When building a house, the owners use not only any available information, but also their imagination. That is why private homes are so different. Depending on how the rooms are arranged inside, you can select and place the stairs in the attic in many ways. Only the owner of the house will understand whether it is necessary to focus on it, use the space under the steps for useful things, or choose a hidden and inconspicuous option.
Features of attic stairs
For frequently used attics, a marching construction is suitable. It is durable, safe and attractive. The material of manufacture is wood or metal. A subspecies of stationary gangways is a spiral staircase. The steps on it are mounted at an angle to each other, around the “pipe”, which stands in the center. During movement, you can stumble, dizziness may occur. But it takes up much less space, looks spectacular.
If you use the attic as a utility room, you do not want to draw attention to it, the attic staircase with a hatch will become the best model. Owners of limited spaces will also appreciate the convenience of its use.
It is interesting! The folding process is very simple. Usually on the hatch there is a handle or lever, for which you need to slightly pull, then the opening will open. Then just pull the bottom step, the stepladder will decompose itself. There are also automatic options equipped with a special button. It will be enough to press it so that the device decomposes on its own. The best models of attic stairs with a hatch can be remotely controlled using the remote control. This feature will be useful to owners of houses with high ceilings.
Such devices are designed for 140-150 kg of weight, which is acceptable for a person of average build with a load. Samples made entirely of metal can withstand up to two hundred kilograms.
Variety of attic stairs with hatch
Wooden, metal, sliding, telescopic, folding, scissor ... How to choose the gangway that you need from all this variety? The rating of the best attic stairs is compiled for each client in his own way, in accordance with his needs and preferences. When choosing, the material, manufacturer and type of mechanism are taken into account.
Depending on the material
If stationary stairs can be wooden, metal or combined, then sliding are made only of metal, or together with a tree (wooden steps and a metal frame). Such a connection provides several advantages:
- Possibility of replacing wooden elements,
- Lower price compared to the metal version,
- No loss in durability and strength.
However, it is worth noting that for frequent use it is better to choose a completely metallic look. They are more wear resistant.
Depending on the manufacturer
Among the people, domestic enterprises in this area are not yet popular. The main manufacturers in this market are European. They offer consumers approximately the same products. What attic staircase with a hatch is better to choose? You should focus on the proposals presented in your region, the size of the models, the price-quality ratio. If the gangplanks contain wooden elements, they should only be durable varieties.
Several staircase manufacturers:
- Polish company Oman. High quality at an affordable price. Due to the special thermal insulation, the gangway can be installed in unheated rooms.
- Company "Fakro", Poland. The product is characterized by the strength of the fasteners, good thermal insulation, special folding mechanism.
- Austrian company Minka. The company has been operating since the mid-twentieth century. It focuses on the production of combined wooden-metal stairs.
LLC Metallinvest Profile works closely with Fakro. Communication is established directly, without intermediaries, which makes the cost lower than the average market. An order from the manufacturer excludes the possibility of counterfeiting products. LLC Metallinvest Profile delivers the order in Voronezh and the Voronezh region, transportation is not included in the order price. You can also pick up the goods at your own expense from the company's warehouse.
All of these companies are popular for their impeccable reputation, as well as consistent product quality. They have proven themselves to be reliable manufacturers. When buying products of another company, it is worth focusing on the declared parameters of the goods, customer reviews.
Depending on the type of hatch design
The most popular option, in which the ladder consists of 3-4 sections, which, folding in each other, hide over the ceiling. Such a device is universal, suitable for almost all openings. The size of the connector and the width of the stairwell, the height (due to the last section) can be selected independently.
Telescopic structures are popular. If compactness plays the main role in choosing the best attic staircase for you, then this subspecies is created just for you. When bending, the guides fold into each other. The system works because the diameter of each section is smaller than the previous one. At the same time, the carrying capacity of smaller sections is not lost. There is a minus in telescopic structures: clamps that take on the load to hold metal profiles often jam even after a short use.
The scissor view works according to the principle of scissors: pull the lower step, then the steps will decompose. The advantage of such a structure is the railing. This additional safety feature may be necessary not only for elderly people or children, but also for those who are afraid of heights or are afraid of climbing mobile structures. Another plus: the width of the steps is greater than in other types similar to the hatch. Scissor subspecies is not inferior to others in strength and durability. There is also a minus: the attachment of the blocks requires periodic inspection and lubrication.
