Do-it-yourself retractable attic ladder drawings. Ladders to the attic with their own hands. How to make an attic ladder. Folding design on bowstrings

In most private houses, attics and attics are operated premises. And to get to the basement, of course, you need a staircase.

Types of attic stairs - device and construction types

Attic stairs can be located both outside and inside the building. The advantage of the second option is ease of use. You do not have to go outside to get to the attic, which is very important in the winter season. In addition, in the absence of access to the street, the attic does not come into contact with cold air, which significantly reduces heat loss.

By type of construction, the following types of attic stairs are distinguished:

1. Monolithic:
   • screw;
   • marching.
2. Folding loft ladders:
   • scissor;
   • folding or lever;
   • telescopic or sliding ladders;
   • folding.
3. Portable:
   • ladders;
   • attached.

Portable stairs are usually used as a temporary option for connecting floors. They are used during the construction of a house or to access attic spaces that are rarely used. They are not safe.

The most convenient, of course, are the traditional monolithic stairs, with a wide march and railings. But it is far from always possible to place a massive structure leading to the attic - there may simply not be enough space.

In this case, retractable attic stairs will be the best option. They are quite convenient and safe, easy to use and take up very little space. A wide variety of designs will allow you to choose the option that suits you.

Folding ladder-transformer

Attic folding stairs are made of wood and metal (aluminum). The combination of these materials gives the best results. A flight of stairs is made of wood to reduce the weight of the structure, and springs, mechanisms and fasteners are made of metal to ensure the rigidity of the product. Of course, there are also purely metal models.

For wooden models, hardwoods should be used. The thickness of the beam must be at least 2 cm. The tree should not be used when the folding ladder is used too intensively, because this leads to rapid wear. In this case, the best option is a metal attic ladder.

Plastic fittings are also used to prevent friction of components during transformation and seal the opening when the product is folded. The manhole cover is filled with polystyrene foam and provides good thermal insulation.

Folding attic stairs can be opened both manually and automatically, using an electric drive. Often, with a manual drive, a load is attached to the mechanism, which greatly facilitates the assembly process, as if tightening the ladder into a niche and, on the contrary, smoothly lowers it, compensating for the weight of the product.

The main requirements for such products are compact dimensions and strength. The aesthetics of the model is also important - a good transformer staircase should merge with the ceiling.

Standard dimensions of attic stairs:

• the width of the stairs. The optimal width is about 65 cm;
• ladder height. It is not recommended to use a product with a height of more than three and a half meters, because then the rigidity of the structure suffers, and a fall from such a height can lead to serious injury. The process of lowering or raising it will also be inconvenient. In this case, you still have to opt for a monolithic staircase;
• number of steps. Usually equal to 14 or 15;
• distance between steps. It is believed that the optimal step width is 19.3 cm. With a larger or smaller value, the stairs will be inconvenient to use;
• the thickness of the steps is in the range from 18 to 22 mm;
• the angle of the stairs. The standard value is considered to be a value from 60 to 75 degrees. With a greater slope, it will be dangerous to use the stairs, with a smaller slope, the product will take up too much space;
• folding attic ladder must withstand a weight of at least 150 kg;
• steps should be parallel to the floor and not slip, or anti-slip pads should be glued to the steps.

When buying folding attic stairs, it is necessary to take into account that the product parameters must match the dimensions of the hatch cover, otherwise, the folding parts will touch the opening. The hatch is considered optimal, in which a sliding ladder 70 cm wide and 120 cm long is built in. With a smaller opening, it is inconvenient to climb. If the dimensions of the hatch are too large, then large heat losses are possible. Since the attic is an unheated room, it is necessary to provide good heat and vapor barrier.

When choosing the angle of inclination of the stairs to the attic, it is important to consider that the smaller the angle, the larger the dimensions of the attic hatch must be made and the more space the ladder occupies when unfolded.

Sliding attic stairs - retractable marches to the attic

scissor ladder
As a rule, they are made entirely of metal. They also bear the name "accordion staircase", which has taken root due to the fact that the structure is folded in the form of an accordion. And the transformation mechanism resembles a sliding tram current collector and is shaped like a parallelogram or an oval.

A retractable staircase to the attic has one drawback inherent in cheap models. Due to the fact that the structure is completely made of metal, with poor-quality assembly or over time, the flight of stairs begins to creak. This can be avoided by periodically lubricating the retractable ladder.

Telescopic ladders

The telescopic ladder consists of many retractable sections that fold into one another. Made from aluminum for light weight and rigidity. In the domestic market, a sliding attic ladder is quite rare and is not very popular.

Folding stairs to the attic - sectional and articulated

Folding stairs can consist of two, three or four sections, depending on the design. The first knee has a length equal to the dimensions of the hatch cover, and is rigidly fixed to it. The other two segments open up and form an even flight of stairs. Sectional stairs are so mobile thanks to special hinges and hinges.

Reclining ladder

If you love order, you suffer from lack of space, and you have a second floor or attic, a folding staircase can be a great option to meet all your needs at once. The idea is this: most of the time, the structure is folded and fixed to the wall, and only in the evening, when you need to go up to the bedroom, you put it forward.

The steps are attached to the bowstring with card loops. When folded, the structure is fixed on the wall. The reclining design is not very popular because of its complexity, but later in the article we will still tell you how to do it yourself.

Do-it-yourself attic folding stairs

Option number 1 - a simple design of 2 sections

Do-it-yourself attic stairs are made within 2-3 hours. To make an attic ladder we need:

• hacksaw for woodworking;
• measuring tape;
• stairs, the height of which will be about 30 cm more than the distance to the ceiling;
• four card loops as wide as a kosour;
• two bars, the length of which is equal to the width of the hatch and two more bars, longer than the first, by about 20 cm. The thickness of the bars is 2-3 cm;
• self-tapping screws, anchors, hook and eyelet.

We fasten one of the short bars to the upper end of the ladder with the help of loops, the other is rigidly fixed to the bottom. Two slats are attached to the flight of stairs obliquely so that they do not interfere with movement. They will give the whole structure rigidity.

Next, we measure 2/3 of the length of the stairs and make a neat cut. Then we connect both parts with the help of loops. It is important to attach the hinges with the correct side so that the ladder folds in the correct direction, as shown in the photo.

The upper bar is fixed to the wall immediately under the hatch. So that the folding ladder to the attic does not open, it is fixed to the wall with a hook. The eyelet is screwed into the kosour next to the cut, and the hook is fixed to the wall.

The disadvantage of this model is that it remains in sight. This can be avoided by using a product of a more complex design, in which the sections are attached to the hatch cover. Let's see if it is possible to make such an attic ladder with your own hands.

Option number 2 - a hatch to the attic with a ladder

We will tell you how to make a ladder to the attic, consisting of 3 sections, which is identical in design to those sold in stores. Here is such a folding attic ladder we should succeed.

How to make a hatch to the attic with your own hands - the basis of a folding ladder

You can make a hatch to the attic from improvised means. First, we will determine the location and size of the opening, and then we will make a hatch. Let's say the size of the stairway is 125 by 70 cm. Then, in order to cut out the hatch, you should add 7-8 mm to these dimensions on each side. These gaps will allow the lid to close easily, but will not affect the thermal insulation.

From the material you will need:

• four bars 50 × 50 mm - two short and two long;
• 10mm plywood sheet (in our case, two panels are used - unfortunately, there was no solid sheet at hand).

At the ends of the bars we make cuts in half the thickness, coat with glue and fix with self-tapping screws, after checking the diagonals. In order for the diagonal not to go away, you should use temporary scarves made of 4 mm plywood. After, we remove them and already fasten a sheet of 10 mm plywood (the photo shows how the sheet is fixed along the perimeter with PSh screws). Next, try on the opening.

