Attic stairs to the hatch: simplicity, usability and accessibility

Rollaway loft ladder with hatch save space in the room

The main types of attic stairs

Depending on the design, identify several types attic or, as they are called, attic stairs:

• Monolithic (stationary);
• portable;
• folding.

Monolithic (boosters and spiral stairs) are stationary structure. It is the most traditional form of attic stairs - a solid, aesthetic, convenient, safe, but its major drawback is the massive and expensive. These stairs take up much space and is not suitable for small spaces.

Folding attic stairs is very easy to use

Portable ladders (ladders and stepladders) do not take up much space, after using them, you can simply remove the closet. They are cheap and easy to use, but they are temporary and insufficient security solutions. They are used only during the construction phase or in small summer cottages.

Folding ladder combine the advantages of the first two types and, at the same time, none of the drawbacks. They are safe, easy to fit into any design, saves space, it is extremely easy to use and quite affordable price attic stairs to the hatch would be a nice bonus when buying.

Metal retractable attic stairs

Types of folding attic stairs

Collapsible ladders made of aluminum, wood (e.g., attic stairs are manufactured from selected Fakro pine lumber, other manufacturers use as beech, maple and oak), or combine both of these constructions material. In this case the wooden steps can reduce the weight of the structure, and the metal mounting mechanism and impart additional strength to the ladder.

Useful advice! Folding attic stairs made of aluminum to choose, if they are to be used frequently. These stairs have greater wear resistance and toughness, which greatly facilitates their operation.

There are several types of folding attic stairs:

• Retractable (scissor);
• sliding;
• folding;
• folding.

Examples of use of portable (Extra) stairways

Retractable attic stairs often made entirely of metal and resembles a bellows with an oval or diamond-shaped sections. This type of staircase is extremely compact and provides a minimum load on LukeBut it has one serious flaw. Over time, the retractable stairs begin to creak, so they need to be lubricated periodically. The appearance can also cause squeaking cheap poor-quality materials or improper assembly.

Sliding or telescopic attic stairs is not particularly popular in the domestic market. They are made of aluminum, and they have the form of individual metal tubes, of folding into each other. Rung of the ladder folded tightly adjacent to each other, and in expanded form is clearly recorded at a certain distance from each other. This design has limitations in weight and not very resistant.

Sliding telescopic ladder to the attic

Folding ladder consist of two or four sections, the first of which is firmly fixed to the hatch cover and completely coincides with its size. The remaining sections, opening, take the form of a conventional staircase. This mobility is due to the presence of hinges or sliders. This species is not very compact, but it is very popular. Produce folding ladders of metal, wood, and by combining these two materials.

Important! Because of the large, compared to other species, size and weight when choosing a combined folding ladders should give preference to the most lightweight materials - aluminum or pine.

The design of a folding attic ladder with the hatch

Folding ladders are reasonably complex design, but offer maximum space savings and perfect order. When folded, this ladder is fixed on the wall. Steps are fixed on the string loops with card. Folding ladders do not depend on the hatch.

Folding attic stairs fitted with a hatch, in which hides the whole mechanism. Luke has not only aesthetic function, but also allows you to provide a reliable sound, steam and heat insulation. For this purpose, manhole cover insulated using polystyrene or mineral wool, is attached on top insulation film and a decorative coating applied finish. For greater effect, often beefed hatch seal.

folding principle / folding attic stairs

The optimum size of the attic stairs to the hatch

The dimensions of the attic ladder with the hatch is a great variety. When the ladder can be ordered optionally and additional funds for individual design or buy attic stairs to the hatch of one of the standard sizes, represented in construction stores. However, there are some general rules for selection of the optimal attic stairs:

• Foldable ladder height must not exceed 3.5 m, since due to excessive massive structures would lose the necessary rigidity, and its weight would complicate the operation process. In this case you should choose a fixed ladder, giving up to save space;

Dimensions monolithic loft ladder made of wood

Benefits attic stairs to the hatch

The advantages of using in-house attic stairs to the hatch obvious. First and foremost of these is the significant space savings. This staircase allows you to easily climb into the attic, but it does not take up much space, even in the unfolded form. The variety of species (which consequently affects the price) attic stairs to the hatch harmoniously fit into any interior, and when the staircase is composed of all the unsightly parts of the mechanism are hidden in manhole cover.

