Lofts comprise a significant part of your home as you get to store unused items in them. Sometimes people convert these lofts into study rooms, extra bedrooms or maybe even a library. So don’t you want your loft space to be easily accessible? Getting a modern, smart and classy ladder would make your home look pretty, clean and stylish.

Aluminium loft ladders – its advantages

Of all the ladders in the market, aluminium loft ladders are probably the most commonly used. They are lightweight, durable, comfortable and easy to handle. They come in versatile colours, and innovative styles and designs that are irresistible. Though they are handy, these ladders are exceptionally strong and so anyone can stand on top of them without the fear of falling. They are also maintenance free and corrosion resistant, so you don’t have to worry about leaving them out in the open (although this is unlikely unless you are reroofing your house!). Padded aluminium ladders will not make any noise when they are moved. However, if you are storing your ladder near an electric source, then you must be very careful, as aluminium is a good conductor of heat. Aluminium ladders have another major benefit: They can be recycled or sold to a scrap company once you are done with it, or when you feel that it is time for an upgrade.

Wooden loft ladders

Aluminium ladders are really great, no doubt about that. But sometimes, people prefer to go for wooden ladders when they want people to notice their ladders. Most wooden ladders are made of Spruce or Pine, and they are beautiful and hence add to aesthetic appeal of your home.  There are some superbly crafted wooden ladders, and they come in so many varied designs that will make you immediately fall in love with at least one of them. The rock solid feel that you get from ascending a wooden loft ladder is incomparable. There are folded wooden loft ladders in the market which can be fitted quite easily with any kind of loft space. There are different varieties of handrails too, so you can choose the style or design which most please you.

When do you recognise the need for an upgrade?

The basic need of a loft ladder is to get you up in the loft without any accidents or incidents and that is why you need to have a practical loft ladder.  So when do you decide that it is time to upgrade to a better version? Does your loft ladder sound and feel rickety when you ascend and descend? Do you feel that your ladder is not designed to carry heavy loads? Are you having trouble carrying bulky items? Perhaps the ladder you have at home is not meant for frequent heavy use, and you recently realised the need for a sturdy ladder that you can use confidently. Some people change the positioning of their loft after a while and hence they would need a different loft ladder once they switch positions. So which category do you belong to? Are you looking for a loft upgrade or a ladder upgrade?

Changing the entire loft position is not part of a major home renovation and you can get it done with the help of a competent contractor, and then buy the loft ladder from a reputed seller. All you need to be sure about is the measurements needed for the new ladder.

If you are going for an upgrade, then you need to have a general idea of how much space the new one would take. However, it would be a good thing if you could do some research on the various kinds of ladders available in the market, and how, buying one of them would satisfy your essential needs. It is also important that you conserve space in your home when you are staying in a small apartment, and so you need a ladder that would allow you make the best of available space.

What about your floors?

As loft ladders reach down to the floor, it is important that you have sufficient protection for your floors. When you put pressure on the ladder, it could mar the tiles on the floor, especially if the carpeting is not good enough.  So make sure the foot of your ladder is padded; good anti-slip rubber padding will make sure your ascent is stable and sturdy as well as protecting your flooring.

Weight determination

One of the most important considerations in getting a loft ladder is its weight. When you are buying one for domestic use, you need to consider the weight of the heaviest person in the house and combine it with the weight of the heaviest item you are likely to carry up the ladder. It will keep you in a safer position, and everybody will be out of harm’s way. The ladder should also be wide enough to carry bulky items if you have the habit of storing them in your loft. On an average, a domestic ladder should be able to carry a weight of 130 kilograms.

Two main types of loft ladders: The Slip Loft Ladder & The Concertina Loft Ladder

Both of these ladders are extremely popular among homeowners, but the second kind, the concertina is a bit expensive. The slip ladder is known for its affordability factor, durability and strength. When you approach a credible seller, you can ensure the quality of the ladder too. The sturdiness of the ladder and your stability will hang in balance if you buy inferior quality products.  A major thing to check while buying a ladder is its latching catches; they should be strong because they shouldn’t twist and turn with constant use. If the lock is not held correctly in place, the ladder will not be steady, and the chances of your falling down are extremely high.

Concertina ladders are a real beauty; they not only add to the aesthetic appeal of your home, but they also save a lot of space. You can actually fold the ladder into the shape of a cube and just leave it up, so it will not get in the way when you walk about.  Though they are pricier than your basic loft ladder, they are definitely the better option for those with limited loft space, as they are compact, and can be hidden away easily.

Ladders equipped with side rails will ensure security for users. Hence, it is an important factor to consider while buying loft ladders. They come in attractive colours and styles and add to the visual appeal of the loft ladders. When you buy a sliding ladder, you often get the whole works along with it – a complete fixing kit, a handrail and operating pole.

However, you will need to do adequate research on the kind of loft ladder that will suit your home, as these should be your main concerns:

• Making best use of available space
• Exploit the maximum space available in the loft
• Safety is the primary concern
• Practical and aesthetic
• Any bonus feature and you are increasing its safety feature
• Rubberised padding to protect the floors
• Handrails for support

Know your height; measure correctly

Very often people tend to take mistakes while measuring floor-ceiling height. Inaccurate measurements will lead to a wrong purchase, and you will not be able to use the ladder. The measurements taken for the ladder will depend on the type of ladder that you are going to use. The specification of your chosen ladder should list the minimum dimensions you need to check before purchasing. Sliding loft ladders usually require you to measure floor to floor. To clarify, this means you must measure from the floor level of your loft (this is higher than your ceiling) vertically down to the landing floor, don’t worry about allowing for the angle of the ladder¦ the ladder manufacturer will have allowed for this. Check that your floor to floor measurement falls within the range specified for your chosen ladder before purchasing.

In contrast, Folding wooden loft ladders or concertina type ladders require you to measure vertically between floor and ceiling and again check that your measurement falls within the range specified for the ladder you want. You will also need to check that your hatch is large enough and that you have enough headroom (vertical Clearance) and floorspace (horizontal clearance) in the loft to accommodate the ladder of your choice.

Checking your standards

You can always check the standard of your ladder so you have quality assurance. The European standard used for loft ladders is EN 14975. This standard will ensure you have a top-class, practical ladder that will serve its purpose without any concerns.  You can trust it completely as the standard incorporates many tests specific to loft ladders and certification guarantees your ladder will perform safely and is perfect in terms of stability, climbing angle, fatigue test, handrail test and static test. The assessment made after these tests ensure the safety of your ladder for both home and industrial use. Apