Installing Retractable Attic Stairs

Materials required

• Attic Stair Kit
• Couple of large planks
• Two 24” long ledger boards (1”x3”) material
• Trim Moulding
• 1 1/2” Drywall Screws
• 3” Screws
• Paint

Roughing in Retractable Attic Stairs Opening

To begin with, go into your attic and locate roughly where you want to install your retractable attic stair system. It should be installed so that it runs parallel with the ceiling joists.

Once you have found the location for your attic stair system, remove the insulation from around the area where it is to be installed, and lay a few large planks down so that you can stand on them to work.

Mark the rough opening length of the attic stairs onto the ceiling joists. Most likely you will need to cut one of the ceiling joists with a reciprocating saw to make an opening larger enough for the width of the attic stairs. Next measure the length required for the headers that will tie the two far-end ceiling joists together, and enable you to fasten the cut ceiling joist to the headers.

Cut the headers and then install them into the rough opening using a screw gun and screws. Do not use a hammer and nails as this will potentially lead to cracking on your drywall ceiling below. Also, make sure you use a square to ensure the header is installed at 90 degree angles to the ceiling joists.

Now measure and mark on the headers the rough opening width requirement for the attic stairs. Cut a short joist to fit between the headers so that you can complete the rough opening required for the attic stairs. Again make sure it is square and use a screw gun to fasten the short joist to the headers.

Cut out the Drywall Opening Place a drop cloth on the lower level floor underneath the area where the attic stairway is to be installed. Again, in the attic, use a reciprocating saw to cut the drywall and to create the opening for the attic stairs. Use the roughed in headers and joists as a guide for your saw. Now, in the lower level, use drywall screws to fasten the drywall around the perimeter of the newly framed in attic stairway opening.

Now fasten the two 24” long 1”x3” ledger boards on the near and far-end of the rough opening. Use 3” screws to fasten the ledger board up through the drywall and into the framing material of the rough opening. The ledger boards will be used to support the weight of the retractable attic stair system when you lay it in place via the attic.

Finally, apply paint to the attic stair door and your attic stair installation project is complete.