Many owners of private houses use an extension or stationary ladder installed outdoors. Of course, for safety reasons, such a ladder is completely justified and will never become superfluous. However, for use in winter, and especially in cases where there is a utility or even full-fledged living space in the attic, it will be much more convenient to provide the possibility of entering directly from the house.
But it often happens that the stationary design of an internal staircase requires a very large area, and therefore cannot be implemented in practice in a small house. And even if there is enough space, it hardly makes sense to “waste” it if the attic is not used constantly, but only from time to time. What to do? But there is a way out - this is a “transformer” structure, which is removed when not needed into the attic floor. So, the topic of this publication: do-it-yourself folding staircase to the attic - most optimal option for both large and small private houses.
Folding ladders, if their design is thought out, are safe and easy to use, are very convenient. However, they also have their own disadvantages, which you also need to know in advance when starting similar reconstruction of one of the rooms of the house.
So to advantages of folding staircase design include the following points that will greatly facilitate the operation of the attic space:
The disadvantages of installing this structure in the attic floor include the following:
In order for a ladder to be used for a long time and be safe for its owners, it must meet certain criteria, regardless of its design and material of manufacture.
folding ladder
These product qualities include:
Today on construction market There are a considerable number of models from different manufacturers. They are, as a rule, quite convenient to use, but if they are not used very intensively. If the ladder will be unfolded and folded several times a day, then a more durable mechanism will be required, since the offered products may not withstand such intensive use due to the fact that each of them is designed for a certain “motor resource”.
Finished stairs almost always have a slight slope relative to the vertical. That is, the manufacturer makes them too steep, so it’s inconvenient to climb up and down them, especially while holding a certain load in one hand and securing yourself with the other. The reasons, as you can see, are very significant, and that is why many home owners prefer not to buy ready-made kits, but to install them themselves according to their own drawings, calculating them for their own weight and equipping them with durable mechanisms.
Before purchasing or making a folding ladder, you need to decide on its design, since there are several of them. So, they are developed and manufactured on an industrial scale and independently the following types stairs: retractable, folding spring, telescopic, folding with a simplified design, simple folding compact stairs.
The retractable staircase structure can consist of two or three sections, depending on the height of the attic floor.
The upper section of the structure is fixed using a metal flange to a transverse board that forms the box of the opening being installed in attic floor. Each section, when folding the ladder, slides into the part located above, as if on a rail. The assembled sections of the stairs are transferred to a horizontal position and laid on the floors of the attic. The hatch in this design can be attached to the highest and shortest section, and in this case, when the hatch is closed, the entire staircase will be hidden. The hatch can also be closed separately, that is, first a ladder is sent to the attic, and then the hatch is closed.
1 - Attic floor beam.
2 - Screw flange.
3 - Retractable ladder sections.
4 - Rotary mechanism.
This illustration shows how a retractable ladder works. However, it is quite obvious that it can only be suitable if the attic is not used as a living space and is visited quite rarely, and not constantly.
Another option sliding stairs, consisting of two sections - a short one, attached to the hatch cover, and a long one, which, after unfolding, will rest against the surface of the floor of the room.. This option is also suitable for an attic used as a utility room. So, if you need to get into the attic, the hatch opens, and the ladder goes down with it. Then, its lower part is pulled out from the folded structure until it touches the floor.
When unfolding the ladder, space for access to the attic is freed up. In ready-made, factory-made versions of sliding or folding stairs, the hatch is equipped with its own thermal insulation. And along the contour of the opening, a seal is installed so that warm air from the room does not escape through the gaps around the ceiling hatch. One should not forget about similar methods of minimizing heat losses when making a staircase yourself.
Folding ladder
A folding staircase differs from a sliding staircase in that its sections do not slide into each other, but fold together. This is ensured by special hinge mechanisms installed in the span connection points. The structure is folded according to the accordion principle. Top section fixed on the hatch panel, onhim Folding handrails are also installed, which make it easier to climb to the top floor or attic.
