Cutting Joists For Attic Access

Locate an area centered between the two joists and cut a 6 to 8 inch diameter hole using a keyhole saw.

Cutting joists for attic access.

Our ceiling joists are 2 x 6 s. Position a stepladder directly under the desired area for the attic access hole. This is part 2 in my series of loft conversion videos. Using a pencil mark the edges of any joists on the ceiling this will then create your access hole.

With your access hole created follow the below instructions to create your loft hatch. In this video i show how i cut my my joists make packer plates get the joists from the garden up int. You potentially compromise too many of the rafter cross ties by doing that. Lay a 4x8 3 4 sheet of plywood on each end of the truss on the bottom chord spanning to the two trusses on each side of the one to be cut.

If the room has a ceiling and you have cut the required hole go to step 2. This is done to hold the bottom chord from pushing the wall out. To transfer the weight that the now cut ceiling joist would need to carry i needed to add a header to either end of the now cut 2 x 6. Install the two main replacement support joists the ones that run parallel to existing joists before you cut the.

Instead you should place the cutout opening inline with the ceiling joists rafter ties. Cut 2 joist sized boards long enough to span two joists on each side of your chosen. I needed to cut one of those 2 x 6 s out to make our attic access larger. Bridging involves cutting new wood members and installing them perpendicularly between the existing joists.

It may be necessary to add. Locate the joists behind the drywall. Step 2 cut joist support boards. Figure 1 modified joists remove any insulation that is directly in your work area and remember to replace it after you have completed the new.

Werner s easy access attic ladder 5 cut ceiling joists step 1 mark. Use a drill and suitable drill bit to create enough holes in one of the corners to allow you to insert a saw and cut along the lines that you have marked out. I would not put the attic stairs ladder assembly opening at right angles to the ceiling joists. Building code often requires stairway access to the attic if the space is to be used.

This way you only need to cut one of them to make the room for the rough framing opening.