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
The 22 ” model is specially designed to fit between 24 " on center truss ceilings . Install headers across truss cords to form a minimal 22 ” x 54 ” or 66 ” rough opening . 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 B
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
Husky 800 22 ” x 54 ” 22 ” x 54 ” 25.5 ” x 54 ” 25.5 ” x 54 ” 30 ” x 54 ” 30 ” x 54 ” Husky 1200 22 ” x 66 ” 25.5 ” x 66 ” 30 ” x 66 ”
Ceiling Height *
8 ’ 9 ” 10 ’ 8 ’ 9 ” 10 ’ 8 ’ 9 ” 10 ’
12 ’ 12 ’ 12 ’
# of Treads
9 11 9 11 9 11
13 13 13
* Folding Stairs Require Floor To Ceiling Measurement ** It is recommended adding 18 ” to landing space dimensions for safe ascent or descent of the stairway .
A
A Landing Space **
58 ” 65 ” 58 ” 65 ” 59 ” 66 ”
81 ” 81 ” 81 ”
B Projection
66 ” 79 ” 66 ” 79 ” 66 ” 79 ”
89 ” 89 ” 89 ”
WT
58 # 63 # 62 # 66 # 67 # 71 #
67 # 71 # 80 #
Fig . 3
Installation parallel to existing joists normally requires a frame with single headers . ( See Fig . 3 )