The advantage of this design is that it does not take up more space than the opening in the ceiling, since it is completely hidden in a special box, which frames the opening hatch. Therefore, when going up to the attic, the ladder can be raised so that it is not in the way on the lower floor, and in order to avoid accidentally stepping on the hatch while at the top, you can provide an upper strong hatch or a fencing for the opening.
ladder
The diagram above shows a finished design, one of those offered in specialized stores. However, focusing on it, it is quite possible to make a ladder yourself. How to do this will be discussed in detail in the instruction table below.
The diagram shows a box framing the opening. It is equipped with an elastic rubber gasket, thanks to which the hatch will be pressed tightly, without gaps, to the inner walls of the box.
The hatch of the design shown is made of chipboard, but when making a similar ladder yourself, it is quite possible to replace it with boards and assemble a shield from them. For this purpose, it is recommended to choose light, porous wood, such as linden or pine.
The wooden steps are equipped with an anti-slip coating. When making your own stairs, you can use a router to cut out recesses on the steps, in the form of two or three grooves running along the entire length of their surface.
The steps are fixed in the side posts of the staircase sections using a dovetail joint, which is more reliable than straight tenons.
Metal scissor ladders
Another option for a folding structure is the so-called scissor ladder, which is made of metal. As a rule, aluminum is used for this purpose due to its light weight. The design has proven itself quite well, especially for those cases where the attic has to be visited quite often.
The advantages of this type of stairs include its versatility. This means that the modules that form the steps can be stretched “to their fullest” if the room high ceiling, or compressed to a certain level, of course. The main thing is that the bottom step rests on the floor. Thus, the staircase is designed for a certain, and quite considerable, range of ceiling heights.
When folded, such a staircase is quite compact and does not extend beyond the boundaries of the box intended for it, installed in the thickness of the attic floor.
The disadvantage of this scissor design is that it requires some effort to install and fold it. This may pose a problem for some home occupants who do not have the required physical capabilities.
It is quite difficult to make such a staircase yourself, since it requires precise adjustment of metal parts, and the structure itself is replete with hinged joints. Yes, this is not profitable, since the material for self-production will probably cost no less than the cost of the finished product.
The attic is rarely used, but the staircase leading to this room should be comfortable, compact and safe. Typically, home owners use an extension or stationary ladder installed on the street. To save space in the house, comfortable use and safe lifting, a folding system is installed.
The folding staircase in the house is designed to use the attic as needed. It is easy to use, since it can be brought into working condition without much effort, and the need to free up a large area is eliminated. The main feature of this system is that the principle of its use is similar to the principle of operation of ladders. It is important to take into account not only a large number of advantages, but also some features.
Advantages.
Peculiarities.
The principle of operation of the ladder consists of several simple steps: opening the hatch cover, pulling the folded installation towards you. All components will be fixed and motionless. If you push the lower part up a little, the ladder will fold back into its original position. Finally, you need to close the hatch.
Electrically operated stairs have a simpler method of operation. To put them into working condition, you need to press the remote control button.
A staircase leading to the attic has a number of advantages: functionality, compactness and ease of use. The range of designs allows you to choose a specific type that is ideally suited to the parameters of the house. There are folding installations in the attic different types. They differ in their design.
One of the common varieties is “accordion”. This type of product has a small size, the folding principle works like an accordion bellows. The ladder is made of light metal, since its parts are movable, so it is important to take into account its maximum load when using it. After a while, it is recommended to lubricate the fasteners. The “accordion” is universal in that it can be stretched to a certain size depending on the height of the ceiling.
The retractable ladder unfolds according to the telescopic principle. This product is characterized by ease of use. When folded, it is the smallest in comparison with other folding staircase systems. The structure is assembled from hollow metal (aluminum) tubes, which form sections with steps, which, when folded, fit into each other and are clamped with clamps. The model can consist of two, three or more sections.
Folding sectional staircase. It is popular among designs performed at home. The model is either folded like a book or booklet, or the sections overlap each other. Typically, the length of the first section matches the size of the manhole cover. The design is larger, but as reliable and safe as possible.
There is a staircase consisting of two sections. The first short part is fixed to the hatch, and the second - long - unfolds to the floor. This type of system is also called a transforming staircase.
