Off topic. pull down stairway

Hi,ya'll, Anybody have any good tips for installing a pull down stairway? Old wood one is falling apart. New one going in is aluminium. Thanks .....Jim in N.M.
 
Make your rough opening to the size required for the new stairs. Use a scrap board and screw it to the ceiling perpendicular to the opening at one end. Its job is to support an end of the new stairs while you attach the other end. After securing the new stairs remove the temporary board and cover screw holes with trim.
 
If you are in a cold area, make an insulated box to slide over the opening in the attic.These things are not very air tight.
 
You'll like the aluminum one!

I used one the other day, really tight and rigid. The springs were a little strong though, took quite a bit to pull it down, wouldn't want to let it go, it would really slam!
 
They are made in a couple of different widths. The standard ones are just narrow enough to fit between 24 inch O.C. ceiling joists. But the larger ones require you to cut a ceiling joist or (gulp!) truss. I installed a wide attic stairs in my shop and I'm glad I didn't go with the narrow one. To cut the truss, I propped it up with boards wedged on either side and with temporary stringers I clamped to the adjoining trusses. The framed opening is attached to both the cut truss and adjoining trusses, and is screwed together; I'm confident the finished structure is at least as strong as before.
 
They are terrible to install by yourself. Really need two people to lift the ladder up into the opening while someone in the attic screws it to the framing. I sometimes mount a pulley to the roof above the opening and pull the ladder up with a rope. About a month ago I took down one for someone had mounted in their living room and move it to the hallway. The only help I had was my adult daughter and she managed to let the thing snap shut on her fingers so they can get nasty. Aluminum ladders are much more durable and lighter to install.
 
My boy had a wooden one in the house he just sold. I wasn't too impress with it. It was very flimsy. I have no need for one, but if I did, I would buy a tall stable stepladder rated to support as much weight as possible.

I have an 8 ft fiberglass stepladder in pole barn. It's very stable.

Besides, you can always use stepladder for other jobs. Hang stepladder on wall when not in use.
Geo
 
(quoted from post at 09:52:40 12/07/16) If you are in a cold area, make an insulated box to slide over the opening in the attic.These things are not very air tight.

You can get the covers ready made. I got one a few years ago that came in two pieces that you tape together with duct tape. I am very happy with it.
 

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