Making an attic ladder with your own hands - drawings. DIY attic staircase with hatch, drawings. DIY one-section design

Almost all country houses have attics. To organize a comfortable and safe ascent there, it is necessary to equip a ladder.

It can be made from various materials, but the most common and convenient are wooden stairs. Let's look at their types in detail and tell you how they can be made of wood.

Structures for climbing into the attic can be permanent or removable. Their type depends on the availability of installation space, ceiling height and frequency of use.

After all, the attic is often used as a utility room, and there is no need to install a complex architectural structure. However, even among simple designs There are some that will fit harmoniously into the interior and will not take up much space.

When choosing a type, you don’t need to think about the possibility of moving large objects along it or having two people at the same time, since both of these situations are unlikely to arise.

Stationary types

All structures, according to the type of attachment to the supporting base, are divided into the following types:

Such structures consist of two load-bearing strings, straight or curved, between which steps are located in grooves.

On the stringers.

They are a little reminiscent of bowstring systems, but the difference is that stringers serve as a support beam. The steps are attached to them from above, so that they seem to lie on supports. Usually one or two stringers are used.

On pain.

IN in this case, the steps are pinned on one side to the wall, or to a wall mounted load-bearing beam. This system of steps looks very stylish.

On a support pillar.

This design has found application in screw type devices. One, narrowed end of the step is fixed to a vertical supporting support, and when correct location, all steps form a spiral flight. The big advantage of such a system is that it does not take up much space.

Combined designs.

Such structures can be made using all of the listed types of fastenings.

Stationary types are the most visually attractive, convenient and safe to use. However, it is not always possible to find suitable free space for installing capital attic systems.

Portable options

They are quite inconvenient to use for interfloor movements:

Attached. This is the simplest device for ascent and descent. It can be used as a temporary one, brought and taken away at any time. The extensions are suitable for rare visits to this room. Such a device can be left in place, but it will not add any aesthetics to the interior. In addition, the unsteadiness and instability creates problems with the safety of the person using it.

Ladder. Everything that has been said about the attached variety can be repeated about this type - with the only difference being that stepladders are a little more convenient and safe to use.

Most often, portable options are used when access to the attic is from the street.

Folding types

Manufacturers offer a large selection. They consist of 3-4 spans and are easily adjusted to any ceiling height. However, the price of these structures is quite decent.

Manufacturing

If the question arises about manufacturing, wood is the most suitable material for these purposes. There is no need to buy a ready-made design, since it is quite easy to make it yourself.

The production process of an attic ladder can be seen in the video in this article:

Production of stationary ladders on bowstrings

Capital construction with your own hands: stages of work. When making a structure, you will need bars for making a bowstring, boards for steps, a set of screws and anchors for fastening, varnish or paint for finishing.

Tools required for work:

Manufacturing instructions:

A design drawing is being prepared.
In accordance with the drawing, strings and steps are cut.
In the bowstrings, grooves are cut out according to a pre-prepared stencil to install steps to a depth of 15-20 mm. The accuracy of cutting the grooves and maintaining the geometry are the most important part of the entire process, since, otherwise, the steps will become loose and the staircase will quickly become unusable.

All parts are sanded with sandpaper.
Before assembly, the parts are treated with an antiseptic.
The grooves are coated with glue. Steps are being installed. For greater reliability with outside they are fixed using self-tapping screws. It is better to drown the hats and putty them.
If necessary, you can install balusters and railings.
Finishing with paints and varnishes.
The structure is attached with anchors to the supports.

The result is a simple, but reliable and safe system.

Production

Requirements for folding structures:

width of steps - 65-110 mm;
number of steps - no more than 15;
distance between steps is 16-20 cm;
step thickness - 18-22 mm;
height - no more than 3.5 m;
load capacity - not less than 150 kg;
tilt angle - 60-75 degrees.

Let's look at how to make it yourself:

Important! During the production of the structure, and especially during its installation, you will definitely need an assistant.

A drawing is created.
Details are being prepared. All cut areas are thoroughly cleaned.
The hatch frame is being manufactured. Standard size hatch 120x60 or 120x70, however, you can make it in accordance with the existing opening.
With bolts and metal inserts, the frame is installed in the opening.
The hatch cover can be made from 2 sheets of plywood 10 mm thick, laying polyethylene between them for vapor barrier. Can be used furniture board. We mount a handle to the lid.
The cover is hung on the frame.

On prepared bowstrings (with inside), which will be used as supports, grooves are made (about 5 mm deep) for installing steps.
The ends of the support beams are sawn off so that they are firmly placed on the floor. It is best to install plastic tips.
For simplicity, you can use a structure cut into 3 fragments.
The crossbars are secured with self-tapping screws between the strings. For strength, we recommend additionally applying glue to the joints.

The parts are connected to each other using hinges.

The design is made of sections, attached to the lid with corners (as in the photo).

The valve is installed.
For more convenient door opening, we recommend installing a lever-spring mechanism.
The entire system is treated with a protective compound.

Important! Before attaching the system to the hatch, check that all components are functioning properly.

The result is a design that will provide safe access to the attic, and will not take up space in the house.

We looked at what types of wooden attic stairs there are, their types, and use cases. They gave advice on making a comfortable and functional staircase with your own hands. Now it's up to you!

Do-it-yourself attic staircase: standard dimensions and manufacturing process

The attic is a traditional room in almost every country house. Its functionality is unusually wide. For example, this room is used as a storage room or workshop; some homeowners even decorate the attic as a living room or bedroom. In fact, the functional purpose of such a room depends solely on your own imagination, as well as financial capabilities. However, despite the wide variety of design options attic space, it is worth knowing that the attic ladder with a hatch is an integral part of it. If you do not build this structure, you simply will not be able to get into this room. Creating an attic staircase is a fairly simple matter, in connection with which you don’t even have to turn to professionals construction industry.

The attic staircase must be functional

Actually, the most labor-intensive process in organizing the attic space is the design of the staircase segment. Before creating a project for a specific staircase for your home, you must first decide on the design category. The following options exist:

foldable;
stationary;
portable.

Approximate diagram folding ladder with hatch

Features of various designs

Construction industry specialists call the broad marching structure the most reliable in the corresponding segment. It is worth noting that its durability, reliability and safety cannot be compared with structural analogues on the market. Meanwhile, despite the large number of advantages this option, choosing in its favor is sometimes impossible due to the banal lack of necessary free space. Thus, if you do not have large area for stairs, then a stationary model will not suit you. However, you shouldn’t despair, because you can always build a folding staircase. Its design has best characteristics from stationary and portable analogues. For example, it is not as reliable and safe as a stationary marching model, however, to organize such a structure it is necessary to have a very small amount of free space. In addition, folding models are the easiest to implement without the help of experienced professionals.

Simple two-piece staircase

Temporary solution

Portable models will be placed in a separate category, however, it is quite extensive. The variety of portable products is incredible. Meanwhile, we should not forget that the daily use of such a product can never become safe or comfortable enough, and the staircase itself is not able to compete with stationary and folding models in terms of operational and technical characteristics.

The staircase should be comfortable and functional

Selection of building materials

In the process of creating an attic staircase with your own hands, namely its preliminary drawing, it is worth paying attention to what building materials are usually used in this matter. Despite all the variety of products in the building materials segment, any experienced builder will tell you that there are certain types of products that the best way show themselves during operation. As a rule, all main structural parts are made primarily of wood, while fastening and fixing elements are made of metals. Thanks to the competent selection of materials, a do-it-yourself attic ladder, the drawing of which was made by a non-professional, will be much stronger and more reliable.

Folding ladder on hinges

How to make your choice?

Due to the fact that building materials for folding stairs to the attic are presented in a variety of price segments, source materials and characteristics, it is quite easy to drown in a sea of information about them. To minimize the time spent searching and selecting the best options, you should follow a number of rules:

Specify the type functional purpose design, as well as its main parameters, including design features, sectionality, width, etc.
Choose building materials in strict accordance with how actively the product will be used and under what conditions.
Define negative factors, which can reduce the operational life of the product.

