Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 11/3/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have attic space that is 22.75" higher than the bonus room floor.  Access is through a standard 30" interior door.  I am trying to identify a way to have stairs (about 28") that you fold down to access the attic space and allow you to close the door behind you.  Then when you're done, you would fold the stairs up into the attic and close the door.  I've attached a rough idea of what I am thinking about, but I don't know if my idea is workable and I haven't been able to identify a device to use to help fold the stairs up and down.  Appreciate any help you can give me.

ANSWER: Hi James, it appears that what you want to do should be easily constructed using basic hardware found at most building supply stores.  As far as "a device to use to help fold the stairs up and down".  I'm not quite sure what you mean by that statement.  I have used springs before to help offset the weight of hidden stairs and trap doors.  The springs can be found at Home Depot or Lowes.  There are also gas filled cylinders similar to what hold up car hoods etc. These can be found at most Boating supply stores such as West Marine and Boat USA.  In fact the boating industry has a lot of cool hardware for stuff like this.  You might look around one of the big box boat supply stores and see what is available in their hardware departments.  They even have simple folding ladders that you might be able to retrofit into your attic space.  I hope this information helps feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hey, Bruce.  Thanks for the input.  You picked the correct interpretation of my question, weight balancing.  I looked at a few fan-like devices, and my neighbor has a 28' boat so I am familiar with the hatch-type gas cylinders (even installed a few).  I also searched through boat steps, but they are really ladders and I would not want to carry boxes of Christmas stuff down one of those.  In addition, I looked at RV steps, but most of them are internal or side mount.  And I looked at a lot of hardware.  I haven't found anything so far.  The tripping point with the devices I've looked at is needing to close the door behind you.  Springs, and gas and hydraulic cylinders would not permit closing the door.  With emphasis on the closing of the door, do you have any additional thought?  Thanks.

Answer
Hi James, we use a commercial door closer with a built in hold open device on a lot of our projects.  This way you can hold the door open while you pull the stair down or pull it up and then release the door to close.  You might want to contact a lock and key company or commercial door company in your area and see if they have anything that will work in your situation.  You might also look online for collapsible stairs and folding stairs for the stair part.  There are some accordian type stairs on the market that may work for your particular problem.  I hope this information helps feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com