Do-it-yourself folding ladder to the attic: step-by-step instructions for self-manufacturing a folding attic ladder with a hatch. Folding stairs to the attic: device features How to make your own attic folding stairs

Blueprints attic stairs are not particularly complex. But a number of features for calculation and design should be taken into account. Then the resulting design will meet the basic requirements of safety and ease of movement between levels.

The name of the elements of the folding stairs to the attic

Before choosing a ladder, you should pay attention to a number of important points:

All these points will help you quickly navigate the choice of type of construction. There are the following classifications of stairs for the attic:

More common, aluminum structures. Metal and wood can be combined.

Technical requirements. Data and formulas for calculation

Attic stairs must meet the following specifications:

Ladder to the attic is easy to make. You should start with the calculations of the parameters and the drawing. To draw up a diagram not “by eye”, the following data will be required:

Schemes of folding stairs

Such designs do not require more space for arrangement, they can be organically fit into the interior or hidden in the attic. The proposed options will help to equip your home ergonomically.

Drawing No. 1

This view is a device of two folding sections.

This option is suitable for attic openings located near the wall.

When developing a drawing, the following points are taken into account:

This ladder is not particularly aesthetic, but when assembled it takes up almost no space.

Drawing No. 2

This option, like the first one, is attached to the wall, but through one bowstring. The requirements for it are somewhat different:

This staircase is a little more difficult than the previous version. But the following type of device gained great popularity.

Drawing No. 3

This type of construction, when folding and closing the hatch, is retracted into. Most convenient option, since it does not take up space in the residential part of the house. If the width for the previous design could be arbitrary, then for this type of staircase this parameter is associated with the dimensions of the opening. The main subtleties in the design and assembly:

Do-it-yourself attic stairs, the drawings of which are presented, are made simply. Some craftsmen and hinged mechanisms for the hatch do it themselves.

Or a cottage there is no need to explain what an attic is. Often the layout of the internal space does not allow to equip stationary ladder to ascend to the named room. This circumstance is due to a rare visit, the theft of quadrature and clutter of the interior. Of course, many will say that they do a good job with a stepladder, however, regular trips for this device, as well as its unsteadiness, make many owners think about building a compact ladder structure. To solve this problem, it is necessary to understand the variety of types of the named element and find out how to make a staircase to the attic without resorting to the help of specialists and without wasting a huge amount of money.

General rules for the construction of attic stairs

When arranging structures of this type, it is important to know a number of basic recommendations and advice from professionals, which will subsequently help to quickly and efficiently perform assembly work, as well as ensure reliable operation over a significant period of operation. The main ones are:

the width of the stairs is not more than 65 cm;
height no more than 3 m;
the optimal number of steps is up to 15 pcs.;
the distance between the steps is not more than 19 cm;
step thickness from 2 to 2.2 cm;
classic tilt angle from 60 to 75°;
the design is made with a margin for more weight;
the position of the steps at the time of opening must be strictly parallel to the floor;
standard hatch dimensions - 120 × 60 or 120 × 70 cm.

Compliance with all of the above requirements for the arrangement of stairs to the attic room will allow you to perform work with proper quality and focus on durability of operation, as well as eliminate excessive heat loss in winter periods time.

The optimal solution for the arrangement of the structure under study, which allows taking into account all household aspects, is the manufacture of a folding ladder. This type can be built both in the external version and in the internal one. The only fundamental difference is that the latter option is more comfortable to use, since it eliminates the need to go outside, which sharply makes itself felt in the cold season. In addition to this, in internal version it is protected from influences from external factors and is a kind of gasket between the cold air masses of the attic and the adjacent room.

In the assortment of modern stores there are many options for the execution of stairs, but it is more expedient to single out the most common types:

scissor - is a ladder made of metal and, when folded, is a kind of accordion;
folding (retractable) - includes several retractable sections, which, as they open, fold into a single structure thanks to hinge mechanisms and hinges;
telescopic - consists of several flights of stairs, which at the time of assembly are stacked one on top of the other (aluminum is usually used as the fundamental basis of this design).

