Just built a 20x20 detached garage, trussed at 24" apart. Has an attic portion above as finish ceiling is 10', 8x12 pitch. That gives me a 12x16 storage area above finish with 2 bays of 24" open at one end. Gonna install an attic type ladder for access to it. Seen some flimsy units that work but are a bit, well, flimsy. Install is not a concern, duty is. I'm far more confident on a 300# ladder than lesser these days although im not that big. I'm curious about anyone who may have installed one and how it worked out in practical use.
Attic ladders
- Thread starter Beans
- Start date
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
I have a residential grade folding ladder in my garage for attic access, if I were to do it again I'd get something stronger. It is pretty flimsy and I'm probably overloading it whenever I carry something up there.
Installation is not that difficult - you nail a couple short lengths of 2x4 across the bottom of the two trusses to support the folding ladder assembly, while you fasten it in place. The only hard part is getting it lifted up there.
Installation is not that difficult - you nail a couple short lengths of 2x4 across the bottom of the two trusses to support the folding ladder assembly, while you fasten it in place. The only hard part is getting it lifted up there.
JRC3
Well-known member
Here's what I did. Flipped stringers. For stairs it's steeper and a taller rise but way better than any ladder. Footprint is minimal in my book and well worth the easy access. You'd be amazed how much I use it as a table for other tasks too.
Did it first in my crawlspace.
Did it first in my crawlspace.
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Lynden
Well-known member
Sliding attic stairways are more comfortable to use than folding attic ladders. I have no personal experience with Bessler attic stairways but I've always heard they are the best.
http://www.bessler.com/bessler-stairway-attic-system-models
http://www.bessler.com/bessler-stairway-attic-system-models
Vintage Veloce
Well-known member
rockettgpw
Well-known member
You are wise in being leery of the flimsy ones, I had a cheap one for the mezzanine in my old shop and one day in a rush I stepped on the top rung to come down and the plastic stoppers broke and I found myself hanging in the opening at a very odd contortion with the ladder on the ground.
Even if only used occasionally pay the money for safety.
Even if only used occasionally pay the money for safety.
bugnut
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Installed a werner 375 lb capacity aluminum pull down for my 10 foot high ceiling. Works well in and out about once a month. Using it for ~5 years now. Much better than the wooden cheapie in the house. I'd buy again, install was easy.
model is werner AE2210
model is werner AE2210
matt_i
Well-known member
I specifically sought to avoid the "off-the-shelf" ladders due to flimsy-ness that I'd experienced on every one. This is a little off the edge but its solid as a rock, with LVL stringers, routed pockets for each 2x10 tread. Its approx 32" wide and deals with the same 22-1/2" opening. But much more confidence-inspiring going up and down. It also tilts up and down using a cable-hoist.
BigGarage
Well-known member
In 2012 I installed an attic ladder after installing 14 new ceiling joists. It is a great way to access the storage area up there, much better than the ladder that had been there for years. I do wish I had used a wider one though. Mine is 22" wide where the frame goes between joists and the steps are 14 1/2" wide. I forgot what I paid for it but it was discounted due to my Brother working at the building supply place it came from.
I weigh 285 lbs. and I feel fine using it although I don't know the weight limit for it.
Dennis
Attachments
Thanks to all for the thoughts. I really like the counter-weighted pull down style and am surprised I hadn't thought of it due to career path I chose. It does take up more floor space from attic section though. I also wish I had the kind of time it would take to do that.
JRC3
Well-known member
That was my thought too. I spent quite a bit of time looking and saw some great ideas but in the end went quick and easy doing the flipped stringers. Done in one day for less than a hundred bucks. I also have a window directly above the stairs, it's the only window in my garage and it lets a bit of light filter down the stairwell.
I only lost about 4 sq/ft of garage floor space. I have things under the stairs that were gonna take floor space anyways and I have a shop cart with my bench drill press and two grinders parked in front of the tread side. It simply rolls out of the way when I need to carry something big down, otherwise I just step up and around it for little stuff.
nafterclifen
Well-known member
Louisville Big Boy
https://louisvilleladder.com/productdetail/product/detail/id/1097
I have it and LOVE it. 30" wide opening, extra wide steps and 350 lb load capacity. All for less than $250.
https://louisvilleladder.com/productdetail/product/detail/id/1097
I have it and LOVE it. 30" wide opening, extra wide steps and 350 lb load capacity. All for less than $250.
Falcon67
Well-known member
I used one of the Werner units. Pics are from the build back in 2011. It stores and lands in a 24x24 footprint but I made a 24x48 opening so I could move large things up. I have fenders, exhaust systems, 8' 2x8s and misc lumber, bunch of other stuff up there. It's a bit vertical so you have to take care moving up and down but it has worked perfectly well.
You might consider it "flimsy" because it's light aluminum - which it really is pretty steady when landed properly, but the 250 lb rated standard issue wood attic ladder in the house is way more unstable and wobbly.
You might consider it "flimsy" because it's light aluminum - which it really is pretty steady when landed properly, but the 250 lb rated standard issue wood attic ladder in the house is way more unstable and wobbly.
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captain14
Well-known member
Here's what I did. Flipped stringers. For stairs it's steeper and a taller rise but way better than any ladder. Footprint is minimal in my book and well worth the easy access. You'd be amazed how much I use it as a table for other tasks too.
[I
JRC3
Have you given any thought to a handrail on these steps?
As we get more mature (not old!) sometimes these are helpful.
