[Colts Fan]

What types of things do you store in the attic? Seems like the heat in Florida would make attic storage pretty limited. I'm trying to decide whether it is worthwhile to put in attc pull-down stairs.

[DangeloInspections]

The question of adding an attic pull down stair system is up to you...based on your storage needs, ability to easily and safely use them, the amount of space you actually have up there, etc.

As one who is up in people's attics daily, the typical things I see up there are suitcases, plastic bins of stuff, Christmas and Holiday decorations, larger hospital equipment like commodes, walkers, etc.

Hope that helps!

Frank

[MikeV]

Just be careful. We put everything in large plastic bins and stored them in the attic with no problem. We subsequently had pull down stairs installed. Now we can't get the bins out of the attic because the attic opening in smaller because of the pull down stairs frame. Now we can't just bring down the bins with seasonal stuff like Holiday decorations we have to take them out of the bins in the attic and bring things down a little at a time.

[Nursebarb1]

Colts Fan, being an Indiana girl, myself, and not yet a FT Villager, I have been reading posts concerning this for the past year. I have come to the conclusion that I will not store anything in the attic that will possibly be compromised by the heat Plus the fact that we are getting too old to be hauling things up the stairs! If we have to store it in the attic, we don't need it. What to do with the Christmas tree?

[mtdjed]

The Christmas Tree is getting smaller after 7 years. Started out at 8ft , now at 5 ft, about to become 3 ft.. One less section to the attic.

[Advogado]

Originally Posted by Colts Fan

What types of things do you store in the attic? Seems like the heat in Florida would make attic storage pretty limited. I'm trying to decide whether it is worthwhile to put in attc pull-down stairs.

We have pull-down attic stairs and flooring in the attic, which were there when we bought the house. You are very limited as to what you can store in a Villages attic. Items must be heat resistant, light weight, and small. There is some risk of injury in going up and down the stairs, and it is uncomfortably hot to go up to the attic in the summer.

My advice would be that, before you incur the cost of pull-down stairs and flooring: First throw out all your unnecessary crap that you have meant to dispose of over the years but never have and that you know your kids will have to sort through and throw out some day while they curse you for not having sorted through and thrown it out yourself. Then maximize your first-floor garage storage via shelving and cabinets and make efficient use of the storage space in your indoor closets. Once you do that, see if you still need more storage space. If you do, only then install the stairs and flooring.

Finally, I will observe that the existence of the attic storage space in our house has enabled my wife and me to keep more of the above-described crap that we should have thrown out. This is, at least from our kids' perspective, not a good thing.

[Challenger]

"Stuff expands to fill the space alottted to it"
Bisengo.

[Chatbrat]

the heat in the attic is not really a problem, most attics have rather high peaks & the hot air rises. keep the stuff you're worried about on the floor. The attic vents will keep the midew to a minimum , remember air flow is your friend--if you're worried , pull the attic stairs down& crack the garage door--no need for any attic fans

[mulligan]

Do not store anything in cardboard boxes. Roaches love the glue.

[PaPaLarry]

Originally Posted by mulligan

Do not store anything in cardboard boxes. Roaches love the glue.

Yes, cardboard is a No No!! Also plastic bags, dry up and flake apart after being up in attic for a few years. Even some decorations dry up too.