Making a folding ladder to the attic with your own hands is a simple event that does not require deep knowledge in the field of construction, so you can cope with this task without much difficulty.

Before starting any activity, you should prepare tools and acquire material. The tool kit does not provide for the availability of expensive equipment and includes a list of available tools familiar to every person:

saw or jigsaw;
drill or screwdriver with a set of bits;
roulette;
wood screws;
anchors, corners and hinged hooks;
one-piece staircase design with a margin of 20–25 cm for the length of the side bases;
4-6 card-type loops;
timber with a thickness of 3-4 cm.

The diversity of this element allows the homeowner not to be strongly attached to traditional ways and choose the type that is best for you, depending on the available square footage, interior and other important features. However, with a small building experience it is more expedient to make a ladder structure for the attic on your own with simple accessible ways, which are represented by hinged and folding types.

hinged view

The named type of stairs can be easily made in 3-4 hours. To make it, it is enough to take two beams with a section of 50 × 50 and a length of 70 to 100 cm. We attach one of the beams to the wall, directly under the equipped hatch using dowel-nails or self-tapping screws, and the second - on the lower points of the ladder supports. Further, from the upper edge of the prepared wooden stairs, we measure 2/3 and make a cut. Then we fasten these components and the top with the upper support beam with the help of loops. The design is ready, it remains only to equip a hook in the wall in the place where the lower section is folded so that the ladder is securely fixed to the wall.

It would be useful to reinforce the upper supporting partition with steel corners or anchors, since most of the load will fall on this element.

When equipping a folding staircase, you can choose a classic wooden staircase, sawn into several pieces, as a basis. constituent parts. To do this, you need to take 2 bars with a length that provides passage into the attic hatch, and fix them on the upper and lower edges of the prepared structure, respectively, using hinges and nails. Next, measure from top to bottom 1/3 of the total length and make cuts. The components are also fastened together with card loops.

In order to avoid spontaneous opening of the resulting staircase, a bar located on the upper edge of the structure should be equipped with a hook.

Before fixing the hinge devices, additionally check the correct opening of all components. It will be useful to install with reverse side stairs a sheet of plywood, so that when closing the stairs completely folded into the gap between the hatch and common surface ceiling.

Photo of a folding wooden structure

The photographs show the sequence of manufacturing a folding ladder for the attic:

In conclusion, I would like to note that independent arrangement auxiliary structures from time immemorial has been the subject of attention of most owners of private houses. sticking to general rules construction and following the presented simple recommendations, you can easily make an excellent staircase to the attic without spending a lot of money on it.

Video

The provided video material, consisting of two parts, tells in detail about the manufacture of the attic stairs:

A photo

The photographs show various options attic stairs:

Schemes

If you decide to make a staircase yourself, then below are a number of schemes that you can take as the basis of your design:

The space between the ceiling and the roof in private houses is occupied by the attic. It is used by the owners to store things, provides an opportunity to inspect and repair the inside. roofing cake. A folding ladder installed to get to the attic can be made by hand. Portable structures such as ladders are not always convenient and reliable. Stationary option, which is easily extended when necessary, and most of the time is in the folded state, will become optimal model for a small space.

Place of installation:
- outdoor - mounted outside the building, the disadvantage is the need to leave the premises in any weather;
- internal - located in the house.
By design:
- monolithic - screw or marching;
- portable - attached, ladders;
- folding - sliding, folding, scissor, folding.

Monolithic structures provide complete safety of lifting to the attic. But occupy usable area rooms. Portable models are convenient as a temporary option, but for permanent use they are not suitable due to the increased risk of injury. Best Choice a folding ladder is considered, which takes up a minimum of space. This design is often attached to the hatch, it has a compact size, and making it yourself will save money.

Features of folding structures

Transforming models have several options, from which you can choose the right one for your home. When designing a product, one should take into account not only the dimensions, but also the design features. Minimal amount sections of a folding ladder should be 3 pieces. A 2-piece model will require a significant increase in the size of the attic hatch. The folding ladder is lowered manually, using a weight for weighting, or automatically, using an electric drive.

