Pull down attic staircase. Is 30" wide too wide?

[RichTJ99]

Hi,

I am looking to access storage above the garage. There is currently a staircase there that is pretty new. Unfortunately it is a 21.5" opening and I cant get any larger things up because its too darn small.

Is 30" to large?

This is the one I am looking at:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_316801-24668-66869_0__?productId=3609732&Ntt=attic+stair

Thanks,
Rich

 

[pattenp]

Re: Pull down attic staircase. Is 30" wide to wide?

If your garage has a truss roof with the trusses set on 24" center that's why the current pull down stairs are 21.5". And if it is a truss roof then 30" is to wide because you don't cut truss to make it fit.

 

[RichTJ99]

Re: Pull down attic staircase. Is 30" wide to wide?

Asking what will surely be a dumb question, but how do I tell. My roof is a standard 'A' type of roof. It was built in 84 & I think is 2x6 construction with studs at 16".

 

[VHF]

Re: Pull down attic staircase. Is 30" wide to wide?

I had a box once for a 19" CRT computer monitor that wouldn't fit up my standard-width attic stairs!

A friend recently built a 2.5 car garage with attic storage. Typical trusses 24" O.C., but he had one truss moved over to leave a 30" rough opening for the wider pull-down stairs. Smart!

Would be hard to retrofit in an existing building, though.

 

[pattenp]

Re: Pull down attic staircase. Is 30" wide to wide?

Asking what will surely be a dumb question, but how do I tell. My roof is a standard 'A' type of roof. It was built in 84 & I think is 2x6 construction with studs at 16".

Not a dumb question. If the roof design has any cross/web members then it's a truss design. Does you garage have a center beam with a support column in the center of the garage?

 

[FleaDog]

depot has nice Louisville aluminum attic drop down stairs rated for 350 lbs

 

[er3456df]

Re: Pull down attic staircase. Is 30" wide to wide?

Asking what will surely be a dumb question, but how do I tell. My roof is a standard 'A' type of roof.

If you can't answer this question, you probably shouldn't be installing this thing.

 

[RichTJ99]

Re: Pull down attic staircase. Is 30" wide to wide?

If you can't answer this question, you probably shouldn't be installing this thing.

You are right! I am not the one installing it. I am just surprised it was a special order thing from lowes. I figured they would have it in stock in a day or two.