in progress. To do this, you need to make a measurement of the opening, which can be expanded (narrowed). You can use the dimensions of 1 m. 30 cm. X 1 m. 40 cm., But it all depends on the location of the opening relative to the boundaries of the room and if there are free dimensions of the ceiling surface.

After specifying the dimensions, a sketch is created on paper (as in the drawings of the bed), where the dimensions of the future staircase are indicated. Drawings help to avoid mistakes when cutting materials.

Mechanism of action of the folding loft ladder

The hatch frame is made first. It needs to be made reliably reinforced, since the quality of the entire structure depends on it. You need to pay special attention to it.

A frame with right angles must be made by cutting the corners, so that when the boards are joined to each other, a frame with right angles is obtained. After trying on the existing opening, the corners of the frame are smeared with glue.

You can install temporary spacers until the glue dries. After the glue has dried, the frame is installed in the opening using nails (100 mm).

The finished product will be placed on top of the manhole cover. The lid can be made of plywood, polyethylene is placed between the sheets to prevent vaporization.

Diagram of the device of a stationary staircase to the attic

With ready-made canopies, the cover is attached to the frame. A convenient handle and a lifting mechanism are attached to the lid.

A folding ladder system is made from pre-measured beams. The bars of each section are shorter than the previous one, starting from the top. It is important to provide that the assembled structure is in the form of a block of stairs and passes freely when the hatch is closed in the opening. This is taken into account at the stage of the drawing.

The first thing that needs to be made is the hatch frame, into which the ladder itself will be mounted.

The steps are also made of beams, the dimensions of the sections must be appropriate. On the inside the bowstrings of the beams (side beams of the stairs) must be cut to securely fix the crossbars. The steps are placed in the cuttings and secured with self-tapping screws.

The folding parts of the product are connected with ready-made hinges.

The main components of the mechanisms of the folding attic staircase

These hinges are attached so that the junction of the metal strips is exactly at the junction of the sections. The assembled structure is attached to the manhole cover with metal corners.

At the end, a gate valve is made using ready-made fittings in the form of a spring or hinges. For some rooms, only a sliding model from the street side is suitable. Well, now there is even room for a bed.

Sliding ladder

If there is absolutely no room left for a bed, use sliding ladder structures. They take up even less space, acting like a tram pantograph. By folding it, we get enough space, because everything fits on the hatch cover. To extend the mechanism, it is enough to open the hatch cover, and it will rise to the desired position by itself.

Goose step staircase drawing

For sliding, only metal is used, due to the peculiarities of fastening elements and parts. The bonus of the metal material is the ability to choose any paint color you like.

Of interest is the telescopic design, it can be welded by yourself.

Stationary option

If there is enough space, you can install stationary stairs for the attic. This method is best used only when the attic is used constantly, for example, during repairs. Stationary stairs are also distinguished by types. Exists:

• with one march;
• screw.

Single flight staircase

The simplest option is a model with one flight (span), that is, it is made from floor to ceiling in one solid structure. The material is chosen either from metal or from wood. All parts of the ladder must be secured together.

You can use the method of attachment to the filly. That is, with the help of wooden supports, the elements of the stairs are connected with wooden pegs. The pads should be aligned like this: one side is aligned straight and the other is cut to fit the step beam (kosour).

The board for the step must be at least 36 mm. The steps are attached to the stringers with self-tapping screws, the joints are treated with glue. Such a simple option is suitable if there is no need for a bed next to it.

Dimensions of the main components of a stationary attic staircase

A single span staircase takes up too much space, but adjustments can be made. You can make a bend at right angles (saves space), rotation by a certain degree. This type is called rotary marching. There are also a quarter reversible (angle 90 degrees), semi reversible (angle 180 degrees).

If you arrange the triangular wooden steps to the sides, and the narrow ones alternately meet, you get the structure " duck step". In other words, step under the right and left feet.

Spiral staircase

A spiral staircase to the attic is suitable for a small room. It may not be as easy to use as the marching one, but it looks more interesting.

