Werner's Easy Access Attic Ladder 6 - Frame Opening

by DoItYourself Staff

Before Proceeding: You should have a space between the joists at least as large as the rough opening shown on the box. Any cut joists must be attached to uncut joists.

Goal: To create a four-sided frame the size of the rough opening using joist-sized lumber. This frame will be made of single or double thickness headers and stringers depending upon the particular installation. The frame is necessary to support the attic ladder and to reinforce the roof and ceiling structure.

Installing Headers
If no joists have been cut, go to "Single Headers." If any joists have been cut, go to "Double Headers."

Single Headers

Step 1. Measure the header length "H" between the joists (See Figure 11).

Step 2. Cut 2 headers this length. Use joist-sized lumber.

Step 3. Place one of these headers at one end of your chosen location (See Figure 12). The header must fit snugly between the joists. Hammer it into position if necessary; if it is more than 1/16 inch too long, trim it. If it is more than 1/16 inch too short, cut another piece.

Step 4. Square the header to one joist and drive 3 nails (16d) through the joist and into the header. Check for squareness and drive 3 nails (16d) through the other joist and into the header (See Figure 12).

Step 5. Position the second header 54 inches from the first one and repeat Step 4 (See Figure 13).

Step 6. The frame for the rough opening requires four sides. The headers make up two of those sides. If your ceiling joists are spaced so that they make up the other two sides of the rough opening, check the opening for squareness by measuring across the diagonals. The measurements should be within 1/8" to be considered square (See Figure 13).

If your ceiling joists do not make up the other two sides of the rough opening, you need to install one or two additional pieces of lumber to frame the other side(s) of the rough opening, go to "Installing Stringers."

Double Headers

Step 1. Measure the header length "H" between the uncut joists (See Figure14).

Step 2. Cut four headers this length. Use joist-sized lumber.

Step 3. Place one of these headers against the end of the cut joist(s) (See Figure 15). It must fit snugly between the uncut joists. Hammer it into position if necessary; if it is more than 1/16 inch too long, trim it. If it is more than 1/16 inch too short, cut another piece.

Step 4. Square the header to the uncut joist and nail the header to the end of the cut joist(s) with 3 nails (See Figure 15).

Step 5. Check header for squareness then drive 3 nails through each joist into each end of the header (See Figure 15).

Step 6. Place a second header against the first header and nail it to the first header with 3 nails between each joist (See Figure 16).

Step 7. Drive 3 nails through the joists into each end of the second header (See Figure 16).

Step 8. Repeat steps 3-7 to install headers at the opposite end of the opening.

Step 9. To frame the other side(s) of the rough opening, look at "Installing Stringers."

Installing Stringers

Step 1. Measure the stringer length "S" between the headers (See Figure 17).

Step 2. Cut a stringer to this length. Use joist-sized lumber.

Step 3. If the ceiling joist does not provide one side of the frame, then cut a second stringer the same length as the first one. Note that only one stringer is needed in Figure 17 because the ceiling joist provides one side of the frame.

Step 4. Position the stringer(s) along the unframed side(s) of your location (See Figure 18). Check that the inside dimensions of the frame are the same as the rough opening shown on the box or in Table 2.

Step 5. To attach the stringer(s) to the headers, use nails that are long enough to go through both headers and into the stringer at least one inch. In most cases, a 4 inch nail (20d) will be long enough. Square the stringer(s) to the headers at one end and drive 3 nails through the headers and into the stringer. Check for squareness, then nail the other end. Check the rough opening for squareness by measuring across the diagonals. The two measurements should be within 1/8" to be considered square (See Figure 18).

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