Wooden ladders. Why do-it-yourself wooden ladders are often done incorrectly

There is a staircase in any large house; it carries not only a practical, but also an aesthetic function. And if a stationary structure must meet a large number of requirements, then for access, for example, to an attic space, a simpler model can be made - an extension ladder. As a rule, such structures are made of wood and are very easy to assemble. How to choose the material and make such a staircase with your own hands will be discussed in this article.

Types of ladders

A simple design can be made in just a few hours

At their core, such designs are the simplest. For their manufacture, they usually buy aluminum, wood or stainless steel. However, such stairs can also be divided into several types. An extension ladder usually has an inclination angle of about 65-70⁰. This is quite a lot, so going up and down such stairs with a load will be difficult. There is also a folding type of staircase structure. It is good when you need to organize access to the attic space, but installing a stationary version of the staircase is impossible. This design can be moved from place to place or fixed in the attic hatch. And finally, the third type of ladders is retractable. It can have an optimal angle of inclination and consists of several sections fastened to each other.

Purpose of the design

As a rule, such structures are used where it is impossible to install a stationary staircase. This was mentioned above. There is such a staircase in almost every private house, since without it it is impossible to climb into hard-to-reach places. Considering that carrying heavy loads along it is not very convenient and safe, it is better to make a transforming ladder instead of such a design. However, it is extension stairs that are popular in country houses. Some people decide to purchase a ready-made structure made of aluminum pipes, but most people prefer to make it themselves. Moreover, the work is easy to implement and does not take too much time.

Important! Beginning craftsmen should not choose complex staircase designs, as a lack of experience may affect the quality of workmanship.

What materials and tools will be needed

Choose quality materials and dry wood

To make a ladder with your own hands, you need to buy:

• Bars, the cross-section of which is 5x5 cm.
• Beams with a section of 10x5 cm.
• Edged board, its cross-section should be 10x2.5 cm.
• Self-tapping screws.
• Screwdriver.
• Saw.
• Antiseptic.
• Rubber shoes for support.
• Universal glue.
• Roulette.

The wood must be smooth, without cracks or any distortions.

It is important that the wood has the same drying. You can use species such as pine or other conifers.

How to calculate

Get everything you need to get started

Before starting work, the material must be treated with an antiseptic. Depending on the height of the structure, it is necessary to take a beam of the appropriate section and saw it to size. These will be the sidewalls on which markings should be made for the steps, taking into account the width of the step. The markings should be made taking into account an outlet of 500 mm on both sides. That is, if the width of the stairs is 50 cm, then the markings should be 60 cm. This avoids cracking of the steps when they are fastened with self-tapping screws.

If the width of the staircase remains unchanged, cut steps from the corresponding boards, the width of which is 60 cm. Next, lay the bowstrings on a flat surface, while the distance between the sidewalls should be 50 cm. To avoid slanting the structure, using a cord or tape measure, compare the diagonals between opposite sides. They must be identical. All that remains is to secure the steps with self-tapping screws, having previously placed them on glue. You need 2 screws on each side. After the staircase is ready, it is necessary to cover the wood with drying oil.

For a more complete understanding of how to make such a staircase yourself, we recommend watching this video:

Making a wooden staircase yourself: video

As you can see, making an attached staircase structure is very simple, so even a novice carpenter can make it without much effort. By spending a little time, effort and money, you will get a high-quality and practical ladder, which you cannot do without in your household.

There is a staircase in any large house; it carries not only a practical, but also an aesthetic function. And if a stationary structure must meet a large number of requirements, then for access, for example, to an attic space, a simpler model can be made - an extension ladder. As a rule, such structures are made of wood and are very easy to assemble. How to choose the material and make such a staircase with your own hands will be discussed in this article.

Types of ladders

At their core, such designs are the simplest. For their manufacture, they usually buy aluminum, wood or stainless steel. However, such stairs can also be divided into several types. An extension ladder usually has an inclination angle of about 65-70⁰. This is quite a lot, so going up and down such stairs with a load will be difficult. There is also a folding type of staircase structure. It is good when you need to organize access to the attic space, but installing a stationary version of the staircase is impossible. This design can be moved from place to place or fixed in the attic hatch. And finally, the third type of ladders is retractable. It can have an optimal angle of inclination and consists of several sections fastened to each other.

Purpose of the design

As a rule, such structures are used where it is impossible to install a stationary staircase. This was mentioned above. There is such a staircase in almost every private house, since without it it is impossible to climb into hard-to-reach places. Considering that carrying heavy loads along it is not very convenient and safe, it is better to make a transforming ladder instead of such a design. However, it is extension stairs that are popular in country houses. Some people decide to purchase a ready-made structure made of aluminum pipes, but most people prefer to make it themselves. Moreover, the work is easy to implement and does not take too much time.

Important! Beginning craftsmen should not choose complex staircase designs, as a lack of experience may affect the quality of workmanship.

What materials and tools will be needed

To make a ladder with your own hands, you need to buy:

• Bars, the cross-section of which is 5x5 cm.
• Beams with a section of 10x5 cm.
• Edged board, its cross-section should be 10x2.5 cm.
• Self-tapping screws.
• Screwdriver.
• Saw.
• Antiseptic.
• Rubber shoes for support.
• Universal glue.
• Roulette.

The wood must be smooth, without cracks or any distortions.

It is important that the wood has the same drying. You can use species such as pine or other conifers.

