Attic Stairs?

[Retiring]

Another item I passed on was attic stairs. I’ve been seriously thinking about Majic stairs, any experience with them? Maybe aluminum pull down stairs and a versa lift. Anyone have a versa lift?

[EdFNJ]

When we had our garage floor epoxied I decided to put in steps to the garage entry to our attic (without carefully looking) at the same time by the same folks. Between the beams and lack of space There is barely room in our attic for a box of books so the moral of the story is look first. :)

[Chi-Town]

Magic Stairs make the attic almost user friendly. Add the Versa Lift for a complete storage handling solution.

[Stu from NYC]

But be careful what you store up there. Bad things can happen to stuff made of paper.

[Retiring]

When we had our garage floor epoxied I decided to put in steps to the garage entry to our attic (without carefully looking) at the same time by the same folks. Between the beams and lack of space There is barely room in our attic for a box of books so the moral of the story is look first. :)

I agree. Once I see the space I’ll decide if I want access. It’s possible the space is useless. If it is useless I’ll put a cheap aluminum fold down ladder, for the rare case that I might need access. If the space is large enough for a few boxes I’ll consider the more expense stair options and/or the versa lift. I’m hoping it’s a fairly large space since I bought the extended double garage door, added the GC garage, and pushed the front out a couple feet.

[Toymeister]

I have magic stairs and plans (printed plans) for an attic lift. A diy lift is under 350.00 made with common materials, no welding.

I also have an electric 4X6 platform which rises to the garage ceiling, purchased but not yet installed.

The magic stairs are quite nice. They make the attic useful for storage. I added six attic vents with two in the floored attic area.

I have many projects which I am gradually completing.

[Stu from NYC]

I think of our attic as kind of a black hole. If we bring stuff up there they will probably never be seen again.

[Kasper1658]

Another item I passed on was attic stairs. I’ve been seriously thinking about Majic stairs, any experience with them? Maybe aluminum pull down stairs and a versa lift. Anyone have a versa lift?

I have the MAJIC stairs BEST invest I have made. Made life a lot easier.

[Tmarkwald]

I just have the 'normal' pulldown aluminum stairs. Has anyone installed Majic Stairs recently and can give an estimate as to what the pricing would be approximately?

[djcc2478]

We did the Majic Starirs and believe me it was worth the cost. My wife now goes up into the attic without hesitation. We did not get the lift. The cost on the Majic Stairs was $3,300

[JohnN]

We did the Majic Stairs and believe me it was worth the cost. My wife now goes up into the attic without hesitation. We did not get the lift. The cost on the Majic Stairs was $3,300

I don't have any problem with the clunky standard wood steps, so I'll keep my $3,300.
What I did do was 1) have Solar Guys install an electric attic fan that keeps the vented garage and attic space notably cooler - probably helps with the overall utility bill too.
I also swapped out the heavy original ceiling panel with a piece of plywood (painted white) that's nice and lightweight to slip on and off.

I have quite a bit of stuff up there with the ceiling floored, mostly lightweight, and I mostly use it for Christmas decor. So really just a few times a year.

All that said, you're smarter than I am because my wife makes me go up into the attic!!

[diva1]

Another item I passed on was attic stairs. I’ve been seriously thinking about Majic stairs, any experience with them? Maybe aluminum pull down stairs and a versa lift. Anyone have a versa lift?

We got the Majic Stairs in 2017. Best ever! Much safer and useful than the ladder thing. Paid $3,280 and don't regret it one bit! Did not get the versa lift.

[wyatt1963]

Big Dog Handyman service in the Villages has been installing both the stairs and lifts
352 775-4944
He can tell you what might work best for your garage layout.

[Villages Kahuna]

I have a neighbor who had electrically-controlled stairs and an “elevator” installed—might have been the Majic brand. For the amount you need to get into the attic, the cost of over $2,000 sure doesn’t seem worth it.

