Folding ladder to the attic. DIY attic staircase. Sectional and hinged

A folding ladder to the attic is a type of compact auxiliary devices for climbing to utility rooms country house. Quite often the stationary design of staircases for attic floors It looks simply irrational - you don’t have to use it often, or it takes up a lot of living space, which, as always, is sorely lacking.

Many people are familiar with these circumstances. Previously, they arose when it was necessary to climb into the attic, where, according to established traditions, old things were stored that were no longer needed, but it was a pity to throw them away. Of course, you can use a regular stepladder to go up and down, but for greater convenience and safety there is another solution - a folding ladder to the attic.

Significantly saves living space at home. It is located in a specially equipped ceiling opening of the interfloor ceiling.

A folding attic ladder is functional, compact and very easy to use, and the variety of models and available options for this design allows you to choose exactly the type that is ideal for the specific operating conditions of any country house.

Among the variety of folding attic systems, three main configurations are most in demand:

• lever;
• claw-shaped;
• telescopic.

Lever designs

Lever or three-knee systems consist of three folding parts. The first part (elbow) is attached to the hatch cover, and the next two, using springs and a special mechanism, are sequentially stacked on top of each other.

In order to install the ladder, you need to use a long rod with a hook to hook the ring installed on the outside of the hatch and pull it down. After the hatch opens, the structure itself, under the influence of its own weight, will unfold into the desired position.

For ease of disassembly and assembly, the system is equipped with special lever mechanisms that help the mobile flight to smoothly unfold and fold into the stairwell. The hatch cover is equipped with latches, which are designed to secure the entire device in the interfloor ceiling.

Claw stairs

The claw-shaped design of the march received its name from the shape of its elements. This type of device folds like an accordion, and they are also called pantograph ladders. The basis of such systems is a multi-link hinge mechanism, which is adjusted by springs.

When the hatch is open, the device stretches down and is fixed to the floor using a special spring stop. When the mechanism is removed from the stop, the structure is assembled to its original position under the action of springs.

Telescopic devices

The telescopic system, taking into account its operational properties, is made only from lightweight aluminum profile.

Therefore, attic metal folding ladders with a telescopic system are separate sections made of profile aluminum pipe, which are sequentially inserted into each other.

• The entire structure is mounted in the manhole cover, and, if necessary, easily extends into the working position.
• Stability is provided by clamps, located at the junction of sections.
• Number of parts may vary, depending on the required height and model of the selected device.
• For the purpose safe operation the mechanism is designed in such a way that it eliminates arbitrary axial displacement of sections.
• Special latches firmly fix the structure in the folded position.
• To unfold the ladder, simply pull for the special rod (rod) provided for these purposes.

How to choose a folding ladder

Before choosing and purchasing an attic ladder, you need to learn a few rules:

1. The design should be selected taking into account the prepared opening in the interfloor ceiling. And for this you need to know optimal sizes for this type of stairs.
2. The minimum recommended opening size is 500–600 mm, but according to the experience of some manufacturers, 0.6–1.20 m is better. You can consult the seller about what sizes are currently on sale and adjust your opening according to the selected template.
3. The second necessary parameter is the height and angle of inclination (“reach”) of the device in working condition. To do this, you need to know how often the stairs will be used, and its future location (length of the room, furniture, etc.). The most acceptable and convenient to use design is considered to be a design with a height of 2.80–3.5 m.

Tips: If the room height is more than 3.5 m, for safety reasons it is not recommended to install a folding attic ladder. In this case, you need to think about installing a stationary economy class staircase, which has a larger angle of inclination and is equipped with railings.

As is customary, attic systems are sold with ready-made dimensions, so you need to provide for a situation where the required size may not be available. In this case, as mentioned above, it is necessary to prepare an opening for the finished dimensions, or order the required size individually. In the latter option, the price of the structure will be higher.

Metal folding ladders are best for outbuildings, and for a country house it is most appropriate wooden structure, which, with a certain finishing, can become an interior decoration (see video in this article).

Attic systems are unpretentious in operation, and if you have the necessary tools and instructions for assembling a specific architecture, you can easily install them yourself.

Assembling a folding wooden ladder

Before assembling the finished structure, you need to familiarize yourself with some basic safety rules:

• The use of these structures for plasterboard floors is not recommended;
• disassembly of the component elements of the mechanism during installation is prohibited;
• Do not unscrew or adjust the fastenings to the hatch;
• Test operation of the device is prohibited until all elements are installed.

Do-it-yourself folding stairs to the attic - instructions:

1. The installation of the attic system is carried out by two people. First, with everything necessary tool and with strong twine, rises to the second floor, and the second remains below.
2. We check the dimensions of the opening, which should be 2 cm larger than the box.

1. To support the kit, tie two safety bars to the box during installation. Moreover, the initial lower level of the box should be slightly lower than the ceiling level (see photo).
2. Then, using prepared wooden wedges, align the level of the ceiling and the mechanism box.

1. Open the ladder and check the serviceability of all elements.
2. After this, lift the device to its original position and begin installing the box.
3. Before starting installation, check that the lengths of the diagonals between the opposite corners of the box match.

1. In the gap between the structure and interfloor ceiling, in the places where the screws are installed, insert the strips to fit the box tightly to the opening.
2. Screw the frame to the base of the opening with screws (8x80).
3. The gap between the box and the opening must be filled with foam.
4. Open the device and check the correct operation of all mechanisms, and adjust them if necessary.

1. The unfolded structure should form a straight line, and the lower part of the bowstrings should fit snugly to the floor.

Folding attic stairs can have a wide variety of designs and improvements. It can be equipped with dust-proof covers, railings, electric motors and a remote control that operates the automatic folding and unfolding mechanism of the system. Therefore, depending on the design chosen, the price of such improvements can vary widely.

For country houses, country houses and cottages with attic spaces, a compact and lightweight folding staircase to the attic becomes a vital necessity. It should not take up a lot of space, because in a country house every square meter is important. In addition, a big advantage of the ladder will be its mobility. Folding designs save space and are easy to install. To complete all the related tasks of constructing such a staircase, you can do it yourself.

Types of attic stairs

Attic stairs can be located both indoors and in the attic itself. The second option is more profitable in terms of saving living space. According to the design of the stairs there are:

• monolithic (flight or screw);
• folding (lever, telescopic, scissor or folding);
• portable (additional or stepladders).

Portable structures are used very rarely, mainly during construction work. The most convenient option is monolithic products that have wide flights and are equipped with railings. However, they are not suitable for access to the attic due to their large dimensions.

It is better to use retractable structures that are safe to use and easy to install. In addition, when folded, they do not take up space in the room. Thanks to the variety of possible designs, you can choose the staircase that best suits your home.

Transformable stairs

Wood and metal (most often aluminum) are used to make folding attic stairs. This combination allows you to get the best results. Wood is necessary to create flights of stairs (the weight of the structure is reduced), and metal parts are most often corners, fasteners and mechanisms that ensure the rigidity of the structure.

For stairs choose hard wood(birch, ash, larch, beech, maple). The timber must be at least 2 cm thick. If the staircase will be used quite often, it is worth thinking about a metal structure.

The hatch cover should be filled with foam for greater thermal insulation. Dimensions of stairs to the attic:

• the optimal march width is 65 cm;
• average number of steps - 15;
• the optimal step width is considered to be 19.3 cm;
• the thickness of the steps is not less than 18 mm;
• The optimal angle of inclination of the structure is 60-70 degrees.

To prevent the ladder from sliding on the floor, it is worth putting special pads on each string.

Scissor

These stairs are made entirely of metal. Their other name is accordion stairs. They are light, compact, and easily attached to the hatch. However, scissor ladders have one drawback - over time, squeaking appears during their use. They need to be lubricated periodically.

Telescopic

In this case, a folding ladder has several sections that fold into one another. They are usually made of aluminum. Domestic summer residents are wary of such stairs and prefer transformers to them.