Another one typical diagram attic stairs

The main thing is to correctly define the function

Any specialist who has the required level of qualifications and experience in working with these types of objects will tell you that the final result largely depends on the correct definition of the functional purpose of the product construction work How to build a staircase to the attic with your own hands. This parameter allows you to calculate the permissible load on each step of the product. The standard value of this indicator for a metal product is about 250 kGs, but wooden models are designed only for 150 kGs. In addition, it is worth considering that the above indicators are valid for products made by professionals, while home-made objects have slightly lower parameters. In general, the permissible pressure on a step does not mean that it cannot withstand greater stress. However, if you overload the structure too often, it will become unusable in a fairly short period of time.

When opening the hatch, you do not have to make much effort

So, the main criteria by which the choice is made optimal option, are:

area of free space in the room;
functional purpose of the object;
required angle of inclination of the product.

The creation of the drawing must be carried out in accordance with regulations

Stages of work and their features

In fact, experts say that there is nothing particularly difficult in creating a ladder with a hatch with your own hands. It is enough to adhere to certain rules that have been proven over the years. For example, when drawing up design drawings, you should be guided by regulatory and technical documentation, which, in addition to general conditions, also provides specific parameters of standard products. In addition, on the Internet there are a lot of ready-made schemes for every taste offered in the public domain. You can take a ready-made option and start implementing the project, or modify it a little in accordance with the individual characteristics of the house.

Tools recommended by experts

What to consider when designing?

Most General requirements regulatory and technical documentation can be reduced to a number of simple and understandable conditions:

the ergonomic range of product width is from 60 to 100 centimeters;
the best height is three and a half meters;
maximum number of steps – 15 pieces;
the distance between adjacent steps should be about 20 centimeters;
a comfortable step height for a person reaches about 20 centimeters, a deviation of 2 centimeters is allowed;
If we're talking about about the folding structure, then when creating the project, take permissible load 15 kilograms.

Tools

Having decided to independently carry out construction work, it is very important to stock up on a certain set of equipment, so that in the process of implementing the product project you do not stop due to the banal lack of a screwdriver or tape measure. So, the standard set of tools consists of the following items:

polyurethane foam;
bars;
self-tapping screws;
electric screwdriver;
hacksaw;
yardstick;
anchors;
screwdrivers.

Building a staircase is not difficult

Location Features

All the nuances of the location of the object in the room will become visible during the construction process. This is especially true if you are involved in the creation and subsequent implementation of the project yourself. Remember that the product cannot in any way reduce the comfort of the room. That is why stairs with hatches are not located in bedrooms, living rooms and kitchens. However, if necessary, you can diversify your staircase design interesting design. Thanks to this, the product can harmoniously fit into the overall interior of the room.

Project implementation technology

By following a certain technology, you can quickly and efficiently implement even a complex project. So, if you have chosen metal as the main material, then remember that the following steps are carried out:

the drawing is applied to sheets of cardboard;
cardboard elements of the future product are cut out;
the hinge is marked on metal strips and special holes are prepared;
the prepared parts are fixed together;
the required angle is measured and the structure is moved apart in accordance with the obtained parameters;
on metal sheets, markings are applied to those places that will subsequently be covered with corners;
elements are cut out using a special tool;
gives an aesthetic appearance to the object;
existing corners are rounded;
The workpieces are fastened in pairs.

Before starting work, install a temporary ladder

As you can see, the technology for implementing a staircase project with your own hands is quite simple. It applies not only to metal objects, but also to wooden products.

In order for the appearance of the attic staircase to be as attractive as possible, do not be too lazy to implement preparatory work on the surface building material. We are talking, for example, about applying a special primer before covering the surface with a paint.

Do not be afraid of difficulties, because the technology for constructing stairs may seem problematic to you only at first glance and require experience in the construction industry. Applying the optimal amount of effort will help you achieve maximum results.

DIY stairs to the attic. How to make an attic ladder

There is an attic in any country house. Very often this is an unused room, but in some cases some unnecessary things are stored here or even a room is being furnished. In any case, there must be access to it, and for this purpose stairs are made to the attic. They can be made of wood and metal - in this case, you can make them yourself. Or they can be beautiful forged - such designs are usually created to order.

Primary requirements

Before building an attic staircase, you need to consider several of its features. Firstly, it must be convenient and safe to use. Moreover, these two indicators depend on constructive principle the staircase itself and the attic. An important role is played by taking into account the type of staircase, the width of its steps, and the height of the rise. The height of the stairs is calculated depending on what its design will be. If it is a folding type, then you need to carefully consider its dimensions when folded.

The steps must be of such a size that it is comfortable and safe for anyone to climb them. The correctness of the design also depends on the location of the steps: the distance between them should not be too small or large. Failure to comply with these requirements will violate safety regulations.

The width of the flight of stairs to the attic must be at least 0.8 m. It is important that the angle of inclination is maintained: this needs to be thought through at the stage of designing the structure.

Types of stairs: folding or stationary?

The choice between these two types of structures depends on how big square at the attic. Of course, a stationary staircase is more reliable and safe, but it is also solid, that is, it requires a lot of space. This is why many people prefer folding attic ladders: they are convenient, take up little space, due to the fact that they can be folded. Most often, such structures consist of several sections that overlap each other, thereby saving space. Moreover, they can always be adjusted depending on the required size.

Or retractable?

These designs are becoming increasingly popular, due to their advantages:

are cheap;
easy to install;
take up little space thanks to the accordion-shaped design;
reliable;
mask the structure with an attic hatch.

All these advantages make retractable stairs so in demand. How to make it yourself?

Self-installation of a retractable ladder: main steps

The very first step should be a thorough analysis and check of the dimensions of the hatch opening. This is necessary to ensure that the parameters you choose coincide with the dimensions of the stairs. Then the location of the bars is thought out - first at the bottom, then at the top. Special spacers are located between the opening and the staircase - they will help better fix the structure. When it is laid, the spacers can be removed.

Or outside?

If space does not allow you to install retractable stairs, you can replace them external structure. It will provide communication between the outside world and internal space your house. The main thing is to remember the safety rules, since the operation of such a structure has its own characteristics. When installing an external staircase, it is important to choose the right material: it must be resistant to sun rays, have increased abrasive wear, reliable and wear-resistant.

Wooden staircase

Wooden stairs to the attic are the simplest option, which you can create with your own hands. There are several ways to do this. Let's look at the simplest and most practical ones.

To make an attic staircase, you first need to take measurements: we need parameters for the height of the room, the expected angle of inclination, which most often reaches 30 degrees, while the height is about 2.5 m. In order for the staircase to be reliable and correct from a design point of view, you need to think through and draw up the drawings correctly. The simplest wooden stairs are created on the basis of bars for stringers, bars corresponding to the width of the stairs for fastening, overhead hinges and boards from which we will make the steps. Yes, and don’t forget about the folding hangers - the hatch cover will be fixed on them. The installation process itself is as follows:

Steps are installed and securely fastened between the stringers. This is done either using a tongue-and-groove type of fastening, or with self-tapping screws, or with glue. It is better to treat the steps with anti-slip pads - they will increase the safety of the structure.
The staircase is first secured under the ceiling opening using two bars that are equal to the width of the staircase. Their connection is made with loops.
We check how efficient the hinges are, and then finally tighten the fasteners.

This is the easiest way to create a staircase to the attic.

This is a more labor-intensive method of making a staircase, which can easily be installed even in a country house. It looks more aesthetically pleasing and has more reliable design, which is important in conditions of heavy load on it. The structure itself will be movable on one side, and the other half will be attached to the wall. To create such a staircase to the attic we will need:

two boards of length corresponding to the height of the ceiling and the angle of inclination;
boards for creating steps at least 0.5 m wide and about 3 cm thick;
bolts, self-tapping screws as fasteners;
card loops that will attach the steps.

