How To Cut Attic Access
You can do this with a circular saw or a table saw.
How to cut attic access. Cut the drywall straight across between the two joists connecting the ends of the two cut lines on the far edge of the attic access hole. For some unknown reason attic access doors in older homes are usually through a small scuttle hole cut in the ceiling. Remove the loose section of drywall. Repeat the cut on the.
Place another 1 by 3 inch piece of wood on its narrow edge on the floor beside the angled piece. Take the drywall out. Use long nails to nail an outline next to joists where ceiling material will need to be cut away. Cut one rafter with a handsaw to allow space for you to crawl up into the attic.
Use a straight edge knife to cut any drywall paper that wasn t taken care of with the drywall knife. This step is necessary regardless of whether you re expanding an existing hatchway or creating new attic access. Do not cut through a double beam in the attic since these are support beams for the entire house. Peek into the attic to make sure there aren t any ducts wires or pipes in the way.
Installing a pull down attic ladder is essential for safer easier access to your attic. The nails will show where the joists lie in the attic. Watch as builders license institute instructor rodger peck shows you how to assemble and install an attic access. Then cut out the rough opening with a drywall saw.
Trace the top edge of the bottom piece of wood on the side of the angled piece. Snap chalk lines onto the ceiling to represent the rough opening of the attic staircase.