In order for the hatch to close well and there are no locks outside, we cut a door latch into the lid. Our packaging said "reinforced". To open the latch, we will use an old handle (you can use any device in the form of a cylinder), which is inserted into a special hole. The latch holds the hatch well, very convenient.

Attic ladder mechanism with hatch - articulated without spring

The turn has come to the most difficult - the opening mechanisms. All components, of course, can be bought in the store, but we will go the hard way and do everything ourselves.

To begin with, let's draw on cardboard a drawing of an attic staircase with an approximate angle at which the hatch should open. Cut out the cardboard parts and try on the design. Thus, you can quite accurately choose the length of the hinges.

I think everyone in the garage will find iron corners, trim strips and pieces of sheet metal, in general, everything that can be used to make a mechanism for a ladder. For one mechanism we need:

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

We mark the holes for the hinges, the distances of which we previously estimated empirically, and drill them under the M10 bolt. Assemble together without tightening the bolts too much. With a small one, we measure the desired opening angle of the hatch and push the future mechanism to the selected angle. We mark on the metal the area that, when opened, overlaps the corner and cut it out with a jigsaw.

We bring the strips of metal into the proper form, cutting off the excess length and rounding the ends. So they will not touch the corner and interfere with each other. We assemble the whole mechanism again. After we removed part of the metal, the corner began to abut and stop in the desired position.

So, one mechanism is ready, now we proceed to the manufacture of the second. It is very important that it turns out exactly the same, but in a mirror version. To do this, we fasten each pair of parts with clamps and drill the necessary holes.

After one hole is cut out, insert a bolt into it and drill the second one.

Then, twisting both parts with bolts, we level them in length.

In this way we make all the parts.

The output should be two completely identical mechanisms.

Now we will install the mechanisms on the hatch and try it on in the stairwell. It turned out that even when designing the unit, we made a mistake - we did not take into account the height of the fastening on the floor beam. That is, the part simply got out of the overlap. Because of what we had to install temporary bars.

We adjust the hatch so that it opens well and does not touch the walls of the opening.

Now let's make another simple mechanism to support the whole structure. We need two strips of metal 20 mm wide and a corner. To do this, we weld a piece of metal to the end of one of the strips, into which the second strip will abut. From the corner we make a support platform.

The result should be a hinge, which, when opening the hatch, remains slightly bent and at the same time holds the load. Subsequently, this node will need to be installed in such a way that it is fully expanded when the mechanisms made earlier are opened to the maximum. Then the load that the hinged ladder creates will be equally distributed between them.

Do-it-yourself wooden staircase on bowstrings

Do-it-yourself staircase to the attic is built from wooden boards. We will cut the bowstring and steps from an inch board 100 mm wide. The length of the first section is made according to the size of the hatch, the second is the same or slightly less than the first, but taking into account the fact that it should not touch the ceiling during the transformation process. The third section is equal to the distance that is left to the floor.

We measure the angle of inclination of the hatch in the open position with a small one and transfer it to the board, thereby marking the steps. Next, mark the length of the sections.

Pressing the boards tightly against each other and fastening them with molar tape, we transfer all the markings to the second board (the lines should be in mirror image). Using a pen at 25, we drill a hole where the hinge hinge will subsequently be located.

Now attention, we made the mistake of drilling both holes on the same side, because the second recess should be on the outside of the boards, as noted in the photo.

For a more aesthetic look, we grind all the edges with a milling cutter.

On the bowstrings of the stairs we make small recesses (5 mm) for the steps. Using glue and PSh screws, we collect all the details together. It should turn out just like in the photo.

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 staircase with a hatch with your own hands, read in our material.

Access to the attic is almost always located in one of the living rooms on the top floor of the house. Therefore, you either have to 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 ladder itself, you often need to invite home help.

We suggest you make a choice in favor of a more reliable option - the design and implementation of a new modern attic staircase. The types and recommendations for creating a solid 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 stairs are the bowstring and kosour (side parts); tread (steps) and riser (for fixed stairs).

I. Capital Steps

If there is enough space in your house, then we advise you to build a stationary staircase to access the attic or attic. This option is reliable, practical and durable. Capital steps can be made on the basis of a metal frame or high-quality wood.

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

The "pluses" of the capital option include durability, reliability and comfort in use.

The capital staircase, in most cases, does not provide a hatch for access to the attic, so it is more suitable for houses with a warm roof. For a cold roof, the exit to the attic must be closed with an airtight hatch. The standard dimensions of the hatch are 120x70 cm. It does not make sense to make a smaller passage, as this will make it difficult to get into the attic and install the steps.

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

II. Portable ladders

Portable steps - the closest analogue of the "good old" stepladders. Such a ladder will be reliable only if you make a folding version with a platform. However, it is difficult to call such a construction 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 stairs with hatch

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

Today, there are many varieties of folding ladders, among which you can choose the most suitable option (telescopic, scissor, folding, etc.).

The folding mechanism is suitable for any attic with a hatch, on which the ladder structure can be fixed.

1. Scissor steps. This type is made of metal. The steps themselves can be wooden. The ladder is a compressible 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 (like a folding telescope). This option is made of aluminum and also looks very compact on a small attic door;
3. Folding (folding) ladders. This type is the most popular, as it is characterized by practicality, durability, economy and ease of installation. Next, we will describe it in more detail.

In general, most stairs schematically look like this:

Before proceeding with the design of the attic stairs, consider some of the standard design features:

• 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 the direct recipient of the load when lifting, so they must have a dense structure and a thickness of 18 mm or more, and be located strictly parallel to the floor.

The choice of material for the 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 stairs made of 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 do-it-yourself hatch according to the drawings that our experts have prepared for you.

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

Any work must begin with a project. Determine the height of your future stairs, taking into account the height of the ceiling and a slope of 60-70 degrees. It is also worth accurately measuring the attic passage and drawing the appropriate diagram. The drawing should contain the following information: the length of the stairs, the angle of inclination, the height of the ceiling of the room, the dimensions of the passage and the attic hatch, the width of the march, the number and dimensions of the sections, the number, distance and dimensions of the steps.

I. Drawing preparation

At this stage, the design is calculated. The length of the stairs is easy to calculate. We use a simple mathematical formula: D \u003d 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 angle of inclination of 60 degrees, the length of the stairs will be 3 / 0.867 = 3.46 m. ​​Masters advise adding a few centimeters to the resulting figure, so that later you can more accurately measure and cut off the desired length:

The dimensions of the hatch should be slightly smaller than the opening itself. For calculation, 6-7 mm are 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%; the second section is the 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 the calculations need to be transferred to paper and proceed to the preparation of the necessary materials and tools.

II. Choice of materials and tools

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

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

III. Hatch door manufacturing

Step I. Prepare the bars for the hatch. At the ends of the bars, make notches-grooves to tightly connect the structure into a regular triangle using mounting adhesive and fasteners. Protect the corners of the frame with temporary plywood plates so that the rectangle does not lead.

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. It can be an automatic mechanism, or the most ordinary latch that can be opened with a pole with a tip.

Step IV. We mount the mechanisms for opening / closing the hatch. If you do not want to buy ready-made mechanisms, you can make them yourself. There should be two fasteners - left and right. For work, purchase a 4x20 mm steel plate and a corner. The photo shows a drawing of the left mounting detail. The right one is mirrored. The sizes are given conditionally. For more accurate calculations, consider your parameters. Before fixing, be sure to check the mechanisms in operation:

IV. We assemble the stairs

You can always order a ready-made sectional ladder from the masters, which you can fix yourself according to the finished scheme. But if you decide to do the work with your own hands to the end, you can assemble a ladder from prepared materials.