It is important to arm yourself with a drawing - it will allow you to complete all the work efficiently and accurately. After determining the angle of inclination, you need to saw off the bars at the top and bottom so that they rest firmly on the floor. The boards along their entire length are divided into equal sections - here the steps will be located at the distance you need. The steps are fastened with card loops, and after the structure is completed, you can make it elegant by varnishing or painting it.

Metal stairs

Attic stairs made of aluminum look very beautiful, especially if your country house is decorated in the style of “minimalism” or “high-tech”. What's good about metal? Firstly, it is more reliable. Secondly, such structures are treated with special compounds that protect the surface from mechanical stress or corrosion. Thirdly, metal structures can withstand heavy loads.

The most popular among buyers are retractable metal stairs, which take up little space. They are relevant for premises that have small sizes, that is, where rational use of space is required.

How to do it yourself?

Despite all the difficulty technological process, do metal staircase You can do it yourself. Moreover, it can be made of either metal or a combination of materials. To make the simplest metal staircase we will need to prepare:

welding machine;
mechanical saw;
an emery wheel, which we will use to remove burrs on the metal;
a circular saw and a clamp for joining parts if the staircase has wooden parts;
metallic profile;
pipes;
steel sheets.

Please note that the quantity of materials is calculated based on the drawing. We will use a welding machine to make strong seams, so the staircase will be a monolithic and durable structure.

Such an aluminum or steel staircase will be constructed on the basis of a channel (size 8-10). The steps are made of sheet steel; if they are without additional finishing, you will need a grating on the steps that will protect against falling. The fences are made of angle steel, and the supports for the treads are made of reinforcement. First, support devices are installed and welded onto the beam, then brackets for fastening are welded.

Metal attic stairs can have wooden treads, but first you need to think about where the additional fasteners will be located. On metal steps The holes for the screws should be located at a distance of 15 cm from each other. A plywood backing is mounted to the metal treads - it is attached with mounting adhesive, which after hardening retains its shape.

Finished aluminum staircase

Very often, many people prefer to buy ready-made structures rather than install them themselves. But even in this case you will have to work hard, since they are delivered disassembled. How to assemble? General scheme the work is approximately as follows:

First, a sketch of the future staircase is created.
From metal profile or pipes are cut into 4 identical sections.
The pipe is secured in a vice and thoroughly cleaned of rust.
Steps are cut out of a metal sheet - they must be the same length.
The steps are tried on a flat surface and adjusted to size.
The steps are attached to the supports by welding - this is more reliable option than angles and bolts.
The bottom of the staircase is finished with rubber heels.

Forged structures: beautiful and modern

Very often in country houses, rooms with an attic or attic are connected with wrought-iron stairs. Moreover, they can be simple screw ones, or they can have ornate designs, which allows them to fit into any room stylistically. All spiral staircases can be divided into several types:

in the first version, the staircase is supported by a central pillar and walls;
in the second – spiral staircase removed from the walls and mounted on a support pillar with steps;
in the third case, the staircase with a turn does not have a central pillar, but rests on spirally curved strings;
the fourth option is a reliable metal staircase, which rests on a monolith pillar based on a steel pipe.

The most convenient are stairs, the span width of which is up to 900 mm with a diameter of the entire staircase design up to 2200 mm.

What if you buy it?

If you don't feel like studying manual installation, you can always buy the same forged stairs, which are quite difficult to install yourself, much less to invent and make. Big choice Attic stairs are offered by many brands, not only in Russia, but also in other countries of the world. Let's look at the most popular:

STANDART ISO PLUS (MINKA, Austria). This folding wooden ladder is made of quality MDF and is designed for a maximum load of 150 kg. There are special protective attachments on the legs, and the metal handrail ensures maximum safety. This compact staircase, the price of which is on average 8,200 rubles.
The Danish company VELTA offers economy-class structures that can be installed in the attic or attic. For 6000 rubles you get simple stairs, which is compact: it consists of three sections that are conveniently assembled and retracted into the ceiling.
FAKRO stairs are made from winter-harvested pine, therefore they are reliable and durable in use. This company offers a wide range of products that are compact and have a wide price range. The insulated hatch cover is the most important advantage that this ladder has. The price of models starts from 8,000 rubles. It is also important that all connections of the structure are reliable and durable, the steps are supplemented with anti-slip grooves, making operation safe and comfortable.

conclusions

Now you know how to make a staircase to the attic with your own hands. Having the most at hand simple materials, you will create a laconic but comfortable wooden or aluminum structure.

Do-it-yourself attic staircase with hatch: drawings and step-by-step master classes with instructions

The staircase to the attic is a simple design that you can easily create yourself. It can be solid - made of wood or metal, or it can have a light and convenient folding shape. What options are suitable for your attic and how to make and install an attic ladder with a hatch with your own hands, read our material.

Stepladders for the attic? It's in the past!

The exit to the attic is almost always located in one of the living rooms on the top floor of the house. Therefore, you have to either sacrifice space and spoil the interior, or use a portable stepladder. The last option is not only troublesome, but also quite risky, since unstable steps can break off, and in order to hold the stepladder itself, you often need to invite family members to help.

We suggest you make a choice in favor of a more reliable option - designing and implementing a new modern attic staircase. Types and recommendations for creating a good-quality staircase to the attic with your own hands, which we give below, will help you make your choice.

Attic stairs: overview of options

The main elements of the staircase are the bowstring and the stringer (side parts); tread (steps) and riser (for stationary stairs).

I. Capital steps

If there is enough space in your house, then we recommend building a stationary staircase to access the attic or attic. This option is reliable, practical and durable. Capital steps can be made on the basis of a metal frame or high-quality wood.

Monolithic stairs can be marching, with one or more bends, or spiral (spiral). Marching options have steps in the form of rectangular plates (boards), which evenly move upward at the same distance. A spiral staircase is folded around a central base, has steps narrowed towards the inner edge and is arranged in a spiral. The latter option is more compact and can be built even in small rooms, without compromising space.

The “advantages” of the capital option include durability, reliability and ease of use.

A capital staircase, in most cases, does not provide a hatch for access to the attic, therefore it is more suitable for houses with warm roof. For cold roof The exit to the attic must be closed with a sealed hatch. The standard dimensions of the hatch are 120x70 cm. It makes no sense to make the passage smaller, as this will complicate both getting into the attic and installing steps.

The material for the hatch is wood, metal or plastic. You can order a blank for the hatch at the metal-plastic structures factory with installation or self-installation. The hatch can be automatic and manual opening. With the latter option, a special pole is used to open the latch (lock) and lower the door with a ladder.

II. Portable ladders

Portable steps are the closest analogue of the “good old” stepladders. Such a ladder will only be reliable if you make a folding version with a platform. However, it is difficult to call such a design convenient. You will have to make extra efforts to get into the attic hole, and the issue of storing such a ladder will cause a lot of trouble.

III. Folding attic ladders with hatch

A very convenient and easy-to-implement type of attic ladder is folding steps connected to a hatch. Thanks to its convenient design, this type of steps has become the most popular among professional craftsmen.

Today there are many types of folding stairs, from which you can choose the most suitable option(telescopic, scissor, folding, etc.).

The folding mechanism is suitable for any attic spaces with a hatch onto which the staircase structure can be attached.

Scissor steps. This type is made of metal. The steps themselves can be wooden. The ladder is a compressing mechanism. When folded, the design takes on a very compact shape and size, so it is perfect for a small attic hatch;
Telescopic steps. They are a system of retractable sections (similar to a folding telescope). This option is made of aluminum and also looks very compact on a small attic door;
Folding (folding) stairs. This type is the most popular, as it is characterized by practicality, durability, cost-effectiveness and ease of installation. Below we will describe it in more detail.

In general, most stairs schematically look like this:

Before we begin designing an attic staircase, let's consider some standard design characteristics:

The width of the march for attic steps should not exceed 60-65 cm;
The height of the entire structure (taking into account the slope) is allowed up to 300 cm. Anything that exceeds this length becomes less stable and less strong. The higher the ladder, the less load it can withstand;
Based on the recommended length of the stairs, the number of steps is selected - 13-15 pieces, with a distance between them of up to 20 cm;
The most convenient and safe angle of inclination of the stairs is 60-700 degrees;
Steps are a direct recipient of the load when climbing, so they must have a dense structure and a thickness of 18 mm, and be positioned strictly parallel to the floor.