Moreover, it will not be used very often. They differ in:

• having supports in the form of a pillar in the center;
• removed from the walls, the steps are fixed to the pillar;
• made of a monolithic steel pillar, the steps rest against it.

The spiral staircase is much smaller than the span staircase, so there will be room for a bed. For the supporting element, you can take a metal pipe, on which the steps will be attached by welding. With a wooden covering, the vertical post is fixed with anchors. To attach the steps to the rack, holes are made on the narrow side of each step like at the rack. Further, the steps with the help of bushings are installed taking into account the height of the vertical surface.

Using spiral staircases as attic stairs is impractical due to the complexity of the structure. However, in aesthetic terms, they will look impressive.

Washers are placed in horizontal surfaces and bushings to protect the tree from deformation. The bushings must be measured by adding the size of all washers. All subsequent steps after the first step are overlapped and fixed.

To calculate the size of the elements, you need to prepare the drawings in advance (as for the bed). Making a spiral staircase with your own hands will not create difficulties, the question is more in time.

If the dimensions of the room are not suitable for installation inside the house and for a bed, then the stationary version is installed from the street side. The outer structure can be large, which means it is more comfortable and safe. On the other hand, it will be possible to get upstairs only from the outside, which is not very comfortable in winter, for example.

Calculation of a half-screw attic stairs

Particularly popular are ladders, both indoor and outdoor. For this type, it is easiest to make a hatch - no additional reinforcements and hinges are needed. But there are inconveniences to clean it every time, moreover, it takes up space during storage. This is the cheapest option.

Profile pipe ladder

Such a structure can be made by welding or in a prefabricated way (like assembling a bed). It is possible to make a stationary and attached type, in the form of a straight, portable and screw structure.

For production, channels are used 16 cm, filing 4x4 cm. Bearing channels are attached to the beams by welding. From the profile, blanks of rectangular steps are made. These blanks are mounted on rails and welded to them.

Solid steps are laid on the frame and fastened with self-tapping screws. And on the side of the guide channels, supports are welded onto which the handrails are installed. Vertical racks are attached to the steps.

You can watch a video on how to make a folding ladder to the attic with your own hands.

For country cottages, private houses and simple country houses equipped with an attic, the presence of a comfortable and reliable staircase leading to the said room is a common vital necessity.

At the same time, the ladder does not have to be capital and cumbersome at all - you can assemble and install an excellent folding structure, which will in no way be inferior to stationary ladders.

You can handle all the related tasks with your own hands, saving money and testing your own strength.

There are several types of stairs that can be installed to access the attic.

Stationary

A staircase with wide flights and handrails is the most reliable, durable and easy-to-use design. However, the possibility of arranging such a staircase is far from everywhere - it is definitely not possible to equip it in small areas.

Portable

They are mainly used as a temporary option, as well as for access to rarely used premises. The main disadvantages of such a ladder are low safety and ease of use. Therefore, whenever possible, the use of such a design should be discarded.

Foldable

They are something between portable and stationary ladders. In terms of ease of use and safety, they are practically in no way inferior to full-fledged stationary structures and, at the same time, have a significant advantage - very little space is needed for their arrangement. Therefore, when making a ladder yourself, it is recommended to give preference to a folding structure.

Choice of materials

No less important point is the choice of materials from which the stairs to the attic will be assembled. For the main elements of folding sectional stairs, wood is usually used, and fasteners are traditionally made of metal.

Nowadays, there are many different materials, types of controls and fasteners, which makes it possible to easily assemble a folding ladder that will best suit your particular room.

When choosing materials for the manufacture of an attic staircase, a number of important factors must be taken into account. First of all, decide on the functional purpose of the structure, its type, width, as well as the optimal number of sections.

The functional purpose of the attic staircase is very important in terms of determining the maximum permissible load on the steps. So, for example, factory-made wooden stairs are capable of withstanding an average load of 150 kgf, metal ones - 250 kgf. For homemade stairs, these figures are slightly reduced.

This does not mean that the steps will not be able to withstand a higher load, however, it is definitely not worth loading them so regularly, otherwise the structure will break down very quickly.

The width of the stairs, however, should not be greater than the width of the attic opening.