This type consists of two sections, one of which is attached to the manhole cover, and the second extends from the first. Such a device is seemingly simpler, but costs several times more (partly from the fact that they are made entirely of metal). The size of the opening for sliding gangways should be larger in comparison with other types of mechanisms, which may not be very attractive and practical.
Folding steps will be more convenient in non-residential, technical rooms, where aesthetic appeal, as well as maximum compactness is not too important. It consists of two spans, one of which is attached to the wall, and the second can be folded and unfolded. When folded, the lower span is simply fixed to the same wall, slightly below the upper span. The main plus of the folding device is the most convenient angle of inclination - 45 degrees.
Automatic steps to the attic - a convenient and safe way to move. The staircase is equipped with an electric drive. The remote control controls the lifting and lowering of the device. Made of metal. The price is higher than the rest of the species.
Tips for choosing the perfect attic staircase
Suppose that you know the main desired parameters, but the details are driven into a stupor. What to wish for? To understand which attic staircase with a hatch is better to choose, read a few tips.
- It must have a minimum of 3 sections (except for folding, sliding). Such an object will be more convenient to fold even to low people.
- The device should not interfere with the free passage, be compact. Keep in mind that the standard width of one march is 65 cm. The smaller width will be uncomfortable, too tight. A larger size will require increased floor coverings.
- Lock joints must be reliable, durable. A ladder that could accidentally fall out of the ceiling is not safe for life and health.
- An additional advantage will be anti-slip stickers on the steps.
- When installing, the size of the hole that needs to be made in the ceiling must be identical to the size of the hatch itself. Otherwise, there will be gaps that will pass heat to the attic.
- When installing the object, try not to touch the walls. This is required for free folding and unfolding mechanism.
You can install the gangway yourself, even if you do not have experience in construction. If you are afraid to make a mistake during installation, you should call an installer or a locksmith. After all, improper installation can cause serious trouble.
In conclusion: it is worthwhile to choose an attic staircase deliberately. At least the comfort and aesthetic appeal, as a maximum, the safety of you and your family members depend on whether you choose the right object. Weigh all the pros and cons: these gangways will last several generations of your family. Proper installation will provide complete thermal and sound insulation of the hatch, the productivity of the mechanisms. From time to time, check the mobility of the fasteners for damage.
Catalog of materials
Each country house has a roof space. This space can be of two types: residential attic or attic. The attic room is of course less commonly used than the residential one, but it is still necessary to climb it.
In order to climb into the attic, you can install a stationary staircase, but usually it is not justified expensive and very cumbersome. If you consider a stepladder, then you will be forced to store it somewhere, taking up space. Also, the stepladder will have to get, wear and unfold. Plus, it’s not safe.
The optimal solution is a folding attic staircase, the choice of which we will now discuss.
Wooden stairs to the attic
Wooden stairs most harmoniously fit into the interior of both a residential cottage and a country house. The wooden staircase can be covered with varnish or paint, thereby fitting it into any interior.
The wood used for the production of attic stairs is pine of the highest quality class, which minimizes the number of knots. Knots have a direct effect on the strength of wood, so the less they will be on your staircase, the higher its strength characteristics. Wooden attic stairs can withstand up to 160 kg, which allows you to safely climb into the attic both by yourself and with the load.
Folding stairs to the attic
Sectional folding attic stairs are the most popular type of stairs. They are not whimsical to care for and equipped with a reliable mechanism. When unfolding them, additional space is required for the departure of the middle section of the flight of stairs.
Scissor stairs to the attic
The most important difference between scissors and other types of stairs is that it saves space when unfolded. If you have a narrow corridor and it is not possible to expand the sectional ladder from behind the wall, then the scissor-type ladder is most convenient to lay out in this case.
Sliding stairs to the attic
Sliding ladders, as well as scissor ladders, can be conveniently expanded in a narrow room. Their big plus is that they do not need to be filed to give the desired height. The only drawback of such a staircase is the unclosable flight of stairs, which takes up space in the attic.
Regardless of the method of opening, the attic staircase should be easy to fold and retract to the ceiling. This is done as follows: manually remove the flight of stairs, lift the hatch cover with the rod that comes with the kit, lift the lid to the end and close the lock with a slight twist. When dealing with a quality staircase, any family member can handle this.