How to calculate

If the length of the staircase does not exceed 2 m, use a 5x5 cm beam. If the length is not higher than 3.5 m, you need a 10x2.5 cm beam, it must be placed on the edge. If the height of the staircase is more than 3.5 m, it is recommended to take a 10x5 cm beam. Measuring the height is very easy, just know the point where the upper edge of the structure should be located.

The maximum height of the stairs is no more than 5 meters!

Using a tape measure, measure the distance between the ground and this point. Another 35–50 cm should be added to the resulting figure, since the angle of inclination of the stairs must be taken into account. To calculate how much materials will be needed, you need to know the width of the structure (usually it is 40-60 cm) and the pitch - it is 25-35 cm.

Manufacturing instructions

Before starting work, the material must be treated with an antiseptic. Depending on the height of the structure, it is necessary to take a beam of the appropriate section and saw it to size. These will be the sidewalls on which markings should be made for the steps, taking into account the width of the step. The markings should be made taking into account an outlet of 500 mm on both sides. That is, if the width of the stairs is 50 cm, then the markings should be 60 cm. This avoids cracking of the steps when they are fastened with self-tapping screws.

If the width of the staircase remains unchanged, cut steps from the corresponding boards, the width of which is 60 cm. Next, lay the bowstrings on a flat surface, while the distance between the sidewalls should be 50 cm. To avoid slanting the structure, using a cord or tape measure, compare the diagonals between opposite sides. They must be identical. All that remains is to secure the steps with self-tapping screws, having previously placed them on glue. You need 2 screws on each side. After the staircase is ready, it is necessary to cover the wood with drying oil.

For a more complete understanding of how to make such a staircase yourself, we recommend watching this video:

Making a wooden staircase yourself: video

As you can see, making an attached staircase structure is very simple, so even a novice carpenter can make it without much effort. By spending a little time, effort and money, you will get a high-quality and practical ladder, which you cannot do without in your household.

Do-it-yourself wooden ladder: how to make it, drawing, etc.

Types of ladders, detailed instructions for making such a structure, as well as other useful information on the topic.

Do it yourself!

Do it yourself! Articles about what you can do with your own hands!

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The simplest DIY wooden ladder

At the initial stage of construction of private houses and cottages, and sometimes in other unforeseen circumstances, it is necessary to quickly make an extension wooden ladder from scrap materials. In this case, what is required of the staircase is, first of all, its strength qualities, even to the detriment of its appearance.

To quickly manufacture a wooden ladder, standard softwood lumber (pine, spruce) of the following names is used:

To reduce the weight of the stairs and increase strength, it is desirable that the lumber is dry. In addition, it should not have knots, especially through ones, cross-layers and cracks.

For the steps we use an edged board with a cross-section of 100×25 mm, which makes it possible to secure it on each side with two nails or self-tapping screws (better).

For bowstrings - long side bars, we use, depending on the length of the stairs, the following lumber:

• For staircase lengths up to 2 meters – timber 50×50 mm;
• Up to 3.5 meters – 100×25 mm (per edge);
• Up to 6 meters - 100×50 mm (per edge).

Determining the required length of a wooden ladder

Knowing the point where the top edge of the stairs should be, we measure the vertical distance to the floor (ground). Since the ladder is not placed vertically, but at an angle of 60-80 degrees, that is, it is, as it were, a hypotenuse, we add 30-50 cm to the measured value, depending on its length.

Stages of making a wooden ladder

1. Depending on the length of the stairs, we take 2 beams of the required section (see above) and saw them to size.
2. On the sidewalls cut to the required size, we make markings for the steps in increments of 30-40 cm.
3. It has been experimentally proven that in order to carry out any work on the stairs, its width must be at least 50 cm. This means that the length of the steps, taking into account the 5 cm release on each side, will be equal to 60 cm. This is done so as not to cracking of the ends of the steps occurred as a result of attaching them to the strings with nails or self-tapping screws.
4. If the width of the stairs is the same 50 cm (at the top and bottom), then from boards with a section of 100 × 25 mm we cut steps 60 cm long in the required quantity.
5. On level ground, lay the sidewalls (strings) parallel so that the distance between them is 50 cm.
6. To prevent the staircase from slanting, we use a cord or a batten to measure the diagonals between the opposite ends of the sidewalls - they must be equal. If not, then move the sidewalls to one side or the other, while maintaining a size of 50 cm between them.
7. Using nails, 2 on each side, 70 mm long, or self-tapping screws, we connect the steps to the sidewalls. The staircase is ready!
8. It is also recommended to cover the stairs with a compound to protect them from environmental influences so that the stairs will last longer on the farm.

Anyone can quickly make such a staircase, and a specialist spends 20 to 40 minutes on its manufacture, depending on the length. Long-term use of a wooden ladder can cause it to become loose. In this case, it is embroidered diagonally on the sidewalls with a piece of board.

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Do-it-yourself wooden extension ladder, Do it yourself!

Let's make a simple wooden ladder with our own hands. For this we need standard softwood lumber, nails or screws,

How to make a ladder with your own hands

A true home craftsman should know how to make the necessary ladder for the household with his own hands. This issue is especially relevant for owners of private houses and personal plots. In fact, there is nothing complicated about this and even a beginner can cope with the task, the main thing is to comply with the requirements for this type of product and not deviate from the technology of their manufacture.

Design Features

First of all, you need to better understand the design features and consider the basic requirements for ladders. In fact, they are the simplest type of product, and therefore it is quite easy to make them with your own hands. The design consists of two long planks connected by crossbar steps.

If you make two ladders and then connect them together, you get a stepladder.