Step 1. We mark the places for mounting the steps on the bowstrings. To do this, mark each part with a pencil, according to the selected angle of inclination of the stairs and the calculations made earlier. Now press the ends of the boards tightly together and fasten them with masking tape. This is necessary to drill through holes at the junction of the sections. Drill a hole for a 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 are made for steps 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 bowstring should be beveled according to the angle of the stairs.

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

Step 4 We fasten the hinges for the sliding ladder mechanism. Hinges, like hinge mechanisms, can be bought at the store, or made independently from metal tape. We need eight strips of metal (you can use the remains of the door mechanisms). Weld small pieces of the same strip to 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 apply the hinges so that each hinge falls into the groove (25 mm holes drilled before cutting the sections). We fix the loops on the bowstrings:

V. Final Assembly

Now the top of the finished ladder needs to be fixed to the hatch, after checking the operation of the hinge mechanisms. The ladder should also be checked after installation. After making sure that all the details are in good condition and functional, open the steps with varnish:

And another step-by-step installation guide:

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

That's all, your staircase with a hatch is ready! This is exactly the option that is quite feasible "in one helmet." We wish you fast and easy work.

The attic is a traditional room in almost every country house. Its functionality is extremely wide. For example, this room is used as a storage room or workshop, some homeowners even design 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 attic space design options, it is worth knowing that an attic staircase with a hatch is an integral part of it. If you do not build this structure, then you simply cannot get into this room. Creating an attic staircase is a fairly simple matter, in connection with which you do not even have to turn to professionals in the construction industry.

Attic stairs must be functional

Structure classification

Actually, the most time-consuming process in the organization of the attic space is the design of the stair segment. Before creating a project for a specific staircase for your home, you must first determine the design category. There are such options:

• folding;
• stationary;
• portable.

Approximate diagram of a folding ladder with a hatch

Features of various designs

Construction industry experts call a wide marching structure the most reliable in the corresponding segment. It is worth noting that its durability, reliability and safety cannot be compared with constructive counterparts on the market. Meanwhile, despite the large number of advantages of this option, the choice in its favor is sometimes impossible due to the banal lack of the necessary free space. Thus, if you do not have a large area for stairs, then the stationary model will not suit you. However, you should not despair, because you can always build a folding ladder. Its design has the best characteristics of stationary and portable counterparts. For example, it is as reliable and safe as a stationary marching model, however, to organize such a design, 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

Temporary solution

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

Stairs 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, you should pay attention to what building materials are commonly used in this case. Despite all the variety of products in the building materials segment, any experienced builder will tell you that there are certain types of products that perform best during operation. As a rule, all the main structural parts are made mainly of wood, while fasteners and fixing elements are made of metals. Thanks to the competent selection of materials, a do-it-yourself attic staircase, the drawing of which was made by a non-professional, will be an order of magnitude stronger and more reliable.

Folding ladder with 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 is quite easy to drown in a sea of ​​information about them. To minimize the time spent on searching and choosing the best options, you should be guided by a number of rules:

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

Another typical scheme of the attic stairs

The main thing is to correctly define the function

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

When opening the hatch, you do not have to make great efforts.

So, the main criteria by which the choice of the optimal option is carried out are as follows:

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

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

Stages of work and their features

Actually, experts say that there is nothing particularly difficult in creating a staircase with a hatch with your own hands. It is enough to adhere to certain rules, tested over the years. For example, when drawing up design drawings, one should be guided by regulatory and technical documentation, in which, in addition to general conditions, specific parameters of standard products are also given. In addition, on the Internet, a lot of ready-made schemes for every taste are offered in the public domain. You can take the finished version and proceed with the implementation of the project, or slightly modify it in accordance with the individual characteristics of the house.

Tools recommended by experts

Figure 9

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;
• the maximum number of steps is 15 pieces;
• the distance between adjacent steps should be about 20 centimeters;
• the step height comfortable 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 a project, a permissible load of 15 kilograms is taken.

Tools

Having decided on the independent implementation of 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:

• mounting foam;
• bars;
• self-tapping screws;
• electric screwdriver;
• hacksaw;
• yardstick;
• anchors;
• screwdrivers.

Building a staircase is not a difficult task.

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 engaged in the creation and subsequent implementation of the project yourself. Remember that the product can in no way reduce the comfort of the room. That is why stairs with a hatch are not located in bedrooms, living rooms and kitchens. However, if necessary, you can diversify your staircase project with an interesting design. Thanks to this, the product will be able to harmoniously fit into the overall interior of the room.

Project implementation technology

Following a certain technology, you can quickly and efficiently implement even a 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;
• hinge marking is applied on metal strips and special holes are prepared;
• prepared parts are fixed to each other;
• the required angle is measured and the structure is moved apart in accordance with the parameters obtained;
• on metal sheets, markings are applied to those places that will subsequently be covered with corners;
• elements are cut using a special tool;
• aesthetic appearance of the object is given;
• existing corners are rounded;
• workpieces are fastened in pairs.

Before starting work, install a temporary ladder

As you can see, the technology for working on the implementation of the 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 stairs to be as attractive as possible, do not be too lazy to carry out preparatory work on the surface of the building material. We are talking, for example, about applying a special primer before covering the surface with a coloring matter.

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

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

At the same time, the staircase should not be capital and bulky at all - you can assemble and install an excellent folding structure that will not be inferior to stationary stairs in any way.

Ladder to the attic with your own hands

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

Selecting the type of stairs

There are several types of ladders that can be installed to access the attic.

Stationary

attic stairs

Stationary ladder

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 far from being everywhere - it is definitely not possible to equip it in small areas.

portable

Portable option

They are mainly used 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

folding ladder

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, they have a significant advantage - very little space is needed for their arrangement. Therefore, when making stairs yourself, it is recommended to give preference to a folding structure.

Material selection

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

Attic stairs

Nowadays, there are many different materials, types of controls and fasteners, which makes it easy to assemble a folding ladder that will best suit your particular room.

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

Attic stairs

The functional purpose of the stairs to the attic is very important in terms of determining the maximum allowable load on the steps. So, for example, factory-made wooden stairs are able to withstand an average load of 150 kgf, metal - 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, blueprint

The width of the stairs, at the same time, should not be more than the width of the attic opening.

When choosing the size of the attic stairs, be guided by proven and approved standards.

• march width - at the level of 650-1100 mm;
• height - no more than 350 cm. At more significant values, the ladder noticeably loses in terms of rigidity and overall safety;
• the number of steps is 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, it may deviate slightly in both directions;
• the angle of inclination is about 60-80 degrees. To install stairs at a small angle, you need a lot of free space, while a large angle reduces the safety of the structure.
• When designing stairs, be sure to consider the expected level of load on the structure.

  Stair dimensions

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

Interfloor opening size

Attic stairs guide

In the independent manufacture of stairs to the attic there is nothing super complicated. 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.

Do-it-yourself attic folding ladder

Before starting work, create a drawing of the future stairs. In the absence of the necessary skills, order the creation of a drawing by a specialist, or select the appropriate scheme from the options presented in open sources.

One of the drawings

Tools

Prepare at once all the necessary devices so as not to be distracted by the search for missing tools in the future.

You will need:

• hacksaw;
• mounting foam;
• electric screwdriver;
• screwdrivers;
• anchor;
• self-tapping screws;
• bars;
• fastening loops;
• yardstick.

  Almost complete set

  Markup tools

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

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

Luke

simple hatch

With the manufacture of the hatch, you can also easily do it yourself. From the materials you will need only sheets of plywood and a wooden beam 5x5 cm.

First step. Choose a place to place the hatch and determine its optimal dimensions. Add about 7-9 mm to the dimensions of the hatch on each side, so that in the future you can easily close the lid without squeaks and other noise. Make an opening in accordance with certain dimensions.

Manhole box

Second step. Cut the wooden beam into four pieces according to the dimensions of the hatch.

A simple scheme for building an insulated hatch to the attic

Third step. Make grooves at the ends of the bars. Lubricate the prepared grooves and connect the bars into a rectangular (square) structure. Strengthen the connections additionally with self-tapping screws. Screw the scarves so that the diagonal does not lead.

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

Fifth step. Insert a regular latch into the hatch cover. You will open the latch with the handle. Attach it to the cover 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 ladder.

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

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

Third step. Attach a pair of battens for extra diagonal stiffness.

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

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

Sixth step. Secure the lower part of the ladder with a hook so that it will not unfold spontaneously. Install the loop on the stringer above the cut line.

Seventh step. Press the finished structure to the wall surface and fix it.

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

Finished construction

Folding attic ladder on bowstrings

An improved and more attractive version of the previous design. There is nothing complicated in the manufacture of such a ladder, it is enough to follow all the provisions of the manual step by step.

Folding attic ladder on bowstrings

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

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

Third step. Drill holes at the hinge locations between the individual ladder sections.

Fourth step. Sand the edges of the structures.

Fifth step. Saw the boards at the hinge points.

Sixth step. Cut and sand steps.

Seventh step. Prepare recesses for steps in bowstrings.

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 with special loops. To do this, the sections must be placed on a stable, level surface.

Tenth step. Check the operation of all sections. If defects or deviations are found, try to correct them immediately.

Eleventh step. Sand all wood surfaces and varnish them.

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

Stairs

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

Successful work!

Also read the article on our website - stairs to the basement with your own hands.

Video - Do-it-yourself ladder to the attic

An attic hatch with a ladder is the key to comfortable operation of the structure. In many houses, the attic is not just a room filled with rubbish, but a room that is quite suitable for rest or work, which is often used. In this case, the question arises of a safe and convenient ascent to this very room. Of course, you can use ladders or other attached structures, but a ladder hidden in an attic hatch will be much easier and more comfortable to use. Moreover, making such a thing with your own hands is not so difficult.

Folding attic stairs with a hatch: sizes and types

Stairs that lead to the attic are divided into three main types: stationary (they cannot be moved), portable and folding.

The first type is inconvenient because it takes up a lot of space. The second is a rather troublesome option, since the stairs have to be constantly moved from place to place. But the flip-flops are exactly what you need. They are compact, can be removed at any time and, as a rule, are generally invisible if they are hidden in the hatch.

The attic hatch, despite the simplicity of its design, can be:

• horizontal- the most common type, mounted in the ceiling;
• vertical- its second name is manhole, the most convenient to use;
• Mansard- also leads to the roof, has a complex device, so it is better to order it from specialists;
• Auditing- designed more to check the room (usually used if the place is very small, and you need to monitor the room).

The dimensions of the hatch must clearly correspond to the dimensions of the stairs. Otherwise, there will be difficulties with its operation.

Folding attic stairs are of three types

• The height of the structure should not exceed 3 meters, otherwise its safety becomes jeopardized;
• The width of the ladder can be from 60 cm to 1 m;
• Flights of stairs are best done in the region of 60-65 cm;
• The number of steps should not be more than 15, and their height varies within 20 cm;
• Also, the steps should not slip, and their location should be clearly parallel to the floor;
• The angle of inclination of the stairs is recommended to be made from 60 to 70 degrees.

The manhole cover can be made in one piece or from two identical halves. The latter option is very convenient with a wide opening. In this case, it is not necessary to lift the lid completely.

You can, of course, resort to a simpler option. Namely, buy a hatch with a ladder in the store. For example, in Ob. You can get acquainted with the products directly in the online catalog and choose exactly what you need for your home or summer cottage.

Reliable attic stairs with a do-it-yourself hatch: drawings and tips

In addition to size, it is important to decide on the material from which the hatch will be made. To create it, wood or metal can be used, as well as for stairs.

Before proceeding with construction, it is necessary to create structural drawings and choose a place where it is most convenient to place the hatch.

• In no case should the hatch fall on the floor beam;
• It is also desirable not to touch the roof rafters;
• The direction of the hatch and its location largely depends on the direction of the rafters (you need to focus on them in the first place).

You can make an attic staircase with a hatch with your own hands, but before that you need to create design drawings

The dimensions of the hatch must match the dimensions of the ceiling opening. Otherwise, the hatch may become crooked, which will make it difficult to operate, and over time, it may lead to cracks in the ceiling itself.

The place where the hatch will be placed will require additional reinforcement in all directions. Moreover, if the attic is not heated, then it is necessary to think about the thermal insulation of the lid.

After creating the drawings and determining the place where the hatch will be located, you can begin to manufacture it.

Airtight hatch to the attic with a staircase with your own hands

There is nothing difficult in making a hatch with your own hands along with a ladder leading to the attic. You just need to follow a certain sequence of actions and work according to the instructions.

The hatch itself can be a ready-made structure with existing seals on both sides and with external strips around the entire perimeter. Given this, the process of securing the hatch can be simplified.

Creating an airtight hatch to the attic is not so difficult, the main thing is to follow the instructions and sequence

So, the work of fixing the hatch to the attic consists of the following steps:

1. Preparing the opening in the ceiling - all measurements can be taken from inside the room in the attic. So it will be more convenient. You can use an electric drill to drill holes around the perimeter of the future hatch. And cut the hole itself with a jigsaw.
2. Fitting the hatch - having removed all the linings on it and leaving only the frame, you need to lean the hatch against the opening and check the fit. The hatch should fit into the hole like a "poured" one. At the same stage, you can attach a latch to the hatch.
3. Mounting and fixing - it is better to do this work with two people. You need to start from the side of the attic. The upper outer bar is attached directly to the hatch and fixed in the hole. Then, from the side of the room, the lower bar is attached and fixed to the ceiling. The cover is fixed.
4. Checking the design - do not immediately give the maximum load on the stairs. It is better to do it gradually.

If you wish, you can make a beautiful decoration of the entrance to the attic. If you want the hatch to be invisible, it is better to use the same materials that were taken for the ceiling, or vice versa, highlight it with a bright spot. If the hatch is made of metal, it can be painted.

How to make an attic insulated hatch with a ladder

In order to prevent heat from leaving the room, the hatch can be made with additional thermal insulation. This is not difficult.

The process of creating an insulated hatch with your own hands looks like this:

1. From slats of 25 or 30 mm, a rectangular frame is knocked down 40 - 50 mm less than the opening on all sides;
2. The hatch frame itself is sheathed with fiberboard, wooden crate or plywood;
3. In order to make the hatch warm, a vapor barrier film is placed on its base, and mineral wool, polystyrene foam or some other insulating material is placed on top;
4. Next, the insulation is fixed with boards and glued, and the other side is treated with fiberboard or plywood;
5. Then loops are attached to the already insulated hatch and to the ceiling, and the opening is sheathed with platbands.

An additionally insulated hatch can be protected with a special sealing rubber so that it “sits” tightly.

Attic hatch with stairs can be additionally insulated

Installing the hatch in the hole is carried out in this way:

1. Two boards are installed on which the structure will be attached;
2. Installation is done with special spacers and the frame is leveled;
3. Next, the screws are screwed into the front and back of the frame, and any gaps are filled with thermal insulation;
4. Then the mounting boards are removed and the ladder is checked by laying it out and inspecting it for distortions and irregularities.

