Loft Ladders help maintain the storage potential right above your head. Having a loft helps you keep the extra items secure and use them as and when needed. To access a perfectly raised loft, you need a loft ladder of considerable size that can be built single-handedly.
One simple factor in catering to while building a loft ladder yourself is to understand that measurement is of high priority. One single measurement going wrong can take you to step 1 of building the loft ladder all over again.
It’s not exactly simple a task to get through, but it’s not impossible to build a perfect blend all by yourself as well.. While building a loft ladder, the materials/types of measurement equipment have to be of good quality. So that in time to come, the ladder does not break or disintegrate easily.
We shed some light on the steps you need to adhere to while building a loft ladder for yourself in the below article. Therefore, don’t worry if some of the measurements go wrong, it can be remedied easily.
How To Build A Loft Ladder
Basic Tools/Materials
If you start painting a portrait without having the correct brush, all you will make is garbage. Professional standard tools should be at hand while deciding to build something like a loft ladder from scratch.
Don’t worry about your skills. We will help you get through each of the bottlenecks of building a loft ladder. If you do not find it fit to install the ladder yourself after building it, you can call for professional help.
To build a loft ladder, here are some of the basic tools you must have to make it through the entire process:
- pencil
- drill driver
- circular saw
- jigsaw
- deck of screws
- a measuring tape
- polish
- wireless drill (if possible)
- utility blade
- extra battery
- speed square
- framing square
Stepwise Guide
Distance From The Floor
The first step in building a loft ladder is calculating the exact distance from the floor to the loft. While you calculate the exact distance, make sure to add 12 inches to the measurement. After that, with the total distance, trim two by four blocks of wood with the saw blade and ensure each of the woods is equal to avoid any hassle.
Apart from measuring the floor’s distance to the loft, measure the angle that makes a perpendicular on the floor. Precisely figure out the angle required to make the notch perfectly fitting into the lip of the loft. This is the most important step of all. On the other hand, you can use the speed square and ensure a too steep angle is not the outcome.
Trim the ends of the wood, after marking the angle of rest. Make sure the ends of the wood are trimmed as fine as possible. This will make sure the determined angle fits into the socket marked with the speed square, and you can try a cut with a circular saw.
Space Of The Ladder
At around 15 degrees, wield the radial arm of the saw blade into the right side. Post wielding join it down. Cut each end of the two by fours. Here, make a note of the length of the woods. If you forget the measurements, it may be a hustling task to bring back the exact length. In addition to the length, remember that the two angles of the wood pieces go into the ladder’s feet.
Distance Of The Rung
Note the measurements of each of the rung. The width of each rung should be 1.5 inches. The length of each rung should be 10.5 inches. Space above and below the rung should be 12 inches. This will ensure an 8 feet ladder and 7 rungs spaced 10.5 inches apart.
To help bring this outcome, the two wood pieces you have should be first examined. Take a note of the sharp edge of the wood pieces’ bottom end and pin a point at 12 inches from the floor. Once you are done pinning a single rung, move onto the next part. Extreme focus is required while making the marks and trimming the wood pieces.
Centered Notched Trim
Be careful while trimming the wood pieces. At the center of each mark, take the edge off the sore to the left-hand side and fix it at 15 degrees down. Each of the notches you mark should be trimmed accordingly with the sharp edge and pinpoint showcasing the fence. For every rung on the ladder, trim 18inch length of the remaining two by fours.
Prepare the ladder on edge. The pieces you have kept marked should be positioned upfront on the sawhorses. You can use wood glue to stick the notches, for instance.
Body Of The Ladder
The structure plane should now be put on the sawhorses. Change from one side to another while fixing the fasteners over the body, for instance. After that, drill into evenly spaced holes in both pieces. Every hole you create must fit 3-inch screws. Make use of a driller or a screwdriver to fix the screws.
Polish
Employ a wood varnish to tint your ladder. This will give it a smooth, shiny finish. Also, applying a polish will keep the ladder away from decay and dust.
How to build a loft ladder: Safety Tools And Installation
In addition to the normal equipment, employ the following safety tools to ensure a safe ladder building process. Make use of safety goggles while sanding the ladder. Use hard gloves to keep up away from getting bruised in the process of trimming the woods. Cover your face with a mask before trimming and gluing the wood, for instance.
Once building a loft ladder is complete, the next criteria that drop down are installing a loft ladder. Usually, if you buy a loft ladder, it comes with the complete kit where the ladder is fit into a hatch, and the hatch is fit into a neat box. In conclusion, it is possible to attach a well-built loft ladder under the loft even without experience.
Thank you for reading!