The folding ladder system is the most complex. The folding staircase to the attic consists of steps attached to a string. The staircase is as large in size and reliable as possible. It is most comfortable to use, since the angle of inclination is no more than 45 degrees. To create it yourself you need equipment and skills.
It is important to pay attention to preparing the room with the hatch. The area potentially occupied by the stairs is vacated. For safety, install a fence around the hatch in the attic or frame the folded model with a box.
The choice of material depends on the folding technology. Stairs can be made of metal (aluminium, stainless steel), tree or combination.
Wooden folding attic ladder eco-friendly and has an attractive appearance. It will look good in a house where the interior is made to look like wood. Positive traits installations mean good tolerance to temperature changes and exposure to moisture. TO negative qualities The product may be a fire hazard; insects can also live in the wood.
The folding version of the ladder is made of solid wood. The parts are connected using a special technology. At the edges of the steps there are protrusions that are inserted into the gaps of the guides, the connection is fixed with glue. For the manufacture of spans, timber from solid wood is chosen coniferous species, beech or ash, for steps - oak. The load capacity of the wooden folding unit is about 100 kilograms.
The metal folding ladder to the attic is made of metal that does not corrode. For the manufacture of complex design choose aluminum or steel. The main advantage of the aluminum system is its ease of construction; such a light and durable metal will last for many years. Steel products are offered with a corrosion-resistant coating. Load capacity metal structure– 200 kilograms, this figure is much more than that of a wooden ladder.
The disadvantages of a metal folding ladder include the difficulty of making it at home. To create it you need to have special skills, experience with welding and equipment.
Strength and lightness are the main characteristics of a folding staircase to the attic. The best option remains a combined staircase. This design consists of wooden steps and metal supports. This type of system is budget-friendly and reliable. Some models use rubber pads on the steps to reduce slipping.
To make the use of the stairs comfortable, it is necessary to determine the main dimensions of the structure and make calculations. It is important to take into account the parameters of the room in which the entrance to the attic will be located: the height of the ceilings, the area where the stairs will be laid out, the slope of the stairs. Usually a model consisting of 3 or 4 sections is installed for ceilings with a height of 3 meters.
Basic dimensions to be determined.
After determining all of the above parameters, you can begin to select a folding staircase. The safety and reliability of the product is characterized not only by the material and correctly calculated parameters, but also by the competent installation of the system.
For safety reasons, please note the following restrictions:
Home installation finished system folding stairs starts at attic , for this purpose the kit is lifted into the attic. First, the structure is placed with the hatch closed, then the ladder is attached to the open hatch cover in the unfolded state. The system must rest against the floor and be stationary at the time of installation. When the “rough” installation has been carried out, it is necessary to check how the system works: open the hatch cover from the room several times, disassemble and reassemble the ladder. If no problems are found with the operation of the installation, then installation continues.
Before starting work, you must carefully read the attached instructions and check the design for serviceability.
First, you need to place a box on the base of the opening and attach it with screws; the gap between the box and the opening is filled with foam. Then the upper section is installed. Unfold the ladder and make sure it is stable and forms a straight line. You can correct it by trimming the legs of the last section. Both sides of the structure must fit tightly to the surfaces.
The finished kit includes a fence for the hatch on the attic side. It consists of racks and crossbars. To create a more reliable and rigid structure, the racks are secured with metal struts. They connect the vertical bars to the floor.
Check the hatch for leaks. The lid should fit tightly into the opening. If the seal is poor, heat will escape from the room. Then it is carried out redecorating the bottom side of the hatch cover. When installation is completed, a control check can be carried out.
Equipment modern designs and the functions of a folding ladder can be varied. This includes railings, protective covers, electronic system And remote control. The most simple option is design foldable wooden system. Wood is the most affordable material that is easy to work with.
Before completing the work, a drawing of the designed staircase is created. The height from the floor to the place where the hatch is located is measured and calculations are made. The easiest way is to create a sectional staircase that opens up like a book.
Having a private house with an attic, there is often a need to install an additional structure with which you can easily climb up to work on the second floor of the house. Making an attic ladder will be the easiest and most successful way to do this. Using a hatch will allow you to hide the structure when it is not needed, and making the staircase itself with your own hands will not allow you to doubt the quality and reliability of the structure.
