Cutting 2x8 Ceiling Joists For Attic Stairs

The screw should be between two joists.

Cutting 2x8 ceiling joists for attic stairs.

Cut around ceiling trim with a utility knife. One will be used as your stationary the other you ll cut header it off and put your attic stair in. Ceiling joist are support by a wall that runs roughly down the middle of the house. 1 can the joist be cut to make room for the attic ladder.

If the attic access hole is being cut for an attic ladder check the width of your ceiling joists. Single story house built in the 1940s. Cut out the framing around existing hatchway opening with a reciprocating saw 5. Hopefully the attached pictures provide additional info.

Part 6 shows you how. 2x4 s actual size spaced 16 on center running the stack exchange network. 2 how much weight could the ceiling joist hold. I d like to double my ceiling joists to make my attic space easier to work in for electrical plumbing and for lightweight storage.

Once you re in the attic locate the screw. Mark rough opening of new fold down staircase on the ceiling joists in the attic. If the joists are installed at 16 inches on center you will need to cut one joist and attach a. A joist is a horizontal support member that holds up the wall beam ceilings and floors and connects these parts with one another and one example of the purpose of a joist is to connect the floor joist that is used to connect the stairs of a home.

Figure 1 modified joists there are some important points to highlight. Now that you ve cut your joists it s time to frame the new opening. Use a reciprocating saw to cut joists and nails holding any joists that must be removed. Unless expressly built so an attic s joists are meant for carrying the load of the ceiling below and related elements collectively known as the dead load.

The ceiling load may include items like drywall ducts recessed lights bathroom fans and attic insulation. Ceiling joist are 2x4. Click here to purchase the easy access attic ladder by werner. Saw through the joist s being careful not to cut through the ceiling and making sure the cut ends of the joist s are flat and vertical.