Attic stairs with a hatch: distinctive features

Attic device with manhole is placed in order to save space in residential cottages and utility rooms. Lifting ladder allows you to make available the upper floor, attic or other point at a low height. Designs provide folding mechanisms with a different system of transformation. Materials of manufacture of structures are different. We understand the distinctive features of the attic stairs with a hatch.

Special features

The staircase with a manhole is intended for access to the attic or attic, which can be used for different needs. The difference between the attic and the attic is that the attic is not heated. Attic may well become a place of solitude, work space, workshop, bedroom and even a living room. Attic often fit under the warehouse.

To climb up, you need a ladder. Attic lifting devices with the hatch are comfortable enough. The technical features of the attic structure are somewhat different from the usual stationary stairs. Attic version of the stairs is characterized by small size. However, reduced performance should not affect safety. Therefore, it is important to observe a few rules for arranging the rise in the attic.

Technical features of the construction imply mandatory insulation on the hatch; without it, heat leakage is possible. As the insulation is usually used rubberized tape. The hatch hole is a regular square frame. It is veneered mainly fiberboard or plywood.

The hatch hole of the construction with a ladder is provided with a cover, it closes the stroke in the assembled state. Purchased designs provide the original castle systems that protect the room and securely hold the ladder inside the hatch. The assembled state of the staircase is not visible either in the lower room or above. The opening of the system occurs smoothly, thanks to special springs in the device.

Assembly and disassembly of the structure is carried out with a special key of the rod type. The basis of the stairs consists of two parallel segments of wood or metal, between them are placed steps. Side elements and steps provide anti-slip material. It contributes to better safety of the structure. In order to ensure the safety of ascent or descent, home craftsmen often supply the steps with rubber pads.

The main mechanisms for lifting and lowering the stairs themselves are angular hinges and hinges. These elements are usually metal, they are located at the top of the structure and are attached to the ceiling. The ladder segments in the folded state must necessarily coincide with the dimensions of the hatch. Connection design provides a special lever system. Place the attic structure inside or outside. Internal systems are usually more comfortable. They exclude access to the courtyard if necessary to climb into the attic.

Materials

Structures are made of various materials. They are selected depending on the way the stairs are located: outdoors or inside it.Many people pay attention to the availability of certain foundations. The most accessible basis is considered a tree. Usually, low-cost wood species are used in production.

Infrequently there are side-mounted attic stairs made of pine or oak. More often wood options are considered that do not rot and crack. Especially they are relevant if it is assumed long-term operation of the attic stairs. Usually inexpensive wood is treated with appropriate preparations that prevent the process of decay.

Attic stairs can be metal. Ladders from a stainless steel or aluminum transfer frequent use and long serve their owners. Choosing a metal as a basis, one should take into account the design variant. A product made of metal in the form of a ladder can be very heavy. If metal is used for an additional structure, it is usually combined with wood. In this case, the stairs will be lighter in weight, but durable.

The main requirement of the stairs to the attic is security. This requirement must be observed when installing steps and railings.For example, if they are metal, hands may slip off. Wooden railings have a rough surface. If the wood is untreated, splinters and other wounds may remain on the arms.

Aids are often used to protect hands from damage. For example, rubber heels or PVC inserts. Rubber upholstered crossbar, lining the steps. Rubber caps on the bowstrings, attached at the bottom and top, will prevent the structure from shifting, protect the floor covering if the structure is placed indoors.

Species

Attic staircase is an interesting option for access to the upper tiers of the dwelling. Varieties of designs are diverse, it is not at all necessary to construct traditional systems that usually take up a lot of space. In addition, the traditional methods of ascent and descent often violate the style of space, so you have to redo everything.

Laz on the attic is often more compact, although some designs may be voluminous. Compact retractable design does not disturb the balance, does not clutter up the space, it looks appropriate where there is little space and in spacious rooms.Compactness is the most demanded criterion of attic structures, which have several varieties. Consider the main types.

Stationary

This version of the attic stairs with a hatch firmly attached to the floor and ceiling, it can not be folded and removed if desired.

Fixed options are represented by several varieties:

  • Straight lines Universal products that require a lot of space for placement.
  • Swivel. Usually they are installed on the corner of the house. This option provides a more rational use of space.
  • With a small step. The ideal way of arrangement, if the structure can not be installed under a steep slope. It is inconvenient and unsafe to climb and descend along such steps.
  • Screw. Usually mounted with available free space. This design is quite voluminous, it is valued not for saving space, but for the possibility of installation where there is a difference in height.

Folding

Folding models are excellent in houses with a small area. The structures are folded in order to save space.

Models are made of wood, metal, other materials and their combinations:

  • Retractable models are compact, fold in the form of an accordion until it stops. An exceptional feature is its manufacture, in which it is imperative to use metal elements.
  • The telescopic model is decomposed according to the telescope principle. As a result, a standard staircase is obtained from a small structure. When folded, the steps of the stairs hide one into one. Fixation in the unfolded state is carried out in a predetermined position. For these telescopic options, ladders often use metal.
  • The folding model differs in standard dimensions, it is especially popular. The main parts are sections of the same size. As fasteners use hinged elements. The whole structure is laid out like a book. For the manufacture of this design using metal and wood.
  • Folding designs are not interrelated with the size of the hatch. The main elements are kosouri: mounted on the wall and folding. When such an element shifts, steps on it are fitted with hinges.

