1 Convenient DIY Attic Ladder Plans You Can Make Today (With Pictures)

Luckily, most attics come with a ladder already installed. However, there are several situations where this may not be the case. In these circumstances, you may need to install your own attic ladder. Sadly, these ladders can be expensive, especially if you want one that folds away. However, with some know-how, you can build your own pretty easily.

While these ladders can be expensive to install, building one is surprisingly easy if you have the right plan, tools, and skills. There are plenty of kit attic ladders online with detailed instructions on installing them, although very few DIY plans. We searched for plans to find the best options for you—take a look below for two of our favorites.

The 1 Convenient DIY Attic Ladder Plans

1. Automatic DIY Attic Ladder by Instructables

At first glance, this ladder may look a bit complicated. There are a lot of parts involved, which is why we consider it a bit harder than many. However, it is completely doable thanks to the easy-to-follow plan available.

Keep in mind that this attic ladder is completely automatic. That means that there are some electronics involved to help the ladder move automatically. It may also require some programming, depending on the route that you take. The plans help you along with this and provide several different options.

Luckily, all the materials are linked directly, though you may need more or less than the original writer of the plan. It all depends on how automatic you want the ladder, as well as how big you need it to be.

Are Attic Ladders Worth It?

Attic ladders may seem like a very small part of your home—until you need to get up into the attic. Having to drag out a ladder and use it to climb into the attic can be incredibly annoying, especially if you use the attic often. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you get a ladder installed if you want to use the attic for storage.

However, even if you don’t plan on going into the attic very often, you may need to visit it occasionally. For instance, there may be repairs necessary in the attic, or you may need to investigate a strange sound. Either way, it’s best to install a ladder for these situations.

The last thing you want to do is have the repairman arrive only to explain that he can’t get up into the attic.

Do Attic Ladders Increase Home Value?

Sometimes, pulldown attic stairs can increase the value of your home. However, this isn’t exactly a sought-after improvement and it probably won’t improve it by that much. With that said, if your attic is particularly large and useable, you may increase the value. If the attic is accessible, then potential buyers will be more inclined to include it in their assessment of the home.

In other words, if the buyers can see the attic by using the stairs, then they may take that extra space into account. Otherwise, the only thing the buyer will know is that there is an attic. They won’t have any first-hand knowledge of the space.

Of course, if you live in an area where space is hard to come by, then having a usable attic can be extremely beneficial.

Conclusion

Attic ladders are often not thought about much in homes. However, they can be vital for your attic’s use. Otherwise, getting into your attic won’t be very easy. While they aren’t always a huge selling point, they can also improve the value of your home.

Typically, you can purchase and install your own attic ladder. This process is straightforward, and many kits are available for different spaces.

However, you can also make your own attic ladder in some cases. Usually, these attic ladders are a step above what you’d usually find in a kit.

Featured Image Credit: Procreators, Shutterstock