In a good private house, an attic is most often installed during design. This is a non-residential premises where all unnecessary things are most often stored for which there is not enough space in the house. If desired, you can make a full second floor out of it. In any case, no matter how this room is used, you need to be able to get into it. The simplest and most reliable option is a ladder.
Initially, private houses were built with external iron structures on the side, along which it was possible to get to the attic quite comfortably in good weather. If initially the staircase was not made, then the household used a simple attached wooden structure, which was installed only at the necessary moment. The disadvantage of any of the above methods is seasonality - only in the summer, in good weather and daylight hours, you can safely get into the attic and do all the necessary manipulations in it.
In view of these features, many owners of dachas and their own houses build attic stairs indoors. In order for it to take up little space and not disturb residents, most often the design is foldable. Attic staircase It can be either metal or wood; you can buy it or make it yourself. Each owner decides this moment for himself. To prevent a draft from blowing from the attic, dust not getting in, and simply not having a hole in the ceiling, it is closed using a hatch.
If the attic is equipped for living space, then most often a stationary staircase is erected so that you can quickly go up and down. For a non-residential area, the most logical thing would be a folding structure, which is hidden behind a hatch under the ceiling and can be accessed at any moment. Having the option of going upstairs inside your home means you don't have to worry about weather conditions or darkness if you need to take something from the attic or carry something you don't need away.
If you are concerned about buying or making a staircase to the attic, then first of all you need to understand what type of structure is right for you. Having determined the place where you will install the ladder, you can understand how large it can be, how much space it will take up, what type it will be, and only after that you can take some more serious steps.
The main options for attic stairs are:
Folding stairs are most often made of metal, because this material allows you to create a small-sized and easily folding structure. The main material for this is aluminum, due to its lightness and good strength characteristics. The advantage of this type is the versatility of the device, which is suitable for almost any type of house structure with a wide range of ceiling heights.
If this option is folded, the structure turns out to be small, and does not go beyond the box made for it. The only downside is the difficulty of folding and unfolding the mechanism, because these actions require a certain amount of physical strength. In addition, it is very difficult to make such a staircase at home. Here, each part must have a certain length and be fixed using the necessary hinge mechanisms, so it will be easier to purchase it in a store.
You can make a folding ladder from wood, but it will have a completely different appearance. You can do it yourself without much difficulty. It will consist of two parts. During folding, it will be attached to the longer part, and the entire ladder is not hidden anywhere, but is placed or attached to the wall. In the case of mounting, you need to make fasteners on the wall.
If there is a need to have a portable ladder, then you can make a very simple but reliable mechanism using beams and a cable. Two bars are selected based on the height of the ceiling, steps are prepared - there should be no more than four of them, between two wooden ones there will be one step made of cable, which tightens the entire structure during operation. By loosening the cable, you can completely disassemble everything and place it in a closet or other storage location.
The folding type of attic ladder differs in the type of device. All parts of the structure are folded into one another and removed upstairs. The same principle is used when laying out - each section is opened one by one and the staircase is ready for use. This option is achieved using hinge mechanism, which is installed on both sides in each span. The uppermost part is attached to the hatch; when opened, additional handrails appear, which make the staircase structure more reliable and facilitate easy and quick climbing to the top.
The convenience of this option is that when folded, the ladder has the same dimensions as the box in which it is placed, which means it does not take up more space than necessary. If you wish, having gone upstairs, you can remove it so as not to disturb other inhabitants of the house if the position of the hatch is in a passageway.
For safety, grooves are made on the steps that prevent the foot from moving and the person stands confidently when going up or down to the first floor of the house. This is provided for initially in purchased designs, but when planning your own production, you need to remember this nuance. Type of fastening of steps in ready-made designs has the name "dovetail".
A retractable staircase can consist of two or three parts, which is regulated by the height of the ceilings in the house. The principle of operation of such a device is simple - each section extends one after another, as if on rails. The top section must be attached to the main beam in the attic to ensure the structure is strong. When planning the installation of such a lifting device, you need to make a special box on the ceiling into which the ladder will be mounted. It is important to have a strong and reliable design, otherwise there is a risk of the ceiling collapsing with anyone climbing into the attic.
