Learn About Attic Ladders, Their Installation, And Their Safety

If you have attic space, chances are you will want to use it for storage.  Attic ladders make it easy to get up there safely, to store your items of retrieve them.  They typically come in pre-assembled kits that can be easily installed by a do-it-yourselfer.

Installation can typically be done in less than three hours for some, while others may take longer.  The kits are designed to fit between the existing frame in the floor of that attic.  Sometimes the hole needs to be made larger to accommodate the ladder.

Attic ladders work with 2x attic floor framing but not so easily with truss style interlocking flooring.  If there are trusses and they are in the way of the opening, do not cut them.  Instead seek professional assistance.  Typically the kits fit 24 inch framing.

Another consideration is the length from your ceiling to floor where the ladder will come down to.  There are different levels of weight bearing ladders, the more the ladder can hold the better.  The general rule of thumb is to choose a ladder that can bear the heaviest person using it plus add 100 pounds, for items that the person may be carrying up to the attic.  The most common heavy duty ladder is one with a weight capacity of 350 pounds.

The typical cost of a ladder is about $1 per weight capacity.  So a 350 capacity ladder should run about $250 to $350.  Attic ladders come in aluminum, steel or wood, however wood and aluminum are the best options.  Some attic ladders come with a full length handrail and have a capacity of 800 pounds.  This type of ladder is one of the cream of the crop but can be costly as well, sometimes running as high as $1100.

Werner Attic Ladders are one of the most popular brands you can buy.  If you are looking for a company that specializes in these types of ladders please take a look at Werner Ladders and they should have a model that fits your needs.

Make sure you leave enough head room when installing your ladder so you are not hitting your head every time you carry something up to the attic.  Also, take into consideration that there can be significant heat or cooled air loss when access panels and ladders are installed.  Applying self adhesive insulation in the form of weather stripping, is a great way to save money on heating or air conditioning costs.



Adding attic ladders to your access panels is a great way to make more room in your home.  Having the ability to place items that are not used every day, out of site and tucked safely away, opens up more room in your home for living space or other items that are used every day.