Sliding, Concertina, Telescopic Ladders Available!
Tell us about the work you need doing around your home.
Up to 3 local trades will then be in touch to quote for the work.
Compare quotes then choose your preferred tradesman.
Lofts usually have some sort of hatch for access, but this can often be just an opening in the ceiling with a rectangular section of plywood covering it. If you regularly need to store or access items in the loft, you may get fed up with fetching ladders out every time and struggling to remove and refit the hatch cover. You may want to consider having a permanent loft ladder fitted. This could be done by adapting the existing hatch so the cover hinges downwards and fitting a ladder, or by replacing the hatch with an integral hatch and ladder assembly.
A fitted loft ladder can make accessing the loft space more convenient. The ladder you choose will depend on your preference, the space available and how often you need to use it. Loft ladders range from basic aluminium folding ladders and space-saving concertina ladders to hardwood folding ladders and automatic electric ladders designed for the loft space. However, loft ladders are generally intended for accessing storage areas. If you plan on converting your loft space into a habitable room, a permanent staircase will usually be required to meet the relevant Building Regulations.
There are two main types of loft ladder: sliding and folding, both of which can be made from metal, usually aluminium, or timber. Sliding ladders are generally straightforward to fit and usually come in two or three sections. Many loft ladders also come with a kit that allows the existing hatch to be converted into a hinged hatch. Lower-cost sliding loft ladders are often made from aluminium and designed for occasional use. They may be noisier than timber versions but can provide a lower-cost option.
The three main types of folding ladders are concertina, telescopic and simple folding. Concertina ladders can be suitable for tight spaces as they require very little clearance in the loft and have relatively small landing requirements. However, their more complex construction can make them more expensive. Telescopic ladders offer similar space-saving benefits with a simpler, modern design and can be suitable where space is limited. Simple folding ladders are often cheaper, but they require enough clearance to fold up into the loft and enough space to open out onto the landing.
If you are considering a DIY loft hatch or ladder installation, much will depend on your carpentry skills and confidence with the work involved. The ladder needs to be fitted securely and the installation should not compromise the structural integrity of the ceiling. If you are unsure about carrying out the work yourself, you can hire a loft hatch and ladder fitter instead. This may also reduce the amount of time required to complete the installation.
Our loft is one big open space and we'd like to section off part of it as proper storage, boarded and accessible, separa...
I want to add some storage boards in the loft but I've heard you shouldn't just lay boards flat on the joists as it comp...
We've got some old insulation up there that looks pretty thin. What depth should we be aiming for? And does it matter wh...
Is it possible to change the cladding colour of my loft from the ash grey colour to a red/orange-like colour to match th...
Our house is a 3 bed semi and we're worried a loft conversion would require the staircase to go through the third bedroo...
We're planning a dormer loft conversion on a 1930s semi. How long should we realistically budget for from start to finis...
Over 1 million homeowners and over 50,000 tradespeople
use MyJobQuote nationwide each year