Hinges for stairs to the attic. Attic staircase with hatch. Attic ladder mechanism with hatch - articulated without spring

An attic for each person can play the role of any room, for example, a workshop or a living room. It all depends on the imagination and the size of the attic. One thing is clear for sure, this room must be equipped, and this work should begin from the stairs.
Very often getting into the attic is difficult, and you have to use a ladder, which requires a lot of space. To fix this, you can make the stairs yourself.

Ladder space equipment

Before you engage in attic equipment, you must first decide on a place for the stairs. This staircase involves the arrangement of a hatch, that is, a ceiling door.

It will take a little time to create such a staircase, you will need to have the following materials:

Hacksaw for wood;
Roulette;
Any ladder made of wood;
4 card loops, stringer width;
Bars - with a thickness of 2-3 cm 4 pieces, 2 bars along the width of the hatch, and 2 bars 20 cm longer than the hatch;
Self-tapping screws, anchors, loops and hook.

The stringer is the main beam, it is on it that the steps will be attached.
First, short bars are used. One is hinged to the top of the ladder. And the second bar is attached to the bottom with a rigid mount.
For reliability, 2 rails are screwed with inside, but they should not interfere with unfolding.
2/3 is measured from the bottom and a cut is made in this place. Then they are fastened together with card loops. Mounting is done so that it can be easily folded

The first bar is screwed to the hatch, after which the hook is attached to the wall, and a loop is attached to the lower bar, all this is done to securely fasten the structure in the closed state.
This type of ladder is considered the easiest.

Hinged loft ladder

It is created from three sections and an additionally equipped hatch.

From the beginning, the hatch opening is determined. For the desired hatch size, add 0.7 cm on each side.
For this ladder you will need:

4 bars 5x5 in size, 2 long and 2 short;
Plywood sheet 1 mm thick;
2 metal corners;
sheet metal;
4 metal strips 2 cm wide.

Cuts with a depth of 25 mm are made from the edge of each bar, after which they are fastened with glue and self-tapping screws into an even rectangle. A sawn sheet of plywood is attached to it.
Locks are replaced with a door latch.
For the mechanism that will open the hatch, you can buy everything in the store, or you can do it yourself.
To create the mechanisms yourself, you need to make layouts from thick paper, that is, create corners with the desired dimensions.

With a saw on a sheet of metal, that part is cut out that will overlap with a corner. The unnecessary length of the strips is removed and the edges are rounded off. After that, the corner is assembled. It is necessary to make two absolutely identical corners.

The ladder is assembled from three elements, you should not make a mistake with the size of each part. The first is the size of the hatch, the second is shorter, and the length of the third is the residual length.
The angle of inclination, which was measured on the hatch, is transferred to the board, this will be the slope of the steps.
After that, the boards are marked with the length of each section. Boards are pressed masking tape, steps are marked and sloped.

You can make a ladder to the attic with your own hands without extra effort and serious costs. The cost of such ladders is much lower than ready-made to order. And the view is not inferior to them at all.

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 some kind of room is equipped. In any case, there must be access to it, and for this, stairs to the attic are made. They can be created from wood and metal - in this case, you can make them yourself. And 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. First, it must be convenient and safe to use. Moreover, these two indicators depend on constructive principle the stairs and the attic. An important role is played by taking into account the type of stairs, the width of its steps, 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.

Steps should be of such dimensions that it is convenient and safe for any person 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. If these requirements are not observed, safety regulations will be violated.

The span of the stairs to the attic must be at least 0.8 m. It is important that the angle of inclination is observed: this must be considered at the design stage of 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. That is why many people prefer folding attic stairs: 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 more and more popular, due to their advantages:

are cheap;
easy to mount;
take up little space due to the design in the form of an accordion;
reliable;
mask the structure with an attic hatch.

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

Self-assembly of a retractable ladder: the main stages

The very first step should be a thorough analysis and verification of the dimensions of the hatch opening. This is necessary so that the parameters you choose match 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 stairwell - they will help to better fix the structure. When it is laid, the spacers can be removed.

Or outdoor?

If space does not allow mounting retractable ladders, you can replace them outdoor structure. It will provide communication between the outside world and inner space your house. The main thing is to remember the safety rules, since the operation of such a design has its own characteristics. During installation outdoor stairs it is important to choose the right material: it must be resistant to sunlight, have increased abrasive wear, reliable and wear-resistant.