Sectional hinged products are more in demand. They are more bulky and difficult to install, but are highly durable and durable. How a retractable staircase to the attic is made is described below.

Location

There is one main requirement for the location of the stairs - it should not interfere with residents when moving around the house. That is why it is not installed in the bedroom or hallway. Sometimes you can install a staircase as a piece of furniture - if the size of the room allows. In this case, there is no need to hide it.

Manufacturing a two-section ladder

If you need to make a simple and practical design, you should take a closer look at the option with two sections. To make such a staircase you will need a small number of tools and materials:

• hacksaw;
• ladder;
• roulette;
• timber 2-3 cm thick.
• loops along the width of the stringer;
• hook, screws, anchors and loops.

First you need to carry out preparatory work, then make the stairs, and then install it correctly.

Preparatory work

First, the old structure, consisting of a staircase and a decorative frame installed inside the passage, is dismantled. Then you need to select bars for the flights of stairs. Each string must have a cross-section of at least 30*50 mm. Optimal inclination attic stairs in a small room is 60-70 degrees. It must be taken into account when calculating the length of the stairs and the angle of inclination of the steps relative to the staircase posts.

It is worth installing two-section stairs when the attic passage is located in close proximity to one of the walls. The folding structure will hang directly on the wall. The presence of only 2 sections does not allow it to be hidden in the attic directly above the passage.

Making stairs

First, assemble the lower and upper parts of the stairs. To do this you will need 4 strings and steps. The bottom should be 1/3 of the total length. Then it is necessary to strengthen the upper part with diagonal slats to give it greater rigidity. The structure is then connected together using hinges. A block is attached to the top of the stairs, which will later be screwed to the wall.

The ladder is attached to the wall using a pre-screwed block. It should be installed directly under the hatch. The advantages of this design are obvious - a minimum of parts and effort in manufacturing, ease of installation, lightness of construction. The disadvantage of a two-section ladder is that it remains in plain sight.

To avoid such a situation, it is worth building more complex design. The best option is a ladder with 3 sections. It can be easily hidden in the attic, used only when necessary.

Three-section

Most compact version stairs to the attic - a hatch with a folding structure of 3 sections attached to it. Such products are sold in stores. They are made of steel, are small in size and are made of steel. You can also build them yourself. The material most often used is wooden blocks. To build a staircase to the attic with your own hands, you will need to follow a certain sequence of actions.

How to make a hatch

Before constructing a hatch, it is worth calculating its dimensions. If the hatch to the attic is 125*70 cm in size, then the passage should be cut 7-8 mm larger on each side. This will make it easier to open and close the hatch. The level of thermal insulation due to such a gap will not decrease.

The materials you will need:

1. Bars 50*50 mm - 2 long and 2 short.
2. Plywood 10 mm thick.

Now you need to build a hatch. To do this, 4 bars are fastened together, and then a sheet of plywood is nailed to them. Before attaching plywood, check the diagonal. To prevent the structure made from bars from “driving,” you need to nail gussets to the corners. After the hatch is completed, it needs to be fitted into the opening.

To ensure that there are no locks on the outside and the hatch closes well, you should embed a door latch into the lid. It will hold the hatch perfectly and open comfortably.

Opening mechanisms

Now it’s time to tackle the most difficult part - creating opening mechanisms. In order not to complicate or delay the process, you can buy them at a hardware store. However, if you want to do everything yourself, you should adhere to certain rules.

To begin with, make drawings future design, taking into account the opening angle of the hatch. To make a hinge on which the hatch will open, you will need:

• pieces of sheet metal;
• one corner;
• two metal strips of different lengths.

Holes are made on the hinges according to pre-made drawings. Then they connect everything together without tightening the bolts too much. The opening angle can be determined experimentally. To do this, open the hatch until desired angle and make marks on the metal. Then the area that interferes with the movement of the corners is cut out with a jigsaw.

Now each corner locks in the desired position. To make the mechanisms identical, first one is completely manufactured, and then all the parts of the second are made according to the finished sample.

For greater strength, the hatch is connected to the opening with a supporting structure made of corners and metal strips. Pieces of metal are welded to the end of the upper strips, into which the lower strips will rest. The corner becomes a supporting platform. The result is a hinge mechanism that becomes half-bent when the hatch is opened.

Ladder

The staircase itself is made of wooden planks. For the bowstring and steps, a 100 mm inch board is suitable. The first section is made according to the size of the hatch. The length of the second section can be equal to the first section, provided that it does not touch the ceiling during folding.

For the third section, select the length that remains to the floor. The angle of inclination is measured with the hatch open. Then it must be transferred to the board, marking the steps. Then the length of the sections is marked. All markings that were made on the first board should be transferred to the second. All lines must be a mirror image.

It is worth drilling holes where the hinge hinges will be located. The top one is drilled directly at the junction of the fastened boards, the bottom one is drilled on their outer sides. To make the holes look more aesthetically pleasing, you should additionally go over them with a router.

Then the boards are sawn at the junction of the segments. Afterwards, the steps are cut and all elements are polished. Small recesses are made on the bowstrings into which the steps will be inserted. Once all structural elements are ready, you can begin assembly.

Loops for marches

The next stage in the manufacture of stairs is making loops to connect the flights of stairs. To do this you will need to find 8 metal strips 25 mm wide. On 4 of them you need to weld a small piece of the same strips. 3 holes are drilled in each. One will serve as a connection point to the hinge, the other will be used for screwing to the ladder.

To connect the stair segments, they must be placed on a flat surface. The hinge must be screwed so that the bolt fits into a groove specially cut for it - in the center of the connection of the sections. After screwing the hinges, it is necessary to check the section for flexion and extension. Only after the check has been completed can section 3 be screwed on. After all the procedures have been completed, you can remove the hatch and screw the ladder to it.

Every staircase, regardless of type, should be comfortable. In addition, when implementing an attic structure, you should adhere to the basic rules:

• attic folding stairs should not be more than 3 meters;
• metal steps should be equipped with anti-slip pads;
• wooden models are not installed in very dry or damp rooms;
• mechanisms and fastenings must be strong and reliable;
• From time to time, the rubbing parts of the product should be lubricated.

Such rules will be useful in the manufacture of attic stairs.

As you can see, making an attic ladder with your own hands is easy. During its manufacture, certain recommendations should be followed, and before starting work, a detailed drawing should be made. During the work you should be careful, especially when working in the attic near the opening.

Long gone are the days when home owners had to climb a cumbersome ladder to get to the attic. Modern options for the attic are good because they take up minimal space both when folded and unfolded, and it is difficult even for an attentive person to guess the presence of such a structure behind a beautifully finished attic hatch.

And such a wonderful alternative is definitely pleasing to the eye. screw structures and stepladders, like a folding attic ladder - you can make it with your own hands with correct fastenings, with a strong spring mechanism and no worse than modern 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, every extra step in this regard means additional weight and volume.

Such stairs are good primarily because they allow you to significantly save space. At the same time, they do not spoil the ceiling of the living space at all. After all, the entrance to the attic is often located in one of the habitable 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 onto the ring.

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

Another advantage is safety. Going up and down such a ladder is much safer than using an extension ladder: it will not break under your feet and your legs will not unexpectedly “leave away.”

And finally, lightness. The lightest folding attic ladders are made of stainless steel and aluminum, making them attic floor there are no serious loads. As you understand, due to 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 can be judged from the available reviews on them. But we do not recommend placing them in attics that you often have to climb into (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 a hand-made production, but mass production, and no manufacturer needs to make them too strong. For any product, the maximum limit load is always calculated, which often does not take into account many factors and force majeure. And this is the same case when you, in a calm state and with almost no additional weight in your hands, carefully descend or ascend. If you slip, fall, or a fairly overweight relative decides to lift a heavy box into the attic, expect trouble.

And such stairs are often 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 with your back forward. Therefore, it is quite natural that many home craftsmen who built their own house or bathhouse do not see any point in buying fragile and expensive folding stairs to the attic. Why, if you can make them yourself, and of excellent quality and much greater reliability?