When choosing the size of the attic staircase, be guided by the tested and approved standards.

Remember: the steps must be installed strictly parallel to the floor surface. In addition, the rungs of the stairs must be non-slip. To do this, you can fill overlays of any non-slip material over the base material.

Attic Stair Making Guide

There is nothing super complicated in making an attic staircase yourself. Of course, an inexperienced craftsman is unlikely to be able to assemble a structure with the same attractive appearance as factory-made models, but it is definitely worth a try.

Before starting work, create a drawing of the future staircase. If you do not have the necessary skills, order the creation of a drawing from a specialist, or select a suitable scheme from the options presented in open sources.

Tools

Prepare all the necessary tools at once so as not to be distracted by the search for missing tools in the future.

You will need:

Also, before starting work, you need to buy or assemble an ordinary ladder. For a self-made assembly of such a structure, you only need to fix the transverse steps between two long vertical posts and additionally strengthen the structure.

The finished staircase should be about 30 cm longer than the distance from the attic opening to the floor.

With the manufacture of the hatch, you can also easily cope with your own hands. Of the materials, you only need sheets of plywood and wooden bar 5x5 cm.

First step. Choose a location for the hatch and determine its optimal dimensions. Add about 7-9 mm to the dimensions of the hatch on each side, so that in the future you can easily close the lid without squeaks and other noise. Make an opening according to the specified dimensions.

Second step. Cut the timber into four pieces to match the dimensions of the hatch.

Step three. Make grooves at the ends of the bars. Lubricate the prepared grooves and join the bars into a rectangular (square) structure. Additionally, strengthen the connections with self-tapping screws. Screw on the scarves so that the diagonal does not move.

Fourth step. Attach a plywood cover to the resulting base and try on the product through the hatch opening.

Fifth step. Cut a regular latch into the hatch cover. You will use the handle to open the latch. Attach it to the cover and finally fix the product in the pre-aligned opening. Usually hinges are used for this.

Simple folding ladder

Start making a folding ladder. It is assumed that you already have the aforementioned wooden ladder at your disposal.

First step. Attach a wide beam to the bottom of the ladder. Attach the same block to the top of the product. In this case, the lower bar must be fixed rigidly, and the upper one - on the hinges.

Second step. Saw the ladder in 2 pieces. The upper part should have a length of about 2/3 of the total length of the ladder.

Step three. Attach a pair of slats for extra diagonal stiffness.

Fourth step. Connect the parts of the structure with loops.

Fifth step. Secure the top beam under the hatch with anchors.

Sixth step. Secure the bottom of the ladder with a hook to prevent it from opening spontaneously. Place the loop on the stringer above the cutting line.

Seventh step. Press the finished structure to the wall surface and fix it.

The main disadvantage of such a homemade staircase is not very attractive appearance- all timber and fasteners remain visible. However, with the main tasks - to ensure a comfortable and safe ascent and return descent - such a ladder copes 100%.

An improved and more attractive version of the previous design. There is nothing complicated in the manufacture of such a ladder either; it is enough to step by step follow all the provisions of the manual.

First step. Divide the usual sidebar wooden stairs into 3 parts. Make the first part according to the size of the attic hatch, make the second a little smaller than the first, and the third such that the remaining space is completely covered to the floor surface.

Second step. Take a bevel and measure the angle of the attic hatch. Transfer the corner to the boards, thus marking the location of the steps.

Step three. Drill holes at the hinge locations between the individual ladder sections.

Fourth step. Sand the edges of the structures.

Fifth step. Saw the boards at the hinge points.

Sixth step. Cut and sand the steps.

Seventh step. Prepare the indentations for the steps in the bowstrings.

Eighth step. Insert the steps into the prepared slots. Use glue and additionally reinforce the connections with self-tapping screws.

Ninth step. Connect the sections of the ladder with special hinges. To do this, the sections must be placed on a stable, level surface.

Tenth step. Check the operation of all sections. If you find defects and deviations, try to fix them immediately.

Eleventh step. Sand and varnish all wood surfaces.

