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installing attic ladder alone

| Posted in Construction Techniques on February 18, 2005 03:25am

Anyone have any tricks to installing a pull down attic ladder alone? I am contemplating making some hooks that I can hang on the framing and then on the ladder frame. I still have to figure out how to manuver the ladder in place while open.

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Replies

  1. jrnbj | Feb 18, 2005 03:39pm | #1

    improve your social skills enough to find friends or work/play well with others!?!?

    Smart a** reply, but sometimes that's what it takes.....

  2. gordzco | Feb 18, 2005 04:28pm | #2

    I've done a few from the top. Pull the the thing up with rope and temorarily tie it off on a rafter. Set some wooden brackets to hang it relatively straight and tight on the ceiling joists before you shim and screw the thing in place.

    Make sure you have everything you need in the attic and be sure to tie another rope to the bottom ladder section so you can flip it open from above.

     

     

    Be Constructive

    Gord

    St.Margaret's Bay NS

    1. try5077 | Feb 18, 2005 05:19pm | #4

      I bought a new werner attic ladder this summer. Use the supplied hooks to hang it by myself. Simple and the ladder is sweet! Its also $120, but its rated for 300lbs. The 2 piece frame went up, then 4 hooks, and simply hang the unit into the RO. Swing it up to the other two hooks and ready to level and lag in. IMO the easiest and best way.

  3. User avater
    BossHog | Feb 18, 2005 05:18pm | #3

    When I put mine up, I screwed a pair of 1X4s across trhe opening, about 6" in from each end.

    Then I pushed the ladder up through the remaining opening, twisted it around, and laid it on the 1X4s.

    Slciker 'n snot on a doorknob.

    My reaction to intelligence is the same as my reaction to pornography. I can't define it, but I like it when I see it.
    1. FrankB89 | Feb 19, 2005 04:04am | #11

      Odd you should describe such a method....not only is it simple and easy, but you have concisely articulated the installation instructions that come with those units! 

      1. User avater
        BossHog | Feb 19, 2005 02:20pm | #14

        "....not only is it simple and easy, but you have concisely articulated the installation instructions that come with those units!"

        Don't know how that could be - I don't read instructions.

        (-:
        Sometime when you're bored, try putting a slinky on an escalator.

  4. Nails | Feb 18, 2005 07:26pm | #5

    ercid........what boss hog said. I put a lot of them up by myself as recent as last month,noticed the directions and they said thats how to do it.hehehe

    1. kngfshr | Feb 18, 2005 10:57pm | #6

      thanks for the info. I will look into the werner. local home center has louisvilles. have to see if they have a hook system.

      1. rooferman | Feb 18, 2005 11:19pm | #7

        Anyone know of a source for a good attic ladder for a 11' 6"  plus ceiling?  All the ones I see are too short.  Thanks.

        Mike L.

        1. calvin | Feb 19, 2005 03:45am | #10

          I didn't look for you, but if you do find it, remember you'll need a step ladder to pull it down and flip the ladder section down.  Not the most convenient operation.  Bessler makes some sliding attic stairs.  If you have the room up there in the attic, worth checking out.  http://www.bessler.com/Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

          Quittin' Time

      2. MSA1 | Feb 19, 2005 02:37am | #9

        The Werner comes with the hooks. The nice thing about this ladder is that you install the frame without the stair then just slide the ladder in after.

  5. Shep | Feb 19, 2005 02:33am | #8

    On some of the heavier sets, I take off a couple sections of the ladder to make it lighter.

    I also put up temporary cleats, like others have said.

  6. duster1 | Feb 19, 2005 05:48am | #12

    ditto on the werner ladder - they supply the hooks so that you can match the 20 lb frame to the ceiling level (flush).   Then every thing goes together smooth.

    1. ANDYSZ2 | Feb 19, 2005 11:56am | #13

      I am missing something on these instructions, if you put up 1x6 's to support the stairs how do you get inside the attic to lag it to the framing.Also you need to put  spacers between the 1x6's and the ceiling to accomadate the sheetrock and the thickness of the attic door.

      !!!!! Now I will let you in on the coolest trick of all. That I just learned from my trim guy after I installed an attic pull down.He cases his attic pull down on the ground and then puts it in the hole and squares it up and shoots it in place then opens it and lags in the frame.

      MADE ME FEEL LIKE AN IDIOT.

      ANDYSZ2

       

      I MAY DISAGREE WITH WHAT YOUR SAYING BUT I WILL DEFEND TO THE DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT.

      Remodeler/Punchout

      Edited 2/19/2005 4:00 am ET by ANDYSZ2

      1. duster1 | Feb 19, 2005 07:35pm | #15

        Sorry - you want somebody else on this one;  I wrote about the Werner 300# all metal ladder, not the cheaper all wood ones that require the special tricks to install those brands.  The Werner is designed to go in easy, match up to all sorts of ceiling framing (instructions for those who think sheetrock is strong) and doesn't need to be sawed off, and has cool gas struuts instead of springs to keep the door from slamming shut if let go.....why buy anything else.   BTW all installation of the Werner is done from the floor below........

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