A manhole cover is attached to the upper section, which should be shorter than the rest in length., and while the entire structure is folding, the window to the attic is automatically closed. It is not necessary to secure the hatch; you can close it yourself after the ladder is sent up.
Another version of the retractable design has two sections. The small one is attached to the hatch, and when it is opened, you can freely access it. By removing the special fasteners, you can release the second part and lower it to the floor level, resting it firmly and securely on it. Most often, wood is used for this option rather than metal. The hatch is raised and lowered on special metal folding guides, which are located on both sides.
If such a staircase is purchased, then the hatch is already included, and it is additionally equipped with thermal insulation so as not to let in warm air into the attic, but the cold one did not enter the room. If this structure is built with your own hands, then these nuances should also not be forgotten.
Spring stairs have special spring mechanisms, with the help of which each section of the structure is fixed, which does not allow them to fold spontaneously. Thanks to them, the reliability and safety of the device for climbing into the attic is achieved.
The telescopic ladder is made of metal and has the form of guides round shape, which fold into each other like a telescope. The steps move tightly together, and the entire structure takes up minimal space. It is very convenient and simple to use; any household member can handle it.
Lifting systems for attic stairs are more convenient than options for products that remain in the room. The sliding design allows you to quickly remove and fold the product, which is important for those who are used to working quickly. Automatic system slamming the hatch avoids the inconvenient procedure of climbing to a height up to the ceiling level in order to further secure it when the ladder has been removed. If you want to have a stationary staircase, but so that it takes up a minimum of space, then the best option will screw design, which will allow you to climb into the attic, making circular movements during ascent and descent.
In a house with an attic, sooner or later the question arises of purchasing a staircase through which one can easily access it. The construction of such a structure for the street will not cause any special problems, although there will be little comfort from using such a device. In order to make access to the attic quick, you need to place lifting mechanism right in the house.
The first thing to take care of is right choice places for this. If the house is large, then finding an impassable corner in it will not be difficult, but in a small country house you will need to get out of the situation where one space serves as a kitchen, a bedroom and a living room. In this case, the farthest corner from the entrance to the house is selected. If there is a corridor, then you can also think of a hatch in it, where the ladder will hide.
Having a spacious kitchen, you can provide access to the attic from it, especially if something useful for cooking is stored there. If you need to hide a stationary staircase, you can fence it off from the general space of the room by making a small corridor that will have a door, creating the illusion of a room.
The staircase can also be used as a decorative item, but it is best to do this in the case when the attic is a living space and is used quite often. A folding design will only make it difficult to use, while a stationary one will allow people of any age and physical ability to climb up and down comfortably.
When planning to make a staircase to the attic on your own, it is important to purchase everything necessary materials. The first thing it all starts with is installing the hatch. This is a wooden frame where the structure will be hidden. To make it, you need to have a 50 by 50 beam in cross section and ten millimeters of plywood. When making a staircase from wood, you need to prepare boards 20-25 millimeters thick and 120-150 millimeters wide.
To determine the length of the boards, you need to already know what kind of structure it will be - sliding, folding, how many sections it will have. The material for the steps is calculated, the distance between them and the thickness of the material are thought out. As for the hatch, an important component of its good operation are the components that are responsible for the shock-absorbing properties at the time of opening and closing. To secure the hatch to the box, you will need hinges. They must be powerful in order to cope with their task many times.
Important components are also the mechanisms that help hold the hatch together with the ladder. These unique shock absorbers can be purchased or made by hand if available suitable tool. Another important element is the hinges, which help fold and unfold the ladder. This fittings are sold in any furniture store, therefore there should be no problems with their acquisition. Metal base everyone important elements allows you to have no doubt about the reliability and quality of the finished product and confidently use it for many years.
To make a ladder with a hatch yourself, you need to have the following tools:
The calculation of standards for the manufacture of stairs to the attic has long been established, so you just need to apply it to your premises. The width of the march should be kept at 650-1100 millimeters, and the height should be no more than 350 centimeters. If you make the structure taller, its reliability will be significantly lower.
