Attic ladder for 10 feet ceiling with 30.5" x 30.5" opening

[yangwoodworking]

Hi,

I have searched the internet for an attic ladder that can fit above dimensions. But I was not able to find one. The closest thing I can find was Werner AA1510B Compact Aluminum Attic Ladder. But the max ceiling height is 9'10", 6 inches shorter than my ceiling. I guess the workaround would be to build a 6 inches platform, which I am hoping to avoid.

All other 10 feet ladders seem to need bigger ceiling opening. Any recommendations?

Thanks.

 

[tjbnwi]

You’re going to end up reframing the opening.

Tom

 

[Packard]

I agree with tjb.  I googled 12’ narrow attic ladder and found several, but you will have to increase the length of the opening to 56” or 63”.

Try that google search.

 

[DavidCBaker]

I have one of these and love it.https://www.arkestairs.com/stairs/nice-2/

 

[yangwoodworking]

Thanks guys.

It is a finished house. The opening is inside a small closet. Enlarging it would involve tremendous effort, which looks like out of option to me. Maybe I have to buy a telescope ladder separately.

 

[yangwoodworking]

Thanks David. This is indeed a very nice ladder.

From the picture, it was bolted on the floor, right? My opening is in a small closet. It does not have enough space it

I have one of these and love it.https://www.arkestairs.com/stairs/nice-2/

 

[jeh]

One solution is to build a box that will serve as the first step with the stairs resting on it. Depending on the height it might need to be two steps. You can put the step away when you are not using the ladder.

 

[yangwoodworking]

Thanks! I thought about that also. I read somewhere on a review said that building inspector would require the attached ladder to touch the floor, otherwise, the ladder cannot be installed. In that case, if I want to sell the house, I would have to remove the ladder. Besides, the stair box would need an extra space to store.

One solution is to build a box that will serve as the first step with the stairs resting on it. Depending on the height it might need to be two steps. You can put the step away when you are not using the ladder.

 

[Packard]

Thanks David. This is indeed a very nice ladder.

From the picture, it was bolted on the floor, right? My opening is in a small closet. It does not have enough space it

I have one of these and love it.https://www.arkestairs.com/stairs/nice-2/

My old house had an access in the hallway.  My new house has access in the garage.  I would consider the garage access if possible.  It would be easier to make a new access than mess with on in a closet.  Also, the garage ceiling might be lower. 

 

[RobS888]

Would something like this accordion (I don't know how else to describe it) style ladder work?

It bolts to the wall, not the frame, so I imagine it could bolt to the back of the closet and accordion out the door if needed. it is 11 feet long, but I imagine it would be ok if a little shorter. it has a max height of 9.8 feet, but since it doesn't attach to the roof it might be ok. It has grab bars that look like they can be mounted above the ladder itself.

[attachimg=1]
https://www.vevor.com/products/vevo...MIw4v8oo-X9QIVEIzICh1lIQlREAQYAyABEgIlPPD_BwE

 

[jeh]

Would something like this accordion (I don't know how else to describe it) style ladder work?

It bolts to the wall, not the frame, so I imagine it could bolt to the back of the closet and accordion out the door if needed. it is 11 feet long, but I imagine it would be ok if a little shorter. it has a max height of 9.8 feet, but since it doesn't attach to the roof it might be ok. It has grab bars that look like they can be mounted above the ladder itself.

Attic stairs are already finger pinchers and this takes it to a whole new level.

 

[Packard]

Would something like this accordion (I don't know how else to describe it) style ladder work?

It bolts to the wall, not the frame, so I imagine it could bolt to the back of the closet and accordion out the door if needed. it is 11 feet long, but I imagine it would be ok if a little shorter. it has a max height of 9.8 feet, but since it doesn't attach to the roof it might be ok. It has grab bars that look like they can be mounted above the ladder itself.

Attic stairs are already finger pinchers and this takes it to a whole new level.

Yeah.  It looks like a 12 person guillotine.  ("Off with their heads!) [big grin]

 

[jeh]

If access is only occasional just leave the hole as is and use a ladder when you need to access it.

 

[Stan Tillinghast]

I had been looking for an attic ladder for a garage loft with a vertical opening.
Here is what I found; it's similar to the model previously mentioned, but more expensive--is it better quality? I wouldn't know without trying one. I did try a different Rainbow model and it seemed sturdy enough.

Rainbow attic stair for vertical opening

 

[Packard]

It turns out that there a bunch of rules for attic access.

The opening size is one; headroom is another.  I see no mention of a ladder.  So just get a light aluminum ladder.
https://buildingcodetrainer.com/attic-access-size/

Attic Access Requirements | 5 Things You Should Know