How to Replace a Pull-Down Attic Staircase | Ask This Old House
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- Опубліковано 30 січ 2016
- Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva removes an old attic staircase and replaces it with a new one. (See below for a shopping list, tools, and steps.)
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Shopping List for How to Replace a Pull-Down Attic Staircase:
Attic staircase [amzn.to/2lRv2zf]
Attic staircase cover [amzn.to/2m3oUDZ]
Shims [amzn.to/2mZmmH5]
2 scrap pieces of wood [amzn.to/2m5UTDp]
Tools for How to Replace a Pull-Down Attic Staircase:
Reciprocating saw [amzn.to/2lrRPBc]
Driver [amzn.to/2mSflaY]
Staple gun [amzn.to/2lsECID]
Steps for How to Replace a Pull-Down Attic Staircase:
1. Measure the rough opening of the attic staircase and match it to find a suitable replacement.
2. Remove the springs from the old attic staircase by bending the metal arms forward to release the tension.
3. Using a reciprocating saw, cut off the metal hinges of the staircase.
4. Also cut off the nails that hold the staircase to the structure opening.
5. Carefully lower the staircase from the opening and remove it.
6. Place the new staircase into the opening and gently set it down on the trim. Be careful to make sure the trim is able to hold the staircase. If not, a second person may need to hold the staircase in place.
7. Center the staircase in the opening using shims.
8. Using a driver, fasten the staircase to the structure opening.
9. With the staircase secure, lower the stairs halfway to the floor.
10. Attic staircases need to be cut to match the height of your home’s ceiling. To do this, use one scrap piece of wood, hold it tight to one side of the staircase until it touches the floor.
11. Make a mark on the end closet to the staircase; that is your length.
12. Flip the piece of scrap wood clockwise and line it up to the bottom against the second piece of scrap wood. Bring the tip up to the edge and make a mark. That’s the angle.
13. Cut the angle on the marked piece of scrap wood with a jigsaw.
14. Extend the staircase.
15. Flip the piece of scrap wood so the pointed edge at the bottom is touching the staircase.
16. Match the length mark on the piece of scrap wood to the joint of the staircase.
17. Mark the length on the staircase to the bottom edge of the piece of scrap wood.
18. To mark the angle on the staircase, flip the piece of scrap wood so the pointed edge is facing at an upward angle.
19. Repeat the measuring steps on the second side.
20. Cut both sides with a reciprocating saw.
21. To install the attic-stair cover, place the sheet over the opening.
22. Use staple gun to attach the cover to the structure.
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Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers-and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
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How to Replace a Pull-Down Attic Staircase | Ask This Old House
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THIS is how you do an instructional video! No unnecessary talking, straight to the point. Shows everything well. I'm totally subscribing NO ONE does this, every minute was well used! If you can't tell i've watched a lot of youtube tutorials and most drive me nuts. Anyways thanks! I'm 3 years into my first home and there's always something to do and this week it's a new attic ladder.
ñ.
They've got how to's for everything in the house
It doesn’t show detail on how he secured the new door to the casing, which is a crucial point. If you aren’t familiar with this kind of job you need that.
agreed!
@@vkaygee Just eyebawl it.
That insulators pretty cool, I’ve never seen that before.
Attic tent is what they are usually called.
That tip on how to cut the legs was just pure knowledge
This man has a wealth of knowledge 👏
Super Video! Just installed mine and figuring out my angle and length, you made it easy. BIG THANKS!!
I don’t have a loft ladder, I don’t need a loft ladder, I don’t need to repair or replace a loft ladder... but it’s gone midnight and I’m watching this video...
🤯
It’s midnight and I thought Tommy was gonna ask if she needed help with her basement too wink wink.
I dont either but seems easy enough and midnight is a great time to tear up the ceiling.
You’re a lifesaver! Thank you!
Man, I wish I had attic stairs. I didn't realize how cool they are!
This is a great video with a lot of good content - and one major flaw. DO NOT USE TRIM BOARDS TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF AN ATTIC STAIRWAY. That is dangerous. Trim boards are relatively thin and weak, and they are usually attached with just a few thin 18 gauge finishing nails that can easily pull right through the wood. Attic stairways are often quite heavy... If the trim had broken or come loose then the woman standing below it could have been seriously injured, and/or the falling stairway could have also knocked a hole through the wall - necessitating another repair. It is far safer to remove the trim and attach stronger boards directly to the joists with screws, and then let those boards support the weight of the new stairway as you install it. My crews use strong wooden jigs, screwed directly into the joists, when they replace or install attic stairways - which is what we do many times every day.
thanks
Fully agree with this. I was so uncomfortable with her standing directly underneath the stairs while he was nudging them around from above. Serious fail point if you like being alive! 😮
I always wanted one of these as a kid.