Twelfth step. After the varnish has completely dried, install the structure in the opening of the attic hatch. If necessary, make final adjustments to the structural elements.

In this way, self-assembly stairs is extremely simple and affordable for almost every activity. At the same time, the cost of a self-made ladder will be much lower compared to the price of a similar factory-made design. Follow the instructions and everything will definitely work out.

Happy work!

Also read an article on our website - DIY stairs to the basement.

Video - DIY ladder to the attic

The attic in the house can be used for different needs. Of course, comfortable access must be organized to it, for which a ladder is needed. It can be installed with outside building or inside it. The latter is easy to use and more popular. There are many ways how an attic staircase can be made with your own hands. Before describing how to make an attic or attic floor, you need to choose a constructive solution suitable for your home.

Varieties of attic and mansard stairs

Let's take a look at the most popular loft staircase options.

The latter type is more often used for a while or in the case of rare use of the attic space. But the most practical and compact will be a folding design with a hatch.

What to look for when making a ladder yourself?

The first thing that should be ensured when building an attic or attic staircase with your own hands is safety. The staircase system must have adequate strength and reliability.

The dimensions of the staircase are also important: the more it slopes, the more space it takes up. The most suitable is the angle of inclination equal to 60-70 °. Although with constant use, it is recommended to make it 45 °. Steps with a height of 20 cm and a depth of 30 cm are considered standard. The width of the stairs should be comfortable, as a rule, it is about 70 cm. It is not recommended to make such stairs more than 3 m in height, since a higher structure will not have the necessary rigidity and reliability.

It is advised to make a structure with a number of steps from 10 to 15, and leave the distance between them 19 cm. The recommended step thickness is 2 cm. They should be placed strictly parallel to the floor surface. For greater safety, anti-slip pads are glued to the steps.

Important!The ladder to climb to the attic floor must be able to withstand a load of 150 kg.

The hatch also has its own recommended parameters. The following dimensions are considered standard: width 70 cm, length 120 cm. Smaller dimensions will make the opening uncomfortable in operation, and large ones will increase the heat loss of the room. For an unheated attic, it is advised to make the hatch heat-insulated and vapor-insulated.

Where is the best place to place the stairs?

The staircase should be located so as not to interfere with household members. Therefore, you should not mount it in the kitchen; it would be more expedient to use a corridor or hall for this purpose. It is also worth considering the size of the room. Sometimes a ladder can be used as an interior detail, then it is not hidden in a hatch.

Important! It is advised to pre-draw the future staircase, then it will be easier for you to understand which place will be the most suitable for its installation.

DIY single-section design

The easiest to climb to the attic floor will be a one-section design solution that will be fixed in one place. In order to build a staircase with one section, you need two wooden planks... The length must be suitable for obtaining the appropriate angle of inclination, and the thickness must be at least 5 cm.

The steps can be secured with bowstrings or stringers. Bowstrings are grooves made by a router in the end plate. A kosour is a horizontal platform cut out on a board, on which a step is then placed. The steps are fixed in place by means of metal screw pins. A handrail provides a comfortable rise to the floor. For their manufacture, a polished solid bar of the appropriate length is used. Depending on the location of your staircase, the railings can be on one side or both. To make the structure more reliable, it is worth adding vertical connecting beams to it.

Manufacturing of a one-section attic staircase.

We make a hatch

Installation and manufacture of the hatch is also an important aspect of the work. It will prevent cold air masses from entering the house. This is the main reason for equipping staircases with a hatch. To make it, you need 50x50 bars and a sheet of plywood.

Work order:

1. Determine a suitable location, taking into account the size margin of 0.8 cm, so that the hatch closes normally.
2. The bars must be cut into four parts according to the dimensions of the hatch, and holes must be cut out along the edges.
3. For each groove obtained, you need to apply glue and fasten the bars with self-tapping screws.
4. To keep the diagonals, headscarves are screwed on.
5. The next stage is plywood fastening.
6. The finished cover is tried on, and then the latch is installed on the opening.
7. In order for the lid to open without interference, a handle is installed in the opening.

Important!The resulting structure should open easily and without hindrance.

