You certainly don’t want your heating or cooling bills to skyrocket simply because you have chosen to increase your storage space by making use of the attic. While wooden loft ladders are terrific devices that afford you access into the ceiling without losing floor space it is necessary to compromise the ceiling and anything that is directly above it.

There are insulation covers available for loft ladder hatches that will fit over the folded loft ladder and provide you with the insulation that you would have otherwise lost. The insulation that you would require would come in a box shape so that it could fit over the ladder while it is in its folded state.

In the US the Department of Energy advises that a ¼ inch gap around the perimeter of an attic access can leak the same amount of air supplied by a typical bedroom heating duct. Sealing around the edges will only partly solve the problem with weatherstripping required on the hatch itself or inside the hatch itself.

Your alternative is to build an insulation box. The box that you might use to compensate for the lost insulation may be made from rigid foam or fibrous ductboard. It would fit over the top of the ladder and you would seal the sides with caulk or expanding foam to ensure there are no gaps when the entire unit is closed.

When the loft ladder is unfolded the insulation box will still be sitting in place. As you ascend the stairs you can then simply push the box up and out of the way in order to access the attic itself.

For an excellent diagram on how the insulation box for attic pull-down stairs or a foldable wooden loft ladder would work you can visit the Department of Energy website. Also on this page is a diagram of the way you might go about insulating a scuttle hole cover.

A telescopic loft ladder provides a ladder solution that is extremely compact, easy to adjust and able to be fit into extremely small spaces. It is a lightweight solution that can also be adjusted to suit whatever height you are looking at covering.

When you buy a telescopic loft ladder you will find that it is already fully assembled. It will be folded up or convenience and will take up very little room in this format. The ladder is stored above the loft hatch and when it is needed can simply be pulled down thanks to a supplied fabric cord.

It is possible to buy a telescopic loft ladder in one of two configurations: either a model that automatically locks the treads as it moves down into place or one where the treads can be manually locked.

Possibly the best known brand when it comes to telescopic loft ladders is the Telesteps Telescopic Loft Ladder. These ladders are completely housed within the frame of the loft and a ladder that extends to 2.4m in length can compact down to fit in a hatch measuring as small as 480 x 550mm. However there are larger versions of this ladder that extends to a height of 3.2m.

There are two types of Telesteps loft ladders, the original model cam with treads that automatically lock into place. This ladder is known as the Telesteps Black Line and it was later joined in the market with the Telesteps Red Line Loft Ladders that is similar in quality to the Black Line ladders except the treads are manual locking. The Red Line is the lower priced option with ladder prices starting around £140 compared to a starting price of around £220 for the Black Line. (Note, these prices include the loft ladders only, the loft hatch must be purchased separately).

An added advantage with a telescopic loft ladder is that it is adjustable so that it can be altered to suit the height under which it is installed.

There is no doubting the strength and quality of the telescopic loft ladders that are being manufactured today. They provide a handy alternative to a folding wooden loft ladder giving you the option of installing a loft ladder in an area of the attic where it may have otherwise been impossible.

A folding loft ladder is a sectional ladder comprising either 2 or 3 sections depending on the maker and the length required. When you buy your folding loft ladder it should also come with the hatch kit combined.

Although the folding loft ladder requires a little more room than a sliding ladder the amount of space required is still only very small. When the ladder is folded it recesses into a very compact size and is stored on top of the hatch, flat to the ceiling. The extra space required is the ceiling area where the hatch is to be cut. There must be enough room between beams and other obstructions for this hatch to be created.

When choosing your folding loft ladder you should consider a few other additional factors that will give you an installation that will work safely. Something that may often be overlooked is the requirement for a loft hatch. In most cases the hatch will be included in the quoted price but if it isn’t you will be up for a further expense. You should also find out exactly how the hatch can be opened. 

Handrail and Tread Options

Optional features such as a hand rail and depth of tread should be discussed with the store before you make your purpose. Not all folding ladders come with a hand rail so make the decision early to include it in the package if you want it. Similarly some manufacturers of folding loft ladders have a range of tread sizes available. If possible, test drive the loft ladders by ascending and descending stairs with different tread sizes just to feel the difference between, say, an 80mm tread and a 70mm tread.

Measuring For A Folding Loft Ladder

Before you can buy a loft ladder, no matter whether it is a folding loft ladder or a sliding loft ladder, you must determine the size of the ladder you will need. The measurements necessary are different depending on the sort of ladder you are going to buy.

