Attic stairs vs 12' ladder

[texas123]

As I was considering new lighting options & ceiling storage in my 3 car garage, I noticed a 2nd attic access point. I grabbed a ladder and found 15x20' storage space, nice! I started looking for folding stairs & my wife simply asked why I don't just use the big ladder? any advantage one would have over the other?
This space would be used for storing camping gear, holiday decorations and household stuff. Nothing heavy & accessed 4 or 5x year.

 

[texas123]

Here's an upside down pic.

 

[CN Spots]

I'd go with foldable stairs in a heart beat. They're probably cheaper than a good ladder and definitely safer.

 

[tinmanwpk]

I bought a metal attic access stairs at Home Depot for $230 for a 12'. The 10' ceiling height is a lot less. Solid, easy to use, no fumbling around for a ladder.

 

[pmiranda]

Looks like it's positioned between two bays, so you could pull down a stair without moving any cars. If that's true, it'd be worth the extra effort to me. I say that because I can't get to my 10' ladder without moving a car. You could split the difference... put hooks in the ceiling at one end, and a pull at the other so you can hang a long ladder from the ceiling and let it down easily when needed.

 

[ddawg16]

Do NOT use the folding ladder....at least the wood one. I have one in my house. One of these days I'll replace it with a telescoping metal one.

I recall a year or two ago one of our members being seriously hurt with the folding type....it broke.

You have to look a the 'total' weight you might put on it. Not just you but also what you might be carrying up it.

 

[-Brent-]

I've had an attic "loft" that was only accessible by ladder since we bought the place. I recently installed an attic ladder (the Werner aluminum HD type) and it's WAY better. No more moving ladders around, it's easier moving items, and faster.

 

[kbs2244]

How often are you going to be going up there?
If it is just XMas stuff and boating life jackets, go with he ladder
If it is every week type stuff, find a STRONG set of stairs.
(They are hard to find.)

 

[texas123]

I bought a metal attic access stairs at Home Depot for $230 for a 12'. The 10' ceiling height is a lot less. Solid, easy to use, no fumbling around for a ladder.

Was it a complete kit or did you have to fabricate any other parts?

 

[-Brent-]

Was it a complete kit or did you have to fabricate any other parts?

The only fabrication that has to be done is trimming the steps (maybe drilling two holes if there are rubber pad feet included). A table is provided for how much you need to cut based on the mount height.

 

[dv8customs]

I too have an aluminum attic ladder and its strong and I don't feel unsafe when carrying heavy stuff up to storage.

 

[texas123]

Well, I just went to HD & they don't have a ladder for that size opening ($250 budget). The associate told me it's an odd size. Werner has several standard sizes & none of them will fit without moving a joist or 2.
So I think I have an excuse to buy one of these...I remember using one a few years ago & being very impressed on how overbuilt it was.

https://www.littlegiantladder.com/

 

[-Brent-]

Need to stick to a budget? Keep an eye on craigslist and then reframe the opening. I see old stock ones for sale often for a third of what I paid. I paid 175.

 

[csp]

How far apart are the framing members?

 

[texas123]

How far apart are the framing members?

Don't know, Modifying the joist is really beyond my comfort zone to be honest. I think I'm being too ambitious & will probably just get a nice ladder.

 

[Matt M PA]

I put one of the extending aluminum ladders in my attached garage. This may be the current version, but I'd have to look at Lowe's to be sure....

Install wasn't a big deal, had to make a "door" to cover the opening as the ceiling just had an open hole when we bought the house. It came with a pole to reach up and open the door...then tilt and extend the ladder.

http://www.lowes.com/pd/Werner-7-ft-to-9-83-ft-Aluminum-Attic-Ladder/999990684

 

[06 DIESEL]

I have one of the extending aluminum ladders in my house and it works great. This is what I would go with if I was needing something in the garage. Looks like you already have a cover for the opening it will just need some slight trimming to work with the new ladder. That kit from Lowe's comes with all the hardware you need for the door also, FYI.

 

[maxpower_hd]

I wouldn't have an issue using the ladder but with a space that big you will ultimately start filling it. I would prefer stairs just so you can carry things up and down by yourself more easily. Especially as you begin to age...like me.

 

[lakeroadster]

As I was considering new lighting options & ceiling storage in my 3 car garage, I noticed a 2nd attic access point. I grabbed a ladder and found 15x20' storage space, nice! I started looking for folding stairs & my wife simply asked why I don't just use the big ladder? any advantage one would have over the other?
This space would be used for storing camping gear, holiday decorations and household stuff. Nothing heavy & accessed 4 or 5x year.

What is "The Big Ladder"? I have a Werner platform ladder that is much more stable than the typical attic ladder, that's what I use in my barn to access my loft. If the ladder is in the garage, seems silly to buy another ladder, especially for your projected 4 or 5 times a year usage.

Is the garage heated? The pull down access ladders typically have not so stellar insulation "R" values.

 

[Bear]

I fell off one of these putting Christmas stuff up 10 yrs ago. Broke the heel bone and am still paying the price in pain and lack of mobility. (5 operations) Get stairs!!!!

http://www.lowes.com/pd/Werner-12-f..._clickID=f02a082e-864c-4a4a-96cf-b960b15b4630

 

[Jackfre]

I have the folding 350# AL attic ladder. 24" centers on the trusses. Whichever way you go, I'd suggest cutting an access panel and rigging up a winch to raise and lower boxes etc. I run mine off the hitch on the Tacoma if there is any weight to the load. I can sling a rope through the pulley to get lightweight gear up and down. Carrying even light weight gear up a ladder is awkward at best. I've found myself at times stepping a box or something up the ladder and wondering, "Why the he** am I doing this?" That concrete looks hard.

 

[CJ7VFR]

Texas, you didn't put down the size of the opening you have there. How big is it? It appears to be about 32 inches square if we use the 4 foot long light in the picture.

Jim

 

[65cayne]

Do NOT use the folding ladder....at least the wood one. I have one in my house. One of these days I'll replace it with a telescoping metal one....

I strongly second this statement. I have and 11ft ceiling in my garage and the folding one is very difficult (and awkward) to get down and unfold due to it's height off the floor and I am nearly 6ft tall. Impossible for my wife (5'4") or any other family member.

Will be converting to a telescoping unit some day.

 

[texas123]

Texas, you didn't put down the size of the opening you have there. How big is it? It appears to be about 32 inches square if we use the 4 foot long light in the picture.

Jim

I measured 32.5"x32.5". The trim reduces it to a 28.5"x28.5" opening though.

 

[texas123]

What is "The Big Ladder"? I have a Werner platform ladder that is much more stable than the typical attic ladder, that's what I use in my barn to access my loft. If the ladder is in the garage, seems silly to buy another ladder, especially for your projected 4 or 5 times a year usage.

Is the garage heated? The pull down access ladders typically have not so stellar insulation "R" values.

Sorry, my "big ladder" is a 6' platform ; I'd need a 14-18' extension ladder or a 10' platform/a frame ladder to get in there comfortably & safely. I agree about the platform ladders feeling more stable (to me anyway).
I live near Houston, the garage is always heated. Lots of ventilation up there from the overhangs.

 

[csp]

Don't know, Modifying the joist is really beyond my comfort zone to be honest. I think I'm being too ambitious & will probably just get a nice ladder.

So how do you know that a ladder won't fit if you don't know how much room is between the framing members (joists/trusses/rafters/whichever is applicable).

The joists/trusses/rafters only go in one direction. The other parts of the frame in your existing opening should just be blocking that frames the opening into a square/rectangle.

Look at an open garage ceiling. No such openings exist. Just parallel trusses/joists/rafters.