Tallest pull down stairs you've ever seen?

[rslaback]

I have a shop with a 14' ceiling. I rarely need to get into the attic to run a wire or two. Right now I try to push the access panel out of the way with the end of a 24 foot extension ladder and then shove it up in the hole without the panel falling on my head. I would like to put in a pull down stairs like I have in my home garage but I haven't seen anything even close to that height. Has anyone else had success finding a storable solution to a high ceiling?

 

[Old Man Roger]

Would putting the cover on hinges and using the same ladder help? Just push it open with the ladder?

 

[outinthetallgrass]

They are out there, just not cheap. https://industrialladder.com/rainbow-f-series-steel-attic-ladders-14-foot-heights-commercial-rated/

 

[rct]

I found this Rainbow Attic Stair online that has the "F" model for up to 15 foot ceilings. https://rainbowatticstair.com/all-products/f-series/

 

[Boogerman]

Move your attic access to one end of the space, so you can lean the ladder against the wall.

 

[y'sguy]

I had a telescoping set of ladder / stairs in my last house attic. It was awesome! However, when I remodeled my next house I was never able to find another set just like them.
I have seen some others sets that were similar but definately not the same.

 

[finn]

I ended up buying a 12’ , I think, set of drop down ladder stairs, then building a box between the trusses for my garage that has a ceiling of just short or greater than 13’. The box is constructed of 2”x12” planks reinforced with steel strapping

It works, but isn’t ideal, since the top step is a little bit of a stretch.

I don’t remember the brand, but the ladder rails and steps are aluminum.

I don’t go up there much anymore. Just don’t feel safe carrying heavy things up or down those steep and narrow stairs, although they are fairly sturdy compared to the wooden attic stairs I have had in other garages.

The storage trusses were a waste of money, in retrospect.

 

[logical]

I ended up buying a 12’ , I think, set of drop down ladder stairs, then building a box between the trusses for my garage that has a ceiling of just short or greater than 13’. The box is constructed of 2”x12” planks reinforced with steel strapping

It works, but isn’t ideal, since the top step is a little bit of a stretch.

I don’t remember the brand, but the ladder rails and steps are aluminum.

I don’t go up there much anymore. Just don’t feel safe carrying heavy things up or down those steep and narrow stairs, although they are fairly sturdy compared to the wooden attic stairs I have had in other garages.

The storage trusses were a waste of money, in retrospect.

I did the same thing (I got down to 12 even with my box because the ceiling was under 13 feet), and came to the same conclusions.

 

[Old Man Roger]

I ended up buying a 12’ , I think, set of drop down ladder stairs, then building a box between the trusses for my garage that has a ceiling of just short or greater than 13’. The box is constructed of 2”x12” planks reinforced with steel strapping

It works, but isn’t ideal, since the top step is a little bit of a stretch.

I don’t remember the brand, but the ladder rails and steps are aluminum.

I don’t go up there much anymore. Just don’t feel safe carrying heavy things up or down those steep and narrow stairs, although they are fairly sturdy compared to the wooden attic stairs I have had in other garages.

The storage trusses were a waste of money, in retrospect.

I did the same thing (I got down to 12 even with my box because the ceiling was under 13 feet), and came to the same conclusions.

I’m having trouble visualizing your set up? Any pictures?

 

[ToolsRCool]

I'm considering the same, with a 13' intended ceiling on my rebuild. Looking at the current pull-down ladder I have for my existing 8' ceiling in the detached garage, It is really just sections hinged together. I'm considering to buy two lower cost conventional height ones, and move 1 or 2 sections of steps and their hinges over from one to the other to extend it, maybe placing them in the center so the bottom one still has the reinforcements and angle cut where it meets the floor.

 

[finn]

I’m having trouble visualizing your set up? Any pictures?

No pictures, and I’m 2000 miles away (where it’s warm).

Basically I built a box, the same size as the stair opening, and hung it down between the lower truss chords. That means, for example, if my store bought aluminum stairs had a nominal reach of 10’, and the ceiling was 11’, a 1’ box hanging below the ceiling would allow the stairs to work. I don’t recall the actual numbers, though.

I probably misspoke earlier. My ceiling is stepped, ie at two different heights, roughly 11’ and 13’ give or take.. The ladder is set up for the lower height.

It works, but I don’t really go up there anymore. It’s been there for fifteen or more years.

 

[Jon h]

I have a 12’ step ladder that use. Works great for the once every few years I might have to go up there.

Jon h.

 

[Old Man Roger]

No pictures, and I’m 2000 miles away (where it’s warm).

Basically I built a box, the same size as the stair opening, and hung it down between the lower truss chords. That means, for example, if my store bought aluminum stairs had a nominal reach of 10’, and the ceiling was 11’, a 1’ box hanging below the ceiling would allow the stairs to work. I don’t recall the actual numbers, though.

I probably misspoke earlier. My ceiling is stepped, ie at two different heights, roughly 11’ and 13’ give or take.. The ladder is set up for the lower height.

It works, but I don’t really go up there anymore. It’s been there for fifteen or more years.

Ahhhh ok! I get it now, thanks for the explanation.