Some old houses have attics the size of a small barn, complete with dormers for light and air. You want a few extra bedrooms or maybe a bowling alley, no problem. But in most houses these days the ...

Without an attic ladder or set of stairs, a home’s attic usually has untapped potential. Homeowners know it’s up there, but it’s a hassle to access for storage, much less use as a living space.

Q: My garage is overflowing with junk and I need to clean it up. I was thinking of shelving and cabinets, but then the idea of pull-down stairs dawned on me. What is the cost and difficulty of ...

Dear Kristin: People most often use step ladders to get up into the attic, but they are not very sturdy — especially when you have your arms full of stuff. The opening through the ceiling is often too ...