You can also save yourself time and opt for stairs that already have a hatch with an insulated cover and are manufactured by well-known companies.

For example, the Fakro company produces ladders that are famous for their practicality, reliability and come with an already insulated manhole cover. They are sold already assembled, so their installation will be quick and easy.

In addition to Fakro, it is worth noting the Velux company. Thanks to the consistent quality of its products, it has been a market leader in its industry for many years. Its products were able to appreciate the residents of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.

All VELUX ladders can be divided into three groups:

1. Economy- folding design, consisting of three sections without insulation. Can serve well in the garage or in the country.
2. "Basic"- also has three sections and additionally insulated manhole cover.
3. "Compact"- consists of four shortened sections, has a special insulation. Great for small spaces where it is problematic to put a regular staircase.

As you can see, there is a choice - to make a hatch with a ladder yourself and thereby reduce your costs or buy a ready-made structure.

Standard attic hatch without ladder

The hatch does not have to be with a ladder, it can be without it. It is simpler in design, but also less convenient. After all, the ladder will still have to be attached or somehow fixed.

The hatch itself is pretty easy to make. As a rule, wooden bars are used for these purposes, which are assembled into a rectangle and screwed together at the corners with self-tapping screws.

A standard hatch without a ladder can be made independently, and without much effort

Installation of the attic hatch in the opening looks like this:

• Fixing the hatch in the opening - this can be done by placing it on boards laid across the opening to the ceiling;
• Fixing the hatch - this must be done so that the distance on all sides between it and the opening is the same;
• Next, wooden inserts are inserted into the slots and at least 3 self-tapping screws are screwed on each side;
• The empty space between the opening and the hatch is blown with foam, and after it dries, you can deal with lining and finishing.

Actually, that's all the work. This is easy to do even for a beginner. The main thing is not to be afraid and boldly get down to business.

How to mount an attic hatch with your own hands (video)

Creating an attic hatch with or without a ladder is troublesome, but not difficult. You can buy a ready-made design and simply assemble it, or you can do it yourself by purchasing only materials. This is the choice of everyone. In any case, there are options for how to make the entrance to the attic beautiful, convenient and safe.

What can be an attic hatch with a ladder (photo examples)

Often the exit to the attic is located just in one of the living quarters of the house. And when designing such an exit before, many designers and architects had to decide which room would have to be “offended” by an ugly staircase in the corner. In extreme cases, a stepladder was made, which was hidden in the pantry. And if necessary, the owners were faced with the task of pulling it out, taking it to the hatch, without hitting the TV on the way, putting it up and getting up.

And at the same time, it is desirable that the legs of the stairs do not go and she does not fall down until the person is in the attic. So far, the modern market has not offered a wonderful alternative to all these troubles in the form of a special type of hatch, behind which the staircase itself hides.

Why don’t you build something similar, because an attic staircase with a hatch is not such a complicated mechanism, and you can figure everything out if you wish? Moreover, with our photo instructions, helpful tips and video stories, you simply have no chance to fail!

Of course, you can also make an attic hatch for an ordinary ladder. But ladders are the most inconvenient way to climb up, and also the most unsafe. Yes, it can be somehow decorated and even beaten in a home interior, but all the same, such stairs look rude and frankly interfere. But sometimes, when there is neither the time, nor the desire, nor the budget for the construction of another option, this is quite acceptable. Moreover, later such a ladder can be replaced with a more convenient one, and a strong stepladder will fit in any household, you must agree!

Modern designers are convinced that it is better to install in a cold attic, of course, only a folding ladder, which can be easily hidden under a beautifully decorated hatch.

Such a staircase is really almost invisible, because a special plate is attached to its lower part, matched in color and texture to the ceiling. See how light and elegant these stairs turn out to be in any home interior:

Do you like what you see? Then it probably became clear to you why no one hides modern attic stairs in the pantry. They themselves hide behind a beautifully finished hatch, which is invisible against the background of the general design of the ceiling. And you can easily build such cunning designs of various types yourself. Look at our photographic materials - for sure you will find the same details and a couple of extra bars at home.

Basically, all “hiding” attic stairs are divided into two main types: folding and sliding. The first are blocks of three or four sections. They are laid out using a special spring mechanism. Most often, these stairs are made of wood or a combination of wood and metal.

A separate type of sliding stairs is a scissor ladder, or telescopic, which can withstand a fairly large weight and fold like an accordion. In another way, this classification is also called this: sectional scissor ladders. The stability of such a ladder is provided by a special mechanism for opening the lid, which fixes the entire structure in the desired position.

In more detail, telescopic blocks are ladder structures in which the first section is attached to another. Sections move along the guides, while unfolding or folding. But keep in mind that for such models, the opening in the ceiling will have to be made quite wide.

First of all, sectional stairs are good because they have the opportunity to make railings and handles on both sides, thanks to which it will be much easier and safer to climb the stairs. Whereas folding structures cannot be given such convenience, unfortunately.

But, if for the first time you decide to make a hatch with a ladder, then give preference to a simpler, but no less reliable folding option:

In general, the whole structure looks something like this:

Step by step construction instructions

The most durable and practical stairs are those made on a metal base with wooden steps. At home, of course, it is difficult to build something like this, but everyone can work with a tree.

Step 1. We plan and design

So, to begin with, carefully consider the schematic illustrations carefully prepared for you:

Do you have an understanding of how exactly the attic hatch opening will look like and on which side the ladder will be attached to it? Then let's move on.

Step 2. We select the mount for the hatch and stairs

It depends on the strength and quality of the mechanism how easy it will be to open the hatch, and how much it will withstand the loads placed on it. The simplest mechanism of all existing in this regard is hinges and latches. The only difference is how exactly you place them: along the long side of the sash, or along the short side, and where the hatch itself will open - up or down.

And here, many home craftsmen go for such tricks: they do not use simple furniture hinges, but adapt car bonnets, and the hatch cover with a spring mechanism is no worse than the most expensive industrial options. Such a spring helps to lift a heavy ladder with a hatch and fix it in the right direction.

Those. every time you climb into the attic, you will no longer need to use special efforts to lift the usually massive manhole cover.

In addition, a bracket will not be superfluous at all, which will help fix the open hatch in a certain position. Thus, you will not allow the hatch to open at a greater angle than it is designed for, and the lid flying off down will not hit a person accidentally passing by on the head.

You can also use the so-called gas lift for a massive attic hatch - such devices are actively sold today for heavy doors. All this will also help to easily open and close the hatch up, and the gas lift will simply not allow the lid to fall quickly and sharply.

After all, there are situations that a person decided to go down from the attic along the ladder, began to close the manhole cover behind him, and that one simply slammed shut under its weight. The result is a concussion and a rapid downward flight. Think about it, because this is easy to avoid.

You can also use a steel chain as a manhole cover retainer, as shown here:

Step 3. Install the spring mechanism

It is also necessary to think over for a folding ladder not only its constituent elements, but also the main spring mechanism. We are talking about such a device that will ensure a secure fixation of the entire staircase structure in the closed position in the attic.

But keep in mind that the stronger and harder this fixation is, the more effort you will then have to put in to open the ladder and deploy it. And the greater will be the load on the mechanism itself, but it is not eternal.

Another important point: the greater the slope of the staircase itself, the greater will be the load on the place where it is attached to the attic floor. The smallest load will be at an installation angle of 90 degrees. But you can't set up a ladder that way, of course, so the best angle you can orient yourself to is in the range of 65 to 75 degrees.

Step 4. We make an attic hatch

Now consider the design of the hatch itself. It can have one roof or two (upper and lower), additional holding mechanisms and even a remote control.

