How to choose loft ladders

The means through which you access your loft may seem like an afterthought, but the truth of the matter is that they are much more important than you would expect. Buying the cheapest possible ladder without giving it much thought can turn out to be a disaster in the long run, especially if you intend to use it regularly. There are quite a number of factors you should consider before buying a loft ladder on your own – here’s a helpful guide to choosing the ideal loft ladder for your home.

Loft ladders weight limits

As it turns out, there are loft ladders that have not been manufactured with greater user weights in mind, so the first step to selecting a loft ladder is always to make sure the ladder was designed for the conditions you want it to serve under. Also, make sure you consider both the duty rating, which is the weight of the person climbing the ladder, as well as the static load, or the weight with tools, which acts as a safety margin.

Taking measurements

Aside from purpose, one of the most important things to have figured out by the time you choose a loft ladder is the size. Here are a couple simple steps that will help you take the appropriate measurements for your loft ladder.

1. Start by measuring the width and length of your loft hatch.
2. Determine the side of the hatch that you want your ladder to be hinged on. Measure the vertical distance from this side of the hatch to the roof.
3. From the same side, measure horizontally to the closest obstruction.
4. Take measurements horizontally from the loft floor in the area where the foot of the loft ladder will land when in use, and then measure vertically up to the loft hatch.

Once you know what space you have available to you and how much space you want to be taken up, it’s time to decide on the type of loft ladder you want for your home. There are a number of loft ladder options to choose from, and here are some of the most popular ones. In most cases, they can come in two variants: wooden loft ladders and metal loft ladders.

Folding loft ladders

The folding loft ladder style is one of the most straightforward types to use. As the name suggests, its a 2 or 3-section loft ladder that folds up and the segments stack up on each other when the trap door is fully closed. This makes it a practical, space-saving solution. Wooden folding loft ladders are the quieter option that operates very smoothly. They usually come with a hatch attached and ready to be installed in a loft opening.

Sliding loft ladders

The sliding loft ladder is by far the easiest type of loft ladder to fit. The come in two or three-section loft ladder variants. Most UK homes have a big enough loft opening to fit in one of these, but even if that’s not the case, extending that space is not a bit problem. They usually don’t come with a hatch, but a lot of them often come with a kit allowing you to convert your existing hatch into a hinged one. As the name suggests, and unlike folding loft ladders, these loft ladders slide together, and the wooden variant is quite well-suited for everyday use.

Telescopic loft ladders

One of the most space-saving solutions out of all the options available, telescopic loft ladders fit in perfectly with a more modern, minimalist aesthetic. They can fit into extremely tight spaces, so if you don’t have a lot of room for a loft ladder and are looking for a solution that will give you the most bang for your buck, telescopic loft ladders are the best choice for you.

Electric loft ladders

As the name suggests, this type of loft ladder is controlled through electrical mean. Though you can choose between the semi-automatic and fully electric variants, all electric loft ladders operate like folding loft ladders – you just don’t have to open them up manually.

Concertina loft ladders

This is a variant of the sliding loft ladder, but instead of comprising of two to three larger sections, they consist of more, smaller segments that neatly fold into an accordion-like pattern. They’re the optimal space-saving solution, as they only take up the space directly above the hatch when folded up.