Selection of material for flight of stairs should be determined by the frequency of operation of the structure. Wood wears out faster than metal. So, if you go up to the attic every day, it is better to design the steps from metal. In other cases, wood, as a material that is light, environmentally friendly and easy to install, is very popular.

So, let's get started and create a modern attic staircase with a hatch with your own hands according to the drawings that our specialists have prepared for you.

Stages of design and installation of a staircase of three sections with a hatch

I. Preparation of the drawing

At this stage, the design is calculated. The length of the stairs is easy to calculate. Let's use a simple mathematical formula: D = B/, where α is the selected angle of inclination, B is the ceiling height. So, with a ceiling height of 3 m and an inclination angle of 60 degrees, the length of the staircase will be 3/0.867 = 3.46 m. Craftsmen advise adding a few centimeters to the resulting figure in order to then more accurately measure and cut the required length:

The dimensions of the hatch should be slightly smaller than the opening itself. For the calculation, 6-7 mm is left on each side of the door.

We calculate the length of the sections according to the following scheme: the first section is the length of the hatch minus 10%; second section – length of the first section minus 10%; third section - the sum of the lengths of the first two sections is subtracted from the total length of the stairs.

Now you need to transfer the calculations to paper and begin preparing the necessary materials and tools.

II. Selection of materials and tools

To implement the project, you need to prepare carpentry tools: tape measure, chisel, hacksaw, screwdriver, welding machine (or capital connections for a metal frame), square, hacksaw, clamps, wood glue, masking tape, electrodes, wood glue.

The main materials that we will need: 50x50 mm bars for finishing the hatch (about 4-5 pieces); two boards for the bowstring 100x25 mm long, equal to the selected length of the ladder; board for steps 100x20 or 100x25 mm; plywood or material with similar characteristics(one standard sheet is enough for the hatch door); plates and angles for opening and hinges; nuts, bolts, screws, washers, etc.

III. Making a hatch door

Step I. Prepare the bars for the hatch. At the ends of the beams, make cuts and grooves to tightly connect the structure into a regular triangle using assembly glue and fasteners. Protect the corners of the frame with temporary plywood plates to prevent the rectangle from moving.

Step II. Attach a sheet of plywood of the appropriate size to the base of the bars. Now you need to try on the hatch to the passage to the attic. It should be 6-7 mm smaller on all sides.

Step III. Provide a lock for the attic door. This can be an automatic mechanism, or a very ordinary latch, which can be opened with a pole with a tip.

Step IV. We install hatch opening/closing mechanisms. If you don’t want to buy ready-made mechanisms, you can make them yourself. There should be two fastenings - left and right. For work, purchase a 4x20 mm steel plate and a corner. The photo shows a drawing of the left fastening part. The right one is performed in a mirror image. Dimensions are given arbitrarily. For more accurate calculations, consider your parameters. Before fastening, be sure to check the mechanisms in operation:

IV. Assembling the stairs

You can always order a ready-made sectional staircase from the craftsmen, which can be secured according to ready-made diagram on one's own. But if you decide to complete the work yourself, you can assemble the stairs from prepared materials.

Step 1. Mark on the strings the places where the steps will be installed. To do this, mark each part with a pencil, according to the selected angle of inclination of the stairs and the previously made calculations. Now press the ends of the boards tightly together and fasten them together masking tape. This is necessary to drill through holes at the junctions of sections. Drill a hole for the hinge with a diameter of about 25 mm at the junction of the first and second sections. Next, you need to remove the tape and turn the boards over, fastening them again. Now we drill a similar hole at the junction of the second and third sections:

Step 2. Cut the bowstrings along the marked lines. Next, grooves for the steps are made on the inside of the bowstrings using a chisel. The depth of the grooves must be at least 5 mm (this should also be taken into account at the first design stage). The lower section of the bowstrings should be beveled according to the angle of inclination of the stairs.

Step 3. We cut the steps according to the markings and attach them to the left bowstring. We put the steps on glue and secure them with self-tapping screws. We attach the right bowstring and also fasten it with self-tapping screws.

Step 4. Attach the hinges for the sliding mechanism of the stairs. Hinges, like hinge mechanisms, can be bought in a store, or made independently from metal tape. We need eight strips of metal (you can use leftovers from the door mechanisms). Weld small pieces of the same strip to the four strips. We drill two holes in each part (for fastening and hinge). We connect the hinge with the hinges. Now we join the cut sections and attach the hinges so that each hinge fits into the groove (25 mm holes drilled before cutting the sections). We fasten the loops on the bowstrings:

V. Final assembly

Now it's up finished stairs need to be secured to the hatch, having first checked the operation of the hinge mechanisms. The staircase should also be checked after installation. After making sure that all parts are in good condition and functionality, open the steps with varnish:

And one more step-by-step installation guide:

You can insulate and seal the hatch using foam rubber or construction wool. The edges of the hatch should be covered with rubber sealant tape.

That's it, your staircase with hatch is ready! This is exactly the option that is completely feasible “with one helmet.” We wish you fast and easy work.

DIY staircase to the attic

For country cottages, private houses and simple country houses, equipped with an attic, the presence of a convenient and reliable staircase leading to the mentioned room is a common necessity of life.

DIY staircase to the attic

At the same time, the staircase does not have to be capital and bulky at all - you can assemble and install an excellent folding structure, which will be in no way inferior to stationary stairs.

DIY staircase to the attic

You can complete all the related tasks yourself, saving money and testing your own strength.

Choosing the type of staircase

There are several types of stairs that can be installed to access your attic.

Stationary

A staircase with wide flights and railings is the most reliable, durable and easy-to-use design. However, the possibility of arranging such a staircase is not available everywhere - it certainly cannot be equipped in small areas.

Portable

They are used primarily as a temporary option, as well as for access to rarely used rooms. The main disadvantages of such a ladder are low safety and ease of use. Therefore, if possible, the use of such a design should be abandoned.

Folding

They are something between portable and stationary ladders. In terms of ease of use and safety, they are almost in no way inferior to full-fledged stationary structures and, at the same time, have a significant advantage - they require very little space for their arrangement. Therefore, when making a staircase yourself, it is recommended to give preference to a folding structure.

Selection of materials

An equally important point is the choice of materials from which the stairs to the attic will be assembled. Wood is usually used to make the main elements of folding sectional stairs, and fasteners are traditionally made of metal.

Currently, there are many different materials, types of controls and fasteners, which makes it easy to assemble a folding staircase that will best suit your specific room.

When choosing materials for the manufacture of attic stairs, you need to take into account a number of important factors. First of all, decide on the functional purpose of the structure, its type, width, and the optimal number of sections.

The functional purpose of the stairs to the attic is very important in terms of determining the maximum permissible load on the steps. So, for example, factory-made wooden stairs can withstand an average load of 150 kgf, metal ones - 250 kgf. For homemade stairs, these figures are slightly reduced.

This does not mean that the steps cannot bear more high load, however, you definitely shouldn’t load them like that regularly, otherwise the structure will break very quickly.

Attic stairs, drawing

The width of the stairs should not be greater than the width of the attic opening.

When choosing the dimensions of the attic ladder, be guided by proven and approved standards.

march width – at the level of 650-1100 mm;
height - no more than 350 cm. With more significant values, the staircase noticeably loses in terms of rigidity and overall safety;
number of steps – up to 15. In some situations, the number of steps can be increased with the obligatory additional strengthening of the structure;
the distance between the steps is 15-20 cm, usually they are placed at a distance of about 18-19 cm;
the thickness of the steps is about 2 cm, may deviate slightly in both directions;
the angle of inclination is about 60-80 degrees. Installing stairs at a small angle requires a lot free space, a large angle reduces the safety of the structure.
When designing a staircase, be sure to take into account the expected level of load on the structure.

