Install the lower header with joist hangers figure a and assemble the front wall on the attic floor.
Framing out attic.
Plumb the corners with a level and brace them with 2x4s.
If you want your attic space to have a flat ceiling you ll need to add collar ties to the framing.
If the ceiling joist does not provide one side of the frame cut a second stringer the same length as the first one.
They are usually twice the size of the surrounding framing materials.
Stand the front wall and align it with the marks on the floor.
I needed to cut one of those 2 x 6 s out to make our attic access larger.
A finished attic weighs a lot more than boxes of off season duds.
We enlarged the entry to the kitchen and made a header to frame out a doorway here.
Framing the opening can be easy if you can locate the ladder so that it is parallel with the existing ceiling joists.
If the framing in the attic shows evidence of physical damage further evaluation is needed.
Place the next piece of lumber parallel to the first and nail it into position in the same way.
Cut a stringer to this length.
Have a pro check the structure.
Most attic ladders are made to fit between joists set at 24 inches on center.
Hire an engineer to inspect your house s foundation and framing to ensure they can carry the extra load.
Collar ties are horizontal members that like rafter ties extend from rafter to rafter but.
Note that only one stringer is needed in figure 17 because the ceiling joist provides one side of the frame.
So let s break this down.
Standard joist spacing for the installation of attic flooring materials is 16 inches on center oc meaning the distance from the center of one joist to the center of the next joist is 16 inches.
Place 1 piece of timber along the edge of the hole and using the nails fix it into position.
At a minimum you may need to strengthen the attic s floor joists which are often too shallow or spaced too far apart for the job.
Nail the lumber to the edge going across the length of the timber so that the wood is held securely in place.
Run the plywood down to the top of the knee wall.
Our ceiling joists are 2 x 6 s.
Use screws to attach sheets of birch plywood to the angled ceiling over the insulation making sure to drive the screws into the ceiling joists.