An example of a homemade attic hatch with a metal-plastic cover.

The staircase, equipped with a hatch and leading to an unheated attic floor or attic, has design features... The opening for the construction of such a structure with a hatch must be insulated. In the manufacture of the hatch, a layer of thermal insulation and vapor barrier is placed on the plywood. The top is still reinforced with a vapor barrier film. After the completed work, it remains The final stage- decoration. It is made similar to the ceiling finish. At your request, the color scheme can contrast with the walls. Sometimes instead of plywood sheets use metal, which must be painted with paint that is suitable in color and performance.

How to make a two-section folding staircase?

The staircase structure of two sections is quite simple to manufacture and does not imply the use of a complex mechanism. This design will be optimal for execution by a person without special skills in construction.

The first thing you need to do is make a simple ladder. After manufacturing, it is carefully adjusted according to the dimensions, and precisely observing the angle of inclination. After that, the finished structure is cut into two sections, which need to be attached to each other using awnings, and you get a folding ladder. You just have to make the installation of the folding structure to the cover of your hatch.

The foldable ladder structure can be supplemented with an auxiliary cable mechanism that will facilitate the disassembly and assembly of the system. Install the locking hook to prevent the folded structure from opening. To fix it, a loop is installed at the junction of the sections, and a hook is mounted on the wall at the required distance from it. The design is ready for use, but it will always be in sight, which is considered its disadvantage. If this moment is important to you, then you can use the following recommendations. Execute a three-section staircase, which is made according to the above technology. Such a ladder can be easily hidden in a hatch.

Making a folding ladder to the attic.

Manufacturing of the hinge mechanism

When making a folding structure, the opening mechanism is important. You can make it yourself using the following materials:

• metal corner;
• part of a sheet of metal;
• two strips of different lengths;
• bolts;
• clamps;
• set of drills;
• drill;
• jigsaw;
• teski;
• malka.

Manufacturing procedure:

1. First, the ladder is drawn on a sheet of cardboard with an indication of the future angle of inclination in the open state.
2. Then the layout is cut out of cardboard to check all sizes.
3. On the metal strips, they measure the places for the holes where the hinge will be attached. The hole must match the size of the bolt.
4. Parts are assembled and pulled together.
5. Use a bevel to measure the desired angle. Then open the mechanism to the resulting angle.
6. Mark on the metal the part that will overlap with a corner during opening. Use a jigsaw to cut it out.
7. Round off the corners of the strips and remove unnecessary lengths to prevent the strips from snagging, allowing the mechanism to operate.
8. When the excess metal has been removed, the corner will rest in the right place. You made the first hinge.
9. The second is made by fastening the parts with clamps in pairs, with special tools for better fixation. Drill a hole and place a bolt in it.
10. Then a second hole is made.
11. The workpieces are twisted with two bolts. Then they can be aligned, giving them the same shape.

This is how all parts of the hinge are performed to obtain the same elements. The completed mechanisms are attached to the hatch and try on whether it matches the opening. They do it this way: if, in a fully open state, it does not touch the edges of the opening, then the dimensions were taken correctly, and the hatch is ready for installation.

Manufacturing of a folding ladder structure

The construction of folding ladders has a similar technology to folding ones. At the first stage, a ladder is made according to the technology described above. Then choose the more suitable of the two options for yourself:

1. The entire structure can be reclined.
2. The ladder can be folded back in parts, similar to a folding one.

This type of structure is not hidden in the manhole cover. Manufacturing of a folding attic staircase.

Advice! If you decide to make a staircase for the attic or attic yourself, then it is recommended to use materials that are lightweight, this will facilitate the operation of the structure. When making a choice, consider also the ease of processing of materials and their aesthetics.

What is an attic? It is known that in our area, an attic can become anything - a warehouse, a workshop or a living room.

It all depends on the possibilities of the room and your imagination, but one thing is certain - the attic space needs to be used. How to equip the entrance to the attic with your own hands?

Arrangement of the entrance to the attic

If you intend to equip a functional space in the attic, you need to think about choosing a place for the attic staircase. Attic staircase assumes the presence of a hatch - a ceiling door.