Varieties of folding attic stairs

telescopic model consists of parts that slide into each other. The material for it is aluminum, which is lightweight, durable, and resistant to corrosion. It is compact, functional, long time, but it is difficult to make such a product with your own hands. A variant of mounting on a hatch of a finished structure is possible.

scissor model made from metal parts. It develops according to the principle of an accordion. A solid construction with comfortable steps has one drawback - over time, a creak appears at the joints. Preventing the problem will allow timely lubrication of the attachment points.

The scissor ladder is reliable and has a beautiful appearance

Folding ladder will not take up a single extra centimeter. It is difficult to design and install. Its steps are attached to the bowstring with card loops, and in the folded position, the folding model is fixed on the wall.

Retractable ladder to the attic consists of several sections, the upper part is firmly attached to the hatch, it is equal to the size of the cover. The remaining sections are connected by special fittings and hinges. When unfolded, they form an even flight of stairs. It is easy to bring the product into working position, thanks to its mobility. The difference between telescopic and sliding models in the way of sliding sections. In the first case, they are placed one inside the other, and in the second, they move with the help of rollers from the outside along the guides.

The attic climb structure should be installed in a place where it will not interfere, usually a hall or corridor. Sliding and folding ladder is customized to fit standard sizes, which are designed with safety in mind:

the angle of inclination of the structure is 65-75 degrees, greater value will make use unsafe, and less will require a lot of space to accommodate;
the optimal width of the stairs is 65 cm;
the recommended number of steps is 13-15 pieces;
the length of the structure should be about 3.5 m, with an increase, it loses rigidity and strength, the processes of lowering and lifting become more complicated;
convenient distance between the steps for movement - 19.3 cm;
a ladder made by one's own hands is calculated for a load of up to 150 kg;
the safe thickness of the steps is 1.8-2.2 cm;
horizontal crossbars are mounted parallel to the floor, for safety they are supplemented with anti-slip pads.

The attic hatch also has standard dimensions, its parameters are 120x70cm, they provide unhindered passage and minimal heat loss.

Materials for manufacturing

The materials from which the stairs are made with their own hands are subject to requirements for strength and weight. The design for frequent use due to rapid wear is not made of wood. Metal - best option for such a product, it will ensure safe and durable operation.

To reduce the total weight of the ladder attached to the hatch, the combination of materials will allow. Steps are made from lighter wood. Bars of hard wood with a thickness of about 2 cm are used. To connect the products, a metal or plastic fittings, the latter reduces the friction of parts. In the folded position, the structure is attached to the hatch, which eliminates spontaneous loss.

Manufacturing technology of a simple folding design

If the hatch is located near the edge of the ceiling, then for lifting you can install a folding ladder of two sections with your own hands, which will rest on the wall. The basis for the design can be a finished product, it will take about two hours to transform it.

A simple folding ladder that is easy to do with your own hands

Tools for work:

screwdriver;
roulette;
hacksaw.

Materials:

wooden blocks measuring 2x3 cm;
card loops;
self-tapping screws;
hook and loop.

Take two bars equal to the width of the stairs. One is attached to top edge, and the second is firmly fixed at the bottom, ensuring the stability of the unfolded structure.
The ladder used is divided into two parts - one of them is 2/3 of the length, and the second is 1/3. A neat cut of the bowstring is performed along the intended line.
Metal hinges are screwed to connect the sections. Pay attention to how the fittings are located. It should ensure that the lower part of the ladder folds under the upper one.
A bar is fixed on the wall under the attic opening, to which the folding structure is attached.
For reliable fixation in the folded position, a loop is screwed in near the sawing point, and a hook is installed on the wall in the appropriate place.

The advantage of such a product is the ease of doing it yourself, and the disadvantage is an open location.

Manufacture of the hatch

If a folding ladder is placed on the cover of the opening, it is not visible from the room and will not interfere with the interior. Simple drawings will help determine the dimensions of the hatch and the product. Having measured the sides of the passage to the attic, they begin to assemble the hatch with their own hands.

You need to prepare the following materials:

bars with a section of 50x50m;
plywood sheet 10 mm;
PVA glue;
fasteners;
door latch with handle.

Two parts are cut off from the bar equal to the length openings and two similar to its width (120x70 cm). Each edge of the bar is sawn to half the width. These sections are smeared with PVA glue and glued together into a rectangle. To keep the exact diagonal on the frame are attached right triangles made of plywood, called scarves. After the glue dries, the bars are additionally connected with self-tapping screws, and the scarves are removed. A prepared plywood sheet is screwed to the workpiece. The design will fit to the opening. To keep the hatch in the closed position, a door latch is cut into it. The fittings have a convenient handle with which the hatch will open.

Assembling the opening mechanism

Making a hatch opening mechanism with your own hands is a rather complicated process to make the task easier, it is enough to purchase a finished product in a store.

Those who decide to assemble the entire structure on their own should prepare metal corner, two strips and a sheet of metal.

In order not to be mistaken with the size of the hinges, they are initially cut out of cardboard. After fitting, proceed to work with metal.

Places for fastening according to the template are marked on the metal strip.
Holes are drilled for a bolt with a diameter of 10.
Details are assembled and baited with bolts. The selected angle of fixation of the stairs is measured with a small one, and then the parts are moved apart by the desired value.
On the metal, a section is indicated, which, when lowered, is blocked by a corner. This area is cut off. Removing the excess, the details are processed to give an aesthetic appearance.
The second mechanism should be identical to the one already made. For an exact match of the holes, the parts are connected with a clamp and drilled.
Having inserted bolts into the second mechanism, it is equalized according to the model, cutting off excess metal.
Ready-made opening mechanisms are installed by hand on the hatch . They will create an emphasis, fixing the folding structure at the right angle.

To ensure uniform distribution of the load will allow the installation of a second hinge mechanism that supports the hatch in the middle. You will need: two metal strips 2 cm wide, a corner and a piece of metal. The corner serves as a support for the mechanism when opening. A piece of metal is welded to one part, against which the second part rests. When lowering the hatch, the hinge will move apart, taking part of the weight of the structure.

Wooden staircase, do it yourself

The easiest way is to make a wooden structure, the material will be a 2.5x10 cm board. The product consists of three sections, the first two are equal in length to the hatch, and the size of the last is the distance remaining to the floor.

The length of the sections is marked on two boards used to make the bowstring. The marks should mirror each other, therefore, before work, the workpieces are connected with adhesive tape. Holes for the hinges are drilled in the designated places, after which the boards are sawn. To make it attractive wooden details sanded and covered with two layers of varnish. Do-it-yourself metal hinges are coated with a primer and paint before installation.

Holes 5 mm deep are cut out under the fasteners of the steps on the inside of the bowstring. PVA glue is applied to them, and then fixed with self-tapping screws. The next step is to connect the three sections into general design with loops. After checking the possibility of bending the parts, the ladder is fixed to the hatch. The upper section of the product is fixed on it with anchors. Folding ladder to the attic is ready.

In contact with

Climbing to the attic or attic can be made very convenient. The most suitable option for this would be attic folding stairs, which combine compactness with practicality.

Peculiarities

The main feature of folding ladder structures is their compactness. It is thanks to her that you can free up the maximum space, which is often so lacking. Most of the time it is in the folded state and does not interfere with movement at all, preserving the beauty of the interior.

Modern stairs to the attic look even more attractive when unfolded. They are able to easily transform any space, making it more interesting. With all this, folding ladders cope with their main functions perfectly.

Folding ladders are made from various materials and have many subspecies, which allows you to easily choose the most suitable option. Moreover, all models of stairs are easy to operate. Modern attic stairs are very easy to reach and fix in the desired position.

Especially popular are retractable staircase structures in private homes where constant access to the attic is a necessity. They are much more convenient than ladders or transformers that need to be carried and installed, which is very difficult.

The features of the attic design include the fact that it is easy to make it yourself. Moreover, even an old wooden staircase can be turned into a comfortable attic.

Advantages and disadvantages

There are a lot of advantages of folding stairs to the attic, so first of all It is worth highlighting the main or most striking of them:

The compactness of folding ladder structures is one of their main advantages. Moreover, such stairs are capable of occupying a minimum of space in any form: folded and unfolded.
The convenience of using a folding ladder is undeniable. She is literally "invisible" waiting for the hour of use. Then in a matter of seconds it can be decomposed and used for its intended purpose. At the same time, convenience and safety can be increased with the help of railings or overlays on metal steps.

The lightness of the staircase design is a huge plus, because sometimes a fragile girl needs to cope with it. This advantage significantly increases the popularity of folding models, which are much lighter than other ladder options.
Ease of use is another benefit. It is enough just to push it out from under the hatch with the help of special mechanisms, and then it is also easy to push it back. Installing or completely removing the folding structure is also easy. The actions are so simple that even those who have not done something like this can perform them.
The invisibility of a folding structure when it is not needed can also be attributed to its main advantages. After all, most of the stairs are bulky and immediately catch the eye, often violating the beauty of the space.
Attractive cost is another advantage. Even complete systems are inexpensive.

Of course, like any other ladder, folding stairs also have some disadvantages:

A large angle of inclination of a folding ladder is far from always convenient, especially if you need to lift quite weighty or dimensional things along it. They are not suitable even if you often have to go up and down to the attic.

The load capacity of folding ladders often does not exceed 150-200 kilograms.

Difficulties self-manufacturing some types of attic structures are due to complex and very accurate calculations, as well as the obligatory presence of special tools.

Kinds

Retractable structures can be divided into types or models depending on the type of device, their appearance or the material from which they are made. For example, the type of devices allows you to select the following types:

folding;
folding (foot);
sliding (telescopic, sectional).

Partly already from the name it is clear that these types of transformers differ in the principle of layout. To better understand them, it is worth considering the features of each of these types.

Flip down is the most interesting option. The composition of this design includes several sections at once, which, when opened, gradually move forward to the floor. The movement is carried out due to special hinges and loops. Card loops on the side allow you to securely fix the structure on the wall when folded. When the ladder is unfolded, its appearance resembles a regular marching ladder due to the angle of inclination of 45 degrees.

Among the disadvantages of the folding design, one should highlight its massiveness, not very attractive appearance and the need for a considerable amount of free space for layout.

The folding design has earned its popularity due to its compact size when folded. The most striking model of such a ladder was the scissor, which is also called the "accordion". Already by the name, the principle of operation of such a ladder becomes clear. When folded, it looks like a block small size, and unfolding, straightens like an accordion. This design is laid out very simply, you just need to pull the lower step towards you.

The disadvantages of the model include only the unreliability of interblock fastenings. Scissor models of folding ladders require careful handling and regular lubrication of the mechanisms located between the segments.

Among modern models even there are automatic folding scissor designs that are very convenient to use. No physical effort is required to move them.

Sliding transformer structures are several flights of stairs stacked or superimposed one on top of the other. Among their advantages, it is worth noting the minimum storage space and low cost compared to other types. Convenience sliding structures also due to flat steps, on which the foot becomes stable, not slipping

Sliding ladders are divided into two types:

Telescopic. Telescopic structures are characterized by the extension of sections, like a nesting doll. It turns out that in tubes with a larger diameter, smaller tubes are attached, and even smaller tubes are attached to them. The folded state of the structure is held by latches located on outside metal beams. To fold the structure, it will be enough just to loosen the latch. In unfolding, this design is extremely simple. The disadvantage of this model can be considered problems that eventually arise with the clamps. Often, metal clamps “wedge”, and the design ceases to easily straighten out.

Sectional. They are somewhat similar to scissor ladders, only in them the segments are stacked on top of each other, and not pressed. In the process of unfolding, the sections are straightened, and then they are fixed in a certain position. The number of sections in such a ladder can be equal to two or even three. Such a ladder requires a stable platform to rest on the floor.

materials

The materials from which folding stairs are made play a significant role. After all, they must provide the stairs with strength, make them light and at the same time also inexpensive. If we adequately consider all these important parameters, it becomes clear that best materials for attic stairs - wood and metal.

Wooden stairs are predominantly made from trees. conifers, for example, pines. Their advantages are reliability and low cost. At the same time, such stairs are not difficult to manufacture and assemble on their own. Another advantage of such stairs is to give the interior a special rustic zest.