When planning the number of steps, you should not make more than fifteen of them. If the situation requires it, you can increase the quantity, but first the entire structure is strengthened. Optimal distance between steps is fifteen or twenty centimeters. The step itself must be at least two centimeters thick.
Most right angle the installation of the attic structure will be sixty or eighty degrees. A larger angle will significantly reduce the safety of using the ladder. For small angle it requires very little space, which is a significant advantage.
When thinking through the design, it is important to consider the weight that will be on the ladder during use. These are not only kilograms of the owner of the house and his relatives, but also any items that need to be placed in the attic or taken downstairs. It is worth taking care that the steps do not slip, otherwise you can fall off them and injure yourself.
The opening in the ceiling is made to size finished stairs and a hatch that is attached to it. It is important to calculate every millimeter as accurately as possible and insulate the entrance to the attic so that cold air does not enter the house from it.
If you decide to make a staircase to the attic with your own hands, then the first thing you should take care of is drawings and creating a project. Homemade design is not difficult if you approach the process of its implementation correctly.
The first thing you need to do is select all the necessary tools and purchase the materials that you will definitely need for your work. After this, a simple extension ladder will be installed, with the help of which you can work with the ceiling and make a niche in it for the hatch.
Once the location for climbing into the attic has been determined, you need to cut a rectangular window in the ceiling and start constructing the manhole cover. To do this, you need to use a 5 by 5 centimeter beam, which is cut based on the dimensions of the finished hole in the ceiling. When the structure is fastened, plywood ten millimeters thick is stuffed on top. When everything is ready, you need to try on the resulting lid, and if you like it, you need to secure it with hinges.
Once the installation of the hatch is completed, you can begin making the stairs. It’s easy to do this yourself, especially if you chose the folding design option. To do this you need to use ladder, to which beams are screwed on both sides. At the bottom you need to fasten them securely, and at the top the fixation goes to the hinges. Next, the entire staircase is sawn into two parts - the upper one is large, the lower one is half as large.
In order to prevent such a staircase from slipping, you need to make additional rigidity bars that are installed diagonally.
The two parts of the folding structure must be connected using hinges. Top part The entire ladder is attached to the hatch with anchors, and the lower folding part is attached with a hook, which prevents it from opening independently. The finished lifting mechanism is pressed against the wall and fixed.
You can make an attic ladder from three parts, which will fold and hide in the hatch. To do this, the ladder is divided into three parts, the first of which has the dimensions of a hatch, the second is smaller than the first, and the third has a length that is enough to place it on the floor. All parts must be secured with hinges, the operation of which must be carefully checked. The stairs need to be sanded well and varnished.
In order to make an attic ladder, it is not necessary to have unique skills and be a real master, you just need to approach the work correctly and do everything correctly and efficiently. Creating a lifting mechanism will not take much effort and time if you develop a clear action plan and enlist the support of family members.
This article provides step-by-step instruction on creating a folding attic ladder. You will learn how to correctly assemble the main hinge element, what to make sections of the stairs from and how to securely fasten the structure in installation position. The article contains diagrams and drawings.
An inventory factory staircase to the attic is a fairly common product that can be purchased at many hardware stores. However budget options They are not always reliable, but strong branded products cost accordingly. Making a necessary item or device with your own hands from scrap materials is very popular among home craftsmen. The attic staircase is no exception.
To assemble an analogue of a factory product, you will need high-quality materials that may be available, especially during construction:
Tool:
First of all, you need to choose a place for the stairs and make an opening. If necessary, trim and install intermediate beams in the ceiling - 6-7 mm larger than the size of the intended cover. Next, according to the size of the hatch, you need to assemble the cover itself - from a block and plywood. The design can be arbitrary, but it must be reliable (it is better to glue the connections). The block on one of the short sides should be rounded so as not to interfere with the lid opening.
This is the most critical element of the design. To make it you will need: a steel corner, a plate and strips with a thickness of at least 3 mm. The shape of the parts is clear from the diagram, but the dimensions of the drilling site should be determined individually, based on the local situation. Manufactured parts must be of high quality; they must be cleaned and edges processed.