Attachments

Ladders are not interconnected with the hatch, they are stored separately.If necessary, such a ladder system easily moves to the desired point. Attachments are convenient if there is no possibility to mount a stationary or folding structure indoors. Especially often such systems are used in the temporary arrangement of the rise to the top.

Constructions

If stationary versions of the ladder are selected for ascent to the attic, among them users more often stop on models of the cruising and screw type. Both options have decent features and installation features. However, they are not without drawbacks. For example, the stairs of the marching type are the simplest models.

To install them, a suitable free wall is sufficient. For comfort of movement and compactness of a step do antiskid. There are zabezhnye steps. They are located at the end and the beginning of the stairs.

Marching designs have several varieties, they are divided into:

  • single-march traditional;
  • dvuhmarshevye with a turn of 90 degrees.
  • dvuhmarshevye with a turn of 180 degrees and an intermediate zone.

Marching designs are not compact. Under them you need to skillfully select locations.The main devices of screw varieties allow you to position the stairs anywhere in the indoor space.

The whole structure is interconnected with the type of supporting structure, which has several varieties:

  • The steps are placed on the bearing verticals and the central tube. The appearance of the stairs depends on the state of the verticals.
  • As a support for the steps use curved bows, which act as fences. Parts of the steps are fixed in the grooves.
  • The option of a support of steps on a bowstring is possible (happen unary or two-beam).
  • Fastening of steps can be console type (inside the centralized support). More steps can be supported on the casing.

Attic construction designs are:

  • opening upwards, inside the attic space (convenient if the design is foldable);
  • opening downward into the interior of the room of the room (convenient when the staircase is embedded inside the manhole).

Automated structures are often used for folding stairs, the manual version is also in demand.

Installation

Before construction it is necessary to measure the opening. It must exactly match the dimensions of the product.To install the structure, it is important to prepare the base and tool in advance. Retractable attic windows are inexpensive. Note, the installation work of such systems is more convenient to carry out together. Usually one master works at the top using a tool.

Ladder with manhole must be delivered upstairs. For these actions it is convenient to install convenient struts. They should be at the edge of the manhole and the ladder box. In this place an angle of 90 degrees is formed. The box is fixed twice with screws.

The next stage assumes that the master who has stayed in the room removes the struts holding the attic door. In an open doorway, mount other parts of the structure. If there is a gap between the structure and the opening, it is filled with mounting foam. The bolts that secure the ladder are allowed to unscrew (everything will unfold).

Note that after this the ladder must remain level (regardless of the type of material produced). Allowed adjustment of the angle of inclination by moving the holes of the side support. If a metal manhole is mounted, the bars are fixed not with screws, but with a cord.At the same time, the work will also require a protractor, as well as a key for 10 and a screwdriver or screwdriver.

Dimensions

For installation of the hatch with a folding design, it is important to consider the height of the room. Permissible ceiling height - from 2 to 3 meters. In this embodiment, you will get a more comfortable angle of inclination of the staircase design. The optimum angle for ladders is 45 degrees. If we consider a ready-made manhole with a factory-quality staircase, it is supplied with 10-15 steps. Acceptable height between them is about 20 cm. The total length of the structure does not exceed three meters.

The opening to move under the roof is most difficult to perform if the overlap is made of concrete. Arrangement of wooden floors also requires special care: you can damage the load-bearing beams. It is important to consider the distance between the carrier beams (it should be at least 60 and not more than 100 cm). If the design is foldable, the dimensions of the manhole can vary from 60 to 80 cm with a width of from 100 to 140 cm.

An important point: when applying the design, the load on the ceiling should fall on the beams. Installation of the stairs must be made parallel to them, and not across.The thickness of the wooden steps should be 2 cm, the width can be from 25 to 30 cm. The standard dimensions of the staircase affect the comfort and safety of the clamshell. The system should be able to cope with a weight load equal to that of a person. Given the above parameters of the stairs, the most convenient dimensions of the frame range from 70 to 120 cm. In this case, the passage in the ceiling does not seem too large, you do not need to fence a bulky staircase with uncomfortable steps.

Which one to choose?

Usually, staircase ceiling structures are selected for a common interior or, for example, a door, a doorway. At the same time take into account the direct purpose of lifting (in the attic, attic, for the house). Wood products provide significant financial savings. At the same time, they fit perfectly into the classical and modern stylistic directions of design (for example, classical, neoclassical, modern, Italian, country style).

Some sliding metal devices are also beautiful, but more often metal stairs simplify the look of an outbuilding. Although it is easier to take care of metal, and such a construction will last longer.According to reviews, the best options for any cases are wooden attic stairs. Metal options are preferred by those who do not like frequent cleaning. Metal devices are more often chosen for summer homesteads and temporary cabins.

The process of installing an attic staircase, see the following video.

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Information provided for reference purposes. For construction issues, always consult a specialist.

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