[molddude]

We have an offer in right now on a CYV, but I forgot to look in the garage attic. I was planning on having stairs put in. Do all CYV have space up there? Rut Ro!
I have a guy lined up for basic wood but it would be after settlement

[Dac4Iowa]

Another item I passed on was attic stairs. I’ve been seriously thinking about Majic stairs, any experience with them? Maybe aluminum pull down stairs and a versa lift. Anyone have a versa lift?

Magic Stairs and the Lift were probably the best investment we've made to our house since moving to The Villages.

[MandoMan]

I agree. Once I see the space I’ll decide if I want access. It’s possible the space is useless. If it is useless I’ll put a cheap aluminum fold down ladder, for the rare case that I might need access. If the space is large enough for a few boxes I’ll consider the more expense stair options and/or the versa lift. I’m hoping it’s a fairly large space since I bought the extended double garage door, added the GC garage, and pushed the front out a couple feet.

If you put in a folding aluminum ladder, please get the best one you can, suiTable for heavy people. Maybe you only weigh 100 lbs, but what happens when some neighbor who weighs 250 lbs helps you move a forty pound box of Christmas Tree into The attic and the cheap ladder twists and throws him to the ground? The extra $100 you spend may make the difference between a decade of golf and life in a wheelchair.

[rnicholis]

Put attic ladder in new home and fell crushing my heel. Wished I knew about Majic Stair and Versilift option before I installed the ladder. Installed both Majic Stairs and Versilift after the fall and now both my wife and I can safely access our attic with hands on both bannisters and full stairs never carrying anything in our hands because of the lift. Took me 3 years to be able to walk 2 miles again. The ladders are way too dangerous for our community and the Majic Stairs with the Versilift makes the access to your attic safe. Best investment I have made here just wish it was a knowable option when I moved in. It would have saved me a lot.

[Marty94]

Another item I passed on was attic stairs. I’ve been seriously thinking about Majic stairs, any experience with them? Maybe aluminum pull down stairs and a versa lift. Anyone have a versa lift?

I had Majic Stairs put in several years ago. They were expensive, but I don’t regret it. They came out and also installed attic flooring, so now it’s a very useable space. The stairs are incredibly solid. My sister was visiting and saw me lower the stairs with a push of a button on the remote. She was amazed at how convenient it was and also because of the quality. You have handrails on both sides that make it very safe. In my situation, my garage and house are very small, so the attic is a great place to store things, like extra suitcases, Christmas lights, etc. I also had the Solar Guys insulate, vent and install heat deflection material. I’m happy with the results and now have a storage room that I can safely and easily access.

[dbkalinich]

Another item I passed on was attic stairs. I’ve been seriously thinking about Majic stairs, any experience with them? Maybe aluminum pull down stairs and a versa lift. Anyone have a versa lift?

. I am 6'2" 200 lbs. and easily and safely climb the stairs. We also installed a power dumb waiter. The dumb waiter eliminates the need to carry Items up or down the stairs. It all cost around 5K but well worth it.

[Nick B]

Wouldn't it be safer and cheaper to get rid of the junk? If it goes to the attic you don't need it.

[Retiring]

We got the Majic Stairs in 2017. Best ever! Much safer and useful than the ladder thing. Paid $3,280 and don't regret it one bit! Did not get the versa lift.

Do you recall who installed your Majic stairs?

[Retiring]

Who installed your system? Thanks.

[rogerk]

We love our Magic Lift, better in our opinion than VersaLift. I wish we had the money for the Magic Stais as well.

[DaleDivine]

Verrrry little room in a CYV. I'm only 5'7" and have to bend over walking in mine.
You also have lots of roofing nails coming through unless you had it finished.
:ohdear::ohdear:

[Kenswing]

Who installed your system? Thanks.
Give them a call.. Majic Stairs | Push Button Motorized Retractable Stairs (https://majicstairsinc.com/)

They're out of Ocala.

[mikreb]

Roof trusses are not designed to be floor joist. Roof trusses are designed to carry live loads (wind, snow, precipitation, foot traffic) all temporary loads. They are also designed to carry dead loads on the bottom chord which are constant loads such as drywall attached to 2x4 and any/all other weight hanging from the truss. The dead load is approx 5-10 pounds per square foot. If you exceed the load limit you compromise the truss. I've seen many post complaining about cracked drywall in the garage. Many blame it on the attic space not being insulated. More likely due to excess storage weight in the attic.