The disadvantages of wooden attic stairs are due to their massiveness, short service life and low load capacity (up to 100 kilograms).

It should be borne in mind that in wooden models there are still metal parts. This means that they will require additional care, for example, regular lubrication.

Folding and sectional types of stairs are most often made from wood.

Metal folding stairs among modern models are much more common. Moreover, stairs made of steel or aluminum are in no way inferior to their counterparts made of wood. Price metal stairs slightly higher, and the carrying capacity reaches 200 kilograms. At the same time, such stairs are distinguished by high strength, durability, high resistance to mechanical stress. aluminum stairs have one more additional advantage as a low weight.

The disadvantages of metal stairs can only be attributed to the complexity of manufacturing on their own. This is due to the fact that such work requires welding equipment and relevant knowledge and skills.

Striking representatives of metal attic stairs can be called telescopic and scissor. Moreover, telescopic ones are most often made of aluminum.

Combined models, made simultaneously from wood and metal, are not uncommon and have the advantages of both these materials.

Dimensions

Regardless of the type of staircase in terms of design or material, it should be as comfortable as possible and at the same time completely safe. When choosing an attic staircase or designing it, it is worth considering a number of parameters:

The flight of stairs should be of optimal width, equal to 60 - 70 centimeters.
The design should have an angle of inclination ranging from 45 to 75 degrees.
The number of steps on the attic stairs should be optimal. It is best if there are about fifteen of them.
The thickness of the steps of 2 centimeters is considered the most convenient and suitable for a folding staircase.
The steps of the stairs should be located throughout the span at the same distance from each other (within 17-22 centimeters).
The horizontal part of the step must be at least 20 centimeters. This will provide additional convenience for frequent use of the stairs.
The dimensions of the hatch of the stairs should be slightly larger than the opening in order to block it.

How to choose?

When choosing a staircase to the attic, the first thing to start with is to decide exactly where it will be located and measure the dimensions of the hatch.

The height of the room when choosing a staircase is very important. In a three-meter room, a ladder 250 centimeters high is unlikely to be useful. In this case, it should be borne in mind that a structure designed for a large height can often be shortened if the height of the room is lower. To do this, it is enough to dismantle one or more of the last steps.

However, it is desirable that attic ladder structures do not exceed a height of three meters, so that the risk of injury does not increase.

When determining the size and location for the opening, special attention should also be paid to the overlap. An obstacle to installing a ladder in a certain place can, for example, be reinforced concrete slab or wooden beam. If the overlap allows, then it is definitely better to give preference to models with a large hatch. They will have wider steps and a less steep climb.

The dimensions of the hatch are indicated in the passport to finished product. This document also indicates the maximum distance that it flies out of the hatch when it is opened and closed. This characteristic especially important when placing stairs in small spaces.

When choosing a folding ladder made of metal, it is recommended to choose models with anti-slip overlays on the steps. All details metal structures it is worth checking for corrosion protection, that is, they should be galvanized.

Wooden ladder structures to the attic should be installed in rooms that are not too dry or damp. This precaution will extend their service life. When inspecting a wooden structure, it is worth checking its integrity, dryness and the absence of knots. It would not be superfluous to clarify what protective mixtures the wood was treated with and what top coat used (most often paint or varnish).

Among modern models, you can choose both mechanical, which must be laid out by hand, and automatic with an electric drive.

When choosing, it is imperative to check the reliability of fasteners and mechanisms. Having finally stopped your choice on a particular model, you should find out the features of caring for it so that the whole structure remains in order for a long time.

Long gone are the days when homeowners had to climb a bulky ladder to the attic. Modern options for the attic are good because they take up a minimum of space both in the folded and unfolded state, and the presence of such a design behind a beautifully finished attic hatch difficult to guess even for an attentive person.

And definitely pleasing to the eye wonderful alternative screw structures and ladders, like a folding attic ladder - with your own hands you can make it with correct fastenings, with a strong spring mechanism and is no worse than today's expensive market products. And even better!

Advantages and disadvantages of folding stairs

A folding attic ladder should be easy to hide and fold under the ceiling, and therefore it is customary to make it shorter, with a small number of sections. After all, each extra step in this regard is an additional weight and volume.

