Cutting Trusses For Attic Stairs

My recommendation is really simple.

Cutting trusses for attic stairs.

Before i do can anyone help me answer the following questions. Looking to take advantage of some open space in our attic and want to install an attic ladder. Home owners sometimes will cut trusses to make more storage space in the attic or to do other modifications or remodeling. 2 how much weight could the ceiling joist hold.

This is done to hold the bottom chord from pushing the wall out. Any field modification that involves the cutting drilling or relocation of any structural truss member or connector plate shall not be done without the approval of the truss manufacturer or a licensed design professional. Never cut any structural member of a truss. I have never built a staircase to attic trusses only drop down stairs but i am planning on leaving one truss out and doubling the ones to ether side to create a 4 opening.

Furnaces are often located in attic areas. 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. This would require cutting some of the ceiling joist. Trusses span out to out not out to an inside wall unless engineered that way.

If you live in a house with engineered manufactured trusses then don t mess with them. I wouldn t cut any trusses especially the bottom chord under tension holding the outside walls from spreading and the truss together. Hello i am working on a project which i am using attic trusses to be used for a living space approximately 32 wide 10 12 pitch spaced 2 o c. Head off the truss to the others with double 2x10 as normally done for the floor load and sheeth the floor.

If you really want to modify the framing of your attic and roof then consult with a licensed professional structural engineer. The building code irc r802 10 4. Replacement of these furnaces can be difficult and sometimes cannot be done without cutting or modifying a truss. Without the continuous bottom chord you will have two 1 2 trusses though they wouldn t be trusses just triangles.