It is most reasonable to equip a hatch with a ladder in the corridor, hallway or walk-through room... In many houses, there are rooms that are not used as living rooms; there you can easily equip a staircase to the attic.

In the old days, the entrance to the attic was equipped from the outside, but the prospect of climbing into such an attic on a frosty or rainy day will not please anyone.

The most extreme lifting mechanism in the attic can be several stools stacked together. But speaking in detail, to get there in a civilized way, you need a good attic staircase. She may be both stationary and folding, the latter are in great demand.

Folding options are stacked up after use, saving a lot of useful space. A beautifully decorated hatch can be a fresh element of the interior.

Manufacturers offer wooden options for light loads (up to 150 kg) and metal for more serious loads. Prices for such stairs vary from 7,000 rubles and up to the limit of the consumer's wallet. Choosing the cheapest option, you should not count on its quality, so isn't it better to make a folding attic staircase with your own hands?

Let's consider some possible homemade ladder options, the easiest for a beginner and more difficult for those who are confident in their abilities. At your service is a description of materials, works and drawings of the proposed stairs.

Simple two-piece ladder with your own hands

This is the staircase that consists of two sections, one of which folds up. In the assembled version, the staircase is not hidden at the top, but remains in plain sight.

This can be uncritical if the attic is in a workroom, garage, etc. Even in the hallway, it can look quite appropriate, it all depends on the style of your home.

This staircase can be made in a few hours, you just need to prepare the necessary materials:

1. Hacksaw for wood.
2. Measuring instruments(roulette).
3. An ordinary wooden staircase.
4. Card loops, the width of which is equal to the width of the stringer - 4 pcs.
5. Four bars 2-3 cm thick: two as long as the width of the hatch and two longer by 20 cm.
6. Self-tapping screws, anchor, loop and hook.

Kosour is a supporting beam of a staircase on which steps are laid.

You don't need to tell anyone how to make a ladder, but we only note that its length should be about 30 cm more than the distance from the floor to the hatch.

We take short bars:

• We connect the first block to the upper end of the ladder using hinges.
• The second block is securely fixed on the lower part in a rigid way.

To make the structure more reliable, you need to take two slats and nail them obliquely from the back of the march. Just try to do it in such a way that the design did not interfere with the movement of the stairs.

Measure from the bottom exactly 2/3 of the entire length of the ladder and saw it at this point. Next, connect these parts with card loops. The hinges are attached to the back of the ladder so that it folds properly.

Attach the top block directly under the hatch. The hook and loop are needed to prevent the ladder from opening randomly. The hook is attached to the wall and the loop is on the bottom bar.

The first attic staircase is simple, but has the disadvantage of a visible staircase. There are other models shown in the photo - these are retractable, folding and telescopic.

Attic staircase constructions

DIY folding ladder on hinges

This is a folding loft ladder with a trap door, consisting of three sections, and attic hatch... This option is very attractive literally for any room.

You will need to determine what the hatch opening will be, taking into account wishes and dimensions prospective visitors to the attic. For example, the opening for a staircase will be 125 x 70 cm.

In order to cut the hatch correctly, you need to add 7 mm on each side. Ladder hatches to the attic should close well without violating the thermal insulation.

Necessary materials:

• bars 5 x 5 cm - 2 short and 2 long;
• plywood with a thickness of 1 cm to the size of the hatch.

At the ends of each bar, you need to make a drink half the thickness, connecting glue and self-tapping screws into a perfect rectangle. From available means, so that the diagonal does not slide out, temporary triangles from thin plywood can be fitted. After that we fasten a sheet of plywood to the size of a rectangle.

Instead of locks, we use door latch, any doorknob or cylinder of a suitable shape. The latch keeps the hatch closed well and simply opens. In order to conveniently open the hatch without using stepladders and stools, this handle must be specially made. A long cylindrical handle must be inserted into a special hole, opening the hatch while standing on the floor.

Manufacturing of hinges for opening the hatch

All components for the mechanism opening the hatch can be bought ready-made, as well as made by yourself.