[TV MAN]

Aluminum pulldown stairs are fine for contractors but as you get older you will really appreciate the safety and comfort of Magic stairs.
Agreed, I have them coming in a few weeks for our install.

[EdFNJ]

Aluminum pulldown stairs are fine for contractors but as you get older you will really appreciate the safety and comfort of Magic stairs. To go up there MAYBE 5 or so times a year that comes out to over $600 per round trip to the attic .... yea yea, I know they are used for more than a year, just hyperbolicizing ! I guess if one has the funds to spare it can be rationalized but for $3200 I'll stick with my $300 aluminum pull-down steps to get to my 2 boxes of old clothes and a few extra pieces of siding and some other junk I'll never need! :D

[Retiring]

Magic Stairs make the attic almost user friendly. Add the Versa Lift for a complete storage handling solution.

Do you recall who installed your Majic Stairs, happy with the price and install?

[mulligan]

I don't have any problem with the clunky standard wood steps, so I'll keep my $3,300.
What I did do was 1) have Solar Guys install an electric attic fan that keeps the vented garage and attic space notably cooler - probably helps with the overall utility bill too.
I also swapped out the heavy original ceiling panel with a piece of plywood (painted white) that's nice and lightweight to slip on and off.

I have quite a bit of stuff up there with the ceiling floored, mostly lightweight, and I mostly use it for Christmas decor. So really just a few times a year.

All that said, you're smarter than I am because my wife makes me go up into the attic!!

Smooth move, but you just eliminated the fire rating of the garage ceiling. Major code violation

[crash]

Another item I passed on was attic stairs. I’ve been seriously thinking about Majic stairs, any experience with them? Maybe aluminum pull down stairs and a versa lift. Anyone have a versa lift?

I have a versa lift and is the way to go to get things up in the attic. I also have the metal ladder and no need to carry things up the ladder with the lift. The magic stairs are great but very expensive around $3,000.

[JohnN]

Smooth move, but you just eliminated the fire rating of the garage ceiling. Major code violation

Well, Mr "I know everything", it's good we have people like you to keep us straight.
Let's see, we're on a thread talking about putting in attic stairs. Why do we need attic stairs if there's nothing up there? Answer: we don't. So if there is something up there, do you need it floored? Probably so. So, I'd bet everyone but you has a "major code violation" if there's anything at all in their attic, according to you.

Have a good day there, thanks.

[mulligan]

You really should have familiarized yourself with the building/life safety codes before you spew.

[Chi-Town]

Do you recall who installed your Majic Stairs, happy with the price and install?

The Magic Stairs rep had an installer that we used. The Magic Stairs and VersaLift came to $5800.00. Very happy with the install and final product. The price seemed high at the time but after many uses it seems like a relative bargain.

[IndianaJones]

We have a Wisteria with a high-pitched roof, tons of room in the attic. It's ventilated well, and we just had Majic Stairs installed - can't say enough good things about the company, the people and the stairs! We also had the "Majic Lift" (I used to call it a dumbwaiter" installed. Love it - we utilize our attic to the fullest, and it was worth it. Definitely.

[RMore49]

I have a decent size attic, however, those collar ties are a nuisance. I'm going to put padding around them. Any other ideas on how to avoid them. BTW...I keep a hard hat at the top of the attic stairs. A good low cost investment to reduce head bumps.

[coffeebean]

We did the Majic Starirs and believe me it was worth the cost. My wife now goes up into the attic without hesitation. We did not get the lift. The cost on the Majic Stairs was $3,300
Do the Majic Stairs need more room than the standard attic "ladder" that is installed? Those ladder steps are quite narrow.

[Kenswing]

Do the Majic Stairs need more room than the standard attic "ladder" that is installed? Those ladder steps are quite narrow.
They don't take up any more width. They still fit between one set of trusses. They do take up more length though because they actually lay flat between the trusses when stowed.