Installing an attic ladder

fxotoole

Hi Folks.

I bought a Werner Abru 3 section aluminium loft ladder in B&Q. It's one of these:

http://www.atrick.ie/abru-ladders-werner-ladders-3-section-hideaway-aluminium-attic-loft-ladder.html


I'm going to have a stab at installing this myself. I'm just thinking about securing the power arm housing in the attic. I don't have flooring in my attic, so could I secure it one of the joists (assuming it would fit on a upwards facing face of a joist)?

Or would I better off installing some loft boards and securing it to that?

There a 6 wood screws provided to secure the housing, but I'm somewhat sceptical that this would be enough to support the torque exerted by the power arm. Would I be better off using bolts instead to bolt it to a joist/loft board somehow?

Also if the loft boards in question were made of chipboard/MDF I take it they would be useless for supporting the torque exerted on them by the power arm, as they would just fall apart the first time any force was exerted on them? :eek: Well, maybe you might get away with using MDF but definitely not chipboard.

Here's the installation of the power arm that I'm talking about:

http://youtu.be/PNn26tMoOH0?t=4m19s

Grateful for any ideas?

dodzy

fxotoole wrote: »

Hi Folks.

I bought a Werner Abru 3 section aluminium loft ladder in B&Q. It's one of these:

http://www.atrick.ie/abru-ladders-werner-ladders-3-section-hideaway-aluminium-attic-loft-ladder.html


I'm going to have a stab at installing this myself. I'm just thinking about securing the power arm housing in the attic. I don't have flooring in my attic, so could I secure it one of the joists (assuming it would fit on a upwards facing face of a joist)?



Or would I better off installing some loft boards and securing it to that?

There a 6 wood screws provided to secure the housing, but I'm somewhat sceptical that this would be enough to support the torque exerted by the power arm. Would I be better off using bolts instead to bolt it to a joist/loft board somehow?

Also if the loft boards in question were made of chipboard/MDF I take it they would be useless for supporting the torque exerted on them by the power arm, as they would just fall apart the first time any force was exerted on them? :eek: Well, maybe you might get away with using MDF but definitely not chipboard.

Here's the installation of the power arm that I'm talking about:

http://youtu.be/PNn26tMoOH0?t=4m19s

Grateful for any ideas?

These arms are not that impacting. Had one for years (same type) and like you, no flooring in the attic at the time. Just used a flat board 3/4" x 8" as far as I can recall, approx 18" wide (justy enough to catch the joists on both sides), screwed them down, and then just screw on the arm. No worries.

PeteFalk78

The power arm really does very little than guide/steer the ladder up and down. Very little force or pressure is exerted onto it. I've mine attached to a 1/4 sheet sheet of ply and it hasn't budged in 10 years.

You are are really concerned about torque exerted then I'd do as you say. Doesn't have to be a big sheet of ply or mdf. A small well secured (to the joices) piece of wood would be work as good.

fxotoole

Thanks for the replies, got this installed this week.