Garage Stairs
 

I’m finally getting around to installing garage stairs. Any recommendations on a good reliable company to do this? Thanks!

M&M services for your basic pull down stairs or Magic Stairs for the power operated expensive ones.

+1 for Magic Stairs.

Did it myself with a kit from Lowes. About $200 plus a couple extra items so about $220.

Whoever installs it, make sure that it is securely anchored to the ceiling structure. There was an earlier thread where garage stairs appeared to be just screwed into the trim around the ceiling opening.

VERY IMPORTANT POINT not to overlook!

Use small carriage bolts if possible into the rafters, and don't skimp on them!
Have had to do this to more than one house!

My husband did ours. Kit from Lowes plus some hardware. Easy enough if you are handy.

There is a BIG difference between a pull down ladder ($$$) and the actual electrical retractable STAIRS ($$$$). Not sure which you after. If a pull down ladder access, the kits work very well. I have done this twice; I like a 2 man team as it makes the job a lot easier and quicker. Also, if you (or a handyman) are doing the READ THE INSTRUCTIONS and use the correct mounting screws. Finally, be sure to check the height of the existing ceiling and the working distance of the pull-down ladder, you will usually have the trim the last rung to get the correct fit.
The other alternative is to use the pull down ladder for access, and VERSA-LIFT for the actual packages. I do not recall if the VERSA-LIFT comes in a DIY system. I did look into these, but they did not offer a unit large enough for the containers for our Christmas tree, these are just over 4 feet long.

And don't install a pull down system like the one installed in my garage by the previous owner.
They installed it 3 feet above the garage door when the garage door is in the up position I can't pull down the ladder. :doh:

Magic Stairs See post #2and #3

Cost Difference between pull down between $300-500 depending on height of ceiling.

Majic Stairs $5000 and up, depending on ceiling height.

For us we just went down the street got a 5x10 AC storage unit. Can rent a great space for more than 8 years of the cost of electric stairs, AC a bonus. Five minutes from our house, No stairs and nothing is exposed to heat and humidity like the top of the garage.

Jim Stipes (Stipes Seamless Gutters) also does stair kits. In fact, his stair kit is much beafier than the ones you can buy to DIY. He does an excellent job of installation, at a fair price.

I can’t recommend a company for you, but I do recommend the strongest pull-down stairs you can get. Do not go with the cheapest! You really do not want to feel like the stairs are about to break—or, worse, you don’t want them to break. Similarly, don’t buy the cheapest step ladders.

Magic Stairs. We’ll worth the money, you get what you pay for.

Safety first
 

Magic Stairs is the only safe solution I am aware of for our age group. Personal experience proved the expense for this safe solution is much cheaper than the cost of injury from a fall and to keep your hands free to hold on while going up the stairs I recommend the Versilift.

Majic Stairs is a sponsor for Don Wiley. If you decide to use them don’t forget to mention his name because I think you get a discount but I’m not sure about that.

One more vote for Stipes (Stipes Gutters). They told us which stairs to order and when delivered set an appointment to install the stairs. They did a wonderful job at a fair price.

Thumper retractable stairs. Electric, (352) 342-7809. Love it!!!

Magic Stairs. (352) 266-5950

We had Majic stairs installed. It is costly, but well worth it. I can finally get up there! My husband loves it. He's sorry he didnt do the lift also when we had the stairs installed. would of been a lot cheaper at that time.

Stair Width
 

There is DIY and many contractors that can install. My input is concerning the width of the stair. Some contractors will install narrow stairs that fit in without modification of the roof truss. This causes problems in getting things through the opening. It is well worth a little extra cost to add a couple of headers to get a larger width.

Stairs
 

mumms.

Do any of these maintain the attic access fire barrier requirements?

A few points to make sure you know. For pull down attic stairs both of the main manufacturers, Louisville and Warner clearly state that unless you use the PROPER fasteners that go into the bottom chord of the trusses it will void the warranty and is a serious safety hazard.

You MUST use either TEN 16 D common nails or TEN 3' Lag screws. The problem is that MANY gutter companies do not use these approved fasteners and they use long gutter screws instead. It is NOT correct. My company has confirmed this with both companies.

Also, made sure they face the correct way...towards the peak. We see too many installed the wrong direction and you hit your head on the sloping roof with the roof nails that stick out through the roof sheathing. Hope this helps!

Modifications of trusses Require Structural Engineering Approvals
 

Trusses are constructed to specific structural designs that have been approved by Structural Engineers. If you modify your truss you need to submit approved revision plans to the local authorities for their approval and acceptance. If you modify trusses without approval, your house is no longer built to its approved design. If there is a storm with consequent roof damage, etc. your house insurer may decline your claim since you made unapproved structural changes to your house.

If you want to consider any truss modifications, request that the installer/contractor has an approved structural design and has the approval of the local building inspection organization for your specific house. Alternatively, your contractor may have the design as an approved standard covering similar truss designs including all truss and modification connections prepared by a licensed structural engineering company and provided by the stairs company.

It has been 60 years since I studied truss design. Modifying the bottom chord to make a wider opening seems to make it very difficult to maintain the bottom chord's ability to sustain tension loads in normal situation and compression in wind caused uplift unless the attic floor had specific fastener (screws) patterns and sizes as specified by the structural engineer.

If you have questions, talk to the local building inspection organization.

Good to know.

Our courtyard villa was our second home in The Villages, so I knew I wanted pull-down aluminum stairs/ladder from M&M. However, the attic access in the garage was toward the rear of the garage, so the stairs would have to face the peak. Basically, the bottom of the stairs would be closest to the back wall of the garage, so I would not be able to haul anything long up the stairs. Solution: we had M&M cut a new access hole towards the front, just behind the garage door when it was open. That allowed the pull-down stairs to face the rear with adequate clearance in the attic. The drywall M&M cut out was used to cover the old access hole. M&M installed the aluminum stairs/ladder and we have straight access from the front door of the garage. We hired a separate drywall company to spackle and fix the old access hole cracks. Something you might want to consider.