An important fact to be in favor of folding ladders, is their safety. Such ladders usually have special notches on the steps, anti-slip, and even the railing. To prevent the ladder randomly open up, and someone without hurting at the same time, it equipped with a special locking mechanism and additional locking gate. In order to provide better security ladders often have non-skid tips on the legs.

Folding metal ladder with heat-insulated hatch

Attic stairs with the hatch differ high durability and reliability. They can withstand the weight of up to 250 kg. They are easy to use and open (closed) with a single motion. This is true both for ladders, hand opening (they often have a special load so as to easily lower the ladder, or to raise it) and stairs for the motor.

Price loft ladder with hatch (photo stairs and price lists can be found on the Internet at specialized sites) depends on its type, the selected material, the number of sections, and technical characteristics, but generally, it is quite available. Simplicity of design allows you to build attic stairs with your hands (figures are detailed in reference literature), which also contributes to its popularity and helps save considerably.

Ladders, wooden staircase in the nursery

Attic stairs to the hatch: collect their own hands

Of course, you can buy a loft ladder with hatch in the hardware store, or order it on a dedicated website. However, the simplicity of the design makes it possible to produce well and collect folding attic stairs with his hands.

The best choice in this situation becomes a tree. This material is easiest to process at home, distinguished by high aesthetics and good performance, and with proper treatment can last for many years. The most popular option - pine. It meets all these requirements and has a high cost, so a great choice for anyone who wants to make attic stairs with his hands.

Stairs in the folded is on the floor of the attic and does not spoil the appearance of the room

The easiest option attic stairs to a private house is considered to be a staircase in one march. Detailed video and drawings attic stairs with his hands can be in large numbers on the Internet. For its production need two boards approximately 50 mm thick, steps can be fastened via the bowstring (grooves Realized a router in the side board) or kosoura (special cut in the board horizontal platform, on which are laid stage).

Separate stages are fixed helical hairpin. For monolithic stairs with one or two sides should make the railings of polished timber, making them more reliable, using the vertical beams.

Related article:

How to calculate the stairs to the second floor: the main parameters of the calculation. Features intricate designs. Types of ladders and their components. Calculation of rotary and spiral staircases online calculator.

Another fairly simple in design option is a simple folding stairs. Based on the fact that any type of ladder is somewhat more simple ladders, it is necessary to make the usual odnomarshevuyu ladder above the ceiling level by about 40 cm. Stage, as in the previous case, are fixed on the string, or stringers. By ceiling wooden beams is fastened under the hatch and ladder itself is divided into two parts in a ratio of 1: 3.

All the elements are connected to each other loops. To securely lock the ladder when folded, using a metal or a rope loop. This simple design is always placed against the wall. Although it saves space, beautiful room would not, because all the details of a folding ladder will remain visible.

For safety on stairs worn anti-slip feet tips

In the manufacture of attic stairs with his hands, a question the hatch would have to decide. It is important to close the open doorway that leads to the attic, to protect the residential part of the house from drafts and cold, and avoid heat loss. As is the case with the drawings attic stairs with his hands, all the necessary tips and updates for manufacturing the hatch can be found on the Internet or the specialized literature.

In order to make the hatch on their own, need the bars (50 to 50 mm) plywood sheets. First you have to define the future size of the hatch, adding about 8 mm. The bars are cut into pieces of desired size, and their edges are cut holes. These grooves smeared with glue, the bars are connected and fixed by means of screws.

One part of the foldable ladder is attached to the surface of the manhole

Important! It is necessary to further fix the position of the bars by means of gussets. This discrepancy will prevent the structure diagonally.

At the final stage is mounted on the plywood boards bonded. Luke try on and hit the latch. Luc can be insulated using mineral wool or expanded polystyrene, and securing the seal at the edges.

These methods of making ladders are very simple and are suitable even for beginners. With more complex options and drawings loft ladder with hatch their own hands, and detailed instructions are available on the Internet.