Ladder height
When you have decided on the model of the stairs to the attic, you need to determine its size. Start choosing the size of the attic stairs by measuring the height from floor to ceiling in the room. When purchasing a wooden staircase, you need to choose a length that exceeds the required height, after which it is necessary to file the base of the stairs. It is not necessary to adjust the scissor ladder to the height of the room, it is adjusted automatically.
The standard heights of the wooden attic stairs are 280, 305 and 325 cm. Scissor ladders are suitable for heights of 260-280 cm. It is important to understand that you can always buy segments of the stairs to increase its height, but one additional segment for folding and no more than two for scissor.
When choosing and installing an attic staircase, be sure to pay attention to the gaps between the segments and between the flight of stairs and the floor. The absence of gaps guarantees the stability of the stairs and, therefore, safety.
Attic staircase hatch size
How to choose a ladder relative to the opening in the ceiling. As a rule, a staircase is selected either for an existing opening, or we select a staircase, then we already make an opening for it. Suppose you purchased a 60x120x280 cm staircase. Accordingly, you should get a 60 cm wide opening in the ceiling, an opening length of 120 cm, and a 280 cm stair height, which we can trim depending on our room height.
The widest dimensional range of stairs is presented by Fakro. The hatches of the attic stairs of this company, depending on the model, are of the following sizes: 60x94, 60x120, 60x130, 70x94, 70x120, 70x130, 70x140 cm.
Important components of attic stairs
When choosing an attic staircase, you need to pay attention to its constituent elements. The fastening of the wooden steps according to the dovetail type ensures reliable fixation of the steps. On the steps themselves there should be anti-slip recesses. Pay attention to high-quality fittings, hinges between segments, springs; descent from the attic.
It is very correct if the staircase is equipped with anti-slip tips, which will additionally fix the staircase and protect the flooring from damage.
Warming of the attic stairs and protection against drafts.
A very important criterion when choosing an attic staircase is its energy saving, so we must make serious demands on the manhole cover. There are both insulated and non-insulated models of attic stairs on the market. In insulated stairs, the manhole cover can also be of various thicknesses. It is important to choose a staircase depending on its purpose and type of room.
If you live in a summer house only in the summer, then a manhole cover with a small heater will be enough for you. If you live in the house year-round and the attic is absolutely cold, then you need to purchase a staircase with maximum energy saving, i.e. with maximum hatch thickness.
In addition to the insulated manhole cover, seal contours are also important. They ensure that the manhole cover adjoins the staircase, thereby retaining heat in the room.
Specification of attic stairs. Fire protection.
Special models of attic stairs - fireproof, have been developed. In addition to the main function of climbing to the attic, there is also a function to prevent the spread of fire. Components and elements of such a ladder are made of metal, and the manhole cover is made of refractory materials. At the same time, it is insulated and has a sealing circuit, which expands when exposed to elevated temperature and prevents the spread of smoke.
The stairs are delivered fully assembled, it can even be transported by car, it remains only to unpack and install it in the opening.
The attic stairs can also be installed independently, and in the case of wooden attic stairs, installation is even simpler thanks to special fastening latches. They allow you to disconnect the hatch cover from the stairs during installation, mount the box in the opening and return the hatch back after mounting the stairs. Due to this, installation can be carried out from the inside of the room.
Thus, with a correctly selected attic staircase, you get a ready-made solution at an affordable price, saving free space in the house, ease of management, as well as reliability and safety of operation.
Fixed or retractable ladder
There are 3 options for the location of the stairs in the attic: stationary, auxiliary and retractable stairs. A ladder is the least common option, because for every visit to the attic it will have to be brought from the barn. Or leave it nearby in the room, but then it will spoil the interior decoration and get in the way. The choice of fixed or retractable stairs depends on several factors. The stationary staircase is reliable and durable, but it takes up a lot of space in the room, often not intended for the location of the stairs.
The advantages of a retractable ladder include:
- Space saving. The staircase does not take up space at all, since it is cleaned completely into the hatch on the ceiling.
- Suitable for any interior or room decoration style. Since the staircase is completely hidden behind the ceiling hatch, its disguise is not required.
