DIY Network

Attic Stairs: Installing Stairs From "Weekend Handyman" episode WKH-411

With the framing complete, Paul is ready to install the attic stairs. After lining the stairs up into the framing, he installs the joist hangers and squares the stair to the frame. The stair frame is secured to the header.

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	Initially, there was no space in the garage to park.
	By installing new stairs, the clutter was moved to the attic.
	Easy-to-install attic decking made storage simple.
	The garage floor received a facelift as well.

Time: 12 hours over two days.
Difficulty Rating: This project rates a 2 out of 5 on the Weekend Handyman difficulty scale.

Materials:

Attic stair kit
Attic flooring
Polyvinyl flooring
Safety glasses
Pry-bar
Hammer
Jab saw
Circular saw
Reciprocating saw with bimetal blade
Impulse nailer
Utility knife
Acrylic latex caulk
2 X 6 lumber
Chalk line
Shims
Lag screws
Respirator
Shop vacuum
Push broom
2" deck screws

Installing Stairs

1. To frame in the width of the opening, measure (figure A) and cut the new replacement header to size and nail it to the joists (figure B).

2. When framing the opening, be sure the corners are square. This will maintain an even gap around the frame for shimming.

3. The rough opening is about 4" too wide, so we’ll measure and mark a reference line where we want to frame it in (figure C).

4. Put a 2 X 6 at your reference line and nail it to the headers.

5. Cut three support blocks. Do not cut off the ends of a board to make the 2 X 6 blocks. Rip the board 2" and then make some 6" cuts. This way the grain will be running vertically and then blocks won’t split when they’re nailed in (figure D).

6. Now, tap the blocks into position and nail one in place at each end and one in the center (figure E). When everything is square, this will make installing the stairs a lot easier.

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

7. Put in a 3/4" piece of plywood as filler for the ceiling (figure F).

8. To install the stairs, use two people to hold the staircase in the frame of the trapdoor and have another person go in the attic to attach the stairs.

Figure D

Figure E

Figure F

9. Up in the attic, slide the joist hangers onto the rods one at a time, placing them at a 45 degree angle to span the frame corners. Then, thread the nuts down but don’t fully tighten them (figure G).

10. After all the hangers are in place, make sure there’s an even gap all the way around the frame (figure H).

11. Once it is all square, tighten it up (figure I) and then let go of the staircase down below.

Figure G

Figure H

Figure I

12. Secure the frame to the headers with lag screws (figure J).

13. Drill pilot holes through the shims. This will keep the shims in place and also prevent the frame from bending. Cut off the excess shims flush with the top of the stairs (figure K).

Figure J

Figure K

RESOURCES :

Rainbow Attic Stair
Model: Prestige
Type: 25-1/2" X 54"

Manufacturer: SP Partners, LLC
1492 High Ridge Rd.
Stamford, CT 06903
Telephone: 1-877-369-6996
Contact: Tino Terrigno, National Product Manager
Website: www.rainbowatticstairs.com

Attic Flooring
Model Number: 3504
Size: 16 inch or 24 inch

Manufacturer: Metro Products
P.O. Box 1208, 9175 E. 146th St.
Noblesville, IN 46061
Telephone: 1-800-676-6904
Contact: Tom Krol, National Sales Manager
E-mail: tkol@atticdek.com
Website: www.atticdek.com

Garage Floor Covering
Brand Name: G-Floor
Model Number: Coin Pattern
Color: Gray

Manufacturer: Better Life Technology, LLC
9820 Pflumm
Lenexa, KS 66215
Telephone: 1-877-810-6444
Website: www.bltllc.com