American-Stair-Install-Instructions | Page 2

Before You Install
To make sure you receive the best performance from your stairway , please take a few moments to familiarize yourself with all of the parts and guidelines . Seek professional help if not experienced in carpentry . Example : An experienced finish carpenter with good help should easily install the door jamb and stairs and adjust for operation in four hours or less . Time is directly dependent on skill and the understanding of these instructions . This is a stairway ; taking your time and working safely helps prevent accidents .
Stairway Location
Locate your stairway in an attic area which is strong enough for walking and working on and has adequate headroom . Avoid contact with electrical wiring during all phases of installation .
Check Model Size And Dimensions
Refer to Figure 1 and Table 1 below to make sure the size of your specific model fits within the specified measurements . Make sure of the correct size of the rough opening for your specific model . Measure to be sure there is enough clearance for the stair as it is unfolded to its full length ( Projection ) and that there is enough space at the bottom of the stairway for a safe landing area .
Prepare The Rough Opening
Step 1A – Truss Installation
CAUTION : If your home uses roof trusses , do not cut ceiling cords ( joists ) without engineering consultation and approval .
Fig . 2
Truss models are specially designed to fit between 24 " on center truss ceilings . Install headers across truss cords to form a minimal 22 ” x 48 ” or 54 ” rough opening ( Check Table 1 for dimensions for your specific model ). Insure headers are plumb and square .
Step 1B – standard installation ( without Trusses ) Cut the rough opening through the ceiling material to the size shown in Table 1 for the size of your stair . The rough opening size is approximately 1 / 2 " wider and longer that the actual size of the stairway . This allows room to properly shim and square the stairway .
Figure 1 B2
Step 2 – Frame the rough opening . Using joist-size material and 10d common nails , build a four-sided frame to install the stairway . Keep corners square to simplify installation . Use standard carpentry practices when building rough opening and check your local building code for correct configurations .
Table 1
Rough Opening
Ceiling Height *
# of Treads
A1
A Landing Space
B Projection
Available in Models
444 WT
544 WT
655 WT
Space Saver WT
Fig . 3
22.5 ” x 48 ”
8 ’ 5 ”
10
56 ”
60 ”
x 54 lbs .
x 56 lbs .
x 64 lbs .
x 64 lbs .
22.5 ” x 54 ”
8 ’ 9 ”
11
58 ”
66 ”
x 58 lbs .
x 60 lbs .
x 67 lbs .
x 67 lbs .
22.5 ” x 54 ”
10 ’
13
65 ”
79 ”
x 63 lbs .
x 65 lbs .
x 70 lbs .
x 70 lbs .
22.5 ” x 60 ”
9 ’ 3 ”
11
61 ”
69 ”
x 70 lbs .
x 70 lbs .
22.5 ” x 60 ”
10 ’ 6 ”
13
70 ”
80 ”
x 75 lbs .
x 75 lbs .
25.5 ” x 48 ”
8 ’ 5 ”
10
56 ”
60 ”
x 55 lbs .
x 60 lbs .
x 68 lbs .
x 68 lbs .
25.5 ” x 54 ”
8 ’ 9 ”
11
58 ”
66 ”
x 62 lbs .
x 65 lbs .
x 70 lbs .
x 70 lbs .
25.5 ” x 54 ”
10 ”
13
65 ”
79 ”
x 66 lbs .
x 68 lbs .
x 84 lbs .
x 84 lbs
.
25.5 ” x 60 ”
9 ’ 3 ”
11
61 ”
72 ”
x 73 lbs .
x 73 lbs .
25.5 ” x 60 ”
10 ’ 6 ”
13
70 ”
80 ”
x 89 lbs .
x 89 lbs .
30 ” x 54 ”
8 ’ 9 ”
11
59 ”
66 ”
x 84 lbs .
x 84 lbs .
30 ” x 54 ”
10 ’
13
66 ”
79 ”
x 92 lbs .
x 92 lbs .
30 ” x 60 ”
8 ’ 9 ”
11
59 ”
66 ”
x 94 lbs .
x 94 lbs .
30 ” x 60 ”
9 ’ 3 ”
11
61 ”
69 ”
x 91 lbs .
x 91 lbs .
30 ” x 60 ”
10 ’
13
66 ”
79 ”
x 96 lbs .
x 96 lbs .
30 ” x 60 ”
10 ’ 6 ”
13
70 ”
69 ”
x 96 lbs .
x 96 lbs .
Installation parallel to existing joists normally requires a frame with single headers . ( See Fig . 3 )
* Folding Stairs Require Floor To Ceiling Measurement