How to make an extension retractable wooden ladder. Do-it-yourself wooden ladder: requirements, calculation, manufacturing and testing. Making a wooden staircase yourself: video

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!

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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.

Do-it-yourself 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.

Without a ladder on the farm it is difficult to either remove fruit or climb onto the roof. In this master class we will tell you in detail how, in just a few hours, using the simplest tool, you can make a wooden staircase for household needs: solid, reliable and with a fairly aesthetic appearance.

For such a ladder you will need two 60x40 mm timber, which will go on two bowstrings. Choose the length for yourself, in this case it is 3.6 m. A smaller beam - 50x35 mm - will be used for the crossbars. To determine the number of steps, divide the length of the stairs into sections equal to the height from the floor to the foot when the leg is bent at the knee. In the above version, this is 11 steps every 30 cm.

To work, you will need a hacksaw, a hammer, a pry bar, and a small hatchet - preferably a carpenter's hatchet, with a hammer-shaped head. Power tools include a drill, a belt sander, a plane and a jigsaw (instead of a hacksaw). Nails can be used as the main fasteners, but self-tapping screws will be more reliable. Black hardened ones are not suitable, they can burst under load, so buy regular steel ones with an anodized coating and a countersunk head.

To make the staircase more durable, and to make the upper edge of the step horizontal when tilted, notches need to be made on the short edge of the bowstring. First, mark marks along the length of the block in the places where the steps are installed, step back the width of the crossbars - 50 mm, and apply a second mark, drawing the edges of the notches for the square. Transfer the marks to the side edges on both sides, mark the depth of the notch on the bottom - 15-20 mm, and make a cut to this depth. Connect the labels with a slash.

Place the hatchet with the tip at the top mark and, tapping the butt with a hammer, chop off the wood.

Using the ax as a plane, trim the resulting bevel of the notch.

Make notches on both strings to speed up the process - knock them together with nails.

The bars on the bowstrings need to be lightened a little by sanding the edges.

Pay special attention to the nicks and carefully sand the bevel.

Paint the inside of the nicks and set them aside for now.

For further work with steps, you will need to make one end the base. Draw marks for a square on one of the ends.

Saw off the uneven edges and sand the end with a grinder; for beauty, you can remove a small chamfer. Similar to the bowstrings, lighten the wood a little and make the surface smooth.

Now you need to make the upper and lower crossbars. To visually quickly distinguish the top and bottom of the staircase, it is made with a slight narrowing, so the top rung is slightly shorter than the bottom. Choose the width of the stairs that is convenient, in the above version it is 65 cm at the bottom and 55 cm at the top. Mark the length using a tape measure.

And draw a cutting line under the square.

Cut off the excess timber.

And sand the ends.

Draw a line under the square, stepping back from each edge by half the thickness of the bowstring - 20 mm. Mark the center of this line, you will get this marking:

Drill a through hole at the crosshair so that the screw thread can pass through it freely.

Make a small countersink with a larger drill bit.

Install the top and bottom rungs into the notches and level the ladder so that the ends of the steps are flush with the sides of the strings.

Measure the diameter of the thread rod and select a drill 0.2-0.3 mm smaller. In this case, the diameter of the rod was 2.8 mm, so a 2.5 mm drill was installed in the drill.

Through the hole in the steps, mark the bevel of the notches, maintaining the position and direction of the drill. Then remove the crossbars and drill a hole 2/3 of the way down. It is necessary to drill holes for the self-tapping screw so that it does not split the wood, otherwise all the work will be in vain.

Paint the edges of the steps on the back side where they meet the bowstring. Then return the steps to their place and tighten the screws.

Now the staircase has the required dimensions, all that remains is to screw in the missing steps. Place the bars into the notches and align the base ends flush with the side edges of the bowstrings.

Mark on the crossbars the desired length along the opposite string.

Prepare and install the steps as you did the first two: draw cutting lines for the square, cut off the excess and sand the ends. Mark the edges for drilling and make holes with a countersink. Then touch up the edges and install the steps in place, after drilling the string with a small drill.

It's time for painting. There are no special secrets here, but if you want the paint not to clog the slots in the head, unscrew the screws 3-4 turns and tighten them after painting.

If after painting the wood is visible in some places, you need to apply a second coat. Alkyd paint completely hardens in 30 hours, after which the stairs can be used.

An extension ladder is an item necessary when performing installation, construction, household and other household work in the house, on a personal plot, as well as in other areas.

It is very convenient, mobile, compact, can be easily transported and moved from place to place. The main requirement that a ladder must meet is safety during its operation. We will tell you in our article how to choose the right ladder, as well as make it yourself from various materials.

Types of ladders

On sale on the modern market you can now find a wide variety of different models of attached structures. By carefully studying the characteristics of each of them, you can choose the model that is right for you.

In general, all ladders are divided into three types:

  • Simple. These models have fixed dimensions and cannot be disassembled. They are characterized by the greatest reliability and durability, as they are a monolithic structure. Their disadvantage is the difficulty of transportation and storage.