In order to do everything yourself, you need estimate dimensions and angles using a cardboard layout. We make parts from cardboard, you can practice on them with the length of the hinges so that the hatch can open to the required angle. Based on the resulting layout, we make a mechanism for opening the hatch.

The main thing is empirically determine the length of the hinges, since this type of attic staircase involves precisely the hinge method. In the drawings, you can see how the hinge is installed, the logic of its operation is very simple - it helps to smoothly open and close the hatch.

Necessary materials at hand that can be found in every garage:

1. Metal corner - 2 pcs.
2. Sheet metal.
3. Metal strips 2 cm wide - 4 pcs.

Take two narrow metal strips and drill holes for the M10 bolt with a drill. We collect the parts together in pairs, slightly pulling them together. Using the measuring carpentry malka, measure the opening angle of the hatch and pushing our mechanisms exactly to this angle.

Using a jigsaw, cut out that part of the metal that will overlap with the corner. We remove the excess length of metal strips, round off the ends. After processing and removing excess metal, we assemble the mechanism - now the corner will be stuck in a certain position. Both mechanisms for two sides exact copies of each other, but only mirrored.

Loft ladder locking mechanism

The hinge mechanism turns out to be a reliable stopping hatch with a ladder in the desired position thanks to the corner.

But for more reliability and smoothness opening mechanism, you need to add another simple mechanism, like a hand.

For the "hand" you need:

• Long strips of metal, 2 cm wide - 4 pcs.
• Corner-2 pcs.

At the end of one of the strips, you need to weld a metal part on which this strip will abut, and the corner will play supporting element role... We make simple hinges that, when the hatch is open, will maintain the bending angle, while holding part of the structure's weight.

In order for the load to be evenly distributed between two different hinges, this assembly must be secured correctly. So, its need to fix with the first joints fully extended.

Attic staircase device

It remains to make the attic staircase itself, it should be 35 cm longer than the distance from the floor to the hatch.

The folding ladder will consist of three sections, the length of which it is important to calculate correctly... The first section is equal to the size of the hatch, the second section is slightly shorter than the first (it should not touch the ceiling when unfolding). The third section is equal to the residual segment.

Ladder materials:

• An inch board 10 cm wide.

The angle of inclination of the hatch in the open position, which we previously measured with a small one, is transferred to the board. That's how we note the slope for the steps.

Let's start marking the bowstring boards for the steps according to the lengths of the sections according to the above-described order. The boards must be pressed tightly, fastened with molar tape and marked out in the same way, making the slopes of the steps in a mirror image.

The sections will be held together again by hinges, so you need drill a hole for the hinge bolt them on each of the sections using a pen at 25. With a milling cutter, we give all the edges a finished neat look. We saw the boards exactly according to the sectional markings.

Steps you need cut to width and sand like bowstrings. At the places where the steps are marked, it is necessary to make 5 mm indentations for them. We collect all the parts using glue and PSh screws.

Folding ladder hinges

To assemble the structure into a folding mechanism, you need to make a set of loops.

Necessary materials:

1. Metal strips 2.5 cm wide - 8 pcs.
2. Bolts for hinge 8 mm and self-tapping screws.

In order for the loops to serve and not bend, on four strips you need additionally weld the segments the same metal (about 1/3). We make holes in each strip - 2 small holes for fastening to the string (one at the bottom and one under the cooked piece), and one large 8 mm for the hinge (above).

The hinges must be secured when the ladder itself is on a flat surface. The hinge must be secured so that the hinge bolt lay down in the previously drilled hole, and the ends were at the edge of the bowstring. So fasten all four loops.

Ladder installation

We collect all the elements and put them in their places, and the first segment of the staircase is stationary and you need it attach with corners to the manhole cover.

We check the operation of the mechanism, if everything suits you, then we disassemble it again for processing. We varnish the wood, primed and paint metal.

As you can see, there is nothing difficult in creating an attic staircase with your own hands, especially when photos of drawings are available on the Internet. All metal parts can be made by yourself, or even easier to buy ready-made. Then it's a pleasure at all - all that remains is to assemble this constructor.