For a folding loft ladder you must measure the floor to ceiling height by measuring the distance from the floor where the ladder will come to rest to the ceiling directly above that resting point. You can then check the specifications of the ladder you are interested in to find the minimum and maximum floor to ceiling height for that particular ladder to determine which one you will buy.

A Folding Loft Ladder In Operation

Take a look at this short video that demonstrates just how easy it is to open and close a folding loft ladder. In this case the ladder is a Calvert Wooden Folding Loft Ladder.

This loft ladder has a weight rating of 150kg and is made from larch timber making it a particularly durable ladder. Most wooden loft ladders are made from pine or spruce which are softer woods and may be prone to some buckling if the wood hasn’t been seasoned properly.

The Deluxe loft ladder comes with treads that are 80mm deep, an extra depth to make them even safer to use. There are also handrails for ease of climbing up and down and they and the hinges are coated a distinctive red. The ladder is set into a spring loaded loft ladder hatch that is simple to open and close and the feet are fitted with non-slip protective rubber caps to protect the floor from being marked.

The construction of the Deluxe wooden loft ladder steps is solid with mortise and tenon joints. Everything about this particular loft ladder has been made with the safety of the owner in mind as well as the aim to make it as easy as possible to use.

The ladder comes in 4 sizes and will be suitable for floor to ceiling heights up to 3.2m. The four different sizes of loft ladders in the range vary in price from £119.99 to £179.99.

It would certainly be worth while visiting BPS Access Solutions to get more details about a loft ladder that appears to provide everything you might need.

A sliding wooden loft ladder is one of the more popular types available. This type of ladder comes in 2 or 3 sections depending on the floor to ceiling distance and these lengths rest neatly together when in the folded position. This enables the ladder to be folded up into quite a small size so you are able to conserve as much space as possible.

The sliding loft ladder operates so that when you pull the hatch down the first section of ladder will begin to descend. As the first length of ladder reaches its maximum length the next section is initiated and the ladder continues to slide to the floor.

A sliding wooden loft ladder is a relatively inexpensive option and provides a sturdy ladder once it has been fully extended.

When deciding on whether you want to buy a sliding loft ladder, you will have to know the following important things. First, you should know the distance between the floor and the underside of the ceiling, then you should have some idea about the size of the hole that the hatch is going to have to cover. Because the hatch is going to be your entryway into the attic you should ensure that it is wide enough to make passing through it a comfortable experience.

You should also find out the distance between the underside of the ceiling and the floor level in the attic. You should also work out how much clearance there is going to be above the hatch. In some cases the only suitable spot for the loft ladder hatch to be positioned is very close to a wall and that will affect exactly what type of loft ladder is chosen.

Finally, with a sliding wooden loft ladder it is important to find out exactly where the ladder is going to land to not only ensure that the ladder can be used but also to find out whether the entries to some of the other rooms are going to be blocked.

As with most furniture items it is best to do plenty of research before taking the step of parting with the money.

A loft ladder can be installed into the ceiling of the home with only a minimal amount of work from a licensed professional. The most popular and affordable type of loft ladder are wooden loft ladders and they come in a variety of sizes – both width and length – so they will suit all types of ceiling heights and will fit into a variety of hallways and corridors if necessary.

Factors such as the steepness of the drop and the width of the loft ladder will be important considerations that will have to be made. The option of handrails will also be available and whether you choose this option will come down to how confident and capable you are in climbing a ladder.

Pull Down Wooden Loft Ladders

A pull down wooden loft ladder is a straightforward affair. The assembly is placed in the ceiling and all that would be noticeable is a rectangular marking on the ceiling surface. The ladder can then be lowered by using a stick with a hook on the end that you use to reach up and snag on a latch. As the wooden ladder is lowered it snaps into place to form a solid stair up into the attic.

These ladders should be chosen based on their weight capacity taking into consideration how it is going to be used and the possible weights that are going to regularly go up and down.

Extending Wooden Loft Ladders

An extending or sliding wooden loft ladder allows the hole in the ceiling to be quite small if this is a problem that you must get around. By using a system where the sections of the ladder slide up on top of each other, the entire loft ladder can be hidden away through a relatively small square hole.

The more usual time where you will see an extending or telescopic loft ladder is with an aluminium version where the pieces are more conducive to sliding over the top of each other.

An extending ladder is also useful for higher ceilings because it is possible to fit an added extension piece to the end of the ladder to make up the required distance. It is recommended that a handrail be fitted to the longer extending wooden loft ladders as a safety precaution.