Remember: the steps must be installed strictly parallel to the floor surface. In addition, the steps of the stairs must be non-slip. To do this, you can stuff linings of any non-slip material over the base material.

Interfloor opening size

Guide to making a staircase to the attic

There is nothing overly complicated about making your own stairs to the attic. Of course, an inexperienced craftsman is unlikely to be able to assemble a structure with the same attractive appearance as factory-made models, but it’s definitely worth a try.

Attic folding ladder with your own hands

Before starting work, create a drawing of the future staircase. If you do not have the necessary skills, order the creation of a drawing from a specialist, or select a suitable diagram from the options presented in open sources.

One of the drawings

Tools

Prepare everything at once necessary equipment so as not to be distracted by searching for missing tools in the future.

hacksaw;
polyurethane foam;
electric screwdriver;
screwdrivers;
anchor;
self-tapping screws;
bars;
fastening loops;
yardstick.

Almost complete set

Markup Tools

Also, before starting work, you need to buy or assemble an ordinary ladder. To assemble such a structure yourself, you only need to fix the transverse steps between two long vertical posts and further strengthen the structure.

The finished staircase should be approximately 30 cm longer than the distance from the level of the opening to the attic to the floor.

You can also easily handle making a hatch with your own hands. The only materials you need are sheets of plywood and wooden beam 5x5 cm.

First step. Choose a location to place the hatch and determine its optimal dimensions. Add approximately 7-9 mm on each side to the dimensions of the hatch so that in the future you can easily close the lid without squeaks or other noise. Make the opening according to the specific dimensions.

Second step. Cut the wooden beam into four parts in accordance with the dimensions of the hatch.

A simple scheme for constructing an insulated attic hatch

Third step. Make grooves at the ends of the bars. Lubricate the prepared grooves and connect the bars into a rectangular (square) structure. Additionally strengthen the connections using self-tapping screws. Screw the gussets so that the diagonal does not move.

Fourth step. Attach the plywood cover to the resulting base and try on the product in the hatch opening.

Fifth step. Install a regular latch into the hatch cover. You will open the latch using a handle. Attach it to the lid and finally fix the product in the pre-aligned opening. Usually loops are used for this.

The hatch should open easily

Simple folding ladder

Start making a folding ladder. It is assumed that you already have at your disposal the previously mentioned wooden extension ladder.

First step. Attach the width of the beam to the bottom of the ladder. Attach the same block to the top of the product. In this case, the lower bar must be fixed rigidly, and the upper one - on the hinges.

Second step. Saw the ladder into 2 parts. The upper part should have a length of about 2/3 of the total length of the stairs.

Third step. Attach a pair of slats to provide additional diagonal rigidity.

Fourth step. Connect the parts of the structure using loops.

Fifth step. Secure the top beam under the hatch using anchors.

Sixth step. Secure the bottom of the ladder with a hook - this will prevent it from opening spontaneously. Place the loop on the stringer above the cutting line.

Seventh step. Press the finished structure against the wall surface and secure.

The main disadvantage is this homemade stairs is not a very attractive appearance - the entire beam and fasteners remain visible. However, such a staircase copes 100% with the main tasks - ensuring a convenient and safe ascent and return descent.

An improved and more attractive version of the previous design. There is also nothing complicated in making such a staircase; it is enough to follow all the instructions step by step.

Folding attic ladder with strings

First step. Divide a regular wooden ladder into 3 parts. Make the first part according to the dimensions of the attic hatch, make the second a little smaller than the first, and make the third such that the remaining space to the floor surface is completely covered.

Second step. Take a small tool and measure the corner of the attic hatch. Transfer the angle to the boards, thus marking the location of the steps.

Third step. Drill holes where the hinges will be located between the individual stair sections.

Fourth step. Sand the edges of the structures.

Fifth step. Saw the boards at the hinge points.

Sixth step. Cut and sand the steps.

Seventh step. Prepare indentations for the steps in the strings.

Eighth step. Insert the steps into the prepared recesses. Use glue and further strengthen the connections with self-tapping screws.

Ninth step. Connect the sections of the stairs using special loops. To do this, the sections must be placed on a stable, flat surface.

Tenth step. Check the operation of all sections. If you find any defects or deviations, try to correct them immediately.

Eleventh step. Sand everything down wooden surfaces and coat them with varnish.

Twelfth step. After the varnish has completely dried, install the structure in the attic hatch opening. If necessary, make final adjustments to the structural elements.

Thus, self-assembly stairs is extremely simple and accessible to almost every event. At the same time, the cost of a homemade staircase will be much lower compared to the price of a similar factory-made design. Follow the instructions and everything will definitely work out.

Also read the article on our website - do-it-yourself staircase to the basement.

Video - Do-it-yourself staircase to the attic

Almost all country houses have attics. To organize a comfortable and safe ascent there, it is necessary to equip a ladder.

It can be made of various materials, but wooden stairs are the most common and convenient. Let's look at their types in detail, and tell you how you can make a staircase to the attic with your own hands from wood.

Finished building

Structures for climbing into the attic can be permanent or removable. Their type depends on the availability of installation space, ceiling height and frequency of use.

After all, the attic is often used as a utility room, and there is no need to install a complex architectural structure. However, even among simple designs there are those that will fit harmoniously into the interior and will not take up much space.

When choosing a type, you don’t need to think about the possibility of moving large objects along it or having two people at the same time, since both of these situations are unlikely to arise.

Stationary types

All structures, according to the type of attachment to the supporting base, are divided into the following types:

On the bowstrings.

Such structures consist of two load-bearing strings, straight or curved, between which steps are located in grooves.

On the bowstrings

On the stringers.

On the stringers

On pain.

In this case, the steps are pinned on one side to the wall, or to a load-bearing beam mounted into the wall. This system of steps looks very stylish.

Boltsevaya

On a support pillar.

This design has found application in screw type devices. One, narrowed end of the step is fixed on a vertical load-bearing support, and if positioned correctly, all steps form a spiral flight. The big advantage of such a system is that it does not take up much space.

Screw

Combined designs.

Such structures can be made using all of the listed types of fastenings.

On a vertical support and bowstring

Stationary types are the most visually attractive, convenient and safe to use. However, it is not always possible to find suitable free space for installing capital attic systems.

Portable options

They are quite inconvenient to use for interfloor movements:

Attached. This is the simplest device for ascent and descent. It can be used as a temporary one, brought and taken away at any time. The extensions are suitable for rare visits to this room. Such a device can be left in place, but it will not add any aesthetics to the interior. In addition, the unsteadiness and instability creates problems with the safety of the person using it.

Pristavnaya

Everything that has been said about the attached type can be repeated about this type - with the only difference being that stepladders are a little more convenient and safe to use.

Most often, portable options are used when access to the attic is from the street.

Folding types

This type is very convenient and functional for indoors small area, and “not suffering” from excessive luxury. They are compact, easy to fold and put away in the hatch. Despite the apparent primitiveness of the design, they can withstand decent loads (150-250 kg).

Manufacturers offer a large selection. They consist of 3-4 spans and are easily adjusted to any ceiling height. However, the price of these structures is quite decent.

Manufacturing

If the question arises about manufacturing, wood is the most suitable material for these purposes. There is no need to buy a ready-made design, since it is quite easy to make it yourself.

The production process of an attic ladder can be seen in the video in this article:

Production of stationary ladders on bowstrings

Tools required for work:

Manufacturing instructions:

A design drawing is being prepared.
In accordance with the drawing, strings and steps are cut.
In the bowstrings, grooves are cut out according to a pre-prepared stencil to install steps to a depth of 15-20 mm. The accuracy of cutting the grooves and maintaining the geometry are the most important part of the entire process, since, otherwise, the steps will become loose and the staircase will quickly become unusable.

All parts are sanded with sandpaper.
Before assembly, the parts are treated with an antiseptic.
The grooves are coated with glue. Steps are being installed. For greater reliability, they are fixed from the outside using self-tapping screws. It is better to drown the hats and putty them.
If necessary, you can install balusters and railings.
Finishing with paints and varnishes.
The structure is attached with anchors to the supports.