I have attic trusses and a 7x8x30 space up there served by a Louisville 300# AL folder for attic access. It is 4-5 yrs old and has been excellent. You will not get much up the ladder however due to the angle and width. Lift, step, lift, step. Kinda tedious and not really smart. I cut a 4' hole in the ceiling and mounted a 12v winch up in the rafters. I use the space for light storage only, but it has been very useful. The ladder gets me up there and most everything else goes up the winch platform..
JRC3
Well-known member
Attachments
Vintage Veloce
Well-known member
In my experience, once I'm up the stairs a bit I am in the opening, so the rail would only really be useful at the bottom. Also, I tend to be more concerned when I am in the attic about falling down the hole! I'd probably put a rail around the hole before I put one on the ladder. And either is likely to get in the way when maneuvering stuff. I think you just have to be very careful...
captain14
Well-known member
Just installed the Louisville "Big Boy" ladder at weekend spot. No pics. Rated at 350 lbs with 5" deep is why it was picked. Biggest steps out there. When pulled down, it is more like walking up a staircase than climbing an attic ladder. Way better than the pull downs in my city house.
JRC3: 49? Just wait lad. I was still a single digit handicap at 49. Liking the way you put it against the wall. I was thinking one bay over to allow 24" of wall space for stacks of things I'll never use. But upon further review: i could put stair down wall side, recover 24 ft/2 from attic floor, footprint of drop down ladder could be on wheels for random access to attic plus not lose car space. Love it when a plan falls together.
Sounds like the heavier duty of these attic ladders are quite adequate. I am not eliminating the counterweighted drop down yet either. No sheetrock yet so I could easily create weight guides inside the 2x4 studs and install a service panel for future lube, etc.
Sounds like the heavier duty of these attic ladders are quite adequate. I am not eliminating the counterweighted drop down yet either. No sheetrock yet so I could easily create weight guides inside the 2x4 studs and install a service panel for future lube, etc.
Beans I installed the Rainbow attic stairs, F series. Very, and I mean very well constructed heavy steel. I am not a heavy person, I just wanted something very sturdy to go up, especially since I don’t like heights. I am very comfortable on this ladder. It is expensive but it was worth it to me. Check it out.
dcg9381
Well-known member
nadogail
Well-known member
I bought a Cheapie at a big box store, it meets minimum specs for my weight at the time.
I am older and wiser, plus a little more prosperous, buy the best one you can afford.
I am older and wiser, plus a little more prosperous, buy the best one you can afford.
I have a cheap 300lbs rated ladder now and hate it. What's worse is it's between two joist so the OD of the ladder is 30ish. That leaves the stairs to be maybe 22". You can't get a reasonable sized box or tote through the opening. When it's time I'd like to go permanent stairs or at least have the ladder another joist in width.
Vintage Veloce
Well-known member
Dick in Wisconsin
Well-known member
I have a ten foot ceiling in the race shop. 10' 2x6's 16" OC on a concrete curb, double 2x6 bottom plate (I think, maybe single), then a double 2x6 plate on top, and finally the trusses.
I got the longest, most expensive pulldown attic ladder from Menards. Put that in, very happy, except that its about 4" too short (between the curb and the plates, the ceiling is too high) so I put a low plastic stool underneath when I pull it down. I could have made a platform out of wood, might do that yet.
Very happy with it. Would do it over again. Easy to walk up, and it disappears in an instant.
I got the longest, most expensive pulldown attic ladder from Menards. Put that in, very happy, except that its about 4" too short (between the curb and the plates, the ceiling is too high) so I put a low plastic stool underneath when I pull it down. I could have made a platform out of wood, might do that yet.
Very happy with it. Would do it over again. Easy to walk up, and it disappears in an instant.
I know Beans, it is expensive. But I saved up for it, and absolutely was not going to replace the rickety ladder that was there with another wooden one. I find that they tend to loosen over time. My safety for me at least was more important than ending up in a hospital or worse. I went through the same process you are going through, researching the strongest ones and getting one that will fit my needs in terms of height and comfort. Good luck in your search.
Tks foodie. Yeah, I get it, and well done but I'm probly only gonna be around for 10 more years and only climbing ladders for 5. I agree, stability is the key, I can give up the attic floor space for it with a wider unit easily. I'll probly be building a lift to the side of it too so to walk up without a load.
I thought long and hard about this when I built my garage, finally came to the conclusion that safety for myself and my better half dictated building an actual stairs up to the attic.
I am 65 so trying to carry things up a ladder to store in the attic was not going to happen,
and she has bad ankles and knees. Hated to lose the space but the right way for me. If I
could have gotten it past zoning I would have used outside stairs.
I am 65 so trying to carry things up a ladder to store in the attic was not going to happen,
and she has bad ankles and knees. Hated to lose the space but the right way for me. If I
could have gotten it past zoning I would have used outside stairs.
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
I used one of the Werner units. Pics are from the build back in 2011. It stores and lands in a 24x24 footprint but I made a 24x48 opening so I could move large things up. I have fenders, exhaust systems, 8' 2x8s and misc lumber, bunch of other stuff up there. It's a bit vertical so you have to take care moving up and down but it has worked perfectly well.
You might consider it "flimsy" because it's light aluminum - which it really is pretty steady when landed properly, but the 250 lb rated standard issue wood attic ladder in the house is way more unstable and wobbly.
I have the same exact Werner ladder. Works great!
Tommy
Just to be fair: last month installed the Werner aluminum AH2510 into my 10' tall truss. Did it by myself, not too bad, aluminum model so much lighter. I worked off a $200 rolling scaffold from HD. Also re-sized truss chord bay to accommodate rough opening 25". This thing is very stable. Flops down, retracts very easily. Highly recommended.