Moreover, in this case, you have much more choice both in terms of the material for making the stairs and the fasteners themselves. The main thing is to correctly calculate the dimensions of the future structure, so that later it can be easily and compactly folded over the hatch, without anything touching the opening or creating a problem.

One more common reason The reason that many people 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 scraps. First decide on the dimensions of the future attic opening, and the second step is to make the hatch cover and frame. You will then attach the ladder to it. It is advisable to leave gaps of 7-8 millimeters on each side. The technical parameters are as follows:

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

Design #1 – sliding stairs

Sliding ladders usually consist of two sections, one of which is attached directly to the hatch cover, and the second is extended vertically using special guides. When you fold such a ladder, one section seems to creep onto the other, which is quite convenient. The only negative is the bulkiness of the entire structure, which requires a wide opening in the attic floor.

Design #2 – folding with a spring mechanism

The most popular today are folding stairs, otherwise called sectional ones. These consist of three or four sections that can easily be straightened into a flight of stairs. They are connected to each other 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.

Design #3 – telescopic ladders

The next type is a telescopic design. It performs remarkably well in cases where the attic is visited quite often. For example, when it was specially insulated to make it residential, although it had not yet reached a full-fledged attic. That is, we are talking about a technical attic, like a dressing room or a workshop, but in this case, a residential attic is better to install a spiral staircase made of wood or metal and always with railings.

In a telescopic design, the blocks are pulled out one at a time, while occupying as little space as possible. And such stairs are especially good 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, for whom it is quite difficult to reach the lower section and generally cope with the entire structure.

Design #4 – simplified folding stairs

These types of folding ladders do not hide behind an attic hatch, but they can easily be tucked into a corner or behind interior decoration. For example, this rarer species, which is usually made independently, also has the right to life:

And these options for folding stairs are quite popular abroad:

But both of these options have considerable disadvantages, some of which can bring discomfort to the interior of the living space, from where there is access to the attic, and after a month or two, such designs already bore the owners with their stupidity to the point of setting their teeth on edge. And therefore, we still suggest that you take a closer look at the more practical folding ladders, which are easily folded and hidden behind the hatch cover.

How to determine the parameters of the future staircase?

So, we will give you some tips on choosing an attic ladder.

• Tip #1. When you choose the parameters for a future staircase, consider the mechanism of the hatch: when it is opened and closed, it can move slightly forward and backward.
• Tip #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 in this case.
• Tip #3. When making a hatch, keep in mind that the larger the opening, the more heat will escape into the attic.
• Tip #4. Another point you should pay attention to is how the hatch will open. For example, in ready-made market versions, 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 purchase today.
• Tip #5. The steepness of a staircase is always determined only by its angle. The larger the step protrusion, the more quantity these steps and the lower their height. But this does not mean at all that it will be convenient for you to climb and descend such stairs. Therefore, we will call the most convenient step height 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 staircase:

What fasteners and materials are needed?

As for the main material, a wooden staircase will be the most affordable, but it is important here special attention pay 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 take a closer look at this point. All designs that help open a staircase with a hatch at the bottom differ only in the presence of additional mechanisms and shock absorption. The shock absorption, 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 constructing such a staircase, and the most expensive thing for arranging a staircase is an aluminum sliding system.

Simple and practical fastening:

More complex system:

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

And finally, we note the ability to easily control the structure. As you understand, such a ladder weighs a fair amount and it is important that you then make sure it is easy to open. And when closing, you will 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 this trick.

Instructions for making a folding ladder

So, let's figure out 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. Secure the upper beam to the opening using hinges, and the lower beam using self-tapping screws. The fastener itself should be on the back side of the stairs.
• Step 2. Now we connect everything using the most ordinary 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 fastening of the system.
• Step 3. Now we divide the stairs into three parts, measure out 2/3 and make a cut, just between the steps.
• Step 4. We connect the sawn parts again, but with loops.
• Step 5. Nail longer bars on the back side so that they turn out diagonally for strength.
• Step 6. Now the ladder itself is delivered under the hatch and pressed against the wall with the top bar. Secure this block with bolts.


Believe me, in practice everything will be much easier!

For country cottages, private houses and simple country houses, equipped with an attic, the presence of a convenient and reliable staircase leading to the mentioned room is a common necessity of life.

At the same time, the staircase does not have to be capital and bulky at all - you can assemble and install an excellent folding structure, which will be in no way inferior to stationary stairs.

You can handle all the related tasks yourself, saving money and testing your own strength.

There are several types of stairs that can be installed to access your attic.

Stationary

A staircase with wide flights and railings is the most reliable, durable and easy-to-use design. However, the possibility of arranging such a staircase is not available everywhere - it certainly cannot be equipped in small areas.

Portable

They are used primarily as a temporary option, as well as for access to rarely used rooms. The main disadvantages of such a ladder are low safety and ease of use. Therefore, if possible, the use of such a design should be abandoned.

Folding

They are something between portable and stationary ladders. In terms of ease of use and safety, they are practically in no way inferior to full-fledged stationary structures and, at the same time, have a significant advantage - they require very little space for their arrangement. Therefore, when self-production It is recommended to give preference to folding stairs.

Selection of materials

No less important point is the choice of materials from which the stairs to the attic will be assembled. Wood is usually used to make the main elements of folding sectional stairs, and fasteners are traditionally made of metal.

Currently there are many various materials, types of controls and fasteners, which makes it possible to easily assemble a folding ladder that will best suit your specific room.

When choosing materials for the manufacture of attic stairs, you need to take into account a number of important factors. First of all, decide on functional purpose design, its type, width, as well as optimal quantity sections.

The functional purpose of the stairs to the attic is very important in terms of determining the maximum permissible load on the steps. So, for example, factory-made wooden stairs can withstand an average load of 150 kgf, metal ones - 250 kgf. For homemade stairs, these figures are slightly reduced.

This does not mean that the steps cannot bear more high load, however, you definitely shouldn’t load them like that regularly, otherwise the structure will break very quickly.

The width of the stairs should not be greater than the width of the attic opening.

When choosing the dimensions of the attic ladder, be guided by proven and approved standards.

Remember: the steps must be installed strictly parallel to the floor surface. In addition, the steps of the stairs must be non-slip. To do this, you can stuff linings of any non-slip material over the base material.

Guide to making a staircase to the attic

There is nothing overly complicated about making your own stairs to the attic. Of course, an inexperienced craftsman is unlikely to be able to assemble a structure with the same attractive appearance as factory-made models, but it’s definitely worth a try.

Before starting work, create a drawing of the future staircase. If you do not have the necessary skills, order the creation of a drawing from a specialist, or select a suitable diagram from the options presented in open sources.

Tools

Prepare everything at once necessary equipment so as not to be distracted by searching for missing tools in the future.

You will need:

Also, before starting work, you need to buy or assemble an ordinary ladder. To assemble this design yourself, you only need to fix the transverse steps between two long vertical posts and further strengthen the structure.

The finished staircase should be approximately 30 cm longer than the distance from the level of the opening to the attic to the floor.

You can also easily handle making a hatch with your own hands. The only materials you need are sheets of plywood and wooden beam 5x5 cm.

First step. Choose a location to place the hatch and determine its optimal dimensions. Add approximately 7-9 mm on each side to the dimensions of the hatch so that in the future you can easily close the lid without squeaks or other noise. Make the opening according to the specific dimensions.

Second step. Cut the wooden beam into four parts in accordance with the dimensions of the hatch.

Third step. Make grooves at the ends of the bars. Lubricate the prepared grooves and connect the bars into a rectangular (square) structure. Additionally strengthen the connections using self-tapping screws. Screw the gussets so that the diagonal does not move.

Fourth step. Attach the plywood cover to the resulting base and try on the product in the hatch opening.

Fifth step. Install a regular latch into the hatch cover. You will open the latch using the handle. Attach it to the lid and finally fix the product in the pre-aligned opening. Usually loops are used for this.