The side support beams are called bowstrings; they support the entire structure and hold the crossbars together. The latter can be made in the form of slats of a smaller or the same cross-section, and steps can also be additionally strengthened on them for greater convenience.

A popular type of household ladder is a stepladder, consisting of two ladders

You can calculate the length of the side elements for a future staircase in this way: measure how high you need the product and add 30 cm to this figure. Please note that for wooden products the maximum height is 5 m. The step for steps is on average 25-30 cm. For To determine their quantity, the length of the bowstring must be divided by the distance between the crossbars.

A prerequisite for a durable structure is screeds. They are metal bolts and are installed in three or four places, depending on the size of the stairs: under the top and bottom rungs, as well as in the middle.

Required materials and tools

In order to make a wooden ladder with your own hands, you will need a certain set of tools and materials. First of all, prepare the following tools:

There are two product options: wooden or metal stairs. The first option is simpler and more accessible. There are certain requirements for the wood used. The main condition is that it should be minimally susceptible to external factors and strong enough to withstand the weight of a person. Usually the cheapest wood is used - pine or spruce, but this is not the best option. The ideal choice is oak or maple, but the cost of materials will be much higher.

To make an extension ladder it is not necessary to have professional tools

But for metal structures, aluminum or stainless steel is most often used. You can get by with ordinary metal, but this will significantly affect the weight of the product, and sooner or later it will be damaged by corrosion.

Wooden staircase

To make a wooden ladder with your own hands, you will need a minimum set of materials. For the side elements, beams with a thicker section are used. The optimal option is 40x50 mm for a standard three-meter structure. The steps can be made from planks 35x40 mm thick. Pay attention to the quality of the wood: it should be uniform, without damage or splinters. Before starting work, be sure to dry the boards.

The simplest version of a wooden ladder

First, process all the parts so that they become smooth and even. The edges of the sidewalls must be trimmed so that when installed on the ground, the degree of inclination is about 60 degrees. Such requirements for stairs are imposed for the convenience and safety of their use.

Then cut the timber for the rungs into sections of 40-60 cm, depending on the desired width of the stairs. Mark on the bowstrings the places where they are installed with the selected step. Using a chisel, you need to make spikes along the edges of the crossbars for future fastening to the sidewalls. Make grooves in the bowstrings. Their size should be only 2-3 mm larger than the studs for grip strength.

Clean the parts from dust and degrease the joints. Coat the spikes with glue and insert them into the first side panel. Then place the second string on the greased crossbars. Press the pieces tightly. For greater reliability, you can nail them. Don't forget to install the tie bolts.

Metal staircase

An unusual look at a ladder

Metal stairs are subject to similar requirements in terms of safety and the design itself. To make such a product with your own hands you will need one of these types of materials:

Crossbars can be attached in several ways. The most reliable is flaring: metal passes through metal, and the edges of the steps are bent from the outside. Iron elements can be welded together. Another method is to use mounting bolts. For greater reliability, you can combine different techniques. A significant disadvantage of welded iron structures is their high weight and the risk of weld fracture.

Protective treatment

In order for the staircase to serve you as long as possible, you need to take care of its additional processing. The requirements for this process are to prevent drying out and rotting of the wood, as well as corrosion of metal parts.

Wood products require mandatory additional processing

The wooden structure must be treated with antiseptic water-repellent impregnation. You can thoroughly coat it with drying oil, but painting such products is not recommended. If you decide to make an iron staircase with your own hands, you need to coat it with an anti-corrosion agent; painting of such products is allowed.

There are also requirements for supports. For convenience and safety, metal fasteners in the form of hooks can be made at the top of the structure, which will conveniently fix the position of the ladder during operation. And be sure to nail rubber pads to the bottom to protect the timber from deformation and the floor covering, as well as against slipping. If you plan to work on the ground, they can be replaced with metal spikes.

Making a ladder with your own hands is very simple. Don’t forget to check its strength and condition of the parts every six months.

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DIY extension ladder: wooden and metal

How to make an extension ladder yourself, what are the features of this design and what are the best materials to use.

What is good about a DIY wooden ladder

A wooden extension ladder has a simple design, so anyone can make it. The convenience of the ladder makes it an indispensable attribute of the household. And not only its static version, but also a mobile version. This model of a staircase is multi-tasking, as it can help you reach the roof, pick fruit in the garden, and come in handy for repairs.

Indispensable wooden extension ladder: device

The most common mobile version of a staircase is an extension staircase without its own support due to its simplicity of design, relative lightness and accessibility.

The wooden extension ladder can be used both indoors and outdoors

Such a staircase can be found on absolutely every site, since its design is elementary, and production does not require large investments:

1. Between two wooden supports, horizontal beams are installed to serve as steps.
2. The distance between the crossbars can be calculated individually for yourself by measuring the distance from the floor to the base of the knee, or you can place them 25-35 cm from each other, you can’t go wrong.

To give a certain stability, the ladder rests on any vertical plane at an angle from 70ᵒ to 80ᵒ.

Extension wooden ladder: dimensions

Before the actual process of creating an extension ladder, you need to think about its future length. The higher your ladder is, the more it will weigh, therefore, the harder it will be to carry and transport. The optimal length option is five meters. In this article, the recommended size will be 4600x500.

First, about the materials. In conditions of unprofessional production, the easiest way to use wooden beams of gymnosperms of coniferous trees (for this purpose, pine beams are most widespread and recognized).

Before making an attached wooden ladder, you should draw up a drawing of it on paper, indicating the dimensions of all elements

The wood itself must accordingly be free from chips, damage and branches. Otherwise, the staircase may last much less than planned, breaking, as always, at an inopportune and unexpected moment.

