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Homeowner Forum / Construction / November 2003Space for shims?
I'm installing a set of attic stairs, and the procedure calls for framing the hole slightly oversized, and then using shims to hold the frame of the stairs in place before screwing the frame to the framing. The frame of the stairs is quite deep, on the order of 9 inches. I've got a bunch of small tapered shims that are about 6 inches long, but because of the depth I'm concerned about how easy it's going to be to set opposing pairs of shims around the frame. I'm assuming I want a pair of shims supporting the frame where each of the screws go so the frame won't flex. I also have a bucket of cedar shingles that I could use as much longer shims. My guess is that the clearance between the outside of the stairs and the framing should be a little (1/8"?) wider that the thickest part of the shims. That way there will be room for adjustment, and the shims won't get stuck before they can wedge together. The cedar shingles will require a bigger gap, but will be long enough to manipulate easily to get a good fit. Have I got this figured right? Are there any tricks for using short shims in a deep space? Thanks! Doug White >I'm installing a set of attic stairs, and the procedure calls for >framing the hole slightly oversized, and then using shims to hold the [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > >Doug White You could use the shims you have, or get the stair unit in place and then rip some flat shims out of scrap 2x stock to fit the exact gaps you have. --- David Meiland Friday Harbor, WA http://davidmeiland.com/ **Check the reply address before sending mail Keywords: >>I'm installing a set of attic stairs, and the procedure calls for >>framing the hole slightly oversized, and then using shims to hold the [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] >then rip some flat shims out of scrap 2x stock to fit the exact gaps >you have. The problem might not be as bad as I thought, because the rafters are only 2x6's (old, real 2x6's, that are almost 6" high). The frame of the stairs is almost 9" high, but the framing will be done with 2x8's. The rafters sit up on 3/4" stringers the ceiling is fastened to, so there's about 6 3/4" from the top of the rafters to the ceiling. I'm thinking about ripping down 2x8's so they will be close to level with the rafters. That means the shims will be a lot shorter than I originally thought. Doug White >From: gwhite@alum.mit.edu (Doug White) > [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] >Have I got this figured right? Are there any tricks for using short >shims in a deep space? Make sure that the opening is dead square if you're planning on having only an 1/8" gap. A larger gap is not a problem at all. Too small or a gap and not dead square means you'll end up racking the attic stair to get it into place. Then things bind and interfere. Give yourself some room to work. The casing will cover up any gap and you can stuff some insulation in the gap. Cedar shingles are the only way to go for shims as far as I'm concerned. Get yourself a bundle of undercourse shingles unless you want to use the more expensive cedar shingles. R |
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