Such stairs are good primarily because they can significantly save space. At the same time, they do not spoil the ceiling of the dwelling at all. After all, the entrance to the attic is often located just in one of the inhabited rooms of the house. At the same time, such stairs are quite functional, durable and compact. And using them is as easy as shelling pears: just pick up a special rod with a hook at the end and hook on the ring.

Then, with your left hand, you can easily take out the bottom step of the extreme section, reach the floor and straighten all the other components of the stairs. In the same way, having done everything in reverse order, you can easily fold the ladder back and stow it into the ceiling. Moreover, many modern attic stairs also unfold and fold with the help of an electric drive, which is generally incredibly convenient:

Another benefit is safety. Going down and up such a ladder is much safer than using an attached ladder: it will not break underfoot and the legs will not suddenly “leave”.

And finally, ease. The lightest folding attic stairs are made from of stainless steel and aluminium, thanks to which attic floor there are no serious loads. As you understand, in view of the design features, such a staircase can only be made of metal.

Why is it better to make the stairs yourself?

Ready-made industrial stairs, which the market is actively offering today, are quite convenient, as far as one can judge from the available reviews on them. But we do not recommend putting them in attics that you often have to climb (for example, our workshop or mini-library is located there).

Why? Because such stairs often turn out to be quite flimsy in practice - this is not hand-made production, but mass production, and no manufacturer needs to make them too durable. For any product, the maximum border load is always calculated, which often does not take into account quite a lot of factors and force majeure. And this is the case when you are in a calm state and with almost no additional weight in your hands, carefully descending or ascending. If you slip, fall, or a sufficiently complete relative decides to lift a heavy box into the attic - expect trouble.

Also, such stairs are often made quite steep, and it is inconvenient to go down them with something in your hands - you need to stick to one. And go down only backwards. Therefore, it is quite natural that many home craftsmen who have built their own house or bathhouse do not see any point in buying fragile and expensive folding stairs to the attic. Why, if they can be made with your own hands, and of excellent quality and much greater reliability?

Moreover, in this case, you have much more choice both in terms of material for the manufacture of stairs, and the fasteners themselves. The main thing is to correctly calculate the dimensions of the future structure, so that later it folds easily and compactly over the hatch, nothing touches the opening and does not create problems.

One more common cause The fact that many undertake to build such stairs on their own is that most industrial options usually have very thin and fragile steps - they literally creak underfoot.

So, in order to make such a ladder for the roof with your own hands, you will need wooden trimmings. Decide first on the dimensions of the future attic opening, and in the second step, make the lid and frame of the hatch. Then you will attach a ladder to it. On each side, it is desirable to leave gaps of 7-8 millimeters. Here are the technical parameters:

So, now let's figure out what types of attic folding stairs are.

Design #1 - Sliding Ladders

Sliding ladders usually consist of two sections, one of which is attached directly to the hatch cover, and the second is moved apart vertically with the help of special guides. When you fold such a ladder, one section seems to crawl over another, which is quite convenient. The only negative is the bulkiness of the whole structure, which requires a wide opening in the attic floor.

Design #2 - folding with spring mechanism

Most popular today folding ladders, otherwise called sectional. These consist of three or four sections, which are easily straightened into a flight of stairs. They are interconnected by a special spring mechanism.

Folding structures are considered the most complex in their design, since they have many fasteners and must be correctly attached to the hatch opening. Such stairs are made of both wood and metal.

Construction #3 - telescopic ladders

The next view is a telescopic design. She shows herself remarkably well in cases where the attic is visited quite often. For example, when it was specially insulated to make it residential, although before full attic hasn't arrived yet. That is, we are talking about a technical attic, like a dressing room or a workshop, and in this case it is better to put a residential attic in a spiral staircase made of wood or metal and always with a railing.

In a telescopic design, the blocks are extended one by one, while occupying as much space as possible. less space. And such stairs are good, especially because they can be extended to almost any length, which is especially valuable for high ceilings. But such devices are not suitable for children and the older generation in the house, which is quite difficult to reach the bottom section and generally cope with the whole structure.