Simple folding ladder

Start making a folding ladder. It is assumed that you already have at your disposal the previously mentioned wooden extension ladder.

First step. Attach a beam across the width to the bottom of the ladder. Attach the same block to the top of the product. In this case, the lower bar must be fixed rigidly, and the upper one - on the hinges.

Second step. Cut the ladder into 2 parts. The upper part should have a length of about 2/3 of the total length of the stairs.

Third step. Attach a pair of slats to provide additional diagonal rigidity.

Fourth step. Connect the parts of the structure using loops.

Fifth step. Secure the top beam under the hatch using anchors.

Sixth step. Secure the bottom of the ladder with a hook - this will prevent it from opening spontaneously. Place the loop on the stringer above the cutting line.

Seventh step. Press the finished structure against the wall surface and secure.

The main disadvantage of such a homemade staircase is that it is not very attractive appearance– the entire timber and fastening elements remain visible. However, such a staircase copes 100% with the main tasks - ensuring a convenient and safe ascent and return descent.

An improved and more attractive version of the previous design. There is also nothing complicated in making such a staircase; it is enough to follow all the instructions step by step.

First step. Share a regular sideboard wooden stairs into 3 parts. Make the first part according to the dimensions of the attic hatch, make the second a little smaller than the first, and make the third such that the remaining space up to the floor surface is completely covered.

Second step. Take a small tool and measure the corner of the attic hatch. Transfer the angle to the boards, thus marking the location of the steps.

Third step. Drill holes where the hinges will be located between the individual stair sections.

Fourth step. Sand the edges of the structures.

Fifth step. Saw the boards at the hinge points.

Sixth step. Cut and sand the steps.

Seventh step. Prepare indentations for the steps in the strings.

Eighth step. Insert the steps into the prepared recesses. Use glue and further strengthen the connections with self-tapping screws.

Ninth step. Connect the sections of the stairs using special loops. To do this, the sections must be placed on a stable, flat surface.

Tenth step. Check the operation of all sections. If you find any defects or deviations, try to correct them immediately.

Eleventh step. Sand all wooden surfaces and coat them with varnish.

Twelfth step. After the varnish has completely dried, install the structure in the attic hatch opening. If necessary, make final adjustments to the structural elements.

Thus, self-assembly stairs is extremely simple and accessible to almost every event. At the same time, the cost of a homemade staircase will be much lower compared to the price of a similar factory-made design. Follow the instructions and everything will definitely work out.

Happy work!

Also read the article on our website - do-it-yourself staircase to the basement.

Video - Do-it-yourself staircase to the attic

In almost all country houses there are attics. To organize a comfortable and safe ascent there, it is necessary to equip a ladder.

It can be made of various materials, but wooden stairs are the most common and convenient. Let's look at their types in detail and tell you how they can be made of wood.

Structures for climbing into the attic can be permanent or removable. Their type depends on the availability of free space for installation, ceiling height and frequency of use.

After all, the attic is often used as utility room, and there is no need to install a complex architectural structure. However, even among simple designs there are those that will fit harmoniously into the interior and will not take up much space.

When choosing a type, you don’t need to think about the possibility of moving large objects along it or having two people at the same time, since both of these situations are unlikely to arise.

Stationary types

All structures according to the type of fastening to load-bearing base, are divided into the following types:

Such structures consist of two load-bearing strings, straight or curved, between which steps are located in grooves.

• On the stringers.

They are a little reminiscent of bowstring systems, but the difference is that stringers serve as a support beam. The steps are attached to them from above, so that they seem to lie on supports. Usually one or two stringers are used.

• On pain.

In this case, the steps are pinned on one side to the wall, or to a wall mounted load-bearing beam. This system of steps looks very stylish.

• On a support pillar.

This design has found application in screw type devices. One, narrowed end of the step is fixed to a vertical load-bearing support, and if positioned correctly, all steps form a spiral flight. The big advantage of such a system is that it does not take up much space.

• Combined designs.

Such structures can be made using all of the listed types of fastenings.

Stationary types are the most visually attractive, convenient and safe to use. However, it is not always possible to find suitable free space for installing capital attic systems.

Portable options

They are quite inconvenient to use for interfloor movements:

• Attached. This is the simplest device for ascent and descent. It can be used as a temporary one, brought and taken away at any time. The extensions are suitable for rare visits to this room. Such a device can be left in place, but it will not add any aesthetics to the interior. In addition, the unsteadiness and instability creates problems with the safety of the person using it.

• Ladder. Everything that has been said about the attached variety can be repeated about this type - with the only difference being that stepladders are a little more convenient and safe to use.

Most often, portable options are used when access to the attic is from the street.

Folding types

Manufacturers offer a large selection. They consist of 3-4 spans and are easily adjusted to any ceiling height. However, the price of these structures is quite decent.

Manufacturing

If the question arises about manufacturing, wood is the most suitable material for these purposes. There is no need to buy a ready-made design, as it is quite easy to make it yourself.

The production process of an attic ladder can be seen in the video in this article:

Production of stationary ladders on bowstrings

Capital construction with your own hands: stages of work. When making a structure, you will need bars for making a bowstring, boards for steps, a set of screws and anchors for fastening, varnish or paint for finishing.

Tools required for work:

Manufacturing instructions:

• A design drawing is being prepared.
• In accordance with the drawing, strings and steps are cut.
• In the bowstrings, grooves are cut out according to a pre-prepared stencil to install steps to a depth of 15-20 mm. The accuracy of cutting the grooves and maintaining the geometry are the most important part of the entire process, since, otherwise, the steps will become loose and the staircase will quickly become unusable.

• All parts are sanded with sandpaper.
• Before assembly, the parts are treated with an antiseptic.
• The grooves are coated with glue. Steps are being installed. For greater reliability, they are fixed from the outside using self-tapping screws. It is better to drown the hats and putty them.
• If necessary, you can install balusters and railings.
• Finishing with paints and varnishes.
• The structure is attached with anchors to the supports.

The result is a simple, but reliable and safe system.

Production

Requirements for folding structures:

• width of steps - 65-110 mm;
• number of steps - no more than 15;
• distance between steps is 16-20 cm;
• step thickness - 18-22 mm;
• height - no more than 3.5 m;
• load capacity - not less than 150 kg;
• tilt angle - 60-75 degrees.

Let's look at how to make it yourself:

Important! During the production of the structure, and especially during its installation, you will definitely need an assistant.

• A drawing is created.
• Details are being prepared. All cut areas are thoroughly cleaned.
• The hatch frame is being manufactured. The standard hatch size is 120x60 or 120x70, however, you can make it according to the existing opening.
• Using bolts and metal inserts, the frame is installed in the opening.
• The hatch cover can be made from 2 sheets of plywood 10 mm thick, laying polyethylene between them for vapor barrier. Can be used furniture board. We mount a handle to the lid.
• The cover is hung on the frame.

• On the prepared strings (on the inside), which will be used as supports, grooves are made (about 5 mm deep) for installing steps.
• The ends of the support beams are sawn off so that they are firmly placed on the floor. It is best to install plastic tips.
• For simplicity, you can use a structure cut into 3 fragments.
• The crossbars are secured with self-tapping screws between the strings. For strength, we recommend additionally applying glue to the joints.

• The parts are connected to each other using hinges.

• The design is made of sections, attached to the lid with corners (as in the photo).

• The valve is installed.
• For more convenient door opening, we recommend installing a lever-spring mechanism.
• The entire system is treated with a protective compound.

Important! Before attaching the system to the hatch, check that all components are functioning properly.

The result is a design that will provide secure access into the attic, and will not take up space in the house.

We looked at what types of wooden attic stairs there are, their types, and use cases. They gave advice on making a comfortable and functional staircase with your own hands. Now it's up to you!

