How To Cut A Larger Attic Hole

Locate an area centered between the two joists and cut a 6 to 8 inch diameter hole using a keyhole saw.

How to cut a larger attic hole.

With a hammer and chisel make a starter hole near the center of the chosen location. Lay out the location where your new staircase will go using a tape measure and a chalk line. Use a drill and suitable drill bit to create enough holes in one of the corners to allow you to insert a saw and cut along the lines that you have marked out. Make the hole 3 inches larger in each dimension than you want the finished opening to be.

Mark the hole with chalk and set your saw depth to cut through the shingles and the roof sheathing only. Don t cut into any rafters. Cut one rafter with a handsaw to allow space for you to crawl up into the attic. Step 4 make it bigger.

Locate the joists behind the drywall. Use a straight edge knife to cut any drywall paper that wasn t taken care of with the drywall knife. Video of the day. Step 3 cut a hole.

Position a stepladder directly under the desired area for the attic access hole. Below the peak of the roof. Locate the top of the hole about 15 in. Mark the corners of the hole with a pencil then stretch and snap the chalk line between the corners leaving a straight line marked in chalk.

These will keep pieces of ceiling particles and dust from falling into your eyes mouth or nose as you make a starter hole and cut into the ceiling. Put on safety goggles and a dust mask. How to cut a hole in the ceiling for attic access 1. Take the drywall out.

Use a pencil and draw a box within the joists. Using a pencil mark the edges of any joists on the ceiling this will then create your access hole. With your access hole created follow the below instructions to create your loft hatch. Cut a piece of paneling just slightly smaller than your attic hole.

Cut a square hole in the roof the same size as the hole in the base of the vent you re installing. The nails will show where the joists lie in the attic.