Attic door not closing are versatile spaces in our homes that can be utilized for various tasks. Typically, they assist in creating a barrier between the roof and the rest of the house, allowing insulation at the top and airflow below the roof. Storage is another use for an attic.
The attic door is the only access point to the attic. When closed, the door should always close completely. However, what if your attic door won’t close all the way? What might be the problem?
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Attic Door not Closing all the Way: What to do
Pull-down attic stairs have coil springs on each side. The springs maintain the attic door closed and level with the ceiling. Older stairs may have lessening spring tension, resulting in incomplete closure. In such a case, adjusting the springs might help. However, you should get new springs and replace the old ones to solve the problem completely.
Replacing Attic Door Springs
Below are the steps on how to replace the attic door springs:
Step 1: Remove the Hinges
The first step should be removing the hinges attached to your attic door. These are located at the front end of the attic door, linking it to the floor above. With your right hand, unscrew the hinge while holding the door with your left hand. Keep your hinge because you’ll need to reinstall it when the project is finished. The door should be pushed aside and left open.
Step 2: Take Out the Old Spring
Insert your steps after removing the door. Remove the springs if you’re replacing the attic stairs. To accomplish this, remove the screws from the ladder side, and then fold the spring back until it is level and not on the verge of collapsing. The spring on the attic floor joist should then be removed. Bring up the new spring after cleaning the place where it will be installed.
Step 3: Insert the New Spring
Pulling the attic floor down lets you lay the spring along the steps and link it to the floor. Calculate where to attach the spring to the opening. Fully extend the spring to fold and unfold the ladder.
Next, mark the attic door spring placement. It usually attaches to the floor above the entrance. The ladder should indicate the other end.
Step 4: Secure the Spring
Make sure the spring is installed correctly. Take your screws and firmly secure the springs where you made your marks in the attic flooring.
When finished, fold the ladder up and attach the spring where you marked it on the ladder. For the other side of the ladder, repeat this process. Make sure your ladder works appropriately by giving it a test run.
Step 5: Insert the Hinge
Reinstall the door using the hinges you previously removed while the ladder is in position. Fix the ladder to the door on the side facing the attic after the door has been installed. This will permit you to reach the ladder using a pole to get it to descend.
How To Utilize Attic Space
Now that you know what is causing the attic door not to close, let’s look at how you can utilize the attic space.
There are several ways to utilize the space in attics, which have a lot of storage potential. An advantage of having an accessible attic is that it can be used as an extra room rather than being used to store useless goods.
Recreation Area
The loft can be turned into a gym or yoga area if you can’t locate a suitable spot inside your house for one.
Take out any extra furniture, then add some yoga mats and the appropriate lighting. It demonstrates to be a quiet area free of noise and distractions.
You can also incorporate a pool table in the attic to create a games area.
Child’s Play Area
For homes with limited space, the attic offers plenty of opportunity to build a playroom or nursery for your children. You can add a tiny desk for arts and crafts as well as shelving and drawers for storage.
You can keep the remaining space open to allow for unrestricted mobility.
Home Office
Set up your home office in the attic if you need a peaceful area to concentrate on your work.
The attic wall typically has small windows that let in natural light. To illuminate the space, you can install the appropriate lighting equipment. To finish the office setup, add a desk and some storage.
Home Theater
Turn the area into a mini home theater to take advantage of the low ceiling and dim lighting.
Your friends and family may find it the perfect setting for precious time spent together. Simply install a projector or a large-screen television, along with cozy chairs.
Guest Room
Turning the loft into a guest room is an excellent use for it. The area is cozy for a bedroom escape because it doesn’t get much sunshine.
Select simple furnishings for the room and light colors for the decor. Don’t forget the curtains and the lighting fixtures.
Cool Attic Storage Ideas
Organizing the attic and removing clutter is imperative if you wish to use the space for storage. Here are some helpful tips for homeowners who want to store things in their attic: Suspend the ladder sideways with ropes to generate a large amount of hanging space for clothing. For more storage, install appropriate shelves on the wall.
Use plastic boxes as storage containers to keep various items away from rodents. If there is sufficient room on the floor, consider a freestanding shelf. To keep small storage boxes, turn the open space between the trusses. Another option is to design a truss shelf. Install a ceiling rack that gives small attics plenty of storage space.
Final Take
If your attic door is not closing all the way, the issue is due to the loose springs attaching to the attic stairs. To remedy the problem, have the springs adjusted or, even better, replace them.