- Low price. Compared to a stationary marching or spiral staircase, the cost of a retractable one is minimal. Self-installation of a retractable ladder will not cause difficulties and save the family budget.
- Security. A stationary staircase takes up a lot of space, and the premises of the second or third floor are rarely equipped with a free hall for the location of the product. Movement in cramped conditions leads to injuries and bruises.
Types of Retractable Stairs
The choice of attic stairs is not limited to one design. A wide range of materials and appearance will allow you to purchase or make a do-it-yourself staircase that is ideally suited to the requirements of the buyer. By design features, the following types of attic stairs are distinguished:
- Telescopic ladder. Consists of several sections sliding into each other. To make such a staircase yourself is problematic, but you can mount a separately purchased product on a prepared hatch. The optimal material for the staircase is aluminum, it is not susceptible to corrosion, durable, but at the same time has a minimum weight.
- Scissor ladder. The section is one, but when folded it resembles an accordion. When unfolding, the side elements are similar to the connection of scissors, hence the name. Durable metal version. A feature of scissor models is the creak that appears over time. To avoid this, regularly lubricate the mounts.
- Folding ladder. The staircase is not attached to the hatch, like the other views, but to the wall. Tightly fits and unfolds as needed, so it takes up a minimum of space. The disadvantage of this type of staircase is in complex installation requiring experience.
- Retractable staircase. The folding principle is similar to the telescopic model, however, there is a serious difference. Sections of the telescopic ladder extend from each other, in the retractable section they are interconnected by hinges and special fittings, thanks to which each section slides off the previous one and forms an even march in one line.
Attic staircase selection criteria
Choosing a ladder, be guided not only by the decorative effect. The main criterion should be the safety of the attic stairs.
- The maximum allowable weight is not the weight of the owner of the house. The attic is used to store things, which means that you will find yourself on the stairs with a heavy piece of furniture, and probably not just one. Permissible weight from 150 kg is optimal.
- Check the horizontal position of the steps. The rubber coating will prevent slipping.
- Do not exceed the angle of the attic stairs of 60-70 degrees.
- Choose a fixed staircase if the ceiling of the room exceeds 3 m. A retractable staircase of this height loses rigidity and becomes dangerous.
- For convenient movement, the width of the stairs should be at least 65-70 cm, the height of the step should not exceed 20 cm.
- In an unheated attic, cold air in the winter will fall into the living room through an open hatch. In such a situation, it is inappropriate to exceed the dimensions of the hatch 90-120 cm.
- Take care of special fasteners that smoothly open the hatch door. They are not difficult to find, but they will help to prevent the hatch and stairs from falling onto the opening head.
The stairs to the attic should meet such needs as convenience, reliability and safety. Use the tips from the article to choose the suitable option for a country house.
Requirements for attic hatches
A good hatch in a private house must meet the minimum requirements:
- Warming. From the school course of physics it is known that warm air rises, respectively, the insulated ceiling passage is a guarantee of comfort in the house, plus saving money on heating.
- Tightness. The insulated manhole cover with an open gap around the perimeter is useless, warm air will simply leave through the cracks.
- Dimensions. The dimensions of the opening should be such that all household members and things stored in the attic freely pass through it.
- Design. Everything that is on the ceiling is immediately striking, so the ugly cover will negate all the efforts of the designer.
It is desirable to arrange the ceiling passage in the same style as the ceiling.
Here we proceed from the presence or absence of a staircase, as well as from its type:
- Luke without stairs. In the people it is called a manhole, a ladder is used for its operation. It is usually installed in cottages or in small houses as a temporary option.
- Fixed staircase hatch. In fact, this is already a door to the attic or to the second floor. The width of such an opening corresponds to the width of the stairs, and the length is calculated so that from the far edge of the opening to the steps of the stairs there should be at least 180 cm.
- Folding or retractable sunroof. Here the cover goes with the stairs, the mechanism of such stairs can be different, but the meaning is the same everywhere - when you open the cover, the stairs unfold.
The choice of design largely depends on the presence or absence of stairsMaterial selection
When choosing a material, they usually start from design and financial capabilities.
- Plasticoption. It is the simplest plastic window without the ventilation function. You can call the master or take measurements yourself, after which you place an order at the nearest window company and after a few days, they will bring the finished construction to you.
