DIY Network

Attic Access and Flooring From "Wasted Spaces" episode DWSP-102

The goal of this project is to turn an unused attic into a storage area by creating better access and with installing safe flooring.

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Breaking Down the Project

• The area is an attic that measures roughly 30'x16' and is bisected by the main H/A (heating and air) trunk line. The attic area is not usable because the only access is through a 22"x 30" hole in the ceiling over the washer and dryer. In order to access the attic, you must climb on top of the dryer before pulling yourself up through the hatch. This is the second floor of the home, therefore the ceiling joists also serve as framing for the [currently non-existent] attic floor. The joists are all 2x10s spaced 24" OC (on center), between which is 12" of loose, cotton-blend insulation fill. The roof structure is stick frame built of 2x10s with 2x10 collar ties located 7'-6" off the floor. There is no flooring in the attic, except for a couple of 1/2" plywood pieces located under the H/A unit.

• Start with finding out exactly where you want the ladder. Once that has been determined, you will measure, mark and cut the spot in the ceiling to correspond with the size of the new ladder. Next, go ahead and bring any large tools and lumber that you will be using for the attic flooring up into the attic. The ladder and its framing and trim will then be installed. For the project, flooring will be added to approximately 400 square feet of the attic using a certain type of plywood called OSB, being careful to cover and protect all wiring and circulation components. A low safety wall will be installed around the perimeter of the flooring to prevent stored items (and people) from going beyond the boundaries of the flooring.

• The placement of the new attic access. Will it be in a hallway, a bedroom, a closet or other room? For most convenient usage, choose a spot that will be large enough that you will be able to maneuver large items and boxes around all sides of the ladder. Once you decide on a place, check in the attic to see what direction your joists are running; the ladder will fit in the space between the joists.

• What type of insulation does your home have? Is it the newer cotton blend? Or is it the older, fiber glass fill? You may need to take a trip up to the attic to find out for sure. No special tools or equipment are needed to safely work around the newer cotton blend insulation; however, if not handled properly, the older fiber glass fill can potentially cause health problems.

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F

Materials:

AS226 Summit Series aluminum folding attic ladder
ledger boards
trim
3/4" tongue and groove plywood sheathing
2x4 lumber
2x10 headers
metal nailing plate the width of joist
miter saw
brad nailer
screw gun
hammer
3" nails
shims
chalk line
PVC pipe
drywall saw
wood chisel
circular saw
1-3/4" tongue and groove plywood sheathing screws
collated screw gun

Attic Ladder Preparation

1. After deciding where the attic ladder will go, measure the width of the ceiling joists (figure A). Most attic folding staircases are 22" inches wide and are designed to fit in between ceiling joists. Make sure to clear the space below where you choose to install the ladder so debris doesn't make a mess below.

2. From below, pick a small area within your chosen space and, using a hammer, bust a hole in the ceiling between the rafters (figure B).

3. Stick a scrap piece of PVC pipe through the hole (figure C).

4. From above and using the pipe as your reference point, measure out the space where the four corners of the ladder will go and hammer nails from above into the ceiling below at each of those four corners. This frames the area of the ceiling to be removed (figure D).

5. From below, use a chalk line to mark the rectangle on the ceiling where you will cut through to the attic. This will ensure that the area to be removed is straight.

6. Use a drywall saw to finish cutting through the area of the ceiling within the chalk line rectangle (figure E). Once it is all cut, gently remove the area of the ceiling. This is where your new attic access will be (figure F).

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