Loft/attic ladder

[THE APPRENTICE]

What did some of use guys do for attic access without having to build a staircase? Right now im not sure if i want to build a staircase and take more storage or workspace out my 24 x 26 .
Im wanting something that when down looks nice and sturdy like a fitted stair but obviously can be put away .I guess im looking for anyone who has built or had one custom built .Some questions ---

DID YOU USE SOME SORT OF STRUT,PULLEY OR WINCH SO THE LADDER WENT BACK UP ON ITS OWN ?
WAS IT TO HEAVY TO LIFT BACK IN POSITION YOURSELF?
WHAT ANGLE DO YOU HAVE YOUR LADDER AT ?

 

[NUTTSGT]

I simply use my 8' stepladder to get into the garage attic. It stands against the wall vertically when not in use. When I want to use it, I simply pull it away from the wall and leave it leaned against it. I don't open it up to use it.

I've thought about making a permanent type ladder but don't have the room or floor space.

 

[Chilliwack Murray]

I bought a premade fold down unit from Home Depot about 8 years ago for my old shop (actually my Wife's corner of my old shop - they're not my chickens). When not in use it clips up and also seals the opening (I added some felt weather stripping). I couldn't get one with a wide enough opening so I took it apart and remounted it to a sheet of 3/4 finished plywood and attached the lifting hardware to the edges of the plywood.

 

[HoosierMark]

Why not build a stair case (as narrow and lightweight as possible) and then construct a simple pulley system with a counter balance weight for it. If you hinge the last step with a piece of black pipe and some brackets, it could pivot below the ceiling and be easy to lift due to the weights. I have seen many an old farm house where they used this method for the cellar door in the covered porch. It allowed them to have a floor strong enough to walk on but easy to lift.
A friend has a ladder set up in a similar manner and just hooks it on a rope, pulls it up and ties it off.

 

[THE APPRENTICE]

I bought a premade fold down unit from Home Depot about 8 years ago for my old shop (actually my Wife's corner of my old shop - they're not my chickens). When not in use it clips up and also seals the opening (I added some felt weather stripping). I couldn't get one with a wide enough opening so I took it apart and remounted it to a sheet of 3/4 finished plywood and attached the lifting hardware to the edges of the plywood.

That looks nice and tidy the way it seals .I have fitted one like this in my house as i only go in the attic a few times a year at the moment. I want something alot wider and heavy duty as i plan to be in the loft space alot plus i want to make something thats quite nice to look at .
Hopefully someone has done something similar to what i have in mind .I have soem ideas but just wondered if anyone else has rigged something up

 

[THE APPRENTICE]

Why not build a stair case (as narrow and lightweight as possible) and then construct a simple pulley system with a counter balance weight for it. If you hinge the last step with a piece of black pipe and some brackets, it could pivot below the ceiling and be easy to lift due to the weights. I have seen many an old farm house where they used this method for the cellar door in the covered porch. It allowed them to have a floor strong enough to walk on but easy to lift.
A friend has a ladder set up in a similar manner and just hooks it on a rope, pulls it up and ties it off.

I had thought about some of these points and they are all great .I like the rope idea on some pulleys but wonder if anyone had taken it a step further .
Must be someone on here who has built a nice pine ladder .Im confident about building the ladder its just that i have never seen one so was thinking its something that maybe might be impractical etc.

 

[ludakris04]

Depending on the ceiling height, the cost of pull down stairs can get real pricey.
I have 10 1/2' ceilings, I went with a tall folding step ladder.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[captaindiode]

Have you considered a ships ladder or a ser of alternating tread stairs?

 

[HAP]

Aluminum pull-down ladder rated @375# for my for my mezzanine.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=191333

R,
HAP

 

[Ed Litsch]

I simply use my 8' stepladder to get into the garage attic. It stands against the wall vertically when not in use. When I want to use it, I simply pull it away from the wall and leave it leaned against it. I don't open it up to use it.

I've thought about making a permanent type ladder but don't have the room or floor space.

This is exactly what I do. Simple and easy for me.

 

[ronb256]

I have pull down stairs, much too narrow for many thing so I built a 42x42 lift to put things in the attic. Now I can store the Christmas tree and even furniture up there.


https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=3059681883885&l=8147446000143653005

 

[finn]

Aluminum pull down (350 lb (??) weight rating) with a 10.5'ceiling. Had to build a box to accomodate the .5'.

I would not recommend a pull down. Way too narrow to be useful and the treads are too shallow to be comfortable.

The aluminum unit is sturdier than the wood units I installed in my previous house, though

 

[67carl]

I knew I've seen a post where someone built a retractable staircase. Did a search and found it. Look at post #35.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=131631&page=2

 

[THE APPRENTICE]

I knew I've seen a post where someone built a retractable staircase. Did a search and found it. Look at post #35.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=131631&page=2

I like that you could probably make a nice sturdy stair/ladder and the winch could handle the weight .
I found some staircases on youtube that are powered by a winch and some that have real heavy gas struts .The one i have seen with struts is a flawless thing to work .Goes up and down so easy .