Here is a detailed step-by-step instruction that will be convenient for you to use:

• Step 1. Take the necessary measurements and draw them on plywood.
• Step 2. Make the side walls by applying glue to the joints of the future hatch.
• Step 3 Fasten all the parts with screws.
• Step 4. Again coat all the edges of the PVA and glue the bottom.
• Step 5 Hammer the staples for reliability using a construction stapler.
• Step 6. Make an MDF spacer out of the plate.
• Step 7 Put the spacer in the box so you know where to apply the glue.
• Step 8 Using screws, attach the spacer to the prepared box.
• Step 9. Draw a line on the bottom of the box and again go through the markings with brackets.
• Step 10 Nail the bottom to the brace.
• Step 11. Put thermal insulation on the bottom of the box.
• Step 12. Slide a window insulator into the slots in the box.
• Step 13 Using a stapler and screws, nail the lid to the box.

Our workshops will also help you, which perfectly illustrate the process of making attic hatches with stairs from different materials and different designs:

Continuation:

Step 5. Install the hatch and ladder in the opening

Whether the hatch and the attic stairs were made with your own hands, or you decided not to bother and purchased a finished structure, in any case, now you will have to face the same difficulties during their installation.

So, if the floor of your attic is made of concrete, you need to make an opening for access to the roof in advance - it will be difficult to cut it out later. But in a wooden floor, the hatch should be installed between the supporting beams, the distance between which is at least 60 centimeters, but not more than 1 meter.

It is important that when a person goes up and down such a ladder, the entire load is evenly distributed between the beams, so the hatch with a ladder must be installed so that the lid opens parallel to the beams, but not across them. Like here:

Another example of installing a hatch with a ladder in a wooden floor:

As you can see, with the help of wooden triangles (kerchiefs), a special niche was built at the corners of the hatch cover, into which the insulation will then be inserted.

In fact, all this is the work of one day for an experienced master and a wonderful practice for a beginner. Feel free to start!

The device of fire escapes for the attic

In a separate chapter, we note the arrangement of attic hatches with stairs, which have another purpose - to be fireproof.

Let's explain in more detail. At the time of the fire, when the exit from the house is blocked, the only option is the attic hatch. It is enough just to climb it and climb out onto the roof, and from there go down either along the wall of the house, or wait for help.

That is why so-called fire hatches are often placed in the attic, which help to evacuate at the right time from the house. That is why the hatch and the ladder for this purpose are made exclusively of metal, and only occasionally of wood treated with propylene. Naturally, the latter option is already less reliable.

Such designs are mandatory in office buildings, state and commercial banks, hotels and educational institutions. And also in all those rooms where the fire itself is more possible and predictable. And such a hatch and a ladder look like this:

By their design, fire escapes with an attic hatch do not differ much from ordinary ones, in just a few ways:

• The hinges here are mounted only from the top side, and never from the bottom.
• Also, the sash should open only upwards.
• The box is reinforced, angular type.

Types and groups according to the time of fire resistance

By fire resistance, attic hatches are also divided into three main groups:

1. First group. These are the best hatches in terms of protection against open fire, toxic smoke and gases. Their insulation consists of several layers, and the structure itself can withstand an hour of exposure to a flame without losing its most important properties.
2. Second group. Such structures have average fire insulation. Such a hatch is able to withstand fire for half an hour without any special changes in its properties.
3. Third group. X good protection against fire, but the margin of safety is small, only about 15 minutes. For a residential building, this is the easiest and most reliable option, because this time should just be enough to get all the household members on the roof.

Requirements for the manufacture of a fire hatch and stairs

Special requirements are imposed on such products for the gap of the hatch cover to the attic floor: it should be minimal. And the box itself can even be wooden, only if it itself was previously impregnated with flame retardants. But most often such stairs are made of metal with a thickness of 1-2 millimeters to 2 millimeters.

Naturally, the thinner the metal, the less it can resist fire. Agree, if the walls are already on fire, and there is no way out of windows or doors, then the stairs along which you can escape to the attic must certainly be intact, and not light up like a match.

And often they don't even know about it. There are no special separate GOSTs for the production of such structures from stairs with a hatch. There are only recommendations, and separate tests for fire resistance. This includes such specific concepts as the material for the manufacture of stairs with a hatch, the presence of a special sealant that will not allow fire to spread, heat-insulating material that does not support combustion. All this is spelled out in modern SNiPs 2.01.02-85.

And finally, we have prepared for you such a nice bonus that will help you easily lift any objects up the stairs:

Access to the attic (loft) requires a ladder. Since my attic room is not residential, i.e. "cold attic", then a stationary staircase was not supposed from the very beginning of construction.

However, access to the attic is necessary and this requires a hatch to the attic.
Having studied the proposals in the form of ready-made solutions in Moscow, I came to the conclusion that it is best to make a hatch to the attic with your own hands - it will be much cheaper.
A folding ladder with a hatch to the attic costs just not real money - compared to its cost price, it's just something ...

Trying to find information on the Internet, to my great surprise, it did not lead to anything - in the search results for queries:
- do-it-yourself hatch to the attic,
- do-it-yourself attic stairs, etc. opens a bunch of sites that contain almost the same article with an overview of stairs.
Or a reprint of an article published on the ForumHouse website by a user Alli58ru- "Do-it-yourself folding stairs to the attic" and the same picture is given:

I also came across one article where a man made a hatch to the attic with his own hands using barn hinges as hinges.
But this option does not suit me, like the one described in the article Alli58ru, since in these options there is a fairly large gap between the hatch cover and the box on the hinge side. Although in the version with barn loops this gap is smaller ...

I wanted to make such a hatch to the attic with a folding ladder so that:
- it was insulated (hatch thickness from 50mm,
- so that the hatch has a vestibule that would go a quarter in the hatch bun
- so that there are no gaps along the perimeter of the hatch, i.e. so that the hatch finish (in my case it will be either lining or imitation of timber) would go a little beyond the hatch on the sides.

In this case, the hatch should open normally.

To realize the normal opening of the hatch, which has a rather large thickness, you need to choose the right hinges for the hatch to the attic itself.

Alli58ru I used these loops:

By the way, on some sites they reprint the same picture with the dimensions for this loop - and the dimensions are not accurate.!

Having looked closely at the hinges on the factory attic hatches with stairs, I noticed such hinges:

Decided to experiment with them.
In theory, the following logical schemes for the operation of loops are obtained:

For samples, I collected several hinges from hardboard and wooden blocks.
Dimensions can be viewed directly on the hinges themselves.

1
In this embodiment, the manhole cover will bite right away - such a loop is not good ...

2
This is the option considered Alli58ru

3
This is the option I've settled on for now.

To test the operation of the attic hatch hinges, I whipped up an attic hatch box from a defective 90x60cm imitation timber.
The cover for the hatch was also assembled from the same imitation of a bar and fixed it on bars 30x40mm. The lid turned out to be crooked, but I didn’t care - I still had to check the operation of the hinges first.

Here is the hatch box. Inside the box, I screwed the strips that form a quarter to which the hatch cover should be pressed.
Laid the thickness of the hatch in 60mm:

I also made the hinges for this hatch from wooden blocks of this type:

I screwed these hinges to the hatch cover and to the sides of the box with self-tapping screws:

I installed the resulting test hatch to the attic on four legs 150 cm high.

View of the hatch from below. You can see the 30x40mm bars framing the hatch where you can place a heater to organize an insulated hatch to the attic.
Screwed the lock of the hatch in the closed position.

A box with a hatch to the attic is installed on legs.

Fully open sunroof:

Side view

Here you can see how far the back of the hatch recedes from the edge of the box forward when it is fully opened.
If the opening is limited in length and in the place where it will open, this must be taken into account.

