No matter how well built or professionally maintained your house is, at some point you will have to have repairs and upgrades performed on it. Some of these repairs or upgrades will happen in the attic. Whether running wires, repairing ductwork or adding insulation, a proper attic access is important. The access has to be constructed properly so it not only allows adequate access to the attic, but also supports the weight of those who enter the attic through the access.
Instructions
1. The ideal location for an attic access is a closet. The closet must be at least 24 inches deep to accommodate an access. If you lack a closet of this depth, choose a bedroom or hallway area that is out of sight of the main living area.
2. Lay down plastic below the area you have chosen for your access, to catch any mess you will make. Set up your stepladder on the plastic.
3. Measure 36 inches from the nearest wall with a measuring tape and make a mark. If you chose a hallway, measure the width of the hallway and mark the center of the hallway width on the ceiling. Then measure 12 inches away from this mark in all directions and mark these distances. You will need to make several marks. Keep the marks square by maintain the same measurement from the wall that you started with. Once the marks are on the ceiling, connect them and you will have the outline of your access panel.
4. Cut along the lines you made with a utility knife. Go very slowly and follow the lines precisely. Repeat until the ceiling panel you have cut is loose and can be removed. Set it aside for use later on.
5. Measure the distance between the ceiling joists. Cut two of the two-by-four boards this distance with a miter saw. Measure 1/2 inch back from the edge of your access hole and make several marks along this side. Line up the two-by-four on the marks so that 1/2 inch remains around the perimeter. Screw the two-by-fours to the ceiling joists with a cordless drill. Repeat this step on the other two sides of the access hole.
6. Using a circular saw, cut 12-inch-square pieces of 1/2-inch plywood from the 4-foot by 4-foot sheet. Measure the distance on the inside of the two-by-four boards you installed in Step 5. Cut two pieces of 1/2-inch plywood the distance you just measured. The other two pieces should be cut 1 inch less than this distance. Attach the two longer plywood pieces to the two-by-fours with screws. Secure them so that they are flat against the two-by-fours and even with the 1/2-inch drywall lip from Step 5, extending up toward the attic ceiling. The other two plywood pieces will go between them on the perpendicular sides of the access. Use screws at the tops of the plywood pieces to tie them together. When completed, you will have four plywood walls surrounding the opening to prevent insulation from falling onto the access panel lid. You should be able to put your full body weight on the access blockade walls you made.
7. Cut four pieces of the 1-inch by 2-inch board with the miter saw so they create a frame with a 3/4-inch lip under the attic access. Attach the boards with screws. Use caulk or wood filler to fill over the screw holes. Paint or stain the trim to match the house trim.
8. Take the piece of drywall you cut out of the ceiling and run your utility knife along the edges, keeping the blade flat. This will remove inconsistencies and make the panel fit better. Dry-fit the panel in the access. Trim until the panel easily fits into place.
Tags: attic access, plywood pieces, will have, your access, 2-inch plywood, access hole