Attic is a special room under the roof of the house, which can be used in different ways. Naturally, you need to go up somehow. For this you need an attic staircase. Do it yourself is quite simple. It will take only material, tools, drawings and a little time.
Attic staircase designs
Naturally, the presented structure should be convenient and take up very little space in the house.
There are quite a few types of such structures:
- Foldable . Most often it consists of 3 parts that are fastened together. They can be easily folded. That is, when unnecessary, such a staircase will be in the attic and will not occupy space. You can manually adjust the height of this design. Do-it-yourself folding attic stairs are easy to set up.
- Sliding . Such a product most often in its composition has 2 parts that are attached to the hatch. Such a ladder must be equipped with handrails. However, keep in mind that in this case you will have to think about how to properly install it in the opening.
- Scissor . Most often they are made of metal. The principle of operation of this design is simple. Step sections are connected to each other like scissors. In a calm state, such a ladder looks like a spring. And you can equip it with an automatic drive, which will be controlled by the remote control.
What are the requirements for the construction?
If you need an attic staircase, even an amateur can design it with your own hands. However, certain requirements must be observed:
1. Particular attention should be paid to product safety. That is, all fasteners must be reliable, and the materials of manufacture durable. And the stairs should not block the passage.
2. Consider that functionality is more important than external beauty. Although this is not the last detail. For example, you should be comfortable climbing stairs. The design should be chosen taking into account all family members living in the house who will use it.
3. It is better if the staircase is equipped with handrails, handrails and slips that will prevent slipping.
4. The design must comply with fire safety requirements, especially wooden.
5. Consider the load capacity of the product. The optimal indicator is 260 kg.
The attic staircase (making it with your own hands is quite simple) must fully meet the specified requirements. With this, you save your health, space and money.
Necessary materials
If you need an attic staircase, do it yourself with your own hands only after you decide what you will put it from. For example, you can build it from wood or metal. In the first case, unpainted material should be used. So in the future you can decorate the stairs according to your interior. Moreover, such a design is made faster and easier.
Do-it-yourself metal folding attic stairs are much more difficult to build. This is because such material is not easy to process and requires special equipment. However, such a product will last longer, and is considered more durable.
Which tool will you need?
An attic staircase with your own hands (you can draw a drawing yourself or find a finished drawing) is constructed using a special tool. For example, you need to take:
1. Hacksaw or jigsaw.
2. Foam.
3. Adjustable spanners.
4. Goniometer and tape measure.
5. Screwdrivers.
6. Screws, screws, bolts and nuts.
7. Milling and grinding machine.
8. The apparatus for grinding wood.
9. Welding (if necessary).
Do-it-yourself folding attic stairs should be done only after you have decided on the type of structure. This toolkit is basic. Therefore, you may need additional machines.
How to determine the location and size of the stairs?
Making an attic staircase with your own hands is not very difficult. However, you should first choose a place for its installation, as well as determine the dimensions of the structure. So, the structure can be installed both outside the house and indoors. The latter option is more convenient, as it can be used at any time (winter, summer, rain or heat).
It is desirable that the place where the staircase will be located is isolated and does not interfere with moving around the house. Note that the dimensions of the room where the structure will be located should be large enough. If the staircase is part of the interior, then it is better to leave it open. Otherwise, use the closed option.
A self-made attic staircase, the drawing of which must be accurate, must fit into the room where it will be installed. That is, before starting all the activities, calculate the dimensions of the finished structure. At the same time, pay attention to the fact that the structure should be wide enough, and the steps should be conveniently located.
Features of the manufacture of wooden stairs
An attic
staircase with your own hands made of wood, the photo you can see in the article, can be made quickly enough. If you have all the materials, then the work involves several stages:
1. Preparation of wood. That is, you must cut the steps and planks that will connect them. If you have no time to do this, then you can take a ready-made ladder.
2. Make two identical parts from the finished material.
3. Next, these elements should be connected using anchor bolts.
4. For the articulated mechanism, metal elements should be prepared: sheet steel, thick corner and strip.
5. Bowstrings and steps should be well sanded. Otherwise, you may be injured. Further in the bowstrings are made recesses for inserting steps. Please note that the last elements must be placed strictly parallel to the floor.
6. Next, the finished elements of the stairs should be connected to the lifting mechanism and the lever-spring element.
Features of the manufacture of metal construction
There are other types of facilities presented. Do-it-yourself attic stairs made of metal are much more complicated than wood. For example, here you must strictly observe the slope of the marches within 25-45 degrees. The height of the steps should also be in the range of 60-64 cm. These are standard indicators that you should focus on.
Kosoures can also be different. For example, there are stairs with a bowstring made of sheet metal, sawtooth, with a toothed section, without brackets or with them. In principle, if you have a suitable drawing, you will quickly assemble the desired version of the stairs.
Design installation
It should be noted that the construction of the structure is not the most difficult stage. Installation of the attic stairs with your own hands should be done very accurately so as not to redo all the work later. During installation, certain rules should be followed:
1. First of all, you do not need to do everything yourself. You need an assistant.
2. You must have the exact dimensions of the opening to which the structure will be attached.
3. Note that the stairs should be easy to manage. That is, you need to reach out to the sliding mechanism. At the same time, it must reliably fix the structure in the assembled state.
4. You need to fix the structure very, very firmly, so that at one point it does not fall on your head. To do this, use large bolts and metal inserts.
5. To facilitate the operation of the structure, you can equip it with automatic mechanisms that, using the remote control, will raise or lower the product.
Before screwing on, test the ladder: whether all mechanisms work correctly.
In principle, you have learned all the features of the manufacture and installation of the attic stairs. Naturally, all actions should be performed accurately and carefully. Subject to the observance of all technology, your product will last a long and very high quality. Good luck