Hinge with sunroof fully open

Front view

The beginning of the opening of the hatch. It can be seen that the hatch begins to open in such a way that it does not interfere with the outer skin and the box.

In this implementation, I found a problem, namely:
When opening the hatch, the hatch lining is biting against the box and the hatch does not open completely.
Perhaps this is due to the insufficient length of the levers in the hatch loop. Don't know.
The photo shows the problem area:

If the hatch lining is moved so that it is flush with the box, then the problem is solved. in this case, on the back side of the hatch (one hundred sides of the hinges), when it closes, there will still be no gap, as well as in the front, but in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe hatch is fully opened, it will either be necessary to cut the frame of the hatch or somehow "play" with the loop and look for a way out. ..
While I have no solution - I had to leave the dacha.

I also figured out the moment for the attic hatch opening limiter at the desired angle.
So far I have made such a "crane":

In principle, you can make it so that it folds along the hatch box, and not on top. Until I finally decided.

In this loop, the load on the hatch that holds the weight of a person on the stairs is transferred to this node, and in the case of implementing the hinge for the hatch of the proposed Alli58ru there is a limitation in the loop itself. Those. the load is more distributed.

On the other hand, many factory attic stairs have this kind of hinges.

The next step I made this type of metal hinges.
It turned out this:

I will write a separate post about their manufacture a little later.

And finally, a few videos that I shot during testing:

This is the same hatch only with metal hinges (no sound):

Update:
I think that the problem with biting the outer trim of the hatch on the edge of the box can be solved precisely by lengthening the levers in the loop.

I "played" a little with the cardboard and the size of the levers in the loop and sort of found a solution.

Here's what happened:

Here I used a hatch pie like this:
- plywood 10-12mm
- on it a bar 40 mm high - then a heater there ...
- we fill the outer trim on the bar
I also immediately considered the option of using a 50mm bar instead of 40mm - it seems that it should also work as it should.

When opening the attic hatch, it turns out like this:

As can be seen from the figure, there should not be any biting between the trim and the bottom of the box. In theory for now.
It is also seen that with the hatch open, the ladder will move forward from the edge of the hatch by about 14-15 centimeters.
For small hatches, this can be critical.

Side view is like this:

And this is on cardboard:

And here I put this loop on cardboard on a sheet of paper to illustrate how the loop should behave when opened:

The new dimensions of the hinge arms are visible in the picture. It turned out that the dimensions were increased by only 10mm.

PS
But I have not yet been able to find a normal spring. Everywhere you can only buy springs 30cm long - like for doors - I don’t know if they will go for the hatch or not.

Are there any options at this moment? Are they sold somewhere?

I made new hinges from metal with slightly changed dimensions.
During testing, the outer finish of the hatch now does not touch the lower edge of the box.
Here's a video:

An attic staircase with a hatch consists of the following main parts:

• bowstring or kosour;
• tread;
• riser.

The bowstring is the main load-bearing element of the stairs to which the steps are attached. Kosour is one of the varieties of bowstring. The step consists of a tread (horizontal detail) and a riser (vertical detail). For an attic staircase, most often they choose the joining of steps without a riser into the grooves of the bowstring (stringer).

Types of stairs to the attic

According to the sliding mechanism, folding stairs with a hatch are:

• Folding (articulated, folding). They consist of 2-4 parts. The first is rigidly attached to the hatch cover, the additional ones are interconnected by hinges, hinges, etc. When unfolded, they make up a flight of stairs;

• Scissor. Their sliding mechanism resembles an "accordion". To protect against spontaneous folding of the bowstring, the attic ladder is additionally fixed with a spring stop. Usually the entire structure is made of metal, which seriously increases its price. Due to its particularly compact folded size, this mechanism can be installed on the roof hatch cover of the smallest size;

• Retractable (telescopic). They are most often made of aluminum and are a structure of several retractable sections that fit one into the other and are attached to the attic hatch cover.

There is another type of extension mechanism. It does not require fixing the attic ladder and hatch. The photo shows that when folded, the structure is “drowned” into the wall and fixed to it. The steps are connected using card loops in the bowstring. This option is suitable for those who like to do something with their own hands. It is unlikely that you will be able to buy one.

Hatch opening mechanism

The mechanism for opening the attic hatch can be:

• manual;
• auto.

The manual mechanism is actuated by means of a special pole, which opens the lock holding the attic hatch cover. It can be made by hand. The automatic mechanism works using an electric motor. The price of attic stairs with such a mechanism is higher.

What are attic stairs made of?

The most commonly used materials for the manufacture of folding stairs with a hatch are wood, metal, chipboard, fiberboard and MDF. The correct choice depends on the intended load. If the stairs will be used often, it is better to buy a metal one. It can withstand loads up to 250 kg. The most commonly used is galvanized steel. The high price in this case is justified. The disadvantage of this material is that it requires regular lubrication, otherwise a creak occurs.

If the attic is used only from time to time, wood as a material for stairs is more preferable. It is recommended to use the following breeds:

• larch.

Some elements can be made from:

• pines;
• cedar;
• ash.

Oak is used for the manufacture of all structural elements of the attic stairs. This tree has high wear resistance, strength and flexibility. The price of oak stairs is relatively high; ash is often used as its replacement. Its wood is very close in its characteristics to oak, it withstands heavy loads well, but is unsuitable for treading.

Beech is the most durable type of wood. The only negative is the increased hygroscopicity (the tendency to absorb moisture, including from the air). If an attic staircase with a beech hatch is made by hand, then it is recommended to pre-treat the wood with a special compound that prevents the absorption of moisture.

All conifers, due to the increased resin content, are especially resistant to decay. Larch has the greatest strength among coniferous wood species. When working with it, it must be borne in mind that nitrocellulose varnishes cannot be used to cover it. Pine is used to make bowstrings and risers. Due to its softness, this type of wood is unsuitable for treading. The same can be said about cedar. Spruce has a big minus - the presence of a large number of knots that tend to fall out when the tree dries. The price of attic stairs made of coniferous species is the lowest (if we are not talking about larch), but it is due to the fragility of products made from these materials.

Features to look out for when buying

A high-quality attic ladder with a hatch must meet the following requirements:

When buying or making your own attic stairs, you need to pay attention to the following useful additions:

• thermal insulation of the manhole cover;
• warming box;
• opening fencing;
• metal handrails;
• plastic tips on the legs to prevent scratches on the floor;
• the ability to adjust the height (by connecting additional steps or sections);
• protection against burglary (special locking mechanisms) on the hatch cover;
• fire protection (in the event of a fire, it will delay the spread of fire);
• anti-slip notches on steps.

Dimensions of attic stairs

Standard attic stairs with a hatch have the following dimensions:

• height 2.7-3.5 m, if it is more - there is a high risk of injury when falling, the strength of the structure decreases, use becomes inconvenient;
• width 50-110 cm (optimally 60-70 cm);
• the distance between the steps is not more than 25 cm;
• the width and length of the step is at least 8 x 34 cm;
• tilt angle 50 - 75 degrees;
• thickness of steps from 18 mm.

These figures are not legal. But you need to be guided by them when buying or designing a future staircase and a manhole cover, made by yourself, in order to avoid serious mistakes.

Important! The dimensions of the attic hatch must match the dimensions of the stairs. If the opening is too wide, this will lead to heat loss. Too narrow a hatch is inconvenient to use. The side parts of the stairs will touch the opening and, due to friction, will quickly fail.

The width and length of the opening are usually 50-70 cm by 70-130 cm, respectively. A larger size is undesirable, as it will contribute to heat loss.

