Attic Ladder

An attic ladder will allow you to access unused square footage in your uppermost level for storage now or future renovations. Your attic is the ideal place to store holiday decorations, seasonal clothing, cherished family mementos, photos and furniture items currently no being utilized. But, how can you safely access the area with those sometimes bulky items you want to store? And should you decide to put down even rudimentary flooring, how can you move the plywood and tools safely?

An attic ladder allows you access to your area in a safe manner. You can take your holiday decorations down and store them for the next year knowing you will be able to access those items easily by using your attic ladder. Likewise, if you need to find something, you can safely climb up and look for the item. Finishing your attic can be accomplished more readily when access to the area isn’t difficult.

How do you know what type of ladder is right for you? There are several varieties of ladders available and, depending on the location of your attic in your home, you may need a special style. Folding ladders and pull-down hatchways are popular ideas for gaining access to your attic. If you would like something with more permanence-say, if you plan on turning your area into a bonus room-there are plenty of stairway options.

Types of Ladders

For many years, attic access was unregulated. Few people used their attics for much of anything but seasonal storage, if that, and step ladders were the tool of choice. Most homeowners put little thought into an easier and safer way to gain access to their attics. Attics were just unused square footage.

The most basic style is the inexpensive aluminum type. These are easy to install and most do-it-yourself homeowners can handle a project of this type. A ladder like this will allow access if you use the area for a storage room.

There are assorted varieties of pull down ladders on the market and they are the most popular choice for today’s homeowner. Because of the labor involved you will probably want to hire a professional contractor. This can eat up a chunk of your budget, however making sure your attic ladder is installed correctly will assure your peace of mind.

Keep in mind that most pull down and folding stairways will have an angle of 64 degrees. That makes for a steep inclination and accessibility isn’t that easy. While folding ladders are great if you use attics for storage, they may be impractical if you are planning to transition that area into a usable room.

Stairways also come in a wide variety of options. Depending on the spatial area you have available and what your purpose is for your upper level, you may opt for a permanent stairway. This will allow you easy access and, as part of a remodel, open up another floor for you to utilize.

Where to Find Your Attic Ladder

Attic ladder kits are found at most any home improvement center. They come with everything you need to install an attic ladder. You can easily install your ladder in a day, or at most, a weekend. With some necessary planning and by taking your time to plot out your project, you can be assured of a successful installation.

Most kits are designed to fit into the framework in your attic floor. Ideally, your upper area will align with a clear lower area. In other words, your ladder needs a clearing and you want to make sure the access area both above and below are easy to maneuver around.

You’ll need to make sure you have exact measurements for your framing. Most attic ladder kits are made to fit 24-inch-in-center framing. If your framing doesn’t measure up, you may need to install additional framing. If this is required, you’ll want to check with a professional regarding your options.

You’ll need to measure the distance from the floor to the ceiling and make sure you buy the right size. Also, as the ladders come in different strengths, you’ll need to know how much weight it will bear. Make sure you purchase the kit that will bear the most weight. The more weight it can bear, the sturdier the ladder. You may be required to install additional framing.

Whatever Your Need

Whether you decide to install the ladder yourself, or hire a contractor to do the work, an attic ladder is a great way to gain access to a seldom used section of your home. It’s a low cost way to secure storage and de-clutter the living area of your home. If the future brings a need for additional living space, access to your uppermost level will allow you to put your plans into action.