build attic lift in garage

San Clemente CA

Description

Project step-by-step (10) Step 1 Cut the Opening From Above CUT Start in the attic by snapping lines on the floor along the inside of the joist space you’re using for the lift. Snap two more lines to make a rectangle 46-1/2 in. long and 22-1/2 in. wide. Make sure you have at least 4 ft. of vertical clearance above the marks, then cut the opening into the floor with a reciprocating saw. Plus: 5 Things You Need to Know About Vermiculite Step 2 Install Headers Between Trusses INSTALL Install blocks 1-1/2 in. beyond the opening at each corner. Then cut headers and screw them to the blocks. Double-check the opening to be sure it’s sized correctly and square. Step 3 Cut the Drywall drywall Slice around the rough opening to open the hole to the garage. Hang a plumb bob from each corner of the opening and mark the garage floor. This will help later on when you attach the platform to the lift. Step 4 Cover the Corners cover For the platform to move through the opening smoothly, nothing can protrude into the opening, including nail heads, splinters and screws. If there are any protruding edges, trim them off with a flush-cut bit in your router. Cover the corners from the top of the floor to the bottom of the ceiling with the L-flashing provided with the lift. Next, read: 10 Important Things You Need to Do When Finishing Your Attic Step 5 Level the Lift lift Position the lift over the opening and start the lag screws that fasten it to the floor. But leave the lag screws loose so you can adjust the mounting rails later (see Photo 9). Level the lift housing by sliding shims under the legs (see Photo 6). Step 6 Lock the Legs in Place lock At this point, the bolts that hold the legs to the mounting rails are loose. The bolt holes are slotted, so with the legs shimmed and the unit level, push the mounting rails to the decking and tighten the bolts that hold the legs to the mounting rails. Step 7 Assemble the Platform assemble Build the lift platform and door, then set the platform assembly on the door. Screw the spring brackets to the door braces. Then set the unit inside the corner marks on the floor. 11 Pests That Could Be Hiding in Your Attic Step 8 Connect the Cables to the Platform cables Drop the cables from the lift housing into the opening and thread each cable through the slot in the platform leg brackets. Pull the cable tight and wind it back and forth through the studs on the inside of the bracket and then back through the hole on the bottom of the bracket. Then attach the cable clamp plate and aluminum spacers to the brackets with locknuts. These should be tightened to the specified torque of 5 ft.-lbs. or snug plus a half turn. Loop the excess cable up and hold it in place with zip ties. Step 9 Center the Lift center Adjust the mounting rails to line up center marks on the platform and outside the opening lengthwise. Place a small shim between the mounting rails and the platform legs to maintain spacing before tightening the lag screws that hold the mounting rails to the attic floor. Repeat this at each corner. Step 10 Adjusting the Housing adjust Lower the top of the platform frame even with the mounting rails to check that the platform hangs centered between the mounting rails. If the spacing between the brackets and the mounting rails isn’t equal, push the lift housing to make the spacing the same on both sides. Guess what you shouldn't store in your attic. Every product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.