Cutting Rafters For Attic Stairs

Set the framing square on top of the rafter beam with the tongue facing the top of the rafter.

Cutting rafters for attic stairs.

Most common attic trusses for homes and garages are made with 2x4 s. Modifying floor or ceiling joists rafters for access. I would not put the attic stairs ladder assembly opening at right angles to the ceiling joists. While they look the same you probably didn t notice the subtle differences.

Cut the ends to the same angle you used for the pony wall studs. Nail them to the rafters and angle nail the center support to the top edge of the horizontal brace. Replacement of these furnaces can be difficult and sometimes cannot be done without cutting or modifying a truss. Cutting and or removing joists to provide an entry or access can be the most difficult part of the overall project.

Lay a 4x8 3 4 sheet of plywood on each end of the truss on the bottom chord spanning to the two trusses on each side of the one to be cut. Let s compare common roof trusses with the roof framing materials that were used in your parent s house. This completes the reframing process. You potentially compromise too many of the rafter cross ties by doing that.

Mark the plumb cut at the top of the rafter. Instead you should place the cutout opening inline with the ceiling joists rafter ties. Figure 1 shows the floor or ceiling joists after the access hole has been cut to install a new flight of stairs or provide an attic access. Cut a 2 by 4 to fit horizontally from rafter to rafter on each truss.

Then use a pencil to trace the outside edge of the framing square s tongue. Home owners sometimes will cut trusses to make more storage space in the attic or to do other modifications or remodeling. Furnaces are often located in attic areas. The plumb or ridge cut is made at the top of the rafter.

Choose which end of your rafter you want to be the top. This is done to hold the bottom chord from pushing the wall out.