Pull Down Attic Stairs

Pull down attic stairs provide a convenient point of access to your attic so that you can begin to enjoy the space above your house after a remodel. When you renovate the top of your house, you are usually doing so to create an extra living area that can be used for a variety of purposes, and having a convenient way to get to your new room is all part of creating that new living area above your home. Take some time to consider the different options you have for pull down attic stairs so that you can find the model that best fit your needs.

There are different models of pull down attic stairs that are all easily installed, so think about what type of configuration will best benefit you and your family. Typically, most converted attics have a rectangular opening for an access point that requires you to pull a handle or a rope down in order to begin lowering the stairs. They either fold out as you pull them down, are manually folded out by the person opening the attic, or slide to the floor once the attic door is opened. All of these models are beneficial in different ways, and deciding between certain models is really a matter of personal preference, as well as evaluating how much traffic the pull out stairs will have to endure.

If you plan on using the room frequently, you will want to install a robust set of pull down attic stairs that will handle day to day foot traffic. If you have remodeled the attic to be a home office and will only be using the stairs a few times a day, you could opt for pull down stairs that are still robust, but not as heavy duty as models that are meant to endure constant traffic. The biggest point of concern should be safety, of course, no matter what the room will be used for. Keep this in mind when choosing the right pull down attic stairs for your newly remodeled room.

In the Process

Are you currently in the process of remodeling your attic to create a bonus room? If you have yet to begin the remodeling process, the first thing you might want to consider is the quality of the pull down attic stairs you have in place right now. A remodeling project requires a great deal of foot traffic, usually with people carrying heavy equipment and materials that could cause old stairs to collapse if the materials and equipment exceed the weight that the pull down stairs can sustain. Before you begin a remodeling project, be sure to assess the stability of your current access point. You may want to install a new fold down staircase before you even begin your project to ensure your safety, as well as the workers who may be using this access point constantly.

Remodeling Options

There are many different types of rooms that people will consider for their remodeling project, and depending on the room, you will want to take into consideration some simple design differences. If the project will be to convert the upper room of your home into a recreational room for your children or a home office for you, there are a few things that should be seriously considered, such as the amount of electrical outlets you install and the possibility of installing skylights to cut down on electrical cost. If you are converting your area to a home theater room, you will need to think about the amount of electrical outlets you will need, the arrangement of seating, and the option to cover your skylights, should you install them.

If the project will be to convert your area to a recreational room for your children, you will not have to consider too many electrical outlets, but should take other things into account, such as the safety level of the pull down attic stairs that you install. If the room is mainly for your children, consider that they will be the ones who pull the staircase out, and the ones using the room most frequently. You may not always be there when they are operating the access point of the new living area, so you want to make sure that you install reliable and safe ways to access the room.

Converting your attic into a new room is very beneficial to your family's quality of life and should be carefully thought out. Take your ideas and plans to a designer or renovation company that can help you to create the room you want. Talk to them about pull down attic stairs and the safest models available. Have them show you photos of the best pull down attic stairs so that you can pick the ones that will be safe for you and your family.