Cutting Trusses For Attic Stairs

Never cut any structural member of a truss.

Cutting trusses for attic stairs. Lay a 4x8 3 4 sheet of plywood on each end of the truss on the bottom chord spanning to the two trusses on each side of the one to be cut. I wouldn t cut any trusses especially the bottom chord under tension holding the outside walls from spreading and the truss together. Without the continuous bottom chord you will have two 1 2 trusses though they wouldn t be trusses just triangles. The building code irc r802 10 4.

If you live in a house with engineered manufactured trusses then don t mess with them. Looking to take advantage of some open space in our attic and want to install an attic ladder. Don t modify cut wood trusses. Cutting roof trusses is possible but a structural engineer must design the plan for the truss modification to prevent roof collapse.

Hello i am working on a project which i am using attic trusses to be used for a living space approximately 32 wide 10 12 pitch spaced 2 o c. 2 how much weight could the ceiling joist hold. Home owners sometimes will cut trusses to make more storage space in the attic or to do other modifications or remodeling. 1 can the joist be cut to make room for the attic ladder.

Trusses span out to out not out to an inside wall unless engineered that way. I have never built a staircase to attic trusses only drop down stairs but i am planning on leaving one truss out and doubling the ones to ether side to create a 4 opening. Furnaces are often located in attic areas. Before i do can anyone help me answer the following questions.

If you really want to modify the framing of your attic and roof then consult with a licensed professional structural engineer. This would require cutting some of the ceiling joist. Any field modification that involves the cutting drilling or relocation of any structural truss member or connector plate shall not be done without the approval of the truss manufacturer or a licensed design professional. Replacement of these furnaces can be difficult and sometimes cannot be done without cutting or modifying a truss.