Advice! For the attic, it is better to abandon the double-glazed window and put a sandwich. Glass is more expensive, it can break, and most importantly a sandwich is an order of magnitude warmer.
- Woodenoption. Now ready-made designs are being sold with and without stairs, although they are expensive, making and installing with your own hands is much more profitable, but more on that later.
- Metal. Buying an iron hatch is not a problem, they are made to equip fire exits, but there is no point in putting it in a residential building, especially in a cold attic. Firstly, it is heavy, and secondly, not insulated. Such a product is suitable only for giving, so that the robbers do not climb through the attic inside.
Installation of metal structures is justified only in places where anti-vandal protection is needed, for example, in cottages Option 1: fast, easy, reliable
It's about plastic construction. First you need to make accurate measurements of the ceiling opening, making a drawing here is not necessary, a simple scheme is quite suitable.
- In addition to the length and width, it is necessary to measure the diagonals, if they are not the same, then the opening is skewed and requires alignment.
- The thickness of the overlap is considered an indirect parameter, but this characteristic is also indicated. With such a scheme, you can order a window unit.
Advice! In order to harmonize the edges of the opening in the ceiling with the hatch, they are better faced with the same plastic, you can buy these panels when ordering, they are designed to equip slopes.
Option 2: assembly of a wooden structure
Wooden structure It’s not much harder to assemble than to embed a plastic one, plus this option is cheaper.
- First you need to make a box, for this a board with a thickness of 30–40 mm is used. The boards are simply twisted with screws and furniture corners into a regular rectangle, after which it cuts into the opening.
Wooden box is installed similar to plastic - Next, you need a beam with a selected groove around the perimeter, then the lid will fall into it, it is easier to buy such a beam, and at the same time immediately buy a beam under the cover frame. First, the frame frame is assembled.
The outer frame is assembled from a bar with a selected groove - The lid is also assembled from timber and sheathed on both sides with sheets of plywood or OSB, and for insulation, mineral wool or polystyrene foam of appropriate thickness is laid inside.
The lid must be insulated with mineral wool or foam - At the last stage, canopies and handles are screwed, after which the frame with the lid is inserted into the opening box, and the sealant is glued to the groove around the perimeter.
For a wooden hatch door canopies are usedThe main features of attic stairs
Considering attic stairs different types, you can cite several properties that each of them has. They are associated with the fact that the design is used specifically for arranging the transition to the attic. For all such stairs, the following features are characteristic:
- Compact size. They are needed to fit the stairs into a small space. But even with this in mind, the design has those minimum sizes at which it will be convenient for a person to use it.
- Large tilt angle. It is explained by the fact that the staircase has a short length and should be inscribed in the minimum area.
- Relatively low payload. Most attic stairs can withstand up to 150-200 kg. That is, at the same time, the system can withstand 2-3 people of average weight or one person, but with a heavy load.
An important feature is the presence of a folding mechanism
Usually you just need to pull on the hatch handle or a special lever, and when the opening opens, pull on the lower step. As a result, the entire structure unfolds and is firmly installed on the floor.
Some manufacturers produce automatic stairs. They are laid out after pressing the ceiling hatch, like a button. In rare cases, the stairs are equipped with an electric drive, which is remotely controlled using the remote control.
Attic stairs just fold
Standards for the slope and height of attic stairs
The angle of the attic stairs is determined by the following principles:
- According to state standards, the angle of the attic stairs can be between 45-60 °.
- The most convenient consider a slope of 45 °.
- IN folding attic stairs the angle can reach 75 °.
The steepness is chosen taking into account the safety of climbing to the attic, the height of the ceilings, as well as the area into which you need to enter the staircase. According to building standards, its height can reach 3.5 m. Such long structures are often equipped with handrails, which is associated with an increased risk of falling from such a height. Anything longer than 3.5 m is already the basis for arranging a stationary staircase.
Many models of attic stairs consist of sections, so they can be adjusted to a specific room height. In other cases, the structure is trimmed. With wooden stairs, this is easiest to do, but with metal stairs it is also quite possible.
The main parameters of the attic stairs
Table with possible attic staircase sizes
The main sizes of attic stairs
The maximum dimensions of the riser and tread are determined based on the average height (31.5 cm) and the stride length of a person (63 cm). According to the norms for a stationary attic staircase, these parameters are:
- The riser height (for folding models - this is the distance between the steps) - no more than 21 cm.
