How To Cut Attic Access

Use a straight edge knife to cut any drywall paper that wasn t taken care of with the drywall knife.

How to cut attic access.

You can do this with a circular saw or a table saw. Cut a piece of paneling just slightly smaller than your attic hole. Take the drywall out. Watch as builders license institute instructor rodger peck shows you how to assemble and install an attic access.

For some unknown reason attic access doors in older homes are usually through a small scuttle hole cut in the ceiling. Trace the top edge of the bottom piece of wood on the side of the angled piece. Cut the drywall straight across between the two joists connecting the ends of the two cut lines on the far edge of the attic access hole. Snap chalk lines onto the ceiling to represent the rough opening of the attic staircase.

Place another 1 by 3 inch piece of wood on its narrow edge on the floor beside the angled piece. Installing a pull down attic ladder is essential for safer easier access to your attic. Then cut out the rough opening with a drywall saw. This step is necessary regardless of whether you re expanding an existing hatchway or creating new attic access.

Repeat the cut on the. The nails will show where the joists lie in the attic. Do not cut through a double beam in the attic since these are support beams for the entire house. Peek into the attic to make sure there aren t any ducts wires or pipes in the way.

Remove the loose section of drywall. Often the access is in an out of the way place like a closet.