Talking to a loft ladder supplier and installation expert will ensure that you buy the wooden loft ladder that best fits your needs. Take a look at the various options available so that you know the kinds of ladders that are available but there may be unexpected reasons why your number one choice may not be possible. Make sure you are aware of whether or not the loft ladder comes with a loft ladder hatch.

Obstacles in the roof, supporting beams that can’t be damaged and a lack of ceiling space may mean that your plans can not be carried out. The loft ladder professional can advise of all of these possibilities and point you towards the type of ladder that best fits into your home.

Related Posts:

Which Wooden Loft Ladder Hatch?
Wooden Loft Ladders With Handrails
Youngman Loft Ladder

For the vast majority of cases when you buy a wooden loft ladder or an aluminium loft ladder the entire assembly comes as a complete unit with the hatch as a part of it. But it is also possible to go out and buy a separate loft ladder hatch that you may find more appealing than the types that come with your choice of ladder.

Let’s face it most people would rather have the luxury of choosing their own hatch rather than finding themselves stuck with a certain hatch because it is attached to their preferred ladder. Some companies will supply a hatch that will not only satisfy your existing décor but will also meet the important building industry codes for safety and functionality.

When you go out looking for a loft ladder hatch you can choose the style of moulding to have it decorated with if that is what you prefer. Depending on the size of the ladder that you have bought you can have the hatch made to a size that suits you and you can have the hatch insulated – again depending on the type of loft ladder you are using.

Your loft ladder hatch may be made from a UPVC material or from injection molded polypropylene, either of which can be made to blend in with the existing ceiling. In some cases the edge of the hatch can also be camouflaged by using a molding that matches the molding that has been up there for years.

Although you have the option to buy a separate loft hatch you should remember that the companies that supply loft ladders have a lot of experience when it comes to this industry and will be able to supply a quality product with their ladders. The loft hatch that comes with a particular loft ladder will have been designed especially for use with that particular ladder and so I twill be properly insulated, the weight will suit the hatch and the fit should be optimally calculated.

In the end it will come down to your own personal preference. No matter whether you buy the loft hatch as part of the loft ladder kit or separately at a later time, the installation job, when done by professional installation experts is a fast process.

Further reading available:

Buying A Wooden Loft Ladder
Wooden Loft Ladders

An example of a good quality wooden loft ladder that comes with the option of adding a handrail is a Top Flyte Solid Spruce Loft Ladder. This loft ladder is a three section ladder that folds up easily with a powerful dual spring that is counterbalanced for ease of use. The unit is available with a tubular handrail that comes at no extra cost.

A type of loft ladder that just about always comes with handrails is the sliding loft ladder. The reason that a sliding loft ladder is usually fitted with a handrail is because the assembly doesn’t rely on the entire unit collapsing down to a compact size. Handrails aren’t really conducive to folding into a compact package.

Sometimes the handrail may get in the way when trying to take larger items up into the attic. In most cases this shouldn’t be too much of a problem because the handrail may be removed and reattached later when needed again. Look for a wooden loft ladder that caters for the changing needs of those who will be using it.

Loft ladder handrails can be bought as part of the ladder package when you initially have it installed, but it can also be bought at a later date. Loft ladder handrails are an optional extra which will mean that you can buy them independent of the ladder to install as needed. You will just have to make sure that the hardrail that you buy matches the loft ladder that you already own.

Find more information about the various accessories and options available when buying a wooden loft ladder.

If it is a wooden loft ladder that is the preference the Youngman Eco S Line wooden loft ladder is a folding loft ladder designed to fit between the standard space of 600mm joist gaps. The ladder comes with an insulated draught proof hatch and is equipped with a handrail to make climbing and descending safer.

Made from solid spruce, the treads of the ladder are slip resistant and the ladder is designed to handle a load of 150kg. This particular ladder has a maximum floor to ceiling height of 2.81m (9ft 3”) while the ladder can be cut to size to meet any height that is smaller. There is an extension kit available for the ladder that increases the maximum height to 3.51m (11ft 6”).

The wooden loft ladder swings down as a 3-piece folding ladder with the aid of a pull rod that is supplied. In case you are afraid that the floors will be marked by the feet of the ladder once it has been pulled down, they are protected by rubber caps.

This is a ladder that takes up virtually no room inside the roof and swings down with barely any swing arc outside of the diameter of the ceiling hatch. For that matter the hatch size that will be cut into the ceiling is only 1.15m x 0.57m (3’9” x 1’10”).