- The width of the tread is no more than 20-21 cm, and the minimum is 15 cm.
The specific values of the riser height and the width of the tread depend on the angle of inclination of the stairs. For example, at an angle of 45 °, the tread and risers will be the same - 21 cm. It is allowed that the height of the steps of one staircase is different, but no more than 0.5 cm. In general, the design often consists of 10-16 steps, often without riser.
Dimensions of the hatch under the stairs
For standard staircases in the attic floor they make a hatch - a special hole with a size of 0.7x1.2 m. It also has other standard dimensions:
- length - 60 cm
- width - 130 or 140 cm.
A minimum hatch is recommended, especially in the case of an unheated attic. More will be opening under the attic stairs, the lower the thermal insulation, which means the house will lose heat faster. The sunroof is worth buying with a warm lid, regardless of whether the attic in the house is warm or cold. Depending on the weather conditions in the region, the thickness of the thermal insulation in the lid may be 3-7.4 cm.
Stairs of different heights and with hatches of different sizes
Varieties of attic stairs
Today attic stairs are made of wood or metal, and often materials are combined. The advantages of combined designs include:
- maximum durability
- high strength
- the ability to easily replace wooden steps in case of damage.
As for manufacturers, the market leader today is the Fakro attic stairs. They are represented by a rich assortment, and have gained their popularity thanks to the elaborate design. This allowed the manufacturer to create several different models, among which you can choose the option not only for the attic in a private house, but also for basements, two-story apartments, garages and technical rooms.
Telescopic
The guides of the sections of such a staircase are hidden in each other due to the fact that the diameter of each of them is smaller than that of the previous one. As a result, the elements are inserted into each other, making the entire structure as compact as possible compared to other models.
Telescopic attic staircase
On small sizes, the advantages of such stairs end. They are not very popular due to problems with locks that hold sections in a complicated form. Judging by the reviews, even after a short use, they begin to jam.
Telescopic ladder clamps
Folding
The least common models of attic stairs, due to their bulky size. When folded, the structure is fixed to the wall, and when unfolded, it turns into an ordinary marching staircase.
The disadvantages also include the fact that the hinged system always remains in sight. Therefore, it is suitable only in cases where the interior design does not have special significance, i.e., for technical rooms. Of the advantages, it is worth noting only the most convenient angle of inclination - 45 °.
Folding attic stairs
Which staircase to choose - wooden or metal
The technical and operational characteristics of wooden and metal stairs are commensurate, so it all depends on personal preferences. But when choosing it is worth considering a couple of tips:
- Wood is a warmer material, unlike metal. If you often climb to the attic in winter - choose a wooden staircase.
- The metal has biological resistance. It is not exposed to moisture, mold does not appear on it.If the attic has high humidity, just a good choice metal attic staircase.
- If the interior is decorated with wood, then it is better to install a wooden staircase, even considering that it will not be unfolded for a long time.
- The most compact and hardy in relation to the folding-folding cycles is considered a steel ladder. This option is suitable for those who very often climb to the attic. In other cases, the safety margin is enough for any stairs.
Metal (aluminum, steel) structures are traditionally more expensive than wooden. If the price matters, then the tree will be the best choice. It is important to note that the steps of the metal stairs must have anti-slip recesses or coatings that prevent slipping.
Tips for properly positioning stairs and sunroofs
A place attic stairs and the hatch depend on the features of the overlap, which are based on beams. To properly position the structure, you must follow these rules:
- Position the hatch depending on the direction of the rafters - it should not touch the supporting structures, including beams. The opening should be between them.
- The staircase must be installed so that it does not touch the walls. It is important that the structure can be folded and unfolded freely.
- The hole in the ceiling must be made strictly in accordance with the dimensions of the selected hatch. Otherwise, there may be gaps through which heat will leave the house.
In custody
Due to the variety of modern models, you can choose an attic staircase that will harmoniously fit into the available space both in size and design. When choosing a specific model, it is important not to forget that it and the hole itself must be correctly positioned taking into account the bearing structures of the attic floor. And in order to keep warm in the house, it is necessary to provide the required thermal insulation of the hatch. Given these simple tips, using the attic stairs will be safe and comfortable.