Love watching these videos you learn a lot from them👍👍up
This video is going to come in handy. I have to put one of those in my garage. Thank you very much. Some really good tips.👍👍😀
how did it go? Please report back.
This video really help in getting my attic ladder up -- thanks
Tom! Come my way man! Mine are just as bad.
Thanks for the video as I was hesitant to tackle this one.
FANTASTIC JOB!
We don't need no stinkin tape measure, scribe a couple chunks of wood- perfect fit! Btw we sealed the top shut😰 toms the best, love that guy
I would just once love to here tommy say "Whaaaaaat the $*&^ !!"
"Looking at the condition of this attic stair. It's not worth fixing so I'm hightailing it outta here." Would have been hilarious if he said that.
Suad Salkic here is your first reply mr salkic
Well, Richard did that to a poor fellow with a massive plumbing issue. Not so much with those type of words, but basically highlighted the issue, what was required, and told the guy seeya and good luck.
All the comedy is left on the cutting room floor.
That spring had me wincing 😂
very good job... precision a 100%
Thats a great replacement of that attic door. I like the insulator for the door opening too!
Me too, gonna add one to my attic when we replace the stairs...Soon!
Silva brothers are top shelf builders☆☆☆
Wait, he has brothers?
I need mine replaced as well.Tom come on over please
Thanks for the detail in this video. I need to install one of these, but my house is two story, so the attic ladder has to go in our living space. I want to put it in the hallway that leads to bedrooms (away from the living room, etc). But the hallway runs North/South, and the ceiling joists run East/West, 16" on center. So I would have to cut 3 of the joists to install the ladder in the hallway for a 54" opening. Is that a bad thing for the structural integretity of the house (even with headers)? One side of the hallway is the support wall.
"I'm gonna staht by removing this bunji cawd."
yuvgotubekidding aq
Caawd
Joe Boston
Very good video my friend you are very professional I really LIKED it thanks so much
First of all, the original ladder/door was the exact same one as mine that I came here trying to replace. And I also went through a time when one hinge was bent over from its hinge pulling on it and we had it rigged with a bungee cord lol
I guess a common failure issue with that unit!
Awesome video, just a small tip … wear safety glasses around springs and if possible a shield to avoid a very painful injury
Reminds me of the episode when Tom helped build the workbench
Fab! Thanks xx
6:17 Nice beaver! Thanks, I just had it stuffed!
wild how the trim was holding all that weight. often today it's held with small finish nails.
Wow I need that done to mine
I have replaced a lot of attic ladders, but never like that! Of course I mostly work alone. I did like how he measured and cut the legs.
I'm an electrician and I'm always fascinated by Tom's bag of tricks.
665 by v
That insulator reminds me: I need to buy more Jiffy Pop popcorn.
A+
Maxid1 f ; N
Maxid1 u
Great size
We just bought a house built in the early 80s & the ladder looks almost as good as the new one here. =)
I really like the idea of adding the insulator!
I have the same stairs and may replace instead of just adding a new screw. it doesn't close properly, just as this one shown here. i agree, the insulator is awesome.
I just bought an early 80s house with the same stairs. The ladder is not flush to the floor and the joints have gaps. I need to either fix or replace. Along with so many other things in this house.
I cut my attic stairs like this today and they came out short 😭 and I measured them exactly how he did it
He didn’t mark the board right so it makes sense yours was short
Easy fix, just take a piece of 1x4 and cut it to the right angle to the floor and place it to the side of the stringer (adjust it accordingly) and fasten with some 1" screws. 5 min job.
I was TWO SECONDS from cutting mine after doing it EXACTLY like he did in this video and I said wait a second. Thank God I did. Everyone up vote this so that hopefully no one else messes up in the future. This tutorial is WRONG!
I have the same bulging spring.
Would love them to install a homemade lift on this old house. There are a lot of home built lifts on youtube that are really well built for about $1000 in parts with brakes, movement arrests and even dual winches. They would seem much safer and easier than trying to carry chairs or a tree etc. up some janky stairs.
