Stable attic staircase?

[_ametist_]

Hello,

I'm thinking of putting flooring in the attic to increase storage.

To be able to carry boxes etc. up and down safely, a secure staircase/ladder is needed.

Today, I have a pull-down attic ladder from a ceiling hatch similar to this one:
https://www.hornbach.se/p/vindstrap...alwayson_assortment.bau.smartbidding.product…

That solution is smart, but very unstable, narrow, etc. if I'm going to be able to go up and down with things in my hands. I don't have space for a permanent staircase, so it has to be a similar solution, but more stable. Or, like I've seen in kitchens where a ladder goes in a track that you can swing out when you need to fetch items from high cabinets. There should be a similar solution, but more stable!?

Does anyone know of a smart solution?

Regards

 

[Oldboy]

We have a space-saving "space-saving staircase" or luxurious loft ladder, whatever you want to call it, leading up to the upper floor. It's a fixed staircase, but steep and requires stepping with the correct foot first. The stairwell in the joists is about 1x2 m. It's very difficult to carry things up, especially if the "things" are like moving boxes. The only way is to balance them on your head. So, if the items you're bringing up are like a book, a vase, or a pair of shoes, which you can hold in one hand, it works, but not for larger and heavier items. Then you need a proper staircase, or install a hoist or block and tackle to lift things up and down in a basket, or always be 2 people - one down and one up to pass things.

 

[_ametist_]

We have a space-saving "savings staircase" or luxurious loft ladder, whatever you want to call it, up to the upper floor. It is a fixed staircase, but steep and you have to step with the right foot first. The stair opening in the structure is about 1x2 m. It is very difficult to carry things up, especially if the "things" are like moving boxes. The only way is to balance them on your head. So, if the things going up are a book, a vase, or a pair of shoes that you can hold in one hand, it works, but not for larger and heavier items. Then you need a proper staircase, or install a crane or block and tackle to hoist things up and down in a basket, or always have 2 people - one below and one above.

We have a space-saving "savings staircase" or luxurious loft ladder, whatever you want to call it, up to the upper floor. It is a fixed staircase, but steep and you have to step with the right foot first. The stair opening in the structure is about 1x2 m. It is very difficult to carry things up, especially if the "things" are like moving boxes. The only way is to balance them on your head. So, if the things going up are a book, a vase, or a pair of shoes that you can hold in one hand, it works, but not for larger and heavier items. Then you need a proper staircase, or install a crane or block and tackle to hoist things up and down in a basket, or always have 2 people - one below and one above to hand things over.

Hi,
Due to the space, I can't have a permanent staircase, so some smart solution will be needed. Today I have a traditional attic stairs with a hatch, but it's not so stable when I'm carrying boxes up and down it.
Maybe a solution similar to these?

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMYHJH_oe5x/?igsh=MXR1bWNzYmh5Y2Eycw==

But I'm checking here if anyone knows of any good proposal for a solution!?

 

[Magnus E K]

I have an attic hatch with stairs similar to the one in the link in the first post. I use the attic for storage. Moving boxes don't need to be carried up; you place them on the ladder and push them in front of you until they are up (and vice versa when they need to be taken down). It helps if there is space up there in the extension of the ladder (i.e., avoid permanently stacking things right there). I have also installed a handle in the attic, which makes it easier to get up after you've reached high on the ladder.

 

[PNO]

If your attic ladder feels less stable than the things you link from Instagram, it must be totally misinstalled. I've had such a hatch for about 10 years and got this type because it is much sturdier than loose ladders that hook onto some hook, etc.

But a direct condition for your attic ladder to be stable is that it is cut to the right length. This applies to both legs. Most floors are not as even as you think, so if it only stands on one leg, it will feel unstable.

You should buy this type of ladder a little too long. Then the instructions tell you how to measure and cut the ladder.

Good tip with some handle or similar where you get up as well.

 

[PNO]

The width of attic ladders and attic hatches is generally limited by the distance between the joists in the attic floor. In modern houses, it is usually only 555mm available, which is narrow regardless of the hatch and ladder solution chosen. The solution, in that case, is to offset a joist so that a wider hatch and ladder can be installed.

 

[_ametist_]

The width of attic stairs and attic hatches is otherwise often limited by how wide it is between the beams in the attic floor structure. In modern houses, it is usually only 555mm available, and that is narrow regardless of the solution chosen for the hatch and ladder. The solution, in that case, is to shift a beam so that a wider hatch and ladder can be installed.

Ok, that's good info. I didn't think of that….
But the ladder can be wider, while the hatch itself follows the attic flooring.
Anyone have tips for a good solution?

 

[Magnus E K]

Ok, that was good info. I didn't think of that….
But the steps can be wider, while the hatch itself follows the attic floor.
Anyone have tips on a good solution?

The steps go up into the attic with the hatch so the steps must be narrower than the hatch.

My hatch is 60 cm wide and the steps are just over 40 cm. But I have an older house (1963) where I installed this afterwards; I have cc 90 between the rafters and no extra beams in between so the width was not a problem (however, I had to do some carpentry with extra battens to have something to fasten it to; also wanted the hatch symmetrical in the ceiling).

 

[_ametist_]

The ladder goes up into the attic with the hatch, so the ladder must be narrower than the hatch.

My hatch is 60 cm wide and the ladder just over 40 cm. But I have an older house (1963) where I installed this afterward; I have 90 cm between the rafters and no extra beams in between, so the width wasn't a problem (though I had to do some carpentry with extra joists to have something to attach it to; I also wanted the hatch to be symmetrical in the ceiling).

Yes, that's why I'm looking for an alternative solution. There are options like these where the width of the hatch doesn't have to determine the width of the ladder - with a smart solution, it can be wider...

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMYHJH_oe5x/?igsh=MXR1bWNzYmh5Y2Eycw==

But are there also other alternatives that might be even better? Anyone know?