Design #4 - Simplified Folding Ladders

These types of folding ladders do not hide behind a hatch in the attic, but they are easily removed into a corner or behind an interior decoration. For example, here is more rare view, which is usually made independently, also has the right to life:

And such options for folding stairs are quite popular abroad:

But both of these options have considerable disadvantages, some of which are able to bring discomfort to the interior of the living space, from where there is access to the attic, and after a month or two such structures are already annoying the owners with their stupidity to the point of soreness. And therefore, we still suggest that you deal in more detail with more practical folding ladders that can be easily folded and hidden behind a manhole cover.

How to determine the parameters of the future stairs?

So, let's give you some tips on choosing an attic ladder.

Council number 1. When you choose the parameters for the future staircase, consider the mechanism of the hatch: when it is opened and closed, it can move forward and backward slightly.
Council number 2. If the ceiling in the room is high enough and exceeds 3.5 meters, it is better to install a marching or attached structure, or a spiral staircase, which will be safer in this case.
Council number 3. When making a hatch, keep in mind that the larger the opening, the more heat will go to the attic.
Council number 4. Another point that you should pay attention to is how the hatch will open. For example, in ready-made market options, most often it opens slowly, thanks to special springs, and certainly does not fall on anyone's head. Be sure to work on this point, especially since special parts are not difficult to acquire today.
Council number 5. The steepness of a staircase is always determined by it only by its angle. The larger the step protrusion, the more quantity these steps and the smaller their height. But this does not mean at all that it will be convenient for you to climb and descend on such a ladder. Therefore, we will call the most convenient step height of 20 centimeters, which is most suitable for a standard human foot.

Here is a very useful video that will help you avoid many mistakes when installing such a ladder:

What fasteners and materials are needed?

As for the main material, the most accessible will be wooden staircase, but here it is important to pay special attention to the strength of the fasteners. To make such a ladder, you will need two long and two short bars, as well as a piece of plywood 10 millimeters thick.

Let's look at this point in more detail. All designs that help open the stairs with a hatch down differ only in the presence of additional mechanisms and depreciation. Cushioning, in turn, makes it easier to close and open the stairs. And you can buy all the necessary hinge elements at any store. But simple metal strips drilled in several places are quite suitable for arranging such a staircase, and an aluminum sliding system will cost you the most for arranging stairs.

Simple and practical fastening:

More complex system:

But what are the requirements for fastening the entire staircase. The first is the ability to support the weight of the entire structure, as well as the weight of the person who will climb and descend it. And not only the static loads of a person standing on it with its certain weight, but also dynamic ones, which are much more than static ones. For example, a person stumbled and abruptly stood on a lower step, or staggered and leaned on the stairs with all his weight, but sharply and suddenly.

And, finally, we note the ability to easily control the design. As you understand, such a ladder weighs decently and it is important that you then look at it easily to open it. And when closing, you have to lift all the weight at once, so provide special springs that will make the whole process easier for you over time - you will be grateful for such a trick.

Instructions for making a folding ladder

So, let's go through step by step how to make a folding ladder for your attic. You will need the following tools: a hacksaw, a ladder, hinges, two beams, bolts, self-tapping screws, a screwdriver and a metal hook.

The process itself can be divided into several steps:

Step 1. Fasten the top beam to the opening with hinges, and the bottom beam with self-tapping screws. The fastener itself should be on the back of the stairs.
Step 2. And now we connect everything using the most common bolts, with a diameter of 6 or 8 millimeters. A smaller diameter may not withstand the load, a larger one is simply not needed. Remember that self-tapping screws cannot be used here at all - they will not withstand the load and on a certain day they will simply tear out the entire system mount.
Step 3. Now we divide the stairs into three parts, measure 2/3 and make a cut, just between the steps.
Step 4. We connect the sawn parts again, but already with loops.
Step 5. Nail longer bars on the reverse side so that they turn out obliquely for strength.
Step 6. Now the ladder itself is supplied under the hatch and pressed against the wall with the upper bar. Secure this bar with bolts.

Believe me, in practice everything will be much easier!