Roofing and Building Center

Using Loft Ladders in Your Home

Posted on December 31, 2009 by Samuel Cheeseman ----- Advertisement

Many people are now using their lofts and attics to their advantage by converting them into areas which can be used as living or office spaces rather than just for storage purposes. Many lofts are not easily accessed so either a staircase or a loft ladder must be installed. A new staircase can be very expensive and will often take up too much room on the level below the loft. Loft ladders are proving to be popular options for providing access to a loft space as they can be purchased cheaply and will take up much less space than a full staircase. There are important safety considerations which apply to converted lofts and loft access ladders. In some areas the loft will require two ingress and egress points in order to satisfy building regulations. It is also important to make sure that any loft ladder you purchased will be suitable for your needs. Each ladder will be capable of safely supporting a maximum weight so you must check that the ladder you wish to buy will suit your needs. A standard loft ladder may only be able to support weights of around 100kg where more expensive heavy duty ladders will often be designed to safely deal with weights of over 150kg.

Types of Loft Ladders

There is large range of loft ladders currently available so anyone considering a loft conversion should be able to find one that will cater to their needs. Something which needs to be thought about is whether you would prefer a static loft ladder which is fixed in one position and has no moveable parts or if a folding or telescopic loft ladder would be better. A fixed ladder will provide constant and easy access to the loft area which will be a great convenience if the loft will be used frequently as a bedroom or living area. It will however take up space on the level below the loft which may prove to be a problem in some smaller homes. A ladder which folds or slides out from a trapdoor in the floor of the loft will enable you to save space on the lower level while access to the loft is not required. It will however need to be set up each time it is used. This will be impractical if the loft area will be in frequent use as too much time will be spent extending and retracting the ladder.

In addition to folding and telescopic designs concertina loft ladders are also available. They are designed to fold up tightly in a way which is similar to an accordion and are useful in smaller homes where space saving is more important than looks. A concertina loft ladder can be stowed in very small space and then set up as and when loft access is required. They can also be purchased as electric loft ladders so will be useful for homeowners who may not have the necessary strength or mobility to easily set up and retract a ladder each time they need loft access. These ladders are simple to operate with the push of a button.

Materials

Loft ladders are most commonly constructed from wood, steel or aluminium. A wooden loft ladder is often used for its visual appeal and ability to blend in with the wood and other decor currently used in the room. These ladders will also have the benefit of being quieter than ladders which are produced from metal. They will make less noise during folding or sliding and also when supporting the weight of someone climbing them. Wooden loft ladders are available in static, sliding or folding designs.

An aluminium loft ladder or one made of steel will have a more utilitarian look than a wooden one but may be preferred by some homeowners. They are often cheaper and many of the most basic loft ladders are produced from metal. Metal ladders are more likely to be installed where the loft is used only occasionally and the appearance of the ladder is less important or where cost saving is a priority. They may however blend in with the current decor of some rooms more effectively than a timber loft ladder will so can also be used for their looks especially in more modern homes and apartments. This is really a matter of choice for the individual.

Pricing

Loft ladders can be purchased relatively cheaply and the internet is a great place to begin looking for one. The cheaper options are either the aluminium loft ladders or those produced from steel. Timber loft ladders will usually be more expensive. A standard aluminium loft ladder with two or three sliding sections will start at around £80 or $130. Similar wooden telescopic loft ladders or those which fold away will usually be more expensive from around £130 or just over $200. These standard ladder designs will be suitable for the majority of households and will come complete with the hinges and other parts necessary to complete the loft ladder installation which can be carried out by many homeowners with DIY experience. Where a concertina loft ladder or one which is powered by electric is required then prices will increase significantly. Many will start at around £400 with most custom or electric designs being a lot more expensive.