Attic Access 2008

Storage Among Trusses: A jungle of truss elements can be integrated with an attic ladder. Here is a rather tall attic, where an upper deck level has walkways of comfortable width.

This simpler deck is over the back wall of a garage. With trusses there at least is a lot to hold onto in transition to or from the ladder.

Business Loft Storage: Calvert ladders with most-compact length and swing are especially useful, where storage at an upper level must not impact show room possibilities. This Calvert Model 1026, 28" by 44", replaced a 54" ladder, hacked-to-fit. The door insulation and gasket were not needed, but there is little cost penalty, and no other ladder would fit the space. A safety grab is especially important in a business installation.

Straightening a Sagged Roof: I ensure wiring and structural deficiencies are fixed, before deck or other construction interres. Here is an innovation in kneewall brace construction, to allow a sagged roof section to be slowly straightened. The roof joist contact is stable, while foot position is wedged outboard. Successive positions are held with a few screws.

Cool with a Solar Attic Fan, and a Window: This project was completed comfortably in peak-Summer heat, with benefit from a solar attic fan, and the light and breeze of an open window. Where there is sufficient roof overhang, a window makes more sense than a gable vent. Now, how do we operate that window remotely?

A Project for Discussion: This project includes many of the evolving elements I care about. I have covered the found, thin, dusty loose-fill rock wool, not disposed of it. The project began with installation of an excellent MidMade ladder, with patching of the small entrance through a closet ceiling. The ladder safety features are visible: vertical and horizontal grabs. Roof braces were deficient, and I rebuilt them at the joist-perpendicular orientation. I reused all (meager) found decking, leaving some floor area with maximum headroom and just high-density R15 beneath.

That vent fan in the gable wall is no longer wired. It was blowing against slats of a gable vent, as a rather useless noisemaker. The fan will be removed, the gable vent restored, and efficient airflow up through the roof will be driven by a solar attic fan.