Cut Attic Access

Attics for storage

Even the smallest attic can afford the homeowner valuable storage space, provided of course that you have a way to access it. Cutting a panel into the ceiling adjacent to the attic space is one way to provide this access.

Instructions

Locating the Panel

1. Decide where you want to locate the panel. Good places might be in a closet or a room that is rarely used. You will want to put a ladder directly under the panel so keep this in mind when choosing the site for the panel.

2. Stud finder

Drag a stud finder across the ceiling to find the wood framing members (ceiling joists) in the section of the ceiling that you have chosen for the location of the access panel. You can also lightly knock the surface with your knuckles while listening for a change in tone from hollow (no wood) to solid (wood).

3. Cut with a drywall knife.

Mark the location of the ceiling joists with a pencil. The space between the joist will determine the width of the panel. You can choose any length you want. With a drywall knife carefully cut the panel out of the ceiling making the cut along the length of the joist in the middle of its thickness. In the final step you will be securing this drywall panel back into position by driving screws through the panel into this half of the joist. Cut the entire panel out square with the joist so that it forms a rectangle with as close to 90-degree angles as you can.

4. Finished panel

Measure and cut pieces of molding around the edges of your panel such that the sides of the molding extend past the edges of the drywall on all sides. Screw the pieces of molding onto to the panel from behind the panel using screws that are just shy of the thickness of the panel and the molding combined.

5. Use screws, not nails.

Push the assembled panel back into position on the ceiling and screw (not nail) the panel to the joists through the face of the molding into the wood framing members. When access is needed simply draw the screws out and pull the panel down.

Tags: back into, back into position, ceiling joists, drywall knife, framing members, into position