  • Foldable. These are models with hinged mechanisms, which, if necessary, allow the ladder to be extended, doubling its size. Some of these models can also be used as stepladders.

  • Retractable. These extension ladders extend using a roller system. You can easily adjust the height in them. They are compact and easy to transport and store. However, in order for such a ladder to serve you for a long time, it is necessary to regularly lubricate the rollers and fixing elements.

Metal ladders

Metal is a very durable and functional material. Its load capacity is up to 200 kg. Steel and aluminum ladders are very popular. The latter have a number of advantages:

  • They have a long service life.
  • Do not rust, and therefore do not require anti-corrosion treatment
  • They are light in weight.

You can make a metal ladder yourself.

To build an extension ladder from a profile pipe with your own hands, you will need:

  • 2 profile pipes with a cross section of 4 x 4 cm and a length of 2.5 m each.
  • 10 pieces of the same pipe, 30-35 cm each.
  • Four metal squares 4 X 4 cm.
  • Twenty steel angles.
  • Primer for metal, paint.
Manufacturing stages:
  1. Place the profile pipes on the table parallel to each other. The distance between them should be equal to the width of the stairs - 0.3 m.
  2. Mark the places where you will weld the steps. The optimal distance between steps is 25 cm.
  3. Weld metal corners in the marked places. They are necessary for additional fixation of the crossbars.
  4. Next, you need to weld two metal pieces 0.3 m long onto the long pipes at the top and bottom. As a result, you will get a metal rectangle.
  5. Then sequentially weld the steps to the corners, performing a double weld.
  6. Cover the ends of the vertical pipes with metal plates. This is necessary to prevent dust, water, etc. from getting inside.
  7. Sand the seams after welding.
  8. Apply primer, after it dries, paint.

Wooden ladders

Such ladders are usually low cost, durable and easy to install. Most often, spruce or pine wood is used for their construction. Their disadvantages include high sensitivity to environmental influences. Such stairs can dry out over time, which is why it is necessary to regularly treat them using antiseptics.

You can make a wooden ladder with your own hands.

To do this you will need:

  • 2 beams with a section of 50 X 40 mm. They will go to the supports.
  • Wooden blocks 40 X 35 mm. From these you will make steps.
Work order:
  • Prepare a sketch and cut the materials according to the diagram. For a comfortable ladder, the optimal parameters are: 60 cm - the width of the steps and 30 cm - the distance between the crossbars.
  • Carefully clean and plane the blanks for the structure.
  • Fastening the crossbars to the supports is best done using the tie-in method. To do this, grooves are cut out on them using a chisel, into which the steps will then be attached. The grooves are processed using a file.
  • Pour wood glue into the grooves and use it to treat the side surfaces of the steps. Insert the crossbars into the grooves.
  • After the glue has dried, fasten the structure with self-tapping screws.
  • To remove cracks at joints, use “liquid wood”. To make it you need to mix PVA glue and wood sawdust. This thick mass will fill all the holes well and help make the stairs neater.
  • The greatest stability of the structure can be achieved if you make the stairs slightly narrowed at the top.
  • Cover the ladder with stain. You can also use clear varnish for processing.
  • If you are going to use your homemade ladder outdoors, cover its legs with special rubber pads. This will protect the wood from rotting and give the structure greater stability.

Safety regulations

In order to avoid injury while working on a ladder, follow a few simple rules:

  • If you work at a height of more than 1.5 m, be sure to use a safety belt.
  • When using an extension ladder or stepladders, it is not allowed to install them on other objects in order to increase the height.
  • A structure installed at an angle of 60 degrees is considered safe. If the slope of the stairs is steeper, be sure to secure it at the top.
  • More than one person is not allowed to work on portable ladders and stepladders at the same time.
  • Do not move heavy objects along the stairs or pull on electrical wires.
  • Do not use electrical equipment or large-sized welding machines on the attached structure.
  • When moving up the stairs, be sure to hold onto them with your hands.

Testing ladders

To ensure safety, ladders are regularly tested. The frequency of testing ladders is determined by the material from which they are made. Thus, wooden stairs must be tested every six months. For steel and aluminum structures this period is slightly longer. It is 1 year.

In addition, testing before use (immediately after the structure has been purchased) and testing after overhaul are mandatory.

Regarding testing of ladders, you should contact an organization accredited by Rosstandart. Its specialists will be able to perform the test in the most professional manner, and will also provide you with a final report certified by the relevant persons. You can read more about testing ladders and stepladders.

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.

In any private home, wooden ladders are indispensable devices. Such simple designs allow for unobstructed access to the roof for thorough removal of snow or accumulated debris. It is quite possible to make them yourself if necessary. The instructions in this article will help with this.

Key requirements for various ladders

Today, some requirements are being put forward for the design of such a plan. You should familiarize yourself with them in more detail so as not to risk your own health when operating the structures, photos of which are posted in this article. All basic rules for the manufacture and use of stairs are set out in the following documents:

  1. GOST 26887-86 “Platforms and stairs for construction and installation work.”
  2. GOST 24258–88 “Means of scaffolding. General technical conditions".
  3. SP 12-135-2003 “Labor safety in construction. Industry standard instructions on labor protection" (part 1).
  4. POT RM-012-2000 “Inter-industry rules for labor protection when working at height.”

All information in these standards is extremely often duplicated. And since the first document is the main one on this list, it will be enough to read only it in order to make high-quality attachments intended for personal use.


What should you keep in mind when creating structures?

After watching various videos about ladders, you can understand that they should:

  • have a height not exceeding 5 meters;
  • have special fastenings made in the form of hooks and placed in the upper parts of structures;
  • be equipped with some kind of stop at the lower end;
  • have a pair of reliable load-bearing supports, neatly fastened with coupling bolts.

But that is not all. If the required work is carried out on the ground, it is recommended to use a stop made in the form of a steel plate. And when they are performed on concrete or asphalt surfaces, it is worth using a device that looks like a kind of rubber “shoe.” Although, in principle, it is allowed to use universal removable elements.


Any wooden extension stairs must have steps with a “step” ranging from 30 to 34 cm, and a cross-section of 2x4 cm, this is really important. Such parts must be installed in special grooves made exclusively in the vertical posts of structures.

But the tie bolts of load-bearing supports must be located not only under the upper and lower steps of staircase structures, but also along the entire length of the products. Their “step” should not exceed 2 m. It is also desirable that the diameter of such fasteners be exactly 2 mm.


Good tie bolts are very important for timber staircases. Therefore, special attention should be paid to their choice

Nowadays there are even special design requirements that relate to longitudinal cracks. The formation of such defects in bowstrings or in steps during work is quite acceptable. However, their length cannot exceed 15 cm and depth - 5 mm. Although, in general, the presence of various cracks and chips significantly worsens the quality of fastening of all kinds of elements.


Competent production of wooden structures: choosing suitable materials

The detailed instructions in the article will help you create not just a good, but a truly reliable staircase, characterized by a long service life and external aesthetic appeal. However, in order to make the structure, the photo of which is posted below, you need to be extremely careful about the choice of materials.


Wooden blocks that have transverse cracks and noticeable knots should be discarded immediately. Elements with signs of rotting are also not suitable for the construction of products. After watching a video about the creation of attached structures posted on various network resources, it becomes clear that such stairs need to be made only from absolutely flat, well-dried wood.


In addition, attention should be paid to the cross-section of individual bars. For bowstring structures with a height of 3 m, it should be 40x50 mm. If we are talking about more impressive products, then these parameters immediately increase to 40x80 mm. And in order for wooden ladders to be as strong as possible, the bars used to create the steps must have a cross-section of 35x40 mm.


Having carefully studied the design requirements, you will find out that ideally these structures should be made from coniferous wood. And all elements of products of this type must be treated with special antiseptic substances.


List of the most necessary tools

To create a wooden staircase yourself, craftsmen will have to prepare in advance:

  1. Special circular saw.
  2. Professional grinding machine.
  3. Reliable electric planer.
  4. Convenient electric drill and drill bits.
  5. A simple chisel.
  6. Hammer.
  7. A shaped screwdriver.
  8. Roulette.
  9. Carpenter's pencils.
  10. Crafting table.

Detailed instructions for creating an extension ladder

The entire process of manufacturing wooden structures, photos of which can be seen in the article, is divided into a couple of stages:

  • First, craftsmen carefully trim the vertical posts to the required dimensions, and then process them with a plane.
  • After this, the elements are laid so that there is exactly 40 cm between their lower supports, and at least 30 cm between the upper ones.
  • The prepared bars are connected using fastening strips.
  • All elements of future steps are also planed with a plane.
  • The beams are distributed directly on the upper supports, and the workpieces are cut to the required size.
  • Using a circular saw, tenons are cut out at the ends of the bars, intended for securing the steps.
  • Then the craftsmen hollow out grooves in the temporary fastenings.

After this, the specialists begin assembling the stairs. They lubricate the tenons and grooves with ordinary wood glue, and then simply insert the bars into prepared holes placed directly in the load-bearing supports. When all the steps are in place, you will need to make small holes for the tie bolts.


Next, the craftsmen install couplers in 2-m increments along the entire length of the structure and secure them with special nuts with wide washers. When the glue has completely dried, it will be enough to plaster the resulting structure and then treat it with innovative wood impregnations. At the end, the staircase is painted or varnished. All this is clearly visible in this video.

How to save time and money?

It is quite possible to create wooden ladders with your own hands, but this is a rather complex and extremely time-consuming process. Using the services of our experienced specialists, customers will be able to purchase absolutely any design of this type at the lowest prices in Moscow. Finished products are distinguished by external aesthetic appeal, increased reliability and durability.

We make sure to take into account all the wishes of our clients so that in the end the stairs meet the stated requirements one hundred percent. By contacting us, people can be completely confident that the created structures will meet their expectations.