
WH2200/WH2500/WH3000 SERIES
Wood Attic Ladder
Installation Instructions
Escalera de ático de madera
Instrucciones de instalación
Échelle de grenier en bois
Instructions d'installation
THIS STAIRWAY IS DESIGNED FOR RESIDENTIAL USE ONLY.
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS COMPLETELY BEFORE STARTING. TWO PEOPLE ARE
REQUIRED FOR PROPER AND EASIER INSTALLATION.
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ALL INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.
ESTA ESCALERA ESTÁ DISEÑADA SÓLO PARA USO RESIDENCIAL.
ANTES DE COMENZAR LEA TODAS LAS INSTRUCCIONES. SE NECESITAN DOS
PERSONAS PARA QUE LA INSTALACION SEA CORRECTA Y MAS FACIL.
SI NO SE CUMPLE CON TODAS LAS INSTRUCCIONES,
PUEDEN RESULTAR EN LESIONES GRAVES.
CETTE ÉCHELLE D’ÉCHELLE EST CONÇUE POUR UNE
UTILISATION RÉSIDENTIELLE UNIQUEMENT.
LISEZ CES INSTRUCTIONS COMPLÈTEMENT AVANT DE COMMENCER LE TRAVAIL. IL FAUT
DEUX PERSONNES POUR QUE L’INSTALLATION SOIT CORRECTE ET PLUS FACILE.
LE NON-RESPECT DE CES INSTRUCTIONS PEUT ENTRAÎNER UNE BLESSURE GRAVE

TOOLS AND MATERIALS NEEDED FOR INSTALLATION
TOOLS NEEDED:
Hammer
Ladder
Philips-head screwdriver
Slot-head screwdriver
Square
Tape Measure
Saw
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS NEEDED:
3" Lag Screws (optional)
16d Nails
8d Nails
1 x 4 temporary support slats (2
pieces approximately 32" long)
Braces with same
dimensions as joists
1/4" or 3/8" plywood for shims

STEP 1:
BEFORE INSTALLATION:
Verify that this product and its installation meet all
applicable building codes. Check stair carefully
for shipping damage. Please mark the model
name and size of the stair you purchased on the
Installation Instructions for future reference. Keep
this instruction brochure with the installed stair. You
should have experience with squaring, leveling,
sawing, and aligning structural supports before
attempting to install this unit. If you do not have the
skills to install a window frame or door unit, please
hire a professional to install this stairway. Improper
installation could result in stairway collapse and
possible bodily injury.
STEP 3:
LOCATING THE STAIRWAY:
A. Measure and verify ceiling height (the distance
from the nished oor to the nished ceiling)
prior to beginning installation.
B. Allow sufficient area for a safe landing space
at the bottom of the stairway. Be sure there
is enough clearance for the swing of the stair as
it is being unfolded to its full length (see FIGURE 1
for “landing space” and “swing clearance”;
match the ceiling heights shown on the packing
carton with the same ceiling height in TABLE A to
determine proper landing space and swing
clearance requirements).
STEP 2:
INSPECTION OF MERCHANDISE:
DO NOT DISASSEMBLE STAIRWAY! MAKE SURE ALL
NUTS, BOLTS AND SCREWS ARE SECURELY FASTENED.
Remove cord and pull-handle from stairway, place
through hole in plywood door and knot the end.
Model #*
WH2208
WH2210
WH2508
WH2510
WH3008
FIGURE 1 - WOOD STAIRWAYS
WH3010
*Products sold in Canada will have model numbers ending in "CA".
STEP 4:
MAKING THE OPENING:
A. Cut the rough opening through the ceiling material as
shown in TABLE A.
B. Frame the rough opening to the size shown in TABLE A.
C. If it is necessary to cut ceiling joists. BE SURE to tie the
cut members to other joists with a header or stringer
brace of the same dimensions
(see FIGURES 2 and 3).
Rough
Opening
Ceiling Height Range
WH Series (Load Rating: 350lbs./159 kg)
22 ½" x 54"
(0.57 m x 1.37 m)
22 ½" x 54"
(0.57 m x 1.37 m)
25" x 54"
(0.64 m x 1.37 m)
25" x 54"
(0.64 m x 1.37 m)
30" x 54"
(0.76 m x 1.37 m)
30" x 54"
(0.76 m x 1.37 m)
84" - 105"
(2.30 m x 2.67 m)
105" - 124"
(2.67 m x 3.15 m)
84" - 105"
(2.30 m x 2.67 m)
105" - 124"
(2.67 m x 3.15 m)
84" - 105"
(2.30 m x 2.67 m)
105" - 124"
(2.67 m x 3.15 m)
Landing
Space (1)
56"
(1.42 m)
64"
(1.63 m)
56"
(1.42 m)
64"
(1.63 m)
56"
(1.42 m)
64"
(1.63 m)
Swing
Clearance (2)
62"
(1.57 m)
72"
(1.83 m)
62"
(1.57 m)
72"
(1.83 m)
62"
(1.57 m)
72"
(1.83 m)
TABLE A
STRINGER
STRINGER
BRACE
BRACE
HEADER
HEADER
BRACE
BRACE
NOTE: KEEP THE CORNERS SQUARE TO SIMPLIFY INSTALLATIONFIGURE 2 FIGURE 3
HEADER
BRACE
STRINGER
STRINGER
BRACE
BRACE

