The loft in your home can be made easily accessible and visually appealing if you put in the right kind of loft ladder. Whether you are planning to put a loft in your home, garage or workplace you need to find out whether or not the ladder you choose is going to be appropriate for that particular area. It should be extremely convenient too. The convenience factor will depend on how often you are going to use your loft space. If you live in a small home, but have the habit of storing rarely used household goods, magazines and other articles, then the loft is the best place to store them. And you can use the loft ladder to access the loft. Designed in varying measurements and made from different materials, loft ladders are an integral part of any home.

If you think you can manage with a rickety staircase or an old ladder from the basement, it will not be the best decision you make because accidents can happen anytime. When you have a good loft ladder, you will enjoy going up to the loft. You will no longer shove unused items under the bed or in the garage. Buying a loft ladder is thus, an incentive to keep your home neat and free of clutter.

There are all sorts of loft ladders in the market, so you have to do thorough research before you decide on the one that will suit your needs in the best possible way. Different people have different needs so you need to study the intricacies involved in each variety of ladder before purchasing. It could seem like a daunting task, but once you finish reading this, you will know it is not that hard.

Checking The Measurements For Loft Ladders

The height from the ceiling to the floor is an important factor when you take the measurements for your loft ladder. The size of the hatch is the other important consideration because you don't want to fall short or get too big when you finally place the loft ladder. The measurements will also depend on what type of ladder you prefer to buy. Since these ladders come in standard sizes, you won't have any trouble finding your match. Before you choose your loft ladder, you can consider checking the thickness of your ceiling and the vertical clearance above the hatch.

Types Of Loft Ladders

  • Folding loft ladders
  • Concertina loft ladders
  • Sliding loft ladders

Folding loft ladders are extremely popular among people living in small one-room or two room apartments. Since the ladders can extend up to the ceiling once its use is over, you will have great use for it. Some ladders can be folded in three parts and stored near the hatch. Since these ladders can be worked electronically, they are ideal for people who have limited body strength and cannot operate a ladder on their own.

Concertina loft ladders are good for people who don't have too much money to spend on a ladder. However, if you want something that exudes quality and style, you must be willing to pay for it. Getting concertina loft ladders made of anodized aluminum is a very good idea because they are extremely durable, lightweight and easy to carry. These ladders use the scissor mechanism and can be fixed to roof joist. If you have to change homes often, then getting one of these would be feasible. Concertina loft ladders come in different designs, so if you are very particular about the design of your ladder, you are not going to be disappointed. These ladders do not take much space; an ideal choice when space is of constraint. The beauty of concertina loft ladders is that they can be fitted within the smallest of loft space. So you will find them in kitchens and garages too.

If you have a lot of space in your home, then you can go for telescopic or sliding loft ladders. These loft ladders are ideal for people on a budget. However, it will be advisable to buy ladders that come with superior quality locking mechanisms, even if they cost more. An inferior lock mechanism might cost less, but will put your safety on hold. Among sliding loft ladders, you will find that it is the aluminum ladder that is rated high.

The Material For Loft Ladders

There are two main options for loft ladders. Your choice will depend on what exactly your needs are. However, you have to read the benefits of each ladder before you choose the one that is best suited to your needs.

  • Aluminum loft ladders
  • Timber Loft Ladders

Aluminum loft ladders are extremely popular in the market because they are easily adjustable and can be suited to people concerned about their budget. The installation part is also very easy and can be done by following the manual provided along with the product. Since it is lightweight, you can manage the loft ladder all by yourself. True, aluminum loft ladders are lightweight and look simple, but they are extremely sturdy. If you are going up the ladder with extremely heavy stuff, you don't have to worry losing your grip and falling down. Aluminum loft ladders, noted for their flame-resistant feature has become the favorite choice for most buyers. Once installed you don't have to do any special maintenance because they stay neat and clean all the time.

Timber loft ladders

From time immemorial, people have been fascinated by wood and its different shades and so wooden loft ladders will definitely interest you. Sure, these ladders are definitely heavier and sturdier and that is the main reason why people go for them. There is the assurance that nothing can go wrong. Timber loft ladders are extremely popular because they have the perfect finish and can be maintained by a simple paint job. However, timber loft ladders will not suit everyone because they take up a lot of space. Still, most people consider buying them because they last long, really long provided they are looked after well.

Of course, and don't forget the major advantage that timber loft ladders have over aluminum ones - they don't make too much noise. When you have a small apartment and you don't like to disturb others when you are transferring stuff, this is the ideal choice.

Positioning Of Loft Ladders

Since you have frequent use of the loft, you will need to incorporate it in a place where there is lot of empty space. That way you don't have to move the furniture each time you want to go up. The hallway is the best option for a loft. Next, comes the positioning of the loft ladder. To make sure the job is done in an impeccably neat manner you have to enlist the services of a professional. The latch, the loft ladder and the door should be seamlessly connected to one another to enable unobstructed use. Getting it all rightly fitted is a very important job and once it's done you have access to a whole new world upstairs. Position and fit the loft ladder very carefully or it is your safety that hangs in balance. The fittings should never go loose at anytime causing you to fall down just when you are climbing it.

Loft ladders will in no way, hinder with the decor or design of your room. Your ladder can be fitted in such a way that it will blend well with your room and its furnishings even when it is pulled down. Space is of no issue when you are looking for loft ladders because you can choose among the different types mentioned earlier in the article. Loft ladders with handrails are a good choice as they provide immense support you are carrying heavy stuff up the stairs.

Check the weight rating before you buy loft ladders. Timber loft ladders can handle heavy weight (330 pounds and more) so is the ideal choice for heavy people. And one more advice when you are going for loft ladders - go for those ladders that are equipped with anti-slip feature. That way you will have a better hold when you go up and down. The non-slip treads will provide you with enough comfort and safety. If you are able to fix it with twin hand-rails, you increase your safety ten-fold. It will also be a good idea to check the warranty when you buy the ladder; a 10-year guarantee is nice.

When you order a loft ladder, all the necessary things that you would require for installation are also provided along with it. It will be delivered to your home fully assembled and will have its own frame, insulated hatch, operating pole and architrave.

You must have heard of the advice - 'never put your heart ahead of your wallet', but you can willingly throw caution aside when it comes to loft ladders. You are not losing anything by buying these ladders; instead, you are creating a lot of usable space in your home.