Metal Vs Wood Attic Stairs

Metal or wooden attic stairs how to choose the material.

Metal vs wood attic stairs.

They are both very affordable but wood tends to be less expensive. Metal will last longer hold more weight is less rickety needs less. Aluminum is lightweight and strong rust resistant and in addition is not affected by humidity and temperature changes. I saw these telescoping attic ladders years ago and thought it was a good idea see link.

Metal has the elasticity to pull apart slowly so while the ladder might not fail completely it will become loose and rattly over time as can be witnessed by the. If you want a telescoping attic ladder the choice is already made for you. Many staircases made from wood utilize a douglas fir 2 10 sidewall or stringer that s notched and the genuine strength is similar to a 2 6 sitting. Metal rungs going into metal styles are prone to distortion which puts pressure on the fasteners holding the step in.

This makes them feel strong and secure since they re. The rough opening dimensions of this attic ladder are 30 by 54 inches. However if you want a fold up ladder you can choose either wood or aluminum and probably not have to replace your attic ladder again for many years. Aluminum is generally the best all around choice because it is lightweight and strong.

Disadvantages of a wood ladder. Metal on the other hand if it distorts it stays distorted and encourages more distortion across the ladder over time. Here is a link that might be useful. Attic stairs with or without a hatch nowadays are manufactured from different materials.

It really comes down to your own preference. Metal stairs are a lot more superior than timber staircases. I find that for a 10 ft ceiling the folding wood stairs start to get heavy and cumbersome specially for someone who isn t tall. This attic ladder is quite easy to install and it is made out of good quality wood.

Typically attic stairs are made of aluminum steel and wood and each material has its pros and cons. Wood has a typically cosy feel which many people opt for when deciding on a material for their attic ladder. Both offer a sturdy option but you cannot get a telescoping attic ladder made out of wood. Wood is an economical choice and wood attic ladders are see more at.

Because aluminum is a rust resistant metal it s unlikely to be affected by humidity and temperature over the years. Difficult to move while they are strong and sturdy wood ladders are larger and heavier than alternatives making them difficult to move.