1 - thrust plate; 2 - corner, top view; 3 - short slide; 4 - long drawstring
The key point is determining the opening angle. This angle is very important and figures into the production of the plate. In order to set it correctly, project the future march on the ground - stretch the thread and set the desired angle experimentally (by selecting the best position). Securely attach it to the protractor - it will be needed when making steps.
The resulting angle must be transferred to the part, namely to the plate. To do this, set the mechanism to its original position, attach the protractor and move until the corners of the corner flange and the protractor coincide. Then mark the plate along the resulting trajectory and cut out the area where the part moves.
Holes should be pre-drilled in the plate for mounting to the beam. We assemble the mechanism with bolts and washers.
After rough assembly, you need to try the unit in place, attach it and accurately reproduce the procedure for opening and closing the hatch. If any movement defects are found, correct them.
Then you need to make a response mechanism. It should completely repeat the first one, but in a mirror form. Use clamps and a workbench - by clamping the parts together, you will achieve complete identical dimensions.
Make adjustments experimentally and final installation. Cover in open position should exactly follow the angle projected by the cord.
Calculation of the length of each section:
Let's assume that the flight length is 2500 mm. Based on the opening length of 1200 mm:
We mark the entire boards according to the calculation and transfer the angle of the march to the bowstrings.
Attention! Bowstrings must be installed in a mirror manner! Take this into account when marking and drilling.
At the joints of the sections we drill holes Ø 25 - mirror through one.
All parts must be processed with high quality sanding belt, chamfers must be rounded in order to bring the quality as close as possible to the factory one.
Then we cut grooves for the steps according to the markings. We select wood with a chisel.
The design of individual sections is assembled using 65 mm self-tapping screws with a press washer using D-3 wood glue.
The hinges for the knees can be made from the same strip as the opening mechanism. To do this, cut 4 strips of 160 mm and 4 of 120 mm, rounding the ends. We weld legs to four of them to a length of 160 mm with a hole of 8 mm. You should end up with 8 pieces of equal length, but 4 of them with a step.
Assemble the individual plates into hinges using bolts.
Lay it out on a flat surface and install the finished sectional hinges so that the fastening bolts fit into the holes in the wood. Install the hinges with M8-10 bolts.
After assembling the first bend, check the system for functionality. If necessary, correct any distortions.
Then attach the lower short elbow and test the system.
Now all that remains is to mount the ladder in its designed position - on the manhole cover. For installation, use bolts (self-tapping screws are not reliable). If after installation and testing everything works without distortions, the structure can be dismantled for painting. Use varnishes and spray paint on metal.
Subsequently, the design can be complicated and made more convenient by adding to it:
Finished view of the staircase:
The issue of finishing and insulation is decided locally, based on needs. The lid can be finished with any material that fits into the ceiling. Basically it is plastic - lightweight, inexpensive and has an additional layer of air. The difference in price between the “home” and “store” versions of a folding ladder is about 90% (80-150 USD). The work required only a few new boards, covering them and hardware.
A convenient solution for getting into the attic directly from the house is an attic ladder with a hatch. Thanks to this device, a lot of space in the house is saved, and you can go upstairs without much effort.
There is a sufficient selection of models on the market. Among well-established manufacturers, European brands stand out:
Approximate prices in rubles for popular models can be seen in the table.
| model, manufacturer | characteristics | price, rub |
| Optistep OLN FAKRO  |
 |
5800 |
LWS PLUS FAKRO  |
 |
10200 |
Nozycowe folding  |
 |
12900 |
"Comfort" VELTA  |
 |
15500 |
Roto Cadet 3 ISO-RC ROTO  |
dimensions beech, pine, maximum load on steps 150 kg, on the entire structure 350 kg, height up to 290 cm |
24500 |
Roto Cadet 2 ISO-RC ROTO  |
When choosing a specific model, you should proceed from the following parameters:
Before choosing a specific staircase, it is assumed that the hatch to the attic has already been made. It is easy to make with your own hands, which is described in detail in the corresponding section.
After purchasing the model, the question arises about installing the structure. If there is no ready-made hatch to the attic, you can make it yourself, taking into account the size of the stairs - more on that later. If it is, you can get to work right away. About this right now:
A detailed video that clearly demonstrates the technology for installing an attic ladder with a hatch using the FAKRO model as an example can be seen here.