Do-it-yourself attic staircase: standard dimensions and manufacturing process

The attic is traditional room in almost every country house. Its functionality is unusually wide. For example, this room is used as a storage room or workshop; some homeowners even decorate the attic as a living room or bedroom. In fact, the functional purpose of such a room depends solely on your own imagination, as well as financial capabilities. However, despite the wide variety of design options attic space, it is worth knowing that the attic ladder with a hatch is an integral part of it. If you do not build this structure, you simply will not be able to get into this room. Creating an attic staircase is a fairly simple matter, for which you don’t even have to turn to professionals in the construction industry.

Attic staircase must be functional

Actually, the most labor-intensive process in organizing the attic space is the design of the staircase segment. Before creating a project for a specific staircase for your home, you must first decide on the design category. The following options exist:

• foldable;
• stationary;
• portable.

Approximate diagram of a folding ladder with a hatch

Features of various designs

Construction industry specialists call the wide march structure the most reliable in the corresponding segment. It is worth noting that its durability, reliability and safety cannot be compared with structural analogues on the market. Meanwhile, despite the large number of advantages of this option, choosing in its favor is sometimes impossible due to the banal lack of necessary free space. Thus, if you do not have a large area for stairs, then stationary model won't suit you. However, you shouldn’t despair, because you can always build a folding staircase. Its design has the best characteristics of stationary and portable analogues. For example, it is not as reliable and safe as a stationary marching model, however, to organize such a structure it is necessary to have a very small amount of free space. In addition, folding models are the easiest to implement without the help of experienced professionals.

Simple two-piece staircase

Workaround

Portable models will be highlighted in separate category however, it is quite extensive. The variety of portable products is incredible. Meanwhile, we should not forget that the daily use of such a product can never become safe or comfortable enough, and the staircase itself is not able to compete with stationary and folding models in terms of operational and technical characteristics.

The staircase should be comfortable and functional

Selection of building materials

In the process of creating an attic staircase with your own hands, namely its preliminary drawing, it is worth paying attention to what building materials are usually used in this matter. Despite all the variety of products in the building materials segment, any experienced builder will tell you what it is certain types products that perform best during operation. As a rule, all main structural parts are made primarily of wood, while fastening and fixing elements are made of metals. Thanks to the competent selection of materials, a do-it-yourself attic ladder, the drawing of which was made by a non-professional, will be much stronger and more reliable.

Folding ladder on hinges

How to make your choice?

Due to the fact that building materials for folding stairs to the attic are presented in a variety of price segments, source material and characteristics, it’s quite easy to drown in a sea of ​​information about them. To minimize the time spent searching and selecting the best options, you should follow a number of rules:

• Specify the type of functional purpose of the structure, as well as its main parameters, including design features, sectionality, width, etc.
• Choose building materials in strict accordance with how actively the product will be used and under what conditions.
• Identify negative factors that can reduce the service life of the product.

Another typical attic staircase diagram

The main thing is to correctly define the function

Any specialist who has required level qualifications and experience in working with these types of objects will tell you that the final result of construction work on constructing a staircase to the attic with your own hands largely depends on the competent determination of the functional purpose of the product. This parameter allows you to calculate the permissible load on each step of the product. The standard value of this indicator for a metal product is about 250 kGs, but wooden models designed only for 150 kGs. In addition, it is worth considering that the above indicators are valid for products made by professionals, while home-made objects have slightly lower parameters. In general, the permissible pressure on a step does not mean that it cannot withstand greater stress. However, if you overload the structure too often, it will become unusable in a fairly short period of time.

When opening the hatch, you do not have to make much effort

So, the main criteria by which the choice is made optimal option, are:

• area of ​​free space in the room;
• functional purpose of the object;
• required angle of inclination of the product.

The creation of the drawing must be carried out in accordance with regulations

Stages of work and their features

In fact, experts say that there is nothing particularly difficult in creating a ladder with a hatch with your own hands. It is enough to adhere to certain rules that have been proven over the years. For example, when drawing up design drawings, you should be guided by regulatory and technical documentation, which, in addition to general conditions, also provides specific parameters of standard products. In addition, on the Internet there are a lot of ready-made schemes for every taste offered in the public domain. You can take a ready-made option and start implementing the project, or modify it a little in accordance with the individual characteristics of the house.

Tools recommended by experts

What to consider when designing?

The most general requirements of regulatory and technical documentation can be reduced to a number of simple and understandable conditions:

• the ergonomic range of product width is from 60 to 100 centimeters;
• the best height is three and a half meters;
• maximum number of steps – 15 pieces;
• the distance between adjacent steps should be about 20 centimeters;
• a comfortable step height for a person reaches about 20 centimeters, a deviation of 2 centimeters is allowed;
• If we are talking about a folding structure, then when creating the project, a permissible load of 15 kilograms is taken.

Tools

Having decided to independently carry out construction work, it is very important to stock up on a certain set of equipment, so that in the process of implementing the product project you do not stop due to the banal lack of a screwdriver or tape measure. So, the standard set of tools consists of the following items:

• polyurethane foam;
• bars;
• self-tapping screws;
• electric screwdriver;
• hacksaw;
• measuring tape;
• anchors;
• screwdrivers.

Building a staircase is not difficult

Location Features

All the nuances of the location of the object in the room will become visible during the construction process. This is especially true if you are involved in the creation and subsequent implementation of the project yourself. Remember that the product cannot in any way reduce the comfort of the room. That is why stairs with hatches are not located in bedrooms, living rooms and kitchens. However, if necessary, you can diversify your staircase design interesting design. Thanks to this, the product can harmoniously fit into the overall interior of the room.

Project implementation technology

By following a certain technology, you can quickly and efficiently implement even complex project. So, if you have chosen metal as the main material, then remember that the following steps are carried out:

• the drawing is applied to sheets of cardboard;
• cardboard elements of the future product are cut out;
• the hinge is marked on strips of metal and special holes are prepared;
• the prepared parts are fixed together;
• the required angle is measured and the structure is moved apart in accordance with the obtained parameters;
• on metal sheets, markings are applied to those places that will subsequently be covered with corners;
• elements are cut out using a special tool;
• gives an aesthetic appearance to the object;
• existing corners are rounded;
• The workpieces are fastened in pairs.

Before starting work, install a temporary ladder

As you can see, the technology for implementing a staircase project with your own hands is quite simple. It applies not only to metal objects, but also to wooden products.

In order for the appearance of the attic staircase to be as attractive as possible, do not be lazy to carry out preparatory work on the surface building material. We are talking, for example, about applying a special primer before covering the surface with a paint.

Do not be afraid of difficulties, because the technology for constructing stairs may seem problematic to you only at first glance and require experience in the construction industry. Applying the optimal amount of effort will help you achieve maximum results.

DIY stairs to the attic. How to make an attic ladder

There is an attic in any country house. Very often this is an unused room, but in some cases some unnecessary things are stored here or even a room is being furnished. In any case, there must be access to it, and for this purpose stairs are made to the attic. They can be made of wood and metal - in this case, you can make them yourself. Or they can be beautiful forged - such designs are usually created to order.

Basic Requirements

Before building an attic staircase, you need to consider several of its features. Firstly, it must be convenient and safe to use. Moreover, these two indicators depend on constructive principle the staircase itself and the attic. An important role is played by taking into account the type of staircase, the width of its steps, and the height of the rise. The height of the stairs is calculated depending on what its design will be. If it is a folding type, then you need to carefully consider its dimensions when folded.

The steps must be of such a size that it is comfortable and safe for anyone to climb them. The correctness of the design also depends on the location of the steps: the distance between them should not be too small or large. Failure to comply with these requirements will violate safety regulations.

The width of the flight of stairs to the attic must be at least 0.8 m. It is important that the angle of inclination is maintained: this needs to be thought through at the stage of designing the structure.

Types of stairs: folding or stationary?

The choice between these two types of structures depends on how large the area of ​​the attic is. Of course, a stationary staircase is more reliable and safe, but it is also solid, that is, it requires a lot of space. This is why many people prefer folding attic ladders: they are convenient, take up little space, due to the fact that they can be folded. Most often, such structures consist of several sections that overlap each other, thereby saving space. Moreover, they can always be adjusted depending on the required size.

Or retractable?

These designs are becoming increasingly popular, due to their advantages:

• are cheap;
• easy to install;
• take up little space thanks to the accordion-shaped design;
• reliable;
• mask the structure with an attic hatch.

All these advantages make retractable stairs so in demand. How to make it yourself?

Self-installation of a retractable ladder: main steps

The very first step should be a thorough analysis and check of the dimensions of the hatch opening. This is necessary to ensure that the parameters you choose coincide with the dimensions of the stairs. Then the location of the bars is thought out - first at the bottom, then at the top. Special spacers are located between the opening and the staircase - they will help better fix the structure. When it is laid, the spacers can be removed.

Or outside?

If space does not allow you to install retractable stairs, you can replace them external structure. It will provide communication between the outside world and internal space your home. The main thing is to remember the safety rules, since the operation of such a structure has its own characteristics. When installing an external staircase, it is important to choose the right material: it must be resistant to sunlight, have increased abrasive wear, reliable and wear-resistant.

Wooden staircase

Wooden stairs to the attic are the simplest option, which you can create with your own hands. There are several ways to do this. Let's look at the simplest and most practical ones.

To make an attic staircase, you first need to take measurements: we need parameters for the height of the room, the expected angle of inclination, which most often reaches 30 degrees, while the height is about 2.5 m. In order for the staircase to be reliable and correct from a design point of view, you need to think through and draw up the drawings correctly. The simplest wooden stairs are created on the basis of bars for stringers, bars corresponding to the width of the stairs for fastening, overhead hinges and boards from which we will make the steps. Yes, and don’t forget about the folding hangers - the hatch cover will be fixed on them. The installation process itself is as follows:

1. Between the stringers, steps are installed and securely fastened. This is done either with a tongue-and-groove fastening, or with self-tapping screws, or with glue. It is better to treat the steps with anti-slip pads - they will increase the safety of the structure.
2. The staircase is first secured under the ceiling opening using two bars that are equal to the width of the staircase. Their connection is made with loops.
3. We check how efficient the hinges are, and then finally tighten the fasteners.

This is the easiest way to create a staircase to the attic.

This is a more labor-intensive method of making a staircase, which can easily be installed even in a country house. It looks more aesthetically pleasing and has more reliable design, which is important in conditions of heavy load on it. The structure itself will be movable on one side, and the other half will be attached to the wall. To create such a staircase to the attic we will need:

• two boards of length corresponding to the height of the ceiling and the angle of inclination;
• boards for creating steps at least 0.5 m wide and about 3 cm thick;
• bolts, self-tapping screws as fasteners;
• card loops that will attach the steps.

It is important to arm yourself with a drawing - it will allow you to complete all the work efficiently and accurately. After determining the angle of inclination, you need to saw off the bars at the top and bottom so that they rest firmly on the floor. The boards along their entire length are divided into equal sections - here the steps will be located at the distance you need. The steps are fastened with card loops, and after the structure is completed, you can make it elegant by varnishing or painting it.

Metal stairs

Attic stairs made of aluminum look very beautiful, especially if your country house is decorated in the style of “minimalism” or “high-tech”. What's good about metal? Firstly, it is more reliable. Secondly, such structures are treated with special compounds that protect the surface from mechanical stress or corrosion. Thirdly, metal structures can withstand heavy loads.

The most popular among buyers are retractable metal stairs, which take up little space. They are relevant for rooms that are small in size, that is, where it is required rational use space.

How to do it yourself?

Despite all the difficulty technological process, do metal staircase You can do it yourself. Moreover, it can be made of either metal or a combination of materials. To make the simplest metal staircase we will need to prepare:

• welding machine;
• mechanical saw;
• an emery wheel, which we will use to remove burrs on the metal;
• a circular saw and a clamp for joining parts if the staircase has wooden parts;
• metal profile;
• pipes;
• steel sheets.

Please note that the quantity of materials is calculated based on the drawing. We will use a welding machine to make strong seams, so the staircase will be a monolithic and durable structure.

Such an aluminum or steel staircase will be constructed on the basis of a channel (size 8-10). The steps are made from sheet steel, if they are without additional finishing, you will need a grating on the steps that will protect you from falling. The fences are made of angle steel, and the supports for the treads are made of reinforcement. First, support devices are installed and welded onto the beam, then brackets for fastening are welded.

Metal attic stairs can have wooden overlays for the treads, but first you need to think about where the additional fasteners will be located. On metal steps, the holes for self-tapping screws should be located at a distance of 15 cm from each other. A plywood backing is mounted to the metal treads - it is attached with mounting adhesive, which after hardening retains its shape.

Finished aluminum staircase

Very often, many people prefer to buy ready-made structures rather than install them themselves. But even in this case you will have to work hard, since they are delivered disassembled. How to assemble? The general scheme of work is approximately as follows:

1. First, a sketch of the future staircase is created.
2. From metal profile or pipes are cut into 4 identical sections.
3. The pipe is secured in a vice and thoroughly cleaned of rust.
4. From metal sheet steps are cut out - they must be the same length.
5. The steps are tried on a flat surface and adjusted to size.
6. The steps are attached to the supports by welding - this is more reliable option than angles and bolts.
7. The bottom of the staircase is finished with rubber heels.

Forged structures: beautiful and modern

Very often in country houses, rooms with an attic or attic are connected with wrought-iron stairs. Moreover, they can be simple screw ones, or they can have ornate designs, which allows them to fit into any room stylistically. All spiral staircases can be divided into several types:

• in the first version, the staircase is supported by a central pillar and walls;
• in the second, the spiral staircase is removed from the walls and mounted on a support pillar with steps;
• in the third case, the staircase with a turn does not have a central pillar, but rests on spirally curved strings;
• the fourth option is a reliable metal staircase, which rests on a monolith pillar based on a steel pipe.

The most convenient are stairs, the span width of which is up to 900 mm with a diameter of the entire staircase structure of up to 2200 mm.

What if you buy it?

If you don’t want to do the installation yourself, you can always buy the same forged stairs, which are quite difficult to install yourself, much less come up with and make. Large selection Attic stairs are offered by many brands, not only in Russia, but also in other countries of the world. Let's look at the most popular:

1. STANDART ISO PLUS (MINKA, Austria). This folding wooden ladder is made of quality MDF and is designed for a maximum load of 150 kg. There are special protective attachments on the legs, and the metal handrail ensures maximum safety. This is a compact staircase, the price of which is on average 8,200 rubles.
2. The Danish company VELTA offers economy-class structures that can be installed in the attic or attic. For 6,000 rubles you get a simple staircase that is compact: it consists of three sections that can be conveniently assembled and retracted into the ceiling.
3. FAKRO stairs are made from winter-harvested pine, therefore they are reliable and durable in use. This company offers wide range products that are compact and have a wide price range. The insulated hatch cover is the most important advantage that this ladder has. The price of models starts from 8,000 rubles. It is also important that all connections of the structure are reliable and durable, the steps are supplemented with anti-slip grooves, making operation safe and comfortable.

Conclusions

Now you know how to make a staircase to the attic with your own hands. Having the simplest materials at hand, you will create a laconic but convenient wooden or aluminum structure.

Do-it-yourself attic staircase with hatch: drawings and step-by-step master classes with instructions

The staircase to the attic is a simple design that you can easily create yourself. It can be solid - made of wood or metal, or it can have a light and convenient folding shape. What options are suitable for your attic and how to make and install an attic ladder with a hatch with your own hands, read our material.

Stepladders for the attic? It's in the past!

The exit to the attic is almost always located in one of living rooms top floor of the house. Therefore, you have to either sacrifice space and spoil the interior, or use a portable stepladder. The last option is not only troublesome, but also quite risky, since unstable steps can break off, and in order to hold the stepladder itself, you often need to invite family members to help.

