Sturdy Stair Kit For Attic Access

Sturdy Stair Kit For Attic Access Tri Line Attic Solutions of The Villages, Fla., manufactures high-quality attic access solutions for people who struggle with ladders. “Five years ago, my wife and I moved to The Villages,” says Ed Ingalls, president and chief executive officer. “It’s the world’s largest retirement community with around 80,000 homes and up to 300 to 500 homes built monthly. I worked seven days a week for most of my adult life, and the idea of slowing down and enjoying life was appealing, but the reality of doing so was not aligned.” Instead, Ingalls started a new company focused on maintenance and home repairs. “My business took off, and I found myself booked out over 3 mos. As my customer base grew, people began asking me to get their holiday items out of the storage space above their garage and return them after the season. I quickly found that at 60 years old, it wasn’t easy to navigate the narrow steps and unstable fold-out ladders.” He began working out a solution for easier attic access. “Most of my customers could climb stairs, just not those fold-out ladders. They needed a set of real stairs with wide, deep steps.” The catch, he discovered, was that these stairs needed to be retractable. “So, I developed a set of stairs built to the same standards as a regular set of stairs, where the run of the step, the rise of the step, and the angle of the stairs were the same or very similar to what people already navigate and are familiar with.” Ingalls developed a concept for a simple set of stairs that works without expensive motors, cables, or a power source. “I based the idea on an SUV tailgate being leveraged up and held up yet easily opened and closed by hand.” The Tri Line Safe Steps aren’t ladders but stairs that retract into the ceiling with wide, deep steps. “We climb stairs like this daily and think nothing of it,” Ingalls says. “You can easily navigate Safe Step Stairs as most of your foot can be firmly planted on each step. There isn’t another product like them anywhere.” They’re designed to be easy to open with a light pull-down of about 20 lbs. To close them again, lift them about 2 ft., and they’ll retract to the ceiling. They come with handrails, though most people can climb them hands-free. After two years of formulation and development, Ingalls introduced Safe Step Stairs to the market. It’s a fully built product that his team installs throughout central Florida. “We also offer them in kit form across the U.S. and beyond. Hundreds of installed stairs are spread across the USA, and we get daily inquiries about the product.” About half of kit customers build and install Safe Step Stairs themselves, while others hire local handymen. “The kit comes with a comprehensive installation manual, and we have many installation videos. Anyone experienced with small power tools can build and install our stairs,” says Ingalls. “We tell our customers that if they’re comfortable cutting a hole in a wall and installing a door, they’ll likely be capable of building and installing Safe Step Stairs.” Pricing before tax is $1,399 for 8-ft., $1,499 for 9-ft. and $1,599 for 10-ft. stairs. All mechanical components are manufactured in Monticello, Ill., and kits ship out in two to seven days. The wooden components aren’t included, as they’re cheaper to buy locally. Each set comes with a two-year warranty. Ingalls says, “Our customers are encouraged to call with questions before purchasing. We’re thrilled to provide our customers with personal build and installation support.” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Tri Line Services, LLC (ph 217-433-1394; ultimagtr@gmail.com; www.trilineatticsolutions.com).

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