Wooden ladder

Wooden stairs to the attic - the easiest option, which you can create with your own hands. This can be done in several ways. Consider the most simple and implemented in practice.

Method 1

To make an attic staircase, you first need to take measurements: we need parameters for the height of the room, the estimated angle of inclination, which most often reaches 30 degrees, while the height is about 2.5 m. To make the staircase reliable and correct in terms of design, you need to think over 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 steps. Yes, and do not forget about 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 with a tenon-groove 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 operation of the structure.
The ladder is first fastened under the ceiling opening on two bars, which are equal to the width of the ladder. Their connection is carried out by loops.
We check how efficient the hinges are, after which we finally tighten the fasteners.

This is the easiest way to create stairs to the attic.

Method two

This is a more time-consuming way of making stairs, which can be mounted even in a country house. It looks more aesthetically pleasing and has more robust design, which is important in conditions of high 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 need:

two boards with a length corresponding to the height of the ceiling and the angle of inclination;
boards for creating steps with a width of at least 0.5 m and a thickness of about 3 cm;
bolts, self-tapping screws as fasteners;
card loops with which the steps will be attached.

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

Metal stairs

Attic stairs made of aluminum look very nice, especially if your country house is decorated in the style of "minimalism" or "hi-tech". Why is metal good? First, it is more reliable. Secondly, such structures are treated with special compounds that protect the surface from mechanical stress or corrosion. Thirdly, metal constructions able to withstand heavy loads.

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

How to do it yourself?

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

welding machine;
mechanical saw;
emery wheel, which will remove burrs on the metal;
a circular saw and a clamp for joining parts if the stairs will have wooden parts;
pipes;
steel sheets.

Note that the quantity of materials is calculated based on the drawing. welding machine we will make strong seams, so the staircase will be a solid and solid structure.

Such an aluminum or steel staircase will be built on the basis of a channel (size 8-10). The steps are made of sheet steel, if they are without additional finishing, grating on the steps will be required, which will protect against falling. The railings are made of angle steel and the tread supports are made of rebar. First, support devices are installed and welded on the beam, then brackets for fastening are welded.

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

Finished aluminum ladder

Very often, many people prefer to buy ready-made structures, rather than mount them on their own. But even in this case, you will have to work hard, since they are delivered unassembled. How to assemble? General scheme works like this:

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

Forged designs: beautiful and modern

Very often in country houses rooms with an attic or attic are connected by forged stairs. Moreover, they can be simple screw, or they can have ornate patterns, which allows them to fit into any room in terms of stylistic orientation. All spiral staircases can be divided into several types:

in the first version, the staircase is carried out with support on the central pillar and walls;
in the second - spiral staircase removed from the walls and mounted on a support column with steps;
in the third case, a staircase with a turn does not have a central pillar, but rests on spirally curved bowstrings;
the fourth option is a reliable metal staircase, which rests on a pillar made of a monolith 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 up to 2200 mm.

What if you buy?

If you don’t feel like doing the installation yourself, you can always buy the same forged stairs, which are quite difficult to mount on your own, and even more so to come up with and make. Big choice loft ladders are offered by many brands, not only in Russia, but also in other countries of the world. Consider the most popular:

STANDART ISO PLUS (MINKA, Austria). This folding wooden staircase It is made of high quality MDF and is designed for a maximum load of 150 kg. There are special protective nozzles on the legs, and with the help of a metal handrail, maximum safety is ensured. This is a compact ladder, the price of which is an average of 8200 rubles.
The Danish company VELTA offers economy class structures that can be mounted in the attic or in the attic. For 6,000 rubles you get a simple staircase, which is compact: it consists of three sections that are conveniently assembled and retracted into the ceiling.
FAKRO stairs are made from pine winter harvest therefore reliable and durable in operation. This company offers a wide range of products that are compact and have a wide price range. The warmed cover of the hatch - the most important advantage which this ladder has. The price of models starts from 8000 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 at hand the most simple materials, you will create a concise but comfortable wooden or aluminum structure.

Many owners of private houses, in order to get into the attic, use an attached or stationary ladder installed on the street. Of course, for security reasons, such a ladder is fully justified, and will never become superfluous. However, for use in winter period, and especially in those cases when a utility room or even a full-fledged living space is equipped in the attic, it will be much more convenient to provide for the possibility of entering directly from the house.

But it often happens that a stationary structure internal stairs requires a very large area, and therefore cannot be implemented in practice under conditions small house. And even if the area is sufficient, it hardly makes sense to “squander” it if the attic is not used constantly, but only from time to time. What to do? But there is a way out - this is a “transformer” structure, which is removed as unnecessary into the attic floor. So, the topic of this publication: do-it-yourself folding ladder to the attic - the most optimal an option for both large and small private houses.

What do they say about the advantages and disadvantages of such structures?

Folding stairs, if their design is thought out, is safe and easy to use - very convenient. However, they also have their drawbacks, which you also need to know about in advance, proceeding to similar reconstruction of one of the rooms of the house.

So to advantages of folding ladder construction include the following points that will greatly facilitate the operation of the attic:

The ability to safely enter the attic at any time, regardless of the season or current weather conditions.
The compactness and ease of operation of a high-quality design allows all residents of the house to cope with the unfolding and folding of the stairs, since no great physical effort is foreseen.
The folded design does not take up usable space both in the living room and in the attic. If there is no need, the ladder is most often removed into the opening of the attic floor, saving free space.
The hatch in the ceiling, which is necessary to accommodate the stair structure, with a quality finish from the bottom does not spoil at all appearance ceiling surface.
When purchasing a finished design, it is quite possible to choose a model with an electric drive. This, of course, is extremely convenient, since if necessary, bring the ladder into working condition or remove it - you don’t have to make any effort at all. However, to install this version of the stairs, you will have to invite a specialist. Yes, and there are such kits - quite a lot.

The disadvantages of installing this design in the attic floor include the following:

Be that as it may, folding stairs, unlike, do not always meet the criteria maximum convenience in terms of the steepness of the rise, the number and size of the steps.
Based on the first point, the second suggests itself - ascent and descent along such staircase structures However, it requires care and special precautions. This will especially apply to children, older people or people with some physical disabilities.
No matter how tightly the hatch enters the opening cut under the stairs, it will still deprive the ceiling of tightness. Therefore, in order to avoid getting into living rooms cold air from above (or, conversely, hot - during the period summer heat), the attic room will have to be insulated. This, of course, leads to additional costs. True, you can consider this problem from the other side. If it is planned to equip a utility or residential space in the attic, then in it, one way or another, it is necessary to carry out thermal insulation work on the roof slopes and perform flooring with

Criteria that a folding ladder must meet

In order for the staircase to be used for a long time and be safe for its owners, it must meet certain criteria, regardless of its design and material of manufacture.

These product features include:

The strength of the material of manufacture, all fasteners and connecting nodes.
Lightweight construction. This is important not only for the ease of use of the stairs, but also so that when folded it does not give excessive additional load on the attic floor.
Ease of use - any adult family member should be able to handle the process of bringing the ladder to “combat readiness” and folding it.
Hinged or other components and devices that fold the ladder should function easily, without even the slightest difficulty.
If the staircase will be used constantly, due to the fact that it is supposed to place a frequently used room in the attic, then it is better to make the product yourself or order good master to be sure of its reliability, and therefore, of your personal safety.

Why is it better to make a ladder yourself?

Today, a considerable number of models are presented on the construction market. different manufacturers. They are usually quite convenient to use, but if they are not exploited very intensively. If the ladder is unfolded and folded several times a day, then a more durable mechanism will be required, since the proposed products may not withstand such intensive use due to the fact that each of them is designed for a certain “motor resource”.

Finished stairs almost always have a small angle of inclination relative to the vertical. That is, the manufacturer makes them too steep, so it is inconvenient to climb and descend on them, especially holding a certain load in one hand, and securing yourself with the other. The reasons seem to be very significant, and therefore many homeowners prefer not to buy ready-made kits, and mount them independently according to their own drawings, calculating them for their own weight and equipping them with durable mechanisms.

The main types of folding stairs to the attic

Before purchasing or making a folding ladder, you need to decide on its design, since there are several of them. So, the following types of ladders have been developed and manufactured on an industrial scale and on their own: retractable, folding spring, telescopic, folding with a simplified design, simple folding compact ladders.

Retractable or retractable ladder

The retractable staircase design can consist of two or three sections, depending on the height of the attic floor.

First option

The upper section of the structure, using a metal flange, is fixed on a transverse board that forms an opening box, equipped in attic floor. Each of the sections, when the ladder is folded, slides into the part located above, as if on a rail. The sections of the stairs assembled together are transferred to a horizontal position and stacked on the floors of the attic. The hatch in this design can be fixed to the uppermost and shortest section, and in this case, when the hatch is closed, the entire staircase will be hidden. The hatch can also be closed separately, that is, first a ladder is sent to the attic, and then the hatch is closed.

1 - Attic floor beam.

2 - Screw flange.

3 - Retractable sections of the stairs.

4 - Rotary mechanism.

This illustration shows how a retractable ladder works. However, it is quite obvious that it can only be suitable if the attic is not used as living quarters and visited quite rarely, but not constantly.

Second option

Another version of a sliding ladder, consisting of two sections - a short one, fixed on the manhole cover, and a long one, which, after unfolding, will rest against the floor surface of the room .. This option is also suitable for an attic used as a utility room. So, if you need to get to the attic, the hatch opens, and with it the stairs also fall. Then, from the folded structure, its lower part is extended until it stops on the floor.

When unfolding the stairs, the passage to the attic is freed. In ready-made, factory-made versions of sliding or folding stairs, the hatch is equipped with its own thermal insulation. And a sealant is installed along the contour of the opening so that warm air from the room does not leave through the gaps around the ceiling hatch. One should not forget about similar methods of minimizing heat losses when making stairs on their own.

Folding ladder

A folding ladder differs from a sliding one in that its sections do not slide into one another, but are folded together. This is ensured by special hinged mechanisms installed in the span junctions. The addition of the structure occurs "according to the accordion principle." Top section fixed on the hatch panelGerman folding handrails are also installed, which make it easier to climb to the top floor or attic.

The advantage of this design is that it does not take up more space than an opening in the ceiling, as it is completely hidden in a special box that frames the opening hatch. Therefore, having climbed to the attic, the stairs can be raised so that it does not interfere on the lower floor, and in order not to accidentally step on the hatch, being at the top, you can provide an upper solid hatch or an opening fencing.

The diagram above shows finished construction, one of those that are offered in specialized stores. However, focusing on it, it is quite possible to make a staircase on your own. How to do this will be discussed in detail in the instruction table below.

The diagram shows a box framing the opening. It is equipped with an elastic rubber gasket, thanks to which the hatch will be pressed tightly against the inner walls of the box without gaps.

The hatch of the shown design is made of chipboard, but by making such a ladder on your own, it is quite possible to replace it with boards, assembling a shield from them. For this purpose, it is recommended to choose a light, porous wood, such as linden or pine.

Wooden steps are equipped with an anti-slip coating. With the independent manufacture of stairs, it is possible to cut recesses on the steps with the help of a milling cutter, in the form of two or three grooves running along the entire length of their surface.

The steps are fixed in the side posts of the ladder sections using the " dovetail”, which is more reliable than straight spikes.

Metal scissor stairs

Another version of the folding structure is the so-called scissor ladder, which is made of metal. As a rule, aluminum is used for this purpose, due to its low weight. The design has proven itself quite well, especially for those cases when the attic has to be visited quite often.

The advantages of this type of stairs include its versatility. This means that the modules that form the steps can be stretched "to the full" if the room has a high ceiling, or compressed to a certain level, of course. The main thing is that the lower step rests on the floor. Thus, the staircase is designed for a certain, and very considerable range of ceiling heights.

In the folded state, such a ladder is quite compact and does not go beyond the box intended for it, which is installed in the thickness of the attic floor.

The disadvantage of such a scissor design can be considered that for its installation and addition it is necessary to make certain efforts. This may present a problem for some residents of the house who do not have the necessary physical data.

It is quite difficult to make such a ladder on your own, as it requires a precise fit. metal parts, and the design itself is replete with articulated joints. Yes, this is unprofitable, since the material for self-production will certainly cost no less than the cost of the finished product.

Folding loft ladders have gained wide popularity today. This design combines 2 important advantages at once: saving space in the room due to the prefabricated staircase system, and secondly, the possibility of comfortable and safe access to the attic. The prefabricated ladder does not require special maintenance, it is easy to assemble and without special efforts do it yourself.

Attic space in a residential building, as a rule, is a place to store unnecessary things that have been accumulating there for years, and their number is increasing, or in the attic they are equipping a full-fledged extra room. And every year the number of those who are trying to ennoble this room is increasing. In old houses of the Soviet era, the entrance to the attic was usually made from the street. Under the window was a huge ladder that led to the attic. And already in our modern century, people began to equip attics so that it was possible to get there while being directly in the house. This is an indispensable attribute in a private house, an attic ladder can also be used in a garage or workshop.

Whatever functions this room in your house has, it is really possible to get there only with the help of a staircase, which will become a link between the two floors.

In this case, we are talking about an attic staircase, a folding type, which, due to its design, does not take up much space and is the most suitable option as a means of moving from the first floor to the second.

Available in stores wide choose of these designs, however, not all of them can meet the requirements of the buyer. It is much easier and cheaper to make a folding ladder with your own hands, having the skills to work with construction tools, and without outside help. In this case, it is important to draw up the correct drawing and follow its instructions.

Attic stairs folding and sliding type they save free space on the lower floor, guarantee safe lifting, and, if necessary, can be an obstacle for children to enter the attic without the permission of adults. The most durable material for a ladder frame can be wood, metal, or a combination of wood and metal. Such designs are on springs and folding, with and without handrails. A folding ladder must be stable and safe, because the distance from the lower floor to the attic is often at least 2 meters, and this is a decent height from which you can fall and get injured.

Basic requirements for folding stairs:

functionality;
the stairs should have a 45-degree angle of inclination;
light weight construction;
the passage should be made of optimal width;
ergonomics. Folding stairs should occupy a minimum amount of space;
environmental friendliness. The materials from which the staircase will be made must be of high quality;
ease of pulling out and folding into place.

Types of attic stairs:

wooden;
metal;
sliding;
screw;
folding.

How to fold an attic ladder:

ladder of sliding or telescopic type;
scissor or pincer-type ladder;
folding or lever ladder.

Types of stairs and their characteristics

Stairs are:

Retractable ladder.

The folding staircase is essentially a transformer, the sliding type models have several sections, which, in turn, move apart from each other. Such a folded ladder has a ledge from the side of the attic. This is the most reliable appearance design, which has no control levers and can withstand maximum loads.

Folding ladder.

The folding attic ladder consists of 3 or 4 sections. The first part is screwed to the attic hatch, and the remaining sections are fastened together by lever mechanisms. The principle of operation of such a ladder is to lower the ladder using a ring or an additional lever that holds the ladder folded. When the staircase assumes its original position, the attic is closed with a latch cover and, thus, the staircase is hidden in the ceiling.

Folding structures can be made not only from wood, but also from aluminum. Such stairs are quite light and durable, their height is easy to adjust. Stairs like "accordion" also belong to this type. They are easily attached to the ceiling and simply slide out.

Benefits of an attic ladder:

strength and reliability. With proper fastening of the structure, it is able to withstand various loads;
practicality;
saving room space;
ease of installation and fastening;
aesthetic appearance of a folding attic ladder.

For comfortable and safe climbing stairs, the location of its steps should be parallel to the floor.
Do not distribute the steps at a great distance from each other. Again, for security reasons.
The most acceptable step size is 650 mm. This size is suitable for an adult.
When calculating the parameters, consider the width, the wider the staircase, the more convenient it is for the elderly and children to move on it. The optimal width of the flight of stairs is 90 cm.
If you decide to design a folding staircase made of wood, then choose untreated material as the basis so that in the future you can paint or varnish it yourself. The wood must be dry.
In case of metal frame, it should be remembered that incorrectly selected elements can rust. Fasteners of metal parts are different from fasteners in a wooden staircase.
Folding attic stairs can be made of both wood and metal. The tree is suitable when the weight of the maximum load will not exceed 150 kg. Metal can withstand up to 250 kg.
Dimensional ladder is not suitable for small room, this should be taken into account when planning the structure.
The lowered ladder must necessarily have an emphasis on the floor, otherwise fastening system will not withstand the load and the ladder will fall.
It is desirable that in assembled the ladder was fixed with brackets. Then, if the manhole cover opens, the ladder will not open and fall.
Fittings and other fasteners must be made of high quality materials. Be sure to take this into account when choosing fasteners.

DIY folding ladder

Before you make a folding ladder, you need to determine the dimensions of the structure and its location. This means that there will be a staircase on the street or indoors.

Take measurements of the ceiling, its height. Write everything down on a piece of paper. small parts: options for railings, steps, and so on.

The drawing below shows the layout of our attic stairs. In this case, it will be attached to the wall, and not to the ceiling.

Materials for making a folding ladder with your own hands:

for stringers you will need 2 beams 3 m long;
2 beams corresponding to the width of the stairs;
4 metal door hinges;
boards;
wooden bars for tread.

Do-it-yourself folding ladder manufacturing technology:

Standards for the manufacture of folding stairs

Popular standards:

The width of the march should be from 70 to 105 cm.
The height of the ladder should not be more than 3.5 m, due to the fact that too high a ladder has little rigidity. Yes, and falling from such a height is much more painful.
The number of steps - up to 15 pieces, no more.
The optimal distance between the steps is 20 cm.
The thickness of the steps is from 1.8 to 2.2 cm.
The safe angle of inclination of the stairs is 65 degrees.
The minimum weight that a folding ladder must withstand is 100 kg.
Steps should not slip, and they must be fixed parallel to the floor.

Do-it-yourself attic stairs on bowstrings

Work progress:

Folding ladder of 3 sections do it yourself

Making a folding ladder is very simple if you have everything in your arsenal. necessary tools and materials. For work you will need:

finished staircase made of metal or wood;
2 beams;
self-tapping screws and oblique cutters;
drill, saw on wood;
videos;
hammer, hinges;
tape measure, perforator.

Do-it-yourself folding stairs for the attic:

Folding ladder with your own hands. Video

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

bowstring or kosour;
tread;
riser.

The bowstring is the main load-bearing element of the stairs to which the steps are attached. Kosour is one of the varieties of bowstring. The step consists of a tread (horizontal detail) and a riser (vertical detail). For an attic staircase, most often they choose the joining of steps without a riser 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 (articulated, folding). They consist of 2-4 parts. The first is rigidly attached to the hatch cover, the additional ones are interconnected by hinges, hinges, etc. When unfolded, they make up 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 the roof hatch cover of the smallest size;

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

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

Hatch opening mechanism

The mechanism for opening the attic hatch can be:

manual;
auto.

The manual mechanism is actuated by means of a special pole, which opens the lock holding the attic hatch cover. It can be made by hand. 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 most commonly used materials 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 often, it is better to buy a metal one. It can withstand loads 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 a creak occurs.

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

larch.

Some elements can be made from:

pines;
cedar;
ash.

Oak is used for the manufacture of all structural elements of the attic stairs. 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, withstands heavy loads well, but is unsuitable for treading.

Beech is the most durable type of wood. The only negative is the increased hygroscopicity (the tendency to absorb moisture, including from the air). If an attic staircase with a beech hatch is made by hand, then it is recommended to pre-treat the wood with a special compound that prevents the absorption of moisture.

All conifers, due to the increased resin content, are especially resistant to decay. Larch has the highest strength among coniferous species tree. When working with it, it must be borne in mind that nitrocellulose varnishes cannot be used to cover it. Pine is used to make bowstrings and risers. Due to its softness, this type of wood is unsuitable for treading. The same can be said about cedar. Spruce has a big minus - the presence of a large number of knots that tend to fall out when the tree dries. The price of attic stairs from conifers 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 out for when buying

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

compactness;

reliability;

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

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

thermal insulation of the manhole cover;
warming 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);
protection against burglary (special locking mechanisms) on the hatch cover;
fire protection (in the event of a fire, it will delay the spread of fire);
anti-slip notches on steps.

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

Dimensions of attic stairs

Standard attic stairs with a hatch have the following dimensions:

height 2.7-3.5 m, if it is more - there is a high risk of injury when falling, the strength of the structure decreases, use becomes inconvenient;
width 50-110 cm (optimally 60-70 cm);
the distance between the steps is not more than 25 cm;
the width and length of the step is at least 8 x 34 cm;
tilt angle 50 - 75 degrees;
thickness of steps from 18 mm.

These figures are not legal. But you need to be guided by them when buying or designing a future staircase and a manhole cover, made by yourself, in order to avoid serious mistakes.

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

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-manufacturing of an attic staircase with a hatch

If there is a need for an attic staircase with a hatch, it is best to buy a finished, factory-made one. The price of a quality product is quite high. Therefore, for those who have minimal skills in working with wood and metal, you can try to make this fixture with your own hands.

Operating procedure:

froze;
drawing up a diagram;
calculation and purchase required amount materials and tools;
production of attic hatch cover;
production of the opening mechanism;
section making;
making loops;
assembly and finishing.

Measurement and drawing up a diagram

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

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

Payment

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

The length of the attic stairs can be calculated by the formula: C \u003d A / sin α, where A is the height of the march (from floor to ceiling), α is the angle of inclination. For example, A = 2.8 m and it is assumed that the angle of inclination of the stairs is about 60 degrees. This means that the length of the product will be: 2.8 / 0.867 \u003d 3.23 m. The result obtained is not an 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 file the product during installation, if necessary.
For free opening of the attic hatch cover, gaps of 6-7 mm must be left on each side of the opening. That is, if the dimensions of the opening are 60 x 110 cm, then the dimensions of the cover, respectively, will be 58.6 x 108.6 cm (subtract 12-14 mm from each value).
The width of the stairs must 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: the first is the length of the opening (120 cm) minus 10%; the second is 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 event that the third section is 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 an equal distance 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 bowstring, and their width is linked to the width of the bowstring.

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 goniometer;
workbench (or table);
clamps;
welding machine;
electrodes 3-4;
chisel;
masking tape;
grinder machine;
wood glue.

Materials to be purchased:

bars with a size of 50x50 mm for the hatch cover and finishing the opening;
board 100 x 25 mm for steps and bowstrings;
plywood 8-10 mm thick for the manhole 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, grovers, self-tapping screws.

Calculation example:

The minimum standard bar length is 1 m. The following sizes- 1.25 and 1.5 m. That is, if the dimensions of the opening are 60 x110 cm, for work you will need 4 bars of 1.25 m and 4 bars of 1 m each. If the width of the opening is 50 cm, then instead of 4 bars of 1 m , you can buy 2 by 1.25 m 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, a more expensive material can be used to make the manhole cover.
For a 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 is the length of the board required for their manufacture. For example, this size is 4m. 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 it will be necessary, based on the planned length of the step, to take into account the percentage of waste, which will be the smaller, the longer the board.

Manufacture of a cover and a mechanism for a hatch

Do-it-yourself work on making an attic staircase should begin with a manhole cover. Four bars are nailed to the plywood sheet, pre-cut to the desired size. On a short bar, which will be installed from the side of the lock, one of the ribs must be rounded so that it does not interfere with free opening and closing. To ensure that the hatch cover is securely closed, you can put 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 with your own hands. To do this, you 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 manhole covers will need the same set of parts, but the plate and corner must be made in 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 occupies when unfolded, the bigger size a hatch is needed. You can choose a comfortable slope with the help of a thread that needs to be stretched from the opening to the floor. The resulting angle can be measured with a goniometer and transferred to the drawing. The result should be this:

It is impossible to fasten the mechanism immediately after assembly. First you need to check its work. You may need to adjust the drill holes for fasteners or the angle on the stop plate. If everything is in order, you can proceed to the next stage of work.

Manufacture of details of the attic stairs

You need to start with a 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.
Firmly press both boards to each other with the ends and fasten 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 adhesive tape, turn the boards up with the other side and, after fastening 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 bowstrings into pieces according to the markup and make recesses for the steps on them with a chisel. The depth of the grooves must be at least 5 mm. The bowstrings 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 details.
Attach steps to the right bowstring of each part with glue and self-tapping screws. Fasten the entire structure with the left bowstring.

Making loops and installing them

For the hinges that provide the folding of the attic stairs, you can use the remains of a 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 it will be necessary 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. Here's what should happen:

Pressing the first and second sections tightly against each other, screw the loops in such a way that the hinge falls exactly into the recess at the junction, and the ends of the loops are located at the edge of the bowstring. Having fixed the hinges, they check the mechanism for folding and unfolding. If everything is in order, in the same way you need to fasten the loops between the second and third sections.

Product assembly and finishing

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 prevents the hatch from opening and closing freely, the sections fold and unfold without hindrance.
If no defects are found, the structure must be disassembled and its wooden parts varnished, and the metal parts with an anti-corrosion compound or paint.
After the varnish has dried, assemble the product again and install it in the opening.