We suggest you make a choice in favor of a more reliable option - designing and implementing a new modern attic staircase. Types and recommendations for creating a good-quality staircase to the attic with your own hands, which we give below, will help you make your choice.

Attic stairs: overview of options

The main elements of the staircase are the bowstring and the stringer (side parts); tread (steps) and riser (for stationary stairs).

I. Capital steps

If there is enough space in your home, we recommend building a stationary staircase to access the attic or attic. This option is reliable, practical and durable. Capital steps can be performed on the basis metal frame or quality wood.

Monolithic stairs can be marching, with one or more bends, or spiral (spiral). Marching options have steps in the form of rectangular plates (boards), which evenly move upward at the same distance. A spiral staircase is folded around a central base, has steps narrowed towards the inner edge and is arranged in a spiral. The latter option is more compact and can be built even in small spaces, without compromising space.

The “advantages” of the capital option include durability, reliability and ease of use.

A capital staircase, in most cases, does not provide a hatch for access to the attic, so it is more suitable for houses with warm roof. For cold roof The exit to the attic must be closed with a sealed hatch. Standard sizes hatch - 120x70 cm. It makes no sense to make a smaller passage, as this will complicate both getting into the attic and installing steps.

The material for the hatch is wood, metal or plastic. You can order a blank for the hatch at the metal-plastic structures factory with installation or self-assembly. The hatch can be automatic or manual opening. With the latter option, a special pole is used to open the latch (lock) and lower the door with a ladder.

II. Portable ladders

Portable steps are the closest analogue of the “good old” stepladders. Such a ladder will only be reliable if you make a folding version with a platform. However, it is difficult to call such a design convenient. You will have to make extra efforts to get into the attic hole, and the issue of storing such a ladder will cause a lot of trouble.

III. Folding attic ladders with hatch

A very convenient and easy-to-implement type of attic ladder is folding steps connected to a hatch. Thanks to its convenient design, this type of steps has become the most popular among professional craftsmen.

Today there are many types of folding stairs, from which you can choose the most suitable option(telescopic, scissor, folding, etc.).

The folding mechanism is suitable for any attic spaces with a hatch onto which the staircase structure can be attached.

1. Scissor steps. This type is made of metal. The steps themselves can be wooden. The ladder is a compressing mechanism. When folded, the design takes on a very compact shape and size, so it is perfect for a small attic hatch;
2. Telescopic steps. They are a system of retractable sections (similar to a folding telescope). This option is made of aluminum and also looks very compact on a small attic door;
3. Folding (folding) stairs. This type is the most popular, as it is characterized by practicality, durability, cost-effectiveness and ease of installation. Below we will describe it in more detail.

In general, most stairs schematically look like this:

Before we begin designing an attic staircase, let's consider some standard design characteristics:

• The width of the march for attic steps should not exceed 60-65 cm;
• The height of the entire structure (taking into account the slope) is allowed up to 300 cm. Anything that exceeds this length becomes less stable and less strong. The higher the ladder, the less load it can withstand;
• Based on the recommended length of the stairs, the number of steps is selected - 13-15 pieces, with a distance between them of up to 20 cm;
• The most convenient and safe angle of inclination of the stairs is 60-700 degrees;
• Steps are a direct recipient of the load when climbing, so they must have a dense structure and a thickness of 18 mm, and be positioned strictly parallel to the floor.

The choice of material for a flight of stairs should be determined by the frequency of operation of the structure. Wood wears out faster than metal. So, if you go up to the attic every day, it is better to design the steps from metal. In other cases, wood, as a material that is light, environmentally friendly and easy to install, is very popular.

So, let's get started and create a modern attic staircase with a hatch with your own hands according to the drawings that our specialists have prepared for you.

Stages of design and installation of a staircase of three sections with a hatch

I. Preparation of the drawing

At this stage, the design is calculated. The length of the stairs is easy to calculate. We use a simple mathematical formula: D = B/, where α is the selected angle of inclination, B is the height of the ceiling. So, with a ceiling height of 3 m and an inclination angle of 60 degrees, the length of the staircase will be 3/0.867 = 3.46 m. ​​Craftsmen advise adding a few centimeters to the resulting figure in order to then more accurately measure and cut the required length:

The dimensions of the hatch should be slightly smaller than the opening itself. For the calculation, 6-7 mm is left on each side of the door.

We calculate the length of the sections according to the following scheme: the first section is the length of the hatch minus 10%; second section – length of the first section minus 10%; third section - the sum of the lengths of the first two sections is subtracted from the total length of the stairs.

Now you need to transfer the calculations to paper and start preparing necessary materials and tools.

II. Selection of materials and tools

To implement the project, you need to prepare carpentry tools: tape measure, chisel, hacksaw, screwdriver, welding machine (or capital connections for a metal frame), square, hacksaw, clamps, wood glue, masking tape, electrodes, wood glue.

The main materials that we will need: 50x50 mm bars for finishing the hatch (approximately 4-5 pieces); two boards for the bowstring 100x25 mm long, equal to the selected length of the ladder; board for steps 100x20 or 100x25 mm; plywood or material with similar characteristics (for the hatch door one is enough standard sheet); plates and angles for opening and hinges; nuts, bolts, screws, washers, etc.

III. Making a hatch door

Step I. Prepare the bars for the hatch. At the ends of the beams, make cuts and grooves to tightly connect the structure into a regular triangle using assembly adhesive and fasteners. Protect the corners of the frame with temporary plywood plates to prevent the rectangle from moving.

Step II. Attach a sheet of plywood of the appropriate size to the base of the bars. Now you need to try on the hatch to the passage to the attic. It should be 6-7 mm smaller on all sides.

Step III. Provide a lock for the attic door. This can be an automatic mechanism, or a very ordinary latch, which can be opened with a pole with a tip.

Step IV. We install hatch opening/closing mechanisms. If you don’t want to buy ready-made mechanisms, you can make them yourself. There should be two fastenings - left and right. For work, purchase a 4x20 mm steel plate and a corner. The photo shows a drawing of the left fastening part. The right one is performed in a mirror image. Dimensions are given arbitrarily. For more accurate calculations, consider your parameters. Before fastening, be sure to check the mechanisms in operation:

IV. Assembling the stairs

You can always order a ready-made sectional staircase from the craftsmen, which can be secured according to ready-made diagram on one's own. But if you decide to complete the work yourself, you can assemble the stairs from prepared materials.

Step 1. Mark on the strings the places where the steps will be installed. To do this, mark each part with a pencil, according to the selected angle of inclination of the stairs and the previously made calculations. Now press the ends of the boards tightly together and secure them with masking tape. This is necessary to drill through holes at the junction of sections. Drill a hole for the hinge with a diameter of about 25 mm at the junction of the first and second sections. Next, you need to remove the tape and turn the boards over, fastening them again. Now we drill a similar hole at the junction of the second and third sections:

Step 2. Cut the bowstrings along the marked lines. Next, grooves for the steps are made on the inside of the bowstrings using a chisel. The depth of the grooves must be at least 5 mm (this should also be taken into account at the first design stage). The lower section of the strings should be beveled according to the angle of inclination of the stairs.

Step 3. We cut the steps according to the markings and attach them to the left bowstring. We put the steps on glue and secure them with self-tapping screws. We attach the right bowstring and also fasten it with self-tapping screws.

Step 4. Attach the loops for sliding mechanism stairs. Hinges, like hinge mechanisms, can be bought in a store, or made independently from metal tape. We need eight strips of metal (you can use leftovers from the door mechanisms). Weld small pieces of the same strip to the four strips. We drill two holes in each part (for fastening and hinge). We connect the hinge with the hinges. Now we join the cut sections and attach the hinges so that each hinge fits into the groove (25 mm holes drilled before cutting the sections). We fasten the loops on the bowstrings:

V. Final assembly

Now the top of the finished ladder needs to be secured to the hatch, having first checked the operation of the hinge mechanisms. The staircase should also be checked after installation. After making sure that all parts are in good condition and functionality, open the steps with varnish:

And one more thing step by step guide for installation:

You can insulate and seal the hatch using foam rubber or construction wool. The edges of the hatch should be covered with rubber sealant tape.

