How To Measure For Attic Pull Down Stairs

Extend the tape measure so that it reaches from the ceiling to the floor.

How to measure for attic pull down stairs.

Standard size attic ladder kits are designed to fit between floor joists or trusses that have a 24 inch spacing on center. Place your ladder securely below the ceiling hatch and lock it in place. Using a tape measure make measurements of the total height of the space you want to make stairs from the bottom to the top. How to measure for attic stairs 1.

Next using an electric drill pop a screw up through the drywall in the ceiling. This is called the rise of your measurements and will determine how high your stairs will go. Hold the tape. Measure the rough opening s width and length in three different spots at the top and bottom of the framing.

Stretch the tape measure over to the right side of the attic ladder door stopping at the inside edge of the trim molding on that side. Place a tape measure at the left side of the attic opening on the inside edge of any trim molding but the outside of the actual attic ladder frame. For smaller attic openings with a minimum measurement of 18 x 24 you will need to measure the swing clearance inside the attic space. Measure and verify the amount of space available to swing out the stair sections of your ladder this extends beyond your attic opening.

Measure the height or rise of the space you want to make stairs. Cutting and bracing a new hole. We ll show you how to cut out frame the opening then install a fo. Once you re in the attic locate the screw.

Leave room for extending the measuring tape. Installing a pull down attic ladder is essential for safer easier access to your attic. You ll need at least three critical measurements. The length is simply the dimension between the two pieces of lumber that form the end of the opening.

So with a 24 on center and framing lumber being 1 1 2 thick the dimension between the inside edges of the two joists is 22 1 2 24 3 4 3 4. How do measure pull down attic stairs. Determine the area where you want to place your stairs. Note the measurement which is the width of the attic ladder.

That s dimensions between the framing of your attic joists which is typically 24 on center. The width and length of the rough opening and the ceiling height. You should also measure the ceiling height.