The result is a simple, but reliable and safe system.

Variant on bowstrings

Production

Requirements for folding structures:

width of steps - 65-110 mm;
number of steps - no more than 15;
distance between steps is 16-20 cm;
thickness of steps - 18-22 mm;
height - no more than 3.5 m;
load capacity - at least 150 kg;
tilt angle - 60-75 degrees.

Let's look at how to make it yourself:

Important! During the production of the structure, and especially during its installation, you will definitely need an assistant.

A drawing is created.
Details are being prepared. All cut areas are thoroughly cleaned.
The hatch frame is being manufactured. The standard hatch size is 120x60 or 120x70, however, you can make it according to the existing opening.
Using bolts and metal inserts, the frame is installed in the opening.
The hatch cover can be made from 2 sheets of plywood 10 mm thick, laying polyethylene between them for vapor barrier. You can use a furniture board. We mount a handle to the lid.
The cover is hung on the frame.

On the prepared strings (on the inside), which will be used as supports, grooves are made (about 5 mm deep) for installing steps.
The ends of the support beams are sawn off so that they are firmly placed on the floor. It is best to install plastic tips.
For simplicity, you can use a structure cut into 3 fragments.
The crossbars are secured with self-tapping screws between the strings. For strength, we recommend additionally applying glue to the joints.

The parts are connected to each other using hinges.

The design is made of sections, attached to the lid with corners (as in the photo).

The valve is installed.
For more convenient door opening, we recommend installing a lever-spring mechanism.
The entire system is treated with a protective compound.

Important! Before attaching the system to the hatch, check that all components are functioning properly.

The result is a design that will provide safe access to the attic, and will not take up space in the house.

We looked at what types of wooden attic stairs there are, their types, and use cases. They gave advice on making a comfortable and functional staircase with your own hands. Now it's up to you!

There is an attic in any country house. Very often this is an unused room, but in some cases some unnecessary things are stored here or even a room is being furnished. In any case, there must be access to it, and for this purpose stairs are made to the attic. They can be made from wood and metal - in this case, you can make them yourself. Or they can be beautiful forged - such designs are usually created to order.

Primary requirements

Before building an attic staircase, you need to consider several of its features. Firstly, it must be convenient and safe to use. Moreover, these two indicators depend on the design principle of the stairs and the attic itself. An important role is played by taking into account the type of staircase, the width of its steps, and the height of the rise. The height of the stairs is calculated depending on what its design will be. If it is a folding type, then you need to carefully consider its dimensions when folded.

Types of stairs: folding or stationary?

The choice between these two types of structures depends on how large the area of the attic is. Of course, a stationary staircase is more reliable and safe, but it is also solid, that is, it requires a lot of space. This is why many people prefer folding attic ladders: they are convenient, take up little space, due to the fact that they can be folded. Most often, such structures consist of several sections that overlap each other, thereby saving space. Moreover, they can always be adjusted depending on the required size.

Or retractable?

These designs are becoming increasingly popular, due to their advantages:

are cheap;
easy to install;
take up little space thanks to the accordion-shaped design;
reliable;
mask the structure with an attic hatch.

All these advantages make retractable stairs so popular. How to make it yourself?

Self-installation of a retractable ladder: main steps

Or outside?

If space does not allow you to install retractable stairs, you can replace them with an external structure. It will provide a connection between the outside world and the interior of your home. The main thing is to remember the safety rules, since the operation of such a structure has its own characteristics. When installing an external staircase, it is important to choose the right material: it must be resistant to sunlight, have increased abrasive wear, reliable and wear-resistant.

Wooden staircase

Wooden stairs to the attic are the simplest option, which you can create with your own hands. There are several ways to do this. Let's look at the simplest and most practical ones.

Method 1

Steps are installed and securely fastened between the stringers. This is done either using a tongue-and-groove type of fastening, or with self-tapping screws, or with glue. It is better to treat the steps with anti-slip pads - they will increase the safety of the structure.
The staircase is first secured under the ceiling opening using two bars that are equal to the width of the staircase. Their connection is made with loops.
We check how efficient the hinges are, and then finally tighten the fasteners.

This is the easiest way to create a staircase to the attic.

Method two

This is a more labor-intensive method of making a staircase, which can easily be installed even in a country house. It looks more aesthetically pleasing and has a more reliable design, which is important in conditions of heavy load. The structure itself will be movable on one side, and the other half will be attached to the wall. To create such a staircase to the attic we will need:

two boards of length corresponding to the height of the ceiling and the angle of inclination;
boards for creating steps at least 0.5 m wide and about 3 cm thick;
bolts, self-tapping screws as fasteners;
card loops that will attach the steps.

Metal stairs

The most popular among buyers are retractable metal stairs, which take up little space. They are relevant for rooms that are small in size, that is, where rational use of space is required.

How to do it yourself?

Despite the complexity of the technological process, you can make a metal staircase yourself. Moreover, it can be made of either metal or a combination of materials. To make the simplest metal staircase we will need to prepare:

welding machine;
mechanical saw;
an emery wheel, which we will use to remove burrs on the metal;
a circular saw and a clamp for joining parts if the staircase has wooden parts;
pipes;
steel sheets.

Please note that the quantity of materials is calculated based on the drawing. We will use a welding machine to make strong seams, so the staircase will be a monolithic and durable structure.

Metal attic stairs can have wooden treads, but first you need to think about where the additional fasteners will be located. On metal steps, the holes for self-tapping screws should be located at a distance of 15 cm from each other. A plywood backing is mounted to the metal treads - it is attached with mounting adhesive, which after hardening retains its shape.

Finished aluminum staircase

Very often, many people prefer to buy ready-made structures rather than install them themselves. But even in this case you will have to work hard, since they are delivered disassembled. How to assemble? The general scheme of work is approximately as follows:

First, a sketch of the future staircase is created.
4 identical sections are cut from a metal profile or pipe.
The pipe is secured in a vice and thoroughly cleaned of rust.
Steps are cut out of a metal sheet - they must be the same length.
The steps are tried on a flat surface and adjusted to size.
The steps are attached to the supports by welding - this is a more reliable option than angles and bolts.
The bottom of the staircase is finished with rubber heels.

Forged structures: beautiful and modern

in the first version, the staircase is supported by a central pillar and walls;
in the second, the spiral staircase is removed from the walls and attached to a support pillar with steps;
in the third case, the staircase with a turn does not have a central pillar, but rests on spirally curved strings;
the fourth option is a reliable metal staircase, which rests on a monolith pillar based on a steel pipe.

The most convenient are stairs, the span width of which is up to 900 mm with a diameter of the entire staircase structure of up to 2200 mm.

What if you buy it?

If you don’t want to do the installation yourself, you can always buy the same forged stairs, which are quite difficult to install yourself, much less come up with and make. Many brands offer a large selection of attic stairs, not only in Russia, but also in other countries of the world. Let's look at the most popular:

STANDART ISO PLUS (MINKA, Austria). This folding wooden ladder is made of quality MDF and is designed for a maximum load of 150 kg. There are special protective attachments on the legs, and the metal handrail ensures maximum safety. This is a compact staircase, the price of which is on average 8,200 rubles.
The Danish company VELTA offers economy-class structures that can be installed in the attic or attic. For 6,000 rubles you get a simple staircase that is compact: it consists of three sections that can be conveniently assembled and retracted into the ceiling.
FAKRO stairs are made from winter-harvested pine, therefore they are reliable and durable in use. This company offers a wide range of products that are compact and have a wide price range. The insulated hatch cover is the most important advantage that this ladder has. The price of models starts from 8,000 rubles. It is also important that all connections of the structure are reliable and durable, the steps are supplemented with anti-slip grooves, making operation safe and comfortable.

conclusions

Now you know how to make a staircase to the attic with your own hands. Having the simplest materials at hand, you will create a laconic but convenient wooden or aluminum structure.

The attic is a traditional room in almost every country house. Its functionality is unusually wide. For example, this room is used as a storage room or workshop; some homeowners even decorate the attic as a living room or bedroom. In fact, the functional purpose of such a room depends solely on your own imagination, as well as financial capabilities. However, despite the wide variety of design options for the attic space, it is worth knowing that the attic ladder with a hatch is an integral part of it. If you do not build this structure, you simply will not be able to get into this room. Creating an attic staircase is a fairly simple matter, for which you don’t even have to turn to professionals in the construction industry.

Classification of structures

foldable;
stationary;
portable.

Temporary solution

Selection of building materials

In the process of creating an attic staircase with your own hands, namely its preliminary drawing, it is worth paying attention to what building materials are usually used in this matter. Despite all the variety of products in the building materials segment, any experienced builder will tell you that there are certain types of products that perform best during operation. As a rule, all main structural parts are made primarily of wood, while fastening and fixing elements are made of metals. Thanks to the competent selection of materials, a do-it-yourself attic ladder, the drawing of which was made by a non-professional, will be much stronger and more reliable.

How to make your choice?

Specify the type of functional purpose of the structure, as well as its main parameters, including design features, sectionality, width, etc.
Choose building materials in strict accordance with how actively the product will be used and under what conditions.
Identify negative factors that can reduce the service life of the product.

The main thing is to correctly define the function

Any specialist who has the required level of qualifications and experience in working with these types of objects will tell you that the final result of construction work on constructing a staircase to the attic with your own hands largely depends on the competent determination of the functional purpose of the product. This parameter allows you to calculate the permissible load on each step of the product. The standard value of this indicator for a metal product is about 250 kGs, but wooden models are designed only for 150 kGs. In addition, it is worth considering that the above indicators are valid for products made by professionals, while home-made objects have slightly lower parameters. In general, the permissible pressure on a step does not mean that it cannot withstand greater stress. However, if you overload the structure too often, it will become unusable in a fairly short period of time.

So, the main criteria by which the optimal option is selected are as follows:

area of free space in the room;
functional purpose of the object;
required angle of inclination of the product.

Figure 9.

What to consider when designing?

The most general requirements of regulatory and technical documentation can be reduced to a number of simple and understandable conditions:

the ergonomic range of product width is from 60 to 100 centimeters;
the best height is three and a half meters;
maximum number of steps – 15 pieces;
the distance between adjacent steps should be about 20 centimeters;
a comfortable step height for a person reaches about 20 centimeters, a deviation of 2 centimeters is allowed;
If we are talking about a folding structure, then when creating the project, a permissible load of 15 kilograms is taken.

Tools

polyurethane foam;
bars;
self-tapping screws;
electric screwdriver;
hacksaw;
yardstick;
anchors;
screwdrivers.

Building a staircase is not a difficult task

Location Features

All the nuances of the location of the object in the room will become visible during the construction process. This is especially true if you are involved in the creation and subsequent implementation of the project yourself. Remember that the product cannot in any way reduce the comfort of the room. That is why stairs with hatches are not located in bedrooms, living rooms and kitchens. However, if necessary, you can diversify your staircase project with an interesting design. Thanks to this, the product can harmoniously fit into the overall interior of the room.

Project implementation technology

the drawing is applied to sheets of cardboard;
cardboard elements of the future product are cut out;
the hinge is marked on metal strips and special holes are prepared;
the prepared parts are fixed together;
the required angle is measured and the structure is moved apart in accordance with the obtained parameters;
on metal sheets, markings are applied to those places that will subsequently be covered with corners;
elements are cut out using a special tool;
gives an aesthetic appearance to the object;
existing corners are rounded;
The workpieces are fastened in pairs.

As you can see, the technology for implementing a staircase project with your own hands is quite simple. It applies not only to metal objects, but also to wooden products.

In order to make the appearance of the attic staircase as attractive as possible, do not be lazy to carry out preparatory work on the surface of the building material. We are talking, for example, about applying a special primer before covering the surface with a paint.

An attic ladder with a hatch consists of the following main parts:

bowstring or stringer;
tread;
riser

The string is the main load-bearing element of the staircase to which the steps are attached. Kosour is one of the types of bowstring. A step consists of a tread (horizontal part) and a riser (vertical part). For attic stairs, the most common choice is to join the steps without risers into the grooves of the bowstring (stringer).

Types of stairs to the attic

According to the sliding mechanism, folding stairs with a hatch are:

Folding (hinged, folding). They consist of 2-4 parts. The first is rigidly attached to the hatch cover, the additional ones are connected to each other by hinges, hinges, etc. When unfolded, they form a flight of stairs;

Scissor. Their sliding mechanism resembles an “accordion”. To protect against spontaneous folding of the bowstring, the attic ladder is additionally fixed with a spring stop. Usually the entire structure is made of metal, which seriously increases its price. Due to its particularly compact folded size, this mechanism can be installed on a minimum-sized attic hatch cover;

Retractable (telescopic). They are most often made of aluminum and are a structure of several retractable sections that are placed one inside the other and attached to the attic hatch cover.

There is another type of sliding mechanism. It does not require the installation of an attic ladder or hatch. The photo shows that when folded, the structure is “recessed” into the wall and secured to it. The steps are connected using card loops in the bowstring. This option is suitable for those who like to do things with their own hands. It is unlikely that you will be able to buy one.

Hatch opening mechanism

The attic hatch opening mechanism can be:

manual;
auto.

The manual mechanism is activated by a special pole, which opens the lock holding the attic hatch cover. You can make it yourself. The automatic mechanism works using an electric motor. The price of attic stairs with such a mechanism is higher.

What are attic stairs made of?

The materials most often used for the manufacture of folding stairs with a hatch are wood, metal, chipboard, fiberboard and MDF. Right choice depends on the expected load. If the stairs will be used frequently, it is better to buy a metal one. It can withstand loads of up to 250 kg. The most commonly used is galvanized steel. The high price in this case is justified. The disadvantage of this material is that it requires regular lubrication, otherwise creaking will occur.

If the attic is used only from time to time, wood is preferable as a material for stairs. The following breeds are recommended:

larch.

Some elements can be made from:

pine trees;
cedar;
ash

Oak is used for the manufacture of all structural elements of the attic staircase. This tree has high wear resistance, strength and flexibility. The price of oak stairs is relatively high; ash is often used as a substitute. Its wood is very close in its characteristics to oak, it can withstand heavy loads well, but is unsuitable for treads.

Beech is the strongest type of wood. The only negative is increased hygroscopicity (tendency to absorb moisture, including from the air). If you make an attic ladder with a beech hatch with your own hands, then it is recommended to pre-treat the wood special composition, preventing the absorption of moisture.

All conifers, due to their increased resin content, are especially resistant to decay. Larch has the most great strength among coniferous tree species. When working with it, you need to take into account that nitrocellulose varnishes cannot be used to coat it. Pine is used to make bowstrings and risers. Due to its softness, this type of wood is not suitable for treads. The same can be said about cedar. Spruce has a big disadvantage - the presence of a large number of knots, which tend to fall out when the tree dries out. Price for attic stairs from coniferous species the lowest (if we are not talking about larch), but it is due to the fragility of products made from these materials.

Features to look for when purchasing

A high-quality attic ladder with a hatch must meet the following requirements:

compactness;

reliability;

steps must be made of anti-slip material or equipped with anti-slip pads, recesses, etc.

When purchasing or making your own attic ladder, you need to pay attention to the following useful additions:

thermal insulation of the hatch cover;
insulating box;
opening fencing;
metal handrails;
plastic tips on the legs to prevent scratches on the floor;
the ability to adjust the height (by connecting additional steps or sections);
burglary protection (special locking mechanisms) on the hatch cover;
fire protection (in the event of a fire, it will delay the spread of fire);
anti-slip grooves on the steps.

Any additional accessories increase the price of the product, but at the same time its consumer characteristics increase.

Dimensions of attic stairs

Standard attic stairs with a hatch have the following dimensions:

height 2.7-3.5 m, if it is higher, the risk of injury from a fall is high, the strength of the structure is reduced, and use becomes inconvenient;
width 50-110 cm (optimally 60-70 cm);
the distance between steps is no more than 25 cm;
the width and length of the step is at least 8 x 34 cm;
tilt angle 50 - 75 degrees;
step thickness from 18 mm.