Yeah, in a perfect scenario. The truth is, replacing an older existing one, most likely you'll have to trim around the opening, change any deco that's around it. I just put one in, and although this video helped me to a degree, you skipped a few steps that most ppl will have to encounter. Not saying it's a bad video, but it's not as easy as you make it look. Then again, I own a welding company, who just happens to do any type of stairs. However, every attic stair install presents its own unique challenges. Might help if you explained that the steel tabs are temporary (maybe you did) sorry if I missed it. As well as show some example probs one may encounter. Just a suggestion, thanks
There is no perfect scenario. And it's easy if you know what you're doing. If not, Tom's video is all that's necessary. Good job, Tom.
I noticed that my rough opening for my attic stairs is approximately 1/4 inch short on the length side. I want to remove the old stairs and replace with attic stairs with aluminum ladder. How would you address this issue
Nice tat!!
Oh gosh, my attic door is doing the same thing!!! My house was built in 1950 n when I got the house, strings n ropes is whats holding it up... Looks like they probably won't repair mines neither 😭
Mine is an old slide down staircase and the ropes have broken. I would love to see a vid on how to replace the ropes!
Guess I need to add an attic to my flat roof house so I can replace the stairs...
You could just put in a ladder that goes to nowhere
You have to add shims to the sides ?
Is it me or is there a flaw in measuring how to cut the stringer. If you measure the length on the stick, then cut the bottom off for the angle, then use it to measure the distance again isn't it too short?
Yes. Cut the angle first then measure.
I noticed that too and came to the comments to see if anyone else caught that. The first measurement, the length, should have been transferred to the bottom of the stringer and then the angled cutoff marked from there. Otherwise, to do it as shown, will result in the stringer being slightly shorter than intended with the witness marks taken earlier.@@scottjhayes
Does the attic door frame need to be set fluse with the sheetrock or the Framing
As long as the door is plumb between the joists it can be set to taste
An inspector just told me to use lag bolts instead of screws.
Because screws can break under load. So you should use a bolts or nails.
You can also use structuctural screws.
Wow
This reminds me, I really need to replace my attic ladder. It's in even worse shape than this lady's.
same
on various types, Va Bath4roomed dds-sssssssssssssssss $x8 k ķjyi*
go the extra step and get a metal one
Mine too.
Same here. It's actually quite dangerous. I don't trust it. I'm going to wait until it get a little cooler. Not a fun job in the summer or winter
Install an aluminum ladder type. The wooden ones get brittle after a few years.
Mine lasted 41 years and didn't get brittle, metal brace got bent out of shape.
I just brought a house and same issue I have ladder is broke need to repair. Thanks
2:43 what is the new ladder resting on top off? I noticed you did not put two temporary support boards like most other videos instruct to do.
This was not new construction, there was already existing casing / trim around the frame . So there was already permanent casting for the attic later to rest on
The casing trim he said it multiple times
@@noahholt482 So what do you think trim is held together with? If you said trim nails you are correct. Now go back down and pick up your brand new broken ladder off the floor along with the trim and nails.
4:50 it appears that the measuring stick length is shorten because he marked the angle just short of the board end. Please confirm or tell me what I missed. Thanks.
I think when he went to mark the end he realized that it was not a good end. But it was already filmed so he 'faked it' for the show. He then trimmed it off with the saw. On the ladder you can see that he also marked and then cut the ladder a little long. You can always go back a trim a little more off the later... but it's hard to put it back on if you take too much off!
Tommy's grunting sounds when he strains are just so funny.
Those bungy cords are deadly. A decorator friend lost an eye with one. I won't use them now.
It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye..
Buddy Holly, Richie Valenz, and the Big Bopper died in an airplane crash. I don’t fly on airplanes.
that's horrible, thumbs up for awareness.
Sorry to hear about your friend, but that sounds like a freak accident. Bungee cords aren't inherently dangerous. I use them all the time. Just use your normal common sense--during use, ensure the hooks are properly/securely engaged, and don't over stretch/tension the cord itself. Look over your bungees, and discard any that have damaged hooks, knots (if present), or cords. Really, if you are doing something/anything that has a possibly of going awry--bits flying about at speed--you should wear eye protection. [one example--not all of my neighbors use eye protection with mowing the lawn, or using a leaf blower, etc., but I always do].
Mary Antoinette lost her head using a guillotine, I don’t use them either.