If access to the attic is provided only from the roof itself (from the street), then to maintain a constant warm temperature To prevent the roof from freezing, it is advisable to seal the street hole and create an internal hatch in the ceiling, under which you can then select a ladder.
Make a hatch yourself - real option, which does not require much effort. Structurally, the mechanism consists of:
Before choosing a specific location for making a hole, you need to consider the following details:
The technology for creating an attic opening in the ceiling is as follows:
The hatch must be insulated if the attic is cold and the house is located in harsh conditions. climatic conditions. Mineral or ecological wool can be used as insulation. In any case, it is important to put a layer of vapor barrier on the side of the house so that it does not collapse under the influence of natural humidity.
Detailed video instructions are provided here.
Finally, with certain skills, the staircase itself with a hatch can not only be installed independently, but also made. Since it is easiest to get the required amount of wood from scrap materials, in most cases you can make a wooden one at home folding ladder(of 3 sections), connected by hinges.
Regardless of the specific type of structure, it should be assumed that:
Before starting work, you need to clarify all the design parameters - the height of the staircase, how many parts it will consist of and the dimensions of each of them, as well as the size of the opening leading to the attic (the hatch will be made in accordance with it).
To help draw up a drawing, you can use the options shown in the diagrams below.
You will need the following tools and materials:
Having collected all the necessary materials, you can begin installation:
NOTE. It is very advisable to strengthen the stairs, for which you can nail two slats with reverse side along the entire march.
This ladder is the simplest option, but it does not fit completely into the attic.
To make a classic folding structure, you need to make a 3-section ladder.
The installation sequence is as follows:
All technology is reflected in step-by-step photos.
There is an option to make the hatch opening mechanism on a spring - the technology is also shown in the photo selection.
You can see in detail how to make such a design at home here.
Operating an attic ladder with a hatch is very simple, and even a child can handle it, since the design allows for convenient opening and collapsing. The sequence of actions is clearly presented in the figure.
First, the hatch opens (a special rope is designed for this). Next, the staircase extends due to the fact that the lower part is pulled towards itself, and the entire structure unfolds (or moves apart in the case of accordion staircases). Special effort there is no need to do this - a woman and even children can handle it.
Some models are equipped with an automated opening system - they are more expensive, but provide maximum comfort. In some cases, it is enough to open the hatch using a special remote control supplied with the structure.
To care for the stairs, it is enough to simply occasionally lubricate the moving mechanisms (joints, hinges) with ordinary technical oil.
It is best to keep the rope high enough so that children cannot reach it. You can lift it right up to the ceiling and open the hatch by climbing on a stepladder or a sturdy chair.
An attic staircase with a hatch is great option For country houses With permanent residence, since you can enter the attic directly from the house, thereby saving heat both in the room and on the roof.
All attic stairs can be divided into 3 large groups:
Monolithic are traditional stairs leading to the 2nd floor, to the attic. They are perfect for capital structures with a large area. If the area is small, you can choose the screw option.
If space allows, then it is quite possible to install a classic flight of stairs with one or even two flights.
There are many advantages of such devices:
But this option is not suitable for small houses, and also in cases where the attic is not heated - cold air will constantly flow from the space.
These are ordinary stepladders that are very affordable and quite easy to transport to any place. They are indispensable in the household, but in terms of access to the attic they are not so convenient:
This is the type of stairs that is optimal for country houses. It is always based on a mechanism that allows you to conveniently fold the ladder and place it above the hatch, and seal the hatch cover to prevent the house from cooling down.
Depending on the design features, the following types of attic stairs with hatches are distinguished:
If space allows, then a stationary spiral staircase with railings and a wide flight can be installed in the house. However, this option is not suitable if:
For such cases, you need an attic ladder with a hatch, which is a single mechanism consisting of:
There are different sizes different variants, but on average they are small values:
The product is quite affordable, and in most cases it comes with a minimum service life warranty of 8-10 years. The conveniences provided by such a staircase with a hatch to get into the attic are obvious:
From the first floor space, the staircase looks like this:
