How To Make An Attic Access Door: Proper Procedure Of Making An Attic Access Door

Proper Procedure Of Making An Attic Access Door

The attic access door is usually used to represent push-up-type access panels, knee-wall doors, or any kind of entry point into the attic space. The best & well-known of these is the push-up-type panel that is merely drywall or plywood held in place by simple wood trims. These panels are more often than not found in hallways, closets, garage spaces, or those sections of the home where the panel will not be highly noticeable, still provide easy access for storage or maintenance. The push-up panels consist of a square or rectangular piece of ceiling drywall stuck to a piece of plywood that rests on trim nailed on every side of the opening. A "dam" created from plywood panels on every side of the opening prevents the attic insulation from cascading down the opening. A ladder is used when it comes to reaching the opening.

Step 1: Select A Ceiling With Good Floor Space Underneath

First of all, you need to choose a closet ceiling or hallway ceiling having good floor space underneath, due to the reason that you have to use a ladder to access your attic. Move a stud finder through your ceiling in order to find out the joists. Mark each joist location with the help of a pencil. Your joists should be at least 16 to 24 inches in the center, which is wide enough for a panel.

Step 2: Measure The Width As Well As The Length Of The Panel

Calculate or compute and draw the width betwixt the joists and nearly 28 to 30 inches for the length of the panel. Use narrow drywall saw when it comes to cutting along your joist lines first. Your saw should touch the side of the joist as you cut. Make your crosscuts with the help of a utility knife. In order to save the drywall panel, it is important to work slowly & make clean cuts. Remember when you lower the panel, fiberglass will fall, therefore, it is essential to protect your eyes, face, and hands and be ready to push the loose fiberglass to one side.

Step 3: Measure Between The Joists & Cut Two Boards To Fit

Calculate or compute between the joists before cutting two boards to fit, one on each side of the opening. These should be nearly 2 by 6 inches in size. Place, fit, or push each board just beyond the cut line where you removed the drywall. Toenail the board into the joist in order to make sure that the bottom of the 2-by-6-inch board is level with the bottom of the joist. Use 3 to 4 nails or screws per board end.

Step 4: Cut The Drywall 1/2-inch Smaller On Each Side

Trim the drywall 1/2-inch smaller on each side. Trim 1/2-inch plywood exactly the same size as the smaller drywall. Apply construction adhesive before attaching the drywall to the plywood. Calculate or compute and cut 2-inch trim to fit on every side of the opening in the ceiling. The trim needs to overhang the opening by a half-inch to three-quarters of an inch toward the center. This, in turn, will form a lip in order to hold the access panel flush with the ceiling.

Step 5: Cut Insulation To Fit On The Plywood Side Of The Access Panel

Trim insulation in order to fit on the plywood side of the access panel. Staple twine to the plywood before crisscrossing the insulation with the twine front to back as well as side to side without compressing the insulation. The insulation should be held in place when the panel is closed. Add wood fill and caulk, before painting your new ceiling trim to match other trim in your home.