Attic access

[John Terefenko]

Can I cut an access door in the garage ceiling for access to the attic. Would put in a drop down stair system. Do's and dont's please. Thank you

[George Bokros]

You need to make sure you put in proper headers where you cut ceiling joists. If you have cut truss chords I would put in collar ties before I cut them

[Jerry Bruette]

Maybe not if your garage is attached to the house. Building code probably requires an unbroken firebreak in the ceiling.

When I built my cabin the inspector said any opening in the ceiling had to be of the type that couldn't drop because of a fire burning the frame work around the hatch, or the hatch can't be raised up from an explosion in the garage.

[Mike Henderson]

I had an attic access in my garage when I bought the house (the kind where you push up a piece of drywall). I replaced it with a drop down stairs and it has worked out very well.

Mike

[Von Bickley]

If you have trusses that are 2 ft. on center, you can get a disappearing stairwell that will fit between the trusses.
If your ceiling joist are 16 in. on center, you will have to cut out a section on one joist and install headers and frame in an opening.
You should be able to handle this job with no problem.

[Ole Anderson]

I, too, would be concerned that the drop down stair have some type of fire rating. Mine is in the mudroom, within the garage structure/truss system, but not actually in the garage. Different ballgame if you have a detached garage.

[Al Launier]

In addition to accessing the house attic do you intend to use or store anything in the garage attic? If so, what size, spacing & span are the ceiling joists of the garage?