That's it, your staircase with hatch is ready! This is exactly the option that is completely feasible “with one helmet.” We wish you fast and easy work.

DIY staircase to the attic

For country cottages, private houses and simple country houses equipped with an attic, the presence of a convenient and reliable staircase leading to the mentioned room is a common necessity of life.

DIY staircase to the attic

At the same time, the staircase does not have to be capital and bulky at all - you can assemble and install an excellent folding structure, which will be in no way inferior to stationary stairs.

DIY staircase to the attic

You can handle all the related tasks yourself, saving money and testing your own strength.

Choosing the type of staircase

There are several types of stairs that can be installed to access your attic.

Stationary

A staircase with wide flights and railings is the most reliable, durable and easy-to-use design. However, the possibility of arranging such a staircase is not available everywhere - it certainly cannot be equipped in small areas.

Portable

They are used primarily as a temporary option, as well as for access to rarely used rooms. The main disadvantages of such a ladder are low safety and ease of use. Therefore, if possible, the use of such a design should be abandoned.

Folding

They are something between portable and stationary ladders. In terms of ease of use and safety, they are practically in no way inferior to full-fledged stationary structures and, at the same time, have a significant advantage - they require very little space for their arrangement. Therefore, when making a staircase yourself, it is recommended to give preference to a folding structure.

Selection of materials

An equally important point is the choice of materials from which the stairs to the attic will be assembled. Wood is usually used to make the main elements of folding sectional stairs, and fasteners are traditionally made of metal.

Currently, there are many different materials, types of controls and fasteners, which makes it easy to assemble a folding staircase that will best suit your specific space.

When choosing materials for the manufacture of attic stairs, you need to take into account a number of important factors. First of all, decide on the functional purpose of the structure, its type, width, and the optimal number of sections.

The functional purpose of the stairs to the attic is very important in terms of determining the maximum permissible load on the steps. So, for example, factory-made wooden stairs can withstand an average load of 150 kgf, metal ones - 250 kgf. For homemade stairs, these figures are slightly reduced.

This does not mean that the steps will not be able to withstand a higher load, but it is definitely not worth loading them regularly, otherwise the structure will break very quickly.

Attic stairs, drawing

The width of the stairs should not be greater than the width of the attic opening.

When choosing the dimensions of the attic ladder, be guided by proven and approved standards.

• march width – at the level of 650-1100 mm;
• height - no more than 350 cm. With more significant values, the staircase noticeably loses in terms of rigidity and overall safety;
• number of steps – up to 15. In some situations, the number of steps can be increased with the obligatory additional strengthening of the structure;
• the distance between the steps is 15-20 cm, they are usually placed at a distance of about 18-19 cm;
• the thickness of the steps is about 2 cm, may deviate slightly in both directions;
• the angle of inclination is about 60-80 degrees. Installing stairs at a small angle requires a lot free space, a large angle reduces the safety of the structure.
• When designing a staircase, be sure to take into account the expected level of load on the structure.

Remember: the steps must be installed strictly parallel to the floor surface. In addition, the steps of the stairs must be non-slip. To do this, you can stuff linings of any non-slip material over the base material.

Interfloor opening size

Guide to making a staircase to the attic

There is nothing overly complicated about making your own stairs to the attic. Of course, an inexperienced craftsman is unlikely to be able to assemble a structure with the same attractive appearance as factory-made models, but it’s definitely worth a try.

DIY attic folding ladder

Before starting work, create a drawing of the future staircase. If you do not have the necessary skills, order the creation of a drawing from a specialist, or select a suitable diagram from the options presented in open sources.

One of the drawings

Tools

Prepare all the necessary tools immediately so as not to be distracted by searching for missing tools in the future.

• hacksaw;
• polyurethane foam;
• electric screwdriver;
• screwdrivers;
• anchor;
• self-tapping screws;
• bars;
• fastening loops;
• measuring tape.

Almost complete set

Markup Tools

Also, before starting work, you need to buy or assemble an ordinary ladder. To assemble such a structure yourself, you only need to fix the transverse steps between two long vertical posts and further strengthen the structure.

The finished staircase should be approximately 30 cm longer than the distance from the level of the opening to the attic to the floor.

You can also easily handle making a hatch with your own hands. The only materials you will need are sheets of plywood and a wooden beam 5x5 cm.

First step. Choose a location to place the hatch and determine its optimal dimensions. Add approximately 7-9 mm on each side to the dimensions of the hatch so that in the future you can easily close the lid without squeaks or other noise. Make the opening according to the specific dimensions.

Second step. Cut the wooden beam into four parts in accordance with the dimensions of the hatch.

A simple scheme for constructing an insulated attic hatch

Third step. Make grooves at the ends of the bars. Lubricate the prepared grooves and connect the bars into a rectangular (square) structure. Additionally strengthen the connections using self-tapping screws. Screw the gussets so that the diagonal does not move.

Fourth step. Attach the plywood cover to the resulting base and try on the product in the hatch opening.

Fifth step. Install a regular latch into the hatch cover. You will open the latch using the handle. Attach it to the lid and finally fix the product in the pre-aligned opening. Usually loops are used for this.

The hatch should open easily

Simple folding ladder

Start making a folding ladder. It is assumed that you already have at your disposal the previously mentioned wooden extension ladder.

First step. Attach a beam across the width to the bottom of the ladder. Attach the same block to the top of the product. In this case, the lower bar must be fixed rigidly, and the upper one - on the hinges.

Second step. Cut the ladder into 2 parts. The upper part should have a length of about 2/3 of the total length of the stairs.

Third step. Attach a pair of slats to provide additional diagonal rigidity.

Fourth step. Connect the parts of the structure using loops.

Fifth step. Secure the top beam under the hatch using anchors.

Sixth step. Secure the bottom of the ladder with a hook - this will prevent it from opening spontaneously. Place the loop on the stringer above the cutting line.

Seventh step. Press the finished structure against the wall surface and secure.

The main disadvantage of such a homemade staircase is its not very attractive appearance - the entire beam and fastening elements remain visible. However, such a staircase copes 100% with the main tasks - ensuring a convenient and safe ascent and return descent.

An improved and more attractive version of the previous design. There is also nothing complicated in making such a staircase; it is enough to follow all the instructions step by step.

Folding attic ladder with strings

First step. Divide a regular wooden ladder into 3 parts. Make the first part according to the dimensions of the attic hatch, make the second a little smaller than the first, and make the third such that the remaining space up to the floor surface is completely covered.

Second step. Take a small tool and measure the corner of the attic hatch. Transfer the angle to the boards, thus marking the location of the steps.

Third step. Drill holes where the hinges will be located between the individual stair sections.

Fourth step. Sand the edges of the structures.

Fifth step. Saw the boards at the hinge points.

Sixth step. Cut and sand the steps.

Seventh step. Prepare indentations for the steps in the strings.

Eighth step. Insert the steps into the prepared recesses. Use glue and further strengthen the connections with self-tapping screws.

Ninth step. Connect the sections of the stairs using special loops. To do this, the sections must be placed on a stable, flat surface.

Tenth step. Check the operation of all sections. If you find any defects or deviations, try to correct them immediately.

Eleventh step. Sand all wooden surfaces and coat them with varnish.

Twelfth step. After the varnish has completely dried, install the structure in the attic hatch opening. If necessary, make final adjustments to the structural elements.

Thus, self-assembly of a staircase is extremely simple and accessible to almost every event. At the same time, the cost of a homemade staircase will be much lower compared to the price of a similar factory-made design. Follow the instructions and everything will definitely work out.

Also read the article on our website - do-it-yourself staircase to the basement.

Video - Do-it-yourself staircase to the attic