STEP 5:
INSTALLING TEMPORARY SUPPORTS
It is necessary to temporarily support the stairway in the
prepared rough opening by using 1 x 4 slats that extend
from edge to edge across each end of the rough opening.
The slats form a ledge to support the stairway before it is
permanently secured. Care is important in positioning the
slats. Nail the slats below the ceiling onto the headers as
close to the edges of the rough opening as practical for
maximum strength. They should extend only 3/8" - 5/8"
(0.95 cm x 1.59 cm) into the rough opening. The plywood
panel must be free to swing open (see FIGURE 4).
CEILING JOIST
HEADERS
JOIST
TEMPORARY SUPPORTS
3/8" to 5/8" (0.95cm x 1.59cm)
The slats must be nailed securely enough to temporarily
support the weight of the stairway when it is placed in the rough
opening.
CAUTION: DO NOT PLACE ANY WEIGHT ON THE STAIRWAY
UNTIL PERMANENT NAILING IS COMPLETED
STEP 6:
PLACING STAIRWAY INTO OPENING
A. While closed, the stairway should now be raised into the
rough opening and positioned on the ledges formed by
the slats. Working above with a helper below, raise the
stairway through the rough opening at an angle so it will
clear the slats. Position the stairway in the rough opening.
DO NOT STAND ON OR OPEN THE STAIRWAY AT THIS
TIME. Make sure you have a helper below who can open
the stairway to allow completion of the installation.
B. Using at least three evenly spaced 8d nails per side,
temporarily affix the stairway in the opening by nailing,
at an angle, the well sides to the adjacent joists. Do not
drive these nails in all the way so they can be removed
later after the permanent nailing is completed.
C. Once the temporary nailing has been completed, have
your helper below open the stairway door panel and lower
the stair sections so that the area for permanent nailing is
exposed. DO NOT STAND ON THE STAIRWAY AT THIS
TIME.
STEP 7:
PERMANENT MOUNTING OF STAIRWAY
A. Be sure stairway is square and level in the rough opening.
If the stair frame has bowed while the stairway was in
inventory, nails and blocks of wood used as shims will
straighten it. Bowing is normal since wood parts are
subjected to strong spring tension for some time before
purchase and installation (see FIGURE 5).
B. Nail the sides (jambs) of the stairway frame to the rough
opening frame, using 16d nails or 3" lag screws. Holes
are provided in the pivot plates and piano hinge brackets.
Also nail through the end boards into the rough opening
headers. Complete permanent installation by using 16d
nails or 3" lag screws to secure stairway frame on all four
sides of the rough opening according to the diagram in
FIGURE 6. Use at least three evenly spaced fasteners on
each box end and at least ve evenly spaced fasteners on
each box side. Remove the 8d nails and the slats used
for temporary support.
FIGURE 4 - FRAMED OPENING WITH TEMPORARY
SUPPORT SLATS READY TO RECEIVE STAIRS
SHIMSSHIMS
SHIMSSHIMS
FIGURE 5
X
X
X
X
BOX SIDE
BOX END
X
PIVOT PLATE
X
PIVOT PLATE
X
BOX SIDE
X
- INDICATES RECOMMENDED LOCATION OF 16d NAILS 3" OR LAG SCREWS
X
FIGURE 6
X X
BLOCK
BLOCK
X
CORNER
BRACKET
CORNER
BRACKET
XX
STOP
STOP
HEADER
X
XX