The bowstring is often made from bars 40x50 millimeters. The dimensions of the crossbars may be smaller, since, due to their short length, their strength is higher. So the most rational is 35x40 mm. The weight of the structure depends on the size of the beams: the larger the steps, the heavier the staircase, and vice versa. Among other things, you need to remember about the fastening elements of the structure: nails/tapping screws/screws and tie rods.

Simple DIY wooden ladder

There should be absolutely no difficulties with production, since the ability to use a saw will be more than enough. First you need to make drawings. Then, from pieces of wood with a larger cross-section, you need to cut two bowstrings of equal sizes. Beams of a smaller cross-section should be cut into pieces of half a meter on average, taking into account that they should be sufficient for the selected height. The edges of all parts should be rounded with sandpaper or another tool.

There are a wide variety of fastening options, but the simplest, most reliable and durable is fastening the crossbars on top of the bowstring. In this option, the beams are fastened with nails/screws/screws.

Before you start making a wooden staircase, you need to watch a video with a master class and study the recommendations of experts

After completing the main part of creating the staircase, it can already be used. For greater stability, you can improve the lower part of the bowstring support. To modernize it, it is enough to bevel the edges of the support at a certain angle or add beveled ones. To reduce slipping, the bottom is also covered with rubber, which will increase friction with the surface and add grip. If you plan to use the ladder on the ground, then it is necessary to add metal spikes to the lower edges, which will help sink the ladder into the ground and increase the fixation of the legs in place.

The coating of the wood surface must also be treated with care. For example, it is strictly not recommended to paint with oil paints, as they will make the steps slippery, which is life-threatening. It is allowed to cover with drying oil in several layers until completely painted over and subsequent treatment with transparent varnish. This kind of surface will protect the staircase materials from swelling and damage when exposed to precipitation. With the help of such simple steps, the life of the product will be maximum, and the wooden ladder will serve you faithfully for many years.

GOST requirements for wooden ladders

Often, for an extension ladder, people consider it sufficient to connect a pair of bars with shorter ones, which irreversibly leads to injuries and troubles. Operational properties can manifest themselves in very different moments, and therefore it is advisable, without putting yourself and your loved ones at risk, to adhere to generally accepted guidelines and rules. All the most important aspects of the manufacture and use of wooden ladders are written down in several regulatory documents, which can be read and taken into account below.

1. GOST 24258 – 88: Technical conditions for scaffolding and temporary structures.
2. POT RM-012-2000: Rules for labor protection during work at height (interindustry document).
3. SNiP 12 – 03 – 2001: Labor protection in construction. General provisions (part 1).
4. GOST 26887-86: Stairs and platforms used for installation and construction work.

In order for wooden stairs to be safe and durable, they must be manufactured in accordance with GOST

The top of the structure also needs to be equipped with fixed or removable hooks for greater fixation. The distance from beam to beam should vary from 290 to 350 mm. The cross-section of each beam is no less than 40x20. The diameter of the fastening bolts for long beams must exceed 2 mm.

These bolts must be installed under the first and last steps, and along the length of the entire structure at a distance not exceeding two meters.

In addition, it is worth knowing that existing cracks and other types of damage are allowed, but the largest size of the defect should not exceed 15 cm and the depth should not exceed 5 mm. Existing cracks that negatively affect the usable characteristics of the stairs are strictly prohibited. When using the product in production, it must be marked with the inventory number and the section number of the place where the ladder is fixed.

DIY wooden ladder design (video)

As can be seen from the description above, making a wooden ladder with your own hands does not take too much effort and resources, due to its simplicity. The most important thing in this situation is not to move in the direction of least resistance, but to try to take into account all the obligations of correct manufacturing of the product: this way, complete safety is guaranteed with every climb, because the ladder should help in the household, and not add additional problems. If necessary, steps need to be repaired.

Do-it-yourself wooden ladder: make a wooden one according to GOST, drawings and dimensions, repair and production

An extension ladder made of wood, made with your own hands, is useful because... Doing without stairs in a country house is quite problematic. How to make a staircase yourself - further.

Sooner or later, any household will need a ladder. Going down to the basement, going up to the attic, picking apples from trees - an ordinary wooden one will help everywhere. We will tell you how to make a reliable and simple design yourself, spending a minimum of money and time.

Do-it-yourself wooden ladder: calculating the dimensions

An extension ladder can be made:

• made of metal;
• made of wood;
• combined.

We will tell you how to make an extension - it is the simplest and can be done even by a person without experience in carpentry.

Before purchasing materials for making a wooden ladder with your own hands, you need to make calculations. First of all, you need to decide on the height of the stairs. As a general rule, ladders higher than three meters are rarely required; in addition, especially tall structures require strings of greater strength and the installation of additional elements that impart rigidity to the entire staircase.

To make the simplest wooden ladder with your own hands, you will need wooden blocks of two sizes: 40x50 mm for the strings and 35x40 mm for the steps. You can also use ordinary wooden boards, from which steps of the required size are cut out according to pre-prepared cardboard templates.

The size of the steps consists of their thickness, length and width. The length of the step is essentially the width of the flight of stairs. For an attached wooden ladder, it can be 60 cm. This is a rather uncomfortable flight for an ordinary stationary ladder, but optimal for a compact and mobile stepladder. Safe step thickness is 35-40 mm. The width of the step should be comfortable for the foot. The optimal value is 20 cm. We calculate the number of steps so that the distance between them does not exceed 30 cm. This will be a fairly comfortable step height for an extension ladder. Thus, for a structure 3 m high, the number of steps will be 10 pieces.

By calculating the dimensions of the stairs, you will understand how much wood you need to purchase. For a standard ladder, this is approximately 7-8 square meters. m. The choice of wood is a separate issue. Especially for pine, which is generally not characterized by very high quality. Unfortunately, defective bars and boards are often found at building materials warehouses. The presence of cracks and large knots can lead to breakage of a finished staircase - or breakage of the beams during its construction. Therefore, the material for the future staircase must be chosen very carefully.

Wood defects

Usually, to make a wooden ladder with your own hands, they take pine wood, as it is the cheapest. And indeed, it would be strange to make such a thing. And the peculiarity of pine is that it has a large number of knots: try to ensure that the material you purchase does not have large ones that can make working with the tree difficult.

How to make a wooden ladder in your home workshop

The most optimal way to attach steps to strings is to make grooves (insets) in the strings into which the steps are inserted and secured with self-tapping screws. In order for the steps on the stairs to be absolutely level, markings for them on the strings are best done simultaneously, placing both strings next to each other.

Bowstrings and steps must be processed with a plane and cleaned well. Using a chisel, grooves for the steps are cut along the markings along the entire length of the bowstrings. Finishing the grooves is done with a file - this will make the surface more even. The side surface of the steps and the grooves are lubricated with wood glue, after which the steps are inserted into the grooves. To make sure the steps are level, use a level. After the glue has dried, you can secure the steps using self-tapping screws.

Let's reveal a little secret. When the staircase is ready, you may find that there are gaps at the junctions of the steps and supports: even with the highest quality wood processing, it is impossible to connect the structural elements so that the junctions are not visible. To remove these cracks, make the so-called “liquid wood”: mix PVA glue and sawdust remaining after cleaning the stairs to the consistency of a thick dough and cover all the cracks with the resulting paste.

To make the structure more stable and safe, the supports are fastened in such a way that the width of the stairs at the bottom is slightly larger than at the top - that is, the length of the steps will be different. The photo below shows an example of just such a do-it-yourself wooden ladder.

Wooden ladder

After the staircase is ready, it must be covered with stain, and, if desired, additionally with ordinary colorless varnish, which will make the product a little more durable, protecting it from moisture and other adverse conditions.

If the staircase is intended to be used not only in the house, but also outside, the legs must be covered with a special rubber shoe. This will prevent them from rotting and make the structure more stable.

If you are making your own wooden ladder with a height of more than three meters or simply want the structure to be as strong and reliable as possible, it can be given additional rigidity by fastening the strings with several metal ties on bolts. 3-4 such rigid fastenings will be enough.

By the way, you can make a very simple design. It will take literally several hours to make, but it will also be the least convenient.

You simply screw the same bars for steps with screws to the front surface of the string bars, without bothering yourself with cutting out grooves and matching them level on both supports. Like in the photo below:

This is what the most primitive wooden ladder looks like, which you can make yourself

To make a wooden ladder with your own hands you will need:

• saw;
• plane;
• chisel;
• file;
• drill;
• Sander;
• level;
• wood glue;
• Workbench.

Calculating the costs of making a wooden ladder with your own hands

To build a regular wooden ladder you will need to purchase:

• wood blocks or boards;
• stain;
• fastener

The main costs here are, of course, wood. To make a simple staircase, you can get by with pine - this is the least durable type of wood, not particularly aesthetically pleasing, but the most economical. If more is required, you can choose birch or larch.

Pine timber for a staircase 3 meters high will cost about 7,000 rubles. The cost of stain is 700 rubles. You will spend about 1,500 rubles on fasteners and wood glue. In total, making a wooden ladder with your own hands will cost 9,200 rubles.

How profitable is it to make such a small mobile ladder with your own hands? From a financial point of view - not especially, because in stores with ready-made stairs you can buy a more durable and beautiful stepladder for 6-7 thousand rubles. As for attic stairs, there is no point in doing them yourself if your goal is to save money. Prices for attic stairs also start from 6,000 rubles. In addition, they will be made not from cheap and not very reliable pine, but from durable and high-quality beech. Here is one of these models from the assortment of the Moscow Stairs store worth 7,500 rubles:

Attic staircase Standart made of beech

Many ready-made stairs are not only convenient folding models, but are also equipped with an insulated hatch. Such a staircase will not take up space in the house at all, and cold air will not flow into the house through the exit to the attic.

Here is another similar model - the Dolle EUROBEST staircase. It costs only 6,890 rubles.

Attic ladder Dolle EUROBEST

Of course, doing something with your own hands is always nice. But contrary to popular belief, modern prefabricated staircases actually cost less than those built in a home workshop. And this is not surprising - wholesale prices for building materials are significantly lower, and mass production has always been cheaper than manual production.

Let's consider such a simple and unpretentious thing that is found in every home like an attached wooden staircase. Many people make it themselves, and almost everyone has encountered a situation where it failed.

Most makeshift stairs are unsafe. It’s good if the crossbar comes off and your foot slips onto the next one below. But in many cases, falling from a height can cause serious injury. To prevent this from happening, let's look at how to properly make a ladder with your own hands from wood.

What are the parts of the stairs called?

To make it easier to cover the topic, we will present the generally accepted terms that denote its details.

There are only two of them:

1. the rungs on which we step or grab with our hands are called steps;
2. the long bars to which the steps are attached are bowstrings.

Attention. It is more correct to climb the stairs holding your hands not on the steps, but on the bowstrings. Although a ladder is used by one person, many fire escapes have the same design. When in an emergency situation several people move up the stairs one after another, the one who holds on to the bowstrings does not risk falling, because his hands will be crushed by the one above.

Why are most stairs done wrong?

Almost every wooden staircase is constructed as follows:

• Find bars and slats or even poles of a suitable cross-section.
• Cut the material to size.
• Everything is knocked together with nails.

The worst option is shown in the photo above; usually everything looks more beautiful. This is a dangerous and wrong approach. The nail holding the step in place can break down from time and corrosion, or be forced through the wood, causing the joint to fail.

Fastening with several nails or using screws or through bolts with nuts does not save the situation. Also, if the section is chosen incorrectly, or the material is defective, then the step or string, especially on a long staircase, may break.

Requirements for stairs

Wooden stairs used in production must comply with regulations.

Here are the names of several of them:

• SNiP 12 – 03 – 2001: Occupational safety in construction.
• POT RM-012-2000: Rules for labor protection when working at height.
• GOST 24258 – 88: Technical specifications for scaffolding means.

Let’s not invent anything new; we will apply them to our home construction. Our wooden extension ladder, drawings and materials for it, and assembly method will fully comply with them. Let's list the main requirements.

Material requirements

• Steps and strings of stairs must support a weight of at least 120 kg.
• Elements of stairs are made from pine, as a last resort, the steps can be made of hardwood (birch, beech, ash, oak).
• Fiber inclination of more than 7% is not allowed.
• The wood must not have any defects violating its strength characteristics - cracks, knots sawn along the axis, curls, resin pockets. Bowstrings should not have core tubes.

• Staircase elements are made from solid pieces of wood. As an exception, manufacturing from strips glued along the entire length is allowed. At the same time, the laminated veneer lumber should not be inferior in strength to solid wood, and should not have delaminations and swelling at the joints.

• External surfaces must be sanded and not have any irregularities or burrs.

Design requirements

1. Wooden stairs are not made longer than 5 meters.
2. On the upper outer edge of rectangular steps, a chamfer of at least 2 mm in size must be removed.
3. The strings must be tied before the first and after the last step, as well as every 2 meters in length, with steel ties with a diameter of at least 2 mm on nuts and washers.
4. The minimum cross-section of steps is 2x4 centimeters.
5. The step pitch is no more than 0.35 meters.
6. The steps and strings are assembled into a tenon. It is allowed to connect with metal fasteners, with the steps deepening into the grooves selected in the staircase array. When assembling into a tenon, glue that is resistant to moisture is used.

Safety requirements

1. There should be no protruding wooden or metal elements; all parts are buried flush.
2. If the ladder rests on the ground, then a frame with metal spikes is installed at the bottom of the strings to prevent slipping. For the same purpose, for working on hard surfaces (concrete, parquet, ceramic tiles), rubber shoes or pads are installed below.
3. When supporting the upper part of the ladder on pipes or similar parts, metal hooks are installed at the top to ensure reliable fixation and prevent tipping.

If you meet all these requirements, then your ladder will be reliable - but be sure to also carry out a test (we will talk about the method below). But if you have the desire and ability, you can additionally carry out a design calculation.

Calculation of staircase strength

We will try to make our calculation instructions understandable even to people without technical education who are not familiar with the basics of strength of materials and theoretical mechanics. We present the terms, but this is so that it is clear to specialists (or so that they do not swear). Simply, take your measurements for calculation. We perform the following steps.

Preparing the initial data

1. We determine what our wooden extension ladder will look like with our own hands; it is not necessary to make drawings; sketches (sketches or, as engineers call them, “kroki”), which will have all the dimensions, are enough. We get a section of steps of 3.5x5 cm, length 50 cm. Section of strings 4x9 cm, length 240 cm.

1. For pine at a humidity of 15% (average value under normal operating conditions), the tensile strength is taken to be 100.8 kgf/cm2 (10.08 MPa). If other breeds will be used, this value can be found in reference books or on the Internet.
2. The modulus of elasticity of pine wood is 100,000 kg/cm2.
3. We accept the load that we will apply during testing and that is required by the standards (the average person is much lighter) - 120 kg.

Calculating the steps

1. We calculate the gross moment of resistance; for this we multiply the width of the section of the step by the square of its height and divide by six: 3.5x5 2 /6 = 14.58 cm 3.
2. We calculate the maximum bending moment. To do this, divide the static load (weight) by eight and multiply the resulting number by the difference between the double length of the step (50 cm) and the subtracted length of the section on which the load is applied (this section is equal to the width of a person’s sole 10 cm): x(2x50-10)=1350 kg x cm
3. We determine the design bending stress by dividing the maximum bending moment by the gross moment of resistance: 1350/14.58=92.59 kgf/cm2.

The resulting value is 92.59 kgf/cm2, less than the tensile strength of pine wood 100.8 kgf/cm2, which means the step will withstand.

Calculating the bowstrings

For bowstrings, the load is applied pointwise, at the place where the step is attached, and we also take only half the weight of 60 kg (two strings).

1. We calculate the gross moment of resistance: 4 * 9 2 /6 = 54 cm3.
2. We calculate the maximum bending moment: = 3600 kgf x cm.
3. We determine the design bending stress: 36000/54 = 66.67 kgf/cm2.

It also turned out to be less than 100.8 kgf/cm2, which means our bowstrings will not break. It is also advisable to additionally calculate the deflection; for steps it is insignificant in any case, but for bowstrings it is important.

1. To do this, we calculate the moment of inertia of the cross section. It is equal to the width of the section multiplied by the cube of the height and divided by 12: 4x9 3 /12 = 243 cm4.
2. According to SNiP, it should be greater than that determined by the formula: . In this formula: P - applied load (60 kg), L - length (240 cm), E - elastic modulus - 100,000 kg/cm2. We consider = 108 cm4.

243 cm4 is twice as large as 108 cm4, which means the deflection of our bowstrings complies with SNiP.

Making a staircase

Once we have determined the requirements for a safe ladder, determined its dimensions and even calculated it, we can begin manufacturing. We will need a minimum set of materials, the price for which is also low.

1. Beam for steps and strings.
2. Wire for ties or, better yet, long studs with ready-made threads.
3. Nuts and washers.
4. Rubber shoes, pieces of rubber or ready-made parts for forging the lower part with spikes. If hooks are needed on top, then so are they.
5. Screws.
6. Glue for assembly.
7. Drying oil and paint.

You can also get by with a minimal set of tools, especially if we already have the timber of the required section, but it is more convenient if there is a circular saw and a planer nearby. We need:

1. Equipment for marking - pencil, ruler, tape measure, square.
2. Hacksaws for wood and metal.
3. Plane.
4. Mallet or rubber mallet.
5. Chisels and chisels, or better yet, a wood milling machine.
6. Drill.
7. Spanners.
8. Dies with a collar.
9. Sandpaper.
10. Brushes for applying glue, drying oil and paint.

Let us describe the manufacture of a wooden ladder with our own hands according to the operations:

1. We process the workpieces to the required section.
2. Using a plane or machine we make their surface smooth.
3. We mark the required length of the bars, and if our staircase narrows slightly at the top, take into account that the steps will be of different lengths.

1. We cut the material to size.
2. We mark holes (if assembled into a tenon) or niches (if assembled with notching) for the steps in the strings. At the same time, if we are going to install the steps into a tenon, then there are two options - cutting them into the bowstring over the entire cross-sectional area (easier and faster) or making a slightly smaller tenon (more labor-intensive).
3. If we plan to embed steps into a tenon not with the entire cross-sectional area, then we prepare tenons for them. This is the most labor-intensive and time-consuming process. It is necessary to remove material from the step bars strictly in accordance with the shape of the holes on the strings; the process becomes more complicated if the staircase has a variable width (tapers at the top). The easiest way to do the job is to use ready-made holes on the bowstrings as templates. Be especially careful with this operation; the tenon must fit into the hole without play.
4. We join the steps with strings. If we make a cut into a groove, then we install them in the grooves and fasten them with screws or nails. For reliability, we use two fasteners for each joint. Additionally, you can coat the joint with glue. If we assemble it into a tenon, then we immediately install the steps into one string (with glue, in addition you can also use a nail or screw, the main thing is that it does not split the material). Do not place blades, fabric or other material for a tight fit. If the tenon fits in with a gap, then we redo it. When the steps are glued into one string, we join them to the second string in the same way.
5. After joining the steps with the strings, we drill holes for the ties, and their diameter should match the diameter of the wire or pins. Having drilled them out, using a drill with a diameter equal to the size of the washer, select a hole on the outer sides of the bowstrings to recess the washer and nut. Its depth is equal to the sum of the thickness of the latter.
6. Cut the pins or wire to size for the ties. Using a die, cut a thread on the wire from both ends, turning it into a hairpin.
7. To prevent corrosion, we paint or varnish the studs. This must be done in advance, because this part of them will be hidden in solid wood. At the same time, we do not touch the thread.
8. We install the ties in place. We place a washer under each nut. We tighten, controlling the force, so as not to push through the wood and not to create excess pressure on the steps (the main task of the ties is to prevent spontaneous spreading of the bowstrings).
9. Using a hacksaw, remove the protruding parts of the studs. We carry out the same operation with the ends of the steps. Additionally (not metal, of course) the joints can be processed with a plane.
10. We install rubber shoes or pads, spikes and, if necessary, hooks. We fasten them with screws.
11. We finalize the surfaces with a plane and sandpaper (if possible with a sander), you can use a scraper.
12. We cover the surfaces with varnish or paint; the wood can simply be varnished.

Our ladder is ready, but in order to be sure of its reliability, you need to test it.

Video in this article:

Ladder test

In production, this operation is carried out with each staircase after production and every six months (it’s not a bad idea to do this at home), especially since the operation is not complicated.

1. The ladder is installed at an angle of 75 degrees (plus or minus five), this is its working position.
2. In the middle of one of the steps of the middle part, a static load of 120 kg is applied (a load is hung). Moreover, it should be suspended through a rigid pad covering 10 centimeters of the width of the step (simulating the load from the foot).
3. Inspect the stairs.

If there is no loss of strength and no damage is visible, the ladder is considered to have passed the test.

Advice. In production, the test results are recorded in a special journal. It indicates the test date, inventory number, unit affiliation and the date of the next test. The record is certified by the signature of the responsible person. Please take this into account if you are responsible for the safety of your subordinates at work.

I hope in our article we have given a comprehensive answer to the question - how to make a wooden ladder with your own hands? A staircase made in accordance with our recommendations will be truly reliable and safe. Enjoy working on it.

It is perhaps difficult to find a household that does not use a wooden ladder. This fairly simple device can replace a stationary staircase in many situations, and therefore, for private households, it is, without exaggeration, indispensable.

Also, ladders and stepladders are often used on construction sites, since before the construction of permanent structures it is necessary to climb to the upper floors using steps.

In the article we will talk about the requirements that such a staircase must meet, and also describe the technology for its independent production.

Current standards

Very often, to lift to a height, craftsmen make the simplest structure - they take two fairly long beams, and cross boards are nailed onto them... However, the performance properties of such structures can be very different, so it is better not to take risks, but to be guided by generally accepted standards.

Requirements for the production and operation of ladders, as well as the procedure for testing them for strength, are set out in a number of regulatory documents.

Among them:

• GOST 24258 – 88: Technical conditions for scaffolding and temporary structures.
• SNiP 12 – 03 – 2001: Labor protection in construction. General provisions (part 1).
• POT RM-012-2000: Rules for labor protection during work at height (interindustry document).

However, the main GOST for the manufacture of structures of this type is still 26887-86 “Stairs and platforms used for installation and construction work.”

The information in the above standards is partially duplicated, therefore, if you decide to make an attached structure for personal use, you only need to read the latest document.

Manufacturing restrictions

What are the main requirements for wooden ladders?

• The maximum length of the structure should not exceed 5 meters.
• The lower support end should be equipped with a special stop in the form of a steel pad or rubber shoe. The upper part is additionally equipped with removable or stationary hooks.

Note!
Steel shoes are used when working on the ground, rubber shoes are used when installing on dense surfaces (asphalt, concrete).
Installation of removable pads is allowed.

• The pitch between steps should be from 300 to 340 mm. The cross-section of the step is no less than 20x40 mm.
• Each step must be installed in a groove made in the vertical post of the structure (the so-called bowstring).
• The strings are fastened together using tie bolts with a diameter of 2 mm or more. Bolts are placed under the upper and lower steps, as well as along the entire length of the structure in increments of no more than 2 meters.
• Only longitudinal cracks are allowed in wooden bowstrings and steps. The maximum length of the defect should not exceed 150 mm, and the depth should not exceed 5 mm.

Note!
The presence of transverse cracks, chips, as well as other defects that impair the quality of fastening of elements or the general performance characteristics of the structure is not allowed.

If a ladder is used in production, then an inventory number must be applied to its string, and the area in which it is listed is also indicated. Quality control and strength testing are carried out at least once every six months.

Making stairs

Connection types

Naturally, all of the above requirements apply to ladders used at construction sites and industrial enterprises. For a private house, a simpler design will be sufficient - but it also needs to be made correctly. Below we will tell you how to make a wooden ladder with your own hands. (see also Attic stairs)

To begin with, you should decide on the staircase diagram itself.

There are several ways to connect a bowstring to steps, and below we will look at the most commonly used:

• Surface mounting. This connection method is the simplest: we lay the boards used as steps on longitudinal bars and fix them with nails. The disadvantage is that you have to stand on the edge of the board, which is very inconvenient.
• Invoice with insert. With this method of fastening, the steps are made not from boards, but from beams of square or similar cross-section. Under each block on the string, a selection is made into which a step is installed.

• Tenon connection involves the formation of protrusions - spikes - at the ends of the steps. The spikes are inserted into grooves on the bowstrings, providing reliable fixation.

Advice!
For the most durable fastening, the tenon can be made not straight, but inclined.

Materials

What do we need for work?

The list of materials is very modest:

• First, we need two long bars for the bowstring. Any coniferous tree will do, as long as it is smooth, without knots, cracks or cross-layers.

• If the dimensions of our product do not exceed 3 meters, then it is enough to take bars with a cross-section of 40x50 mm. For longer stairs, it is worth using blanks 40x80 mm: although their price will be higher, but we will get a solid margin of safety.
• We also make the steps from pine timber. The optimal cross-section is about 35x40 mm. The requirements for wood are the same as for a bowstring.

Advice!
For work, it is worth using dried wood, pre-treated with an antiseptic.

Blanks for elements

When the materials are available, you can begin work and make the stairs.

The manufacturing instructions are as follows:

• We cut blanks for vertical racks to the required size and process them with a plane. There should be no splinters, knots, etc. left on the surface of the beams.
• We lay the workpieces so that the distance between the lower supports is about 400 mm, and between the upper ones – 300 mm. We connect the beams with fastening strips, preventing them from moving.
• We also plan the blanks for the steps using a plane. To ensure comfortable movement on the stairs, the corners of the bars are partially rounded.

• We distribute the steps between the vertical supports, observing the standard distance (from 30 to 34 cm). We number the blanks and cut them to length in accordance with the required dimensions.
• Using a furniture router or circular saw, we cut out 15x30 mm tenons at the ends of the steps.
• Having removed the temporary fastenings from the strings, we hollow out grooves in them for installing the steps. The dimensions of the groove should be such that the tenon fits completely into it with little resistance.

Assembly of the structure

After completing these works, we proceed to the final assembly:

• Lubricate the tenons and grooves with wood glue.
• We insert the steps into the corresponding holes on the bowstrings, starting from the top edge.
• In the assembled staircase, we drill holes under the top and bottom steps and insert tie bolts into them. Secure the tie with nuts and wide washers.
• We also install couplers every 2 meters of the length of the stairs.

When the glue dries, sand the stairs and treat them with wood impregnation. The finished product can be varnished or painted.

Conclusion

As you can see, making a wooden ladder with your own hands is quite simple. The main thing here is not to follow the path of least resistance, but to try to adhere to the requirements for the reliability of the product: this is the only way to guarantee your safety when ascending and descending. In the video presented in this article you will find additional information on this topic.