Self-manufacturing of an attic staircase with a hatch

If there is a need for an attic staircase with a hatch, it is best to buy a finished, factory-made one. The price of a quality product is quite high. Therefore, for those who have minimal skills in working with wood and metal, you can try to make this fixture with your own hands.

Operating procedure:

• froze;
• drawing up a diagram;
• calculation and purchase of the required amount of materials and tools;
• production of attic hatch cover;
• production of the opening mechanism;
• section making;
• making loops;
• assembly and finishing.

Measurement and drawing up a diagram

To draw up a diagram and calculate the future attic stairs, you will need to measure the height from floor to ceiling and the dimensions of the opening for the hatch. According to the results of measurements by hand or on a computer, a diagram is drawn up. It should indicate:

• ladder length;
• ceiling height;
• tilt angle;
• opening dimensions;
• dimensions of the attic hatch cover;
• the width of the stairs;
• the number of sections and the length of each of them;
• dimensions and number of steps.

Calculation

The order and example of calculating a folding ladder with a hatch:

1. The length of the attic stairs can be calculated by the formula: C \u003d A / sin α, where A is the height of the march (from floor to ceiling), α is the angle of inclination. For example, A = 2.8 m and it is assumed that the angle of inclination of the stairs is about 60 degrees. This means that the length of the product will be: 2.8 / 0.867 \u003d 3.23 m. The result obtained is not an exact size, but is needed to calculate the required amount of material. It is better to add a small margin to the resulting figure and file the product during installation, if necessary.
2. For free opening of the attic hatch cover, gaps of 6-7 mm must be left on each side of the opening. That is, if the dimensions of the opening are 60 x 110 cm, then the dimensions of the cover, respectively, will be 58.6 x 108.6 cm (subtract 12-14 mm from each value).
3. The width of the stairs must be less than the width of the hatch. In the proposed example, you can plan 50 cm.
4. The length of the sections can be calculated as follows: the first is the length of the opening (120 cm) minus 10%; the second is the length of the first section minus 10%; the third is the height of the march (2.8 m) minus the sum of the lengths of the first two sections. In the event that the third section is larger than the second, they are simply swapped. As a result, the first section is 99 cm, the second 91.9, the third 89.1.
5. On the resulting diagram, mark the steps at an equal distance from each other and calculate their number. Their sizes are determined arbitrarily, depending on the chosen design. The length of the steps is limited by the width of the stairs and the thickness of the bowstring, and their width is linked to the width of the bowstring.

Materials and tools

Tools (or their substitutes) that you will need to make an attic ladder with a hatch with your own hands:

• hacksaw;
• screwdriver;
• carpenter's goniometer;
• workbench (or table);
• clamps;
• welding machine;
• electrodes 3-4;
• chisel;
• masking tape;
• Grinder;
• wood glue.

Materials to be purchased:

• bars with a size of 50x50 mm for the hatch cover and finishing the opening;
• board 100 x 25 mm for steps and bowstrings;
• plywood 8-10 mm thick for the manhole cover;
• steel strip 3-4 x 20 mm for hinges;
• corner and plate 3-4 mm - for the hatch opening mechanism;
• hardware - bolts, nuts, washers, grovers, self-tapping screws.

Calculation example:

1. The minimum standard bar length is 1 m. The following dimensions are 1.25 and 1.5 m. That is, if the dimensions of the opening are 60 x 110 cm, 4 bars of 1.25 m and 4 bars of 1 m will be needed for work. If the width of the opening 50 cm, then instead of 4 bars of 1 m, you can buy 2 of 1.25 m and cut them in half.
2. The minimum size of a plywood sheet is 1525 x 1525 mm, that is, 1 sheet is enough. The price of plywood products is the lowest. If possible, a more expensive material can be used to make the manhole cover.
3. For a bowstring, you need to buy 2 boards 25x100 mm long, equal to the length of the future product with a small margin.
4. The length of one step must be multiplied by their number. The result is the length of the board required for their manufacture. For example, this size is 4 m. You can buy a whole edged board and cut it on the spot, or take several boards, so that 2-3 steps come out of each (with a margin). Here it will be necessary, based on the planned length of the step, to take into account the percentage of waste, which will be the smaller, the longer the board.

Manufacture of a cover and a mechanism for a hatch

Do-it-yourself work on making an attic staircase should begin with a manhole cover. Four bars are nailed to the plywood sheet, pre-cut to the desired size. On a short bar, which will be installed from the side of the lock, one of the ribs must be rounded so that it does not interfere with free opening and closing. To ensure that the hatch cover is securely closed, you can put a door latch on it.

For the hatch, you will need two mechanisms (left and right), such as those shown in the photo or similar:

If you can’t buy ready-made ones, you can try to make such mechanisms with your own hands. To do this, you need a steel strip 3-4 x 20 mm, a corner and a plate 3-4 mm. The drawing shows the details of the mechanism for the left side of the hatch cover:

1. stop plate;
2. corner (top view).

For the right side of the manhole cover, you will need the same set of parts, but the plate and corner must be made in a mirror image. The dimensions on the stop plate are given as an example. To calculate them correctly, you will need to take into account the angle of inclination of the stairs. It is 50-75 degrees. The smaller this angle, the more space the ladder takes when unfolded, the larger the hatch will be needed. You can choose a comfortable slope with the help of a thread that needs to be stretched from the opening to the floor. The resulting angle can be measured with a goniometer and transferred to the drawing. The result should be this:

It is impossible to fasten the mechanism immediately after assembly. First you need to check its work. You may need to adjust the drill holes for fasteners or the angle on the stop plate. If everything is in order, you can proceed to the next stage of work.

Manufacture of details of the attic stairs

You need to start with a bowstring. When working with it, you need to remember that paired parts must be made in a mirror image. Operating procedure:

1. Mark the prepared boards with a pencil according to the calculations.
2. Firmly press both boards to each other with the ends and fasten with masking tape.
3. At the junction of the first and second sections, make a hole with a diameter of 25 mm for the hinge hinge.
4. Remove the adhesive tape, turn the boards up with the other side and, after fastening again, make the same hole at the junction of the second and third sections. (The holes on each section will need to be on opposite ends of the board.)
5. Cut the bowstrings into pieces according to the markup and make recesses for the steps on them with a chisel. The depth of the grooves must be at least 5 mm. The bowstrings of the lower section should end with a bevel corresponding to the angle of inclination of the stairs.
6. Cut the steps and carefully sand all the details.
7. Attach steps to the right bowstring of each part with glue and self-tapping screws. Fasten the entire structure with the left bowstring.

Making loops and installing them

For the hinges that provide the folding of the attic stairs, you can use the remains of a metal strip from which parts of the hatch opening mechanism were made. If the product consists of three sections, then eight strips will be needed. To four of them it will be necessary to weld small sections of the same strip. In each part, you need to drill two holes for attaching to the bowstring and one for the hinge. Here's what should happen:

Pressing the first and second sections tightly against each other, screw the loops in such a way that the hinge falls exactly into the recess at the junction, and the ends of the loops are located at the edge of the bowstring. Having fixed the hinges, they check the mechanism for folding and unfolding. If everything is in order, in the same way you need to fasten the loops between the second and third sections.

Product assembly and finishing

The procedure for assembling and finishing the stairs:

1. After installing the hinges, screw the first section to the hatch cover.
2. Insert the finished product into the opening and make sure that the ladder is assembled correctly, nothing prevents the hatch from opening and closing freely, the sections fold and unfold without hindrance.
3. If no defects are found, the structure must be disassembled and its wooden parts varnished, and the metal parts with an anti-corrosion compound or paint.
4. After the varnish has dried, assemble the product again and install it in the opening.