These numbers are not law. But you need to be guided by them when purchasing or designing a future ladder and manhole cover, made by yourself, in order to avoid serious mistakes.

Important! The dimensions of the attic hatch must correspond to the dimensions of the stairs. If the opening is too wide, it will lead to heat loss. A hatch that is too narrow is inconvenient to use. The side parts of the stairs will touch the opening and will quickly fail due to friction.

The width and length of the opening are usually 50–70 cm by 70–130 cm, respectively. A larger size is undesirable, as it will contribute to heat loss.

Self-production of an attic ladder with a hatch

If there is a need for an attic ladder with a hatch, it is best to buy a ready-made, factory-made one. Price quality product quite high. Therefore, those who have minimal skills in working with wood and metal can try making this device with their own hands.

Operating procedure:

froze;
drawing up a diagram;
calculation and purchase required quantity materials and tools;
production of attic hatch covers;
manufacturing of the opening mechanism;
production of sections;
making loops;
assembly and final finishing.

Measuring and drawing up a diagram

To draw up a diagram and calculate the future attic staircase, you will need to measure the height from floor to ceiling and the dimensions of the opening for the hatch. Based on the results of measurements, either by hand or on a computer, a diagram is drawn up. It should indicate:

length of the stairs;
ceiling height;
tilt angle;
opening dimensions;
dimensions of the attic hatch cover;
width of the stairs;
the number of sections and the length of each of them;
sizes and number of steps.

Calculation

The procedure and example of calculating a folding ladder with a hatch:

The length of the attic staircase can be calculated using the formula: C = A/sin α, where A is the height of the flight (from floor to ceiling), α is the angle of inclination. For example, A = 2.8 m and it is supposed to make the angle of inclination of the stairs about 60 degrees. This means that the length of the product will be: 2.8/0.867 = 3.23 m. The result obtained is not the exact size, but is needed to calculate the required amount of material. It is better to add a small margin to the resulting figure and trim the product during installation, if necessary.
To freely open the attic hatch cover, you need to leave 6-7 mm gaps on each side of the opening. That is, if the dimensions of the opening are 60 x 110 cm, then the dimensions of the lid will be 58.6 x 108.6 cm (you need to subtract 12-14 mm from each value).
The width of the stairs should be less than the width of the hatch. In the proposed example, you can plan 50 cm.
The length of the sections can be calculated as follows: first - the length of the opening (120 cm) minus 10%; second - the length of the first section minus 10%; the third is the height of the march (2.8 m) minus the sum of the lengths of the first two sections. In the case when the third section turns out to be larger than the second, they are simply swapped. As a result, the first section is 99 cm, the second 91.9, the third 89.1.
On the resulting diagram, mark the steps at equal distances from each other and calculate their number. Their sizes are determined arbitrarily, depending on the chosen design. The length of the steps is limited by the width of the stairs and the thickness of the string, and their width is linked to the width of the string.

Materials and tools

Tools (or their substitutes) that you will need to make an attic ladder with a hatch with your own hands:

hacksaw;
screwdriver;
carpenter's protractor;
workbench (or table);
clamps;
welding machine;
electrodes 3-4;
chisel;
masking tape;
Grinder;
wood glue.

Materials you will need to buy:

bars measuring 50x50 mm for the hatch cover and finishing the opening;
board 100 x 25 mm for steps and bowstring;
plywood 8-10 mm thick for the hatch cover;
steel strip 3-4 x 20 mm for hinges;
corner and plate 3-4 mm - for the hatch opening mechanism;
hardware - bolts, nuts, washers, grommets, self-tapping screws.

Calculation example:

The minimum standard length of the bar is 1 m. The following dimensions are 1.25 and 1.5 m. That is, if the dimensions of the opening are 60 x 110 cm, 4 bars of 1.25 m each and 4 bars of 1 m each will be needed for the work. If the width of the opening is 50 cm, then instead of 4 bars of 1 m each, you can buy 2 of 1.25 m each and cut them in half.
The minimum size of a plywood sheet is 1525 x 1525 mm, that is, 1 sheet is enough. The price of plywood products is the lowest. If possible, you can use more expensive material to make the hatch cover.
For the bowstring you need to buy 2 boards 25x100 mm long, equal to the length of the future product with a small margin.
The length of one step must be multiplied by their number. The result will be the length of the board required for their manufacture. For example, this size is 4 m. You can buy a whole edged board and cut it on the spot or take several boards, so that 2-3 steps come out of each (with a margin). Here you will need, based on the planned length of the step, to take into account the percentage of waste, which will be smaller the longer the board.

Making a cover and mechanism for the hatch

The work of making an attic ladder with your own hands must begin with the hatch cover. Four bars, pre-cut to the required size, are nailed to a sheet of plywood. On the short block that will be installed on the side of the lock, you need to round off one of the edges so that it does not interfere with free opening and closing. To ensure that the hatch lid closes securely, you can install a door latch on it.

For the hatch you will need two mechanisms (left and right), such as those shown in the photo or similar:

If you can’t buy ready-made ones, you can try to make such mechanisms yourself. To do this you will need a steel strip 3-4 x 20 mm, a corner and a plate 3-4 mm. The drawing shows the details of the mechanism for the left side of the hatch cover:

stop plate;
corner (top view).

For right side The hatch cover will need the same set of parts, but the plate and corner must be made in a mirror image. The dimensions on the stop plate are given as an example. To calculate them correctly, you will need to take into account the angle of inclination of the stairs. It is 50-75 degrees. The smaller this angle, the more space the ladder takes up when unfolded, the more bigger size you will need a hatch. You can choose a comfortable slope using a thread that needs to be stretched from the opening to the floor. The resulting angle can be measured with a protractor and transferred to the drawing. The result should be this:

You cannot attach the mechanism immediately after assembly. First you need to check its operation. You may need to adjust the drill locations for the fasteners or the angle on the stop plate. If everything is in order, you can proceed to the next stage of work.

Manufacturing of attic staircase parts

You need to start with the bowstring. When working with it, you need to remember that paired parts must be made in a mirror image. Operating procedure:

Mark the prepared boards with a pencil according to the calculations.
Press both boards tightly against each other at the ends and secure with masking tape.
At the junction of the first and second sections, make a hole with a diameter of 25 mm for the hinge hinge.
Remove the tape, turn the boards up the other side and, fastening them again, make the same hole at the junction of the second and third sections. (The holes on each section will need to be on opposite ends of the board).
Cut the strings into pieces according to the markings and use a chisel to make indentations for the steps. The depth of the grooves must be at least 5 mm. The strings of the lower section should end with a bevel corresponding to the angle of inclination of the stairs.
Cut the steps and carefully sand all the parts.
Attach steps to the right string of each part using glue and self-tapping screws. Fasten the entire structure with the left bowstring.

Making hinges and installing them

For the hinges that ensure the folding of the attic ladder, you can use the remains of the metal strip from which parts of the hatch opening mechanism were made. If the product consists of three sections, then eight strips will be needed. To four of them you will need to weld small sections of the same strip. In each part you need to drill two holes for attaching to the bowstring and one for the hinge. This is what you should get:

Pressing the first and second sections tightly together, screw the loops so that the hinge fits exactly into the notch at the joint, and the ends of the loops are located on the edge of the bowstring. Having secured the hinges, check the mechanism for folding and unfolding. If everything is in order, you need to secure the hinges between the second and third sections in the same way.

Assembly and finishing of the product

The procedure for assembling and finishing the stairs:

After installing the hinges, screw the first section to the hatch cover.
Insert the finished product into the opening and make sure that the ladder is assembled correctly, nothing interferes with the free opening and closing of the hatch, the sections fold and unfold without hindrance.
If no defects are found, the structure must be disassembled and its wooden parts coated with varnish, and the metal parts with an anti-corrosion compound or paint.
After the varnish has dried, reassemble the product and install it in the opening.