Wooden Loft Ladder Designs

A loft ladder will usually have either a static fixed design or one which allows the ladder to slide or fold away to be stored in the loft. A static ladder will take up more floor space but will allow constant loft access so will be more convenient if it will be used frequently. The folding or telescopic loft ladder can easily be stowed in the loft when not in use so will free up extra living space. It will however take a small amount of time to set up and stow away each time it is used which may be inconvenient if this needs to be done several times every day. The vast majority of folding and telescopic loft ladders will be manually operated but some of the most expensive designs are available as electric loft ladders. These will usually fold out and retract with the press of a button which can be fitted onto a nearby wall or integrated into a remote control device. Concertina loft ladders can also be purchased which will fold away in a manner similar to an accordion and require little storage space. The design of a concertina loft ladder is often better suited to metal construction rather than wood.

Safety and Installation

There are some safety issues which will need to be given consideration when choosing timber loft ladders. You will need to check what kind of usage a ladder is designed for before you make a purchase. In the UK ladders are certified in several different classes. A ladder suitable for ‘general infrequent use’ will need to be BS 7553 Class G certified. If this will not be sufficient for you then a ladder certified as BS 7553 Class H is designed for ‘heavy duty regular use’. A supplier will be able to advise you further if you are unsure which ladder will be best suited to your needs.

A wooden loft ladder will often be available with or without hand rails. These can be useful safety features for those who are uncomfortable when climbing a ladder or who are otherwise physically impaired. If you are able bodied and confident using a ladder then you may want to choose a ladder without the safety hand rails. This will be especially true if the ladder will be used to transfer large or awkwardly shaped objects to and from your loft. The hand rails will often provide obstructions in these situations.

Most wood loft ladders will come as a complete kit with the hardware necessary to install them in your home. If your ladder is the correct size for your loft and the hatch does not need to be replaced or enlarged then building a loft ladder from a kit will be relatively simple. Many homeowners who are competent in DIY techniques will be able to complete the loft ladder installation themselves on the day of purchase. Ladders will also be available with replacement hatches but the installation can sometimes be more complex so you may want to speak to your supplier about professional installation if you do not think you are capable of fitting the ladder and the new hatch. Suppliers will also be able to provide advice to homeowners who wish to complete the work themselves.

Costs

Wooden loft ladders are available to suit most budgets. The cheapest designs begin at around £120 or just under $200. It is possible to pay much more than this as the quality of the ladder increases. Many of the better quality sliding and folding ladders are priced between £200-£400 or $350-$650. The most advanced electric loft ladder designs can cost thousands of pounds. When purchasing a loft ladder many of the best deals can be found online.

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.

Different Ladder Designs

There are many kinds of rigid ladders and we will cover some of the most popular ones here. The most basic ladder designs are made up of two vertical stringers or stiles which are fixed together in several places by the steps. These ladders have no moving parts and have many applications particularly around the home. A telescopic ladder or extension ladder has a similar design but is split into multiple parts which are capable of sliding in both directions in order to lengthen or shorten the ladder. This allows the user to specify the exact length of the ladder up to the maximum height. Extension ladders have the advantage of being able to reach great heights but at the same time require only minimal storage space when the sections are retracted. Many kinds of rigid and extension ladders are often found in the home as they are suitable for many DIY tasks such as repairing and painting PVC or Wooden windows. Variations of these designs are also used as loft ladders. A loft ladder may be fixed in a permanent position or a kind of extension ladder may be used which can be extended as necessary and will slide down through a trap door giving access to the loft.

The step ladder is another popular ladder design and there are numerous variations of it. The most common type of step ladder is constructed in such a way that it supports itself and does not need to be leant against a wall for any kind of support. Step ladders have a hinge in the middle so when they are erected they will form a triangular shape with horizontal supports keeping the structure at a consistent angle. The structure will take the form of the letter ‘A’ when erected. Many step ladders will have a large step at the top which forms a small platform for the operator to work from. The folding ladder is a variation of the step ladder design which a number of hinges. These allow the ladder to fold and form various structures which are particularly useful where the surface they are placed upon is uneven.

There are many different ladders available which are designed specifically for roofing. A roof ladder will have a large hook on one end which will allow the ladder to be secured on the ridge of a pitched roof. The ladder steps provide the operator with an easy way to climb up and down a steep roof without the fear of slipping. These ladders are commonly known as roof ladders, chicken ladders or cat ladders.

The vast majority of ladders have a rigid construction but rope ladders are occasionally a more sensible choice. A rope ladder is usually lighter and easier to transport than a ladder with a rigid design and so they are chosen on some occasions because of these benefits. In general they prove to be most useful in very tight spaces which could not accommodate a rigid ladder that would need to be angled against a structure. Buildings which have a curved shape are also sometimes unsuitable for the use of a rigid ladder so the rope ladder would prove useful in these situations. They are sometimes used by residents in multi story buildings as a secondary means of escaping in the event of a fire. Other common uses include rock climbing and caving along with providing access to garden tree houses.

Materials and Usage

Ladders have been used in some form for thousands of years and for most of this time they were produced from wood. Modern ladders are nearly always produced from metal such as steel or aluminium but in some cases fibreglass is used. Metal ladders are suitable in almost all situations. The metals are cheap and more durable that wood with aluminium ladders being particularly popular due to their light weight. A Fiberglass ladder will mainly be used in the few conditions where metal ones would be unsuitable such as when working with electricity. In order to minimize the risk of a ladder falling backwards or losing grip of the surface it is placed upon the distance between the ladder’s base and the structure being worked on should be around 25% of the total height of the ladder. Devices which increase the stability of a ladder are also available and will prove particularly useful when using a ladder without the assistance of anybody else on the ground.

Pricing

The cost of a ladder will depend on the build quality and what it is designed for. Ladders intended for DIY use in the home or loft and attic ladders will obviously be much cheaper than industrial ones which have been approved for heavy duty use. As a guide prices for a good quality standard extension ladder suitable for use around the home will often start around £50 or $70-80. Industrial ladders can cost ten times this amount or more. Ladders of all kinds can be purchased cheaply and easily online so it will be worth looking at the websites of some suppliers to get an idea of what you can expect to pay for different kinds of ladders.