Using Hooks to Hang Your Ladder
Pick hooks that can handle the weight of your ladder. Find out how much your ladder weighs. The weight of a ladder can vary (generally 10 lbs to 50 lbs). Ladder hooks should display the weight capacity information on the packaging. You can choose to use 2 hooks or 4. If you choose to use 2 hooks, the ladder hangs from the hooks on one of its sides, which makes the ladder parallel to the wall. If you choose to use 4 hooks, 2 hooks go on both ends of the ladder, which makes it hang parallel to the ceiling.
Measure the length of the ladder. If you're using 2 hooks, they should be placed next to the second to last rung on both ends of the ladder. Measure this distance and write it down.
Measure the width of the ladder on both ends. Each set of hooks should be placed within the width of the ladder. Measure the length of the ladder to determine how far apart both sets of hooks should be on either end of the ladder. If your ladder is wider at the bottom, you will get different measurements for the top and bottom.
Find ceiling joists. Using a stud finder, look for the ceiling joist in the area you want to hang the ladder. Mark these spots. Now that you know where the joists are, you can take the measurements you made for the hooks and line them up to where there are joists. Get a step ladder if you cannot reach the ceiling.
Install hooks in the ceiling. Pilot holes with a drill in the spots on the ceiling you’ve marked for your hooks. Screw in the ceiling hooks. One side at a time, hook each end of the ladder onto the hooks.
Building a Ladder Lift to Hang Your Ladder
Cut wood for your frame. The first piece of 2x4 that you cut needs to be a couple of inches longer than the width of your ladder, around 18". This is the part of the frame that the ladder will rest on. Cut 2 pieces of 2x4 wood into 16” pieces. These are the pieces of wood that will extend down from the ceiling and attach to the 18” piece of 2x4 you just cut.
Assemble the lift frame. Using a drill and screws, attach the 2 16” pieces of wood to the 18” piece. The 16" pieces will be perpendicular to the 18" piece. It should look like a wooden frame with only 3 sides.
Attach corner braces to the frame. Drill the braces to the 16” pieces of wood, so that the braces point inwards. The braces should both look like an upside down ‘L’, once attached to the wood.
Install the lift onto the ceiling. Use a stud finder to locate a ceiling joist, this is where you attach the lift. Once you find one, secure the lift to the ceiling by screwing the open sides of the corner braces to the ceiling.
Measure the length of your ladder. When it's finished, the top of the ladder will rest on the lift, and the bottom of the ladder will rest on a hook. The distance between the lift and hook should be about 12” less than the length of your ladder.
Attach a ladder hook to the ceiling. Find a ceiling joist with a stud finder. Using your ladder measurements, place the hook close enough to the lift for the ladder to reach it. Drill a hole and install the hook.
Hang your ladder. Slide the top of the ladder into the lift and then lift the bottom of the ladder onto the hook.
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