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Attic ladder Install-Need Const. advice!

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lomonte

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Independence, Mo
Due to the happy addition of motorized toys, I have to clean out my shed. I live in a good-sized straight ranch house w/a std 20x22 garage w/10 ft. ceilings. Lotsa space in the attic. I'm gonna use an aluminum attic ladder from Lowes, and I have the access. Attic is not trussed, house built in 1988. Has a on-site beam from 2x6's running front to rear approx down ctr, w/joists parallel to main doors and beam perp over them. Question- should I be ok to cross-cut the joists for the hole for the case? TIA, Chip
 
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pattenp

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Hard to say from your description of how the joist and beam are run. Usually you can cut a joist and then double up the adjacent joists to the openning and put in a double header at both ends of the opening and hooking in the cut joist to the new headers. I recommend using joist hangers for secure framing plus it just makes it eaiser to do.
 
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BlindViper

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York, PA
It can be done but you might want to pay someone to do it. Can you put it in a bed room so you don't need to cut the joists?
 
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ghnl

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Mebane, NC
A picture or sketch of how you'd like to do it would help.

If you are wanting to run the ladder parallel to the joists it would be easiest. You can remove one joist after doubling the adjacent joist and adding a double 'header' at both ends of the opening.

If you want to run the ladder perpendicular to the joists that means you will have to cut more joists. Thus the weight they used to carry needs to be properly supported. The joists also (perhaps more imporrtantly) form the bottom of the roof framing's triangle. A sturdy triangle is very strong. If you don't properly account for the spreading force the roof will sag (or fall down).
 
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sstruckguy

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Paducah, KY
Assumption # 4:

If you are going to install the Werner aluminum attic steps:

aluminum-2_1_1.jpg


..I would strongly suggest getting the proper width step.(@22 1/2) I installed a similar model in my shop, except mine had a dampened mechanism (gas shocks) for an easy access and non-slamming closure.

Very easy installation and operation. The only reason I can think of, to cut roof joists in your installation, is to gain an extra 3 inches of step/width.(or you bought the wrong one) If you are wanting to store something that won't fit between a 24" on center access, I don't think you need to be packing that up a ladder. (of any width :confused: )
 
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lomonte

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Independence, Mo
Sorry, been a busy coupla days! Cannot go in the house. On 16" ctrs. Have height/access issues going parallel to joists, kinda have to go across'em, although it doesn't make me happy. The werner is the one, I just couldn't come up with a name. I thinkin' I need to get it, throw the frame up there and see what's what. Good input though. Not completely foreign to this, just need some opinions. Thanks, Chip
 
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