They sell replacement arms and hinges. I did a Werner ladder in my Father's garage last fall. The steel had weakened so much that it practically folded over which made the tension springs worthless. Replaced the steel arms for $55 and all was well.
they was going for a good look. the old stairs were old and beat up they want it to look good
That’s funny, An extra $50 would give you a new unit.
Where did you find the replacement hardware? My brackets are so bent inwards, I can barely fit by them. Not to mention that it looks scary dangerous!
@@RubbinRobbin Would require a lot more labor as well versus a quick 20 minute swap of the arms.
@@plugger4945 In all honesty I don't remember. I may have called the manufacturer and ordered them directly. Or I found them online, possibly eBay? I think the arms had some information stamped on them. I don't remember and my Father has since sold that home so I can't go take a look either.
"ohhhh myyyy gawshhhhh... wawwwwwww"
Won’t
i thought he was standing on the attic stairs as he was taking them out 💀💀
He's crafty af.
Come on Tommy where is your jig at for cutting the stringer 😂 well done Tommy.
I was about to question the lack of insulation along the ladder and then he shows the insulator above the whole damn thing. I need to get this!
you can make your own. just glue a bunch of rigid insulation together to form an open-sided box, then glue pink batts to the back of the box so the overlay seals any cracks between the ceiling joists/frame/trim and the rigid box. it only has to be tall enough to allow the springs to close completely.
My ladder can with hard foam insulation
Wow that is exactly what I need to do where do you buy these attic pull down stairs from
PXD. Comikazie : Nobody as of yet is producing them/ offering them on the market. You have to buy plans and construct them yourself. Osb board is perfect material for this project for both stringer and tread. Hope this helps, -your friend.
@@chrisask2065 thanks so much my attic steps are so messed up I need to replace them thanks bro
Update: Lowe’s and Home Depot sells them now
@@chrisask2065 thanks man
At Attic Pull Down Stairs R Us
How much weight does that would ladder hold....looks kind of light.
They can barely hold me (280lbs). I install water heaters and ive had a couple break on me.
I just want to replace the BENT brackets that the springs are pulling to the middle of the stairs. Thus narrowing the opening, and creating a dangerous potential. Help!
Wow ! I think he should have head gear on doing that .
Just had the rivet (that holds the swiveling bracket together at the pivot point) break. That spring has a ridiculous amount of tension on it. The spring and half the bracket released and it flung it at me with tremendous force and almost took my leg out while climbing up the ladder. I hate these units. I’ll only use the aluminum ones with the gas struts now. No more springs and junk bracket hinges.
That's why garage door spring repairs are a dangerous DIY project....those will definitely take out an arm or a leg, and that's the best case scenario! I'm too scared to even set a mousetrap!
I hate the springs. Mine’s bent too!
THis would be a pain if you didnt have a casing that fit the frame. I wonder how many didnt realize that and went ahead and started this project and ended up with a torn up ceiling lol
If only there was a way to measure it before you started...
Added a grow room at the end...
One thing I noticed was that Kim is pretty fine.
Yeah I rubbed one out
Our attic access is in a small bedroom closet. I have to bring a step ladder to the second floor of our house and push up on a piece of drywall the builders put in the ceiling laying on trim. Is there a pull down ladder that will fit and open down from that small access space approximately 2' x 3'?
+MRrwmac You can buy compact attic ladders that will fit in a 18" x 24" opening. They're typically made of aluminum and either fold like an accordion or have sections that slide down like a traditional aluminum ladder.
That said, your opening would need to be reframed for one of these compact units if it's larger than the ladder frame.
+Rymac91 Thanks. I'll look into them.
Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t you just void out the fire block integrity of the house? Seems to me that a attic storage staircase in the garage would be a better place to install one.
did you even watch the video . ? how would he put it in the garage when it’s already in the house
May attic does not have have a built in latter it is just a removable panel. I need to bring in a latter to go in to it.
The latter ladder?
Tankyo bro do edukate
Suggest you first put the new set of steps up in the attic. Then measure the steps to ensure they will fit properly. Then working IN the attic, remove the old steps and put in the new steps in place. Finally, with the new steps in place, easily bring down the old ladder set. That would have eliminated the 2nd ladder completely and would also have avoided handing the heavy old steps down to the homeowner who may not have been prepared for it's weight.
I miss Norm!
Spend the extra bucks for the aluminum one with the lift cylinders you'll be better off
The wooden ones are safety hazards! All the screws were loose and the springs didn’t have enough tension to pull the stair case up until it was closed almost all the way manually. Lol
Don’t stand underneath it in case it falls…an she stands underneath it lmao
Tom Silva makes a lot of women swoon with his project prowess.
Seriously, I've never been so in love! He literally knows everything.
In india we just bring 3-4 kids. make them climb on each other & remove whats necessary from the attic.
I am beyond furious because I have a 12' Louisville ladder and I cannot retract it up into the attic without 2 people and 2 ladders to get it up. Louisville is, of course, oblivious to the problem, as they were when the upper wood cross piece of the frame the whole ladder was suspended from cracked when I was investigating why the ladder would not close correctly and almost fell when I was on it.
Who designs a 12' aluminum ladder and does not understand that it needs to function without any additional ladders? Any suggestions? I am toying with the idea of mounting a pulley inside at the top step, running a strong twine down along the wood door behind it, attached to an eye bolt at the outside bottom of the next lowest, where the knee bend is, and pulling on that to retract the steps when down. It his very inelegant and offensive to the purist in me who believes in form and function being their own beauty, but tripping over a piece of twine while climbing up a 12' height on a ladder is not ideal. I appeal the the engineers out there, degreed or just the self educated, common sense ones.
He could have just replaced the brackets Werner's Attic Ladder part # 55-1. Available from many sources.
Could've just bought a spring.
Their customers are always so enthusiastic. I reckon they're paid a bit to do that.
Agreed, and I'd be surprised if it was code.
I won't go bending levers to remove spring without goggles and gloves. That thing could snap off at the hinge and fly about in any direction. Don't why he didn't use his power-driver to remove the screws on the hinge plate instead of sawing it off?
These things are designed for obsolescence and the lever point always goes first. Always attempt a repair before this wear starts to deform the support plate. Always keep the moving joints lubricated/greased to extend its life.
The correct method of releasing the spring tension is to undo the four screws that hold the lowest or bottom attachment plates. Once these are free, you simply move the arm & detached plate upwards until they rotate over the main lever point. Once they move past the lever point, the spring tension is released. You can move the arm all the way around and take off the spring very easily. (No need to risk injury by wrenching it off like this guy did.)
The same works in reverse if you want to repair the lever mechanism. Drill off/ out the damaged lever pivot-point rivet (where the bungee cord was attached in the video - don't let it get this bad!). Then replace the pivot-point with a suitably sized nut,washer, and bolt(s) arrangement. you might have to drill out the wood behind the pivot point to allow the bolt head to sink in flush behind.
Put back on the spring and rotate the lever arm back around to pull on the spring tension. Once it rotates downwards you can easily re-attached the bottom attachment plate. Remember to grease up those moving joints to extend its life.
he should have been wearing a faceshield, earmuffs, and safety harness!
The spring was nearly completely relaxed. Not stretched under tension. He was fighting the twist to get it unhooked not working against a spring under tension which could be dangerous.
He wanted to get metal shavings in her hall way
where I live in Alabama the building inspector won't let us use screws to hang an attic door we have to use 16 penny hand drive nails I don't know why it looks like screws would hold better
John Smith the instructions I've seen with ladders show screws just to hold it in place and then later using nails to drive it permanently.
Use construction screws, they have a star head so inspectors can tell.
Just use Head Loks or Uber Grades. Whichever brand you prefer. Both are beasts.
Hey Kim. My ladder just broke
I just wouldn’t trust that old trim to hold my ladder in place!!
He,s gone for the wayne carrini look !
Why doesn't cam guy yell at her for standing under the ladder assembly while only the trim holds it 😥
The aluminum is better for $50 more
"Pull-Down Attic Staircase" A staircase for your pull-down attic.
Should have replaced the hall carpet while you're at it
She's very excited about a very little thing.
"Oh wow, I love it!" for something she'll probably see less than 50 times overall.
The thing is hanging down below the ceiling and it's probably drafty. Probably sees it 5 times a day
Also the critters that may come out of the attic. Attic doors need to seal. My dad had one that was somewhat loose like that. One day we saw a raccoon staring down at us! Somehow the raccoon got into the attic. That's enough of a problem. You don't need them entering your home!
You gotta maak it😂😂😂😂
So that’s what my turkey does when it peaks at me while sitting in a roasting pan....
didn't show how to do tension
Cricon Investments That thing was pre-tensioned i guess. Just bolt it down and use it.