We've been living in this house for 10 years and the attic pull-down stairs or ladder " buckles" when I come down from working in the attic. An A/C repairman told me the ladder was too short so I added and extra piece of bolted on wood making it longer-it still buckles. I recently rebuilt a worn hinge and use silicone on all the moving parts and of course the buckling is worse making me think the spring tension is too tight?? It sure goes up or down with little effort now but it still has that "thunk" when the ladder pops into place. Is the ladder too short? Do I need to reduce the spring tension?

I’m starting planning for finishing my attic and would very much appreciate a little advice and guidance. I am in New Hampshire, the house is a new build colonial (3 years old). My attic has a walk up staircase, is what I believe referred to as part finished - the floor is boarded but the roof is not insulated. I have a couple of immediate questions but would welcome any thoughts on what I’m not asking but maybe should be. Insulation - I believe I need to run rafter vents from the soffit (where there are single pieces already) up to or above where the insulation will end. I have horizontal trusses at about 7’ which I think will determine where I have a flat ceiling. Are there pros and cons to insulating up to the ridge vs. up to and across the ceiling? I realize this would mean the small remaining attic space would or would not be insulated depending on the approach but do not intend to use it. Soffit vents - I can see daylight around the soffit so feel sure it is vented as is the ridge. I believe I need to extend the vents up between the roof joists as mentioned earlier to ventilate the roof. What I’m not sure about is how to “seal” by the soffit so that the roof is ventilated but the living space is insulated. Do I just vent then stuff insulation in? Wouldn’t that in theory expose the insulation to the weather outside? Knee wall - I have been told a 3’ knee wall is typical, is this usually a code requirement or am I free to do it as I prefer? I’m inclined to do a 18” or 24” knee wall, essentially just enough to slow for electrical outlets. I realize that space wouldn’t be particularly usable but I think it will make it look bigger. If relevant the house is 28’ x 38’ and the staircase to the attic comes in around the middle (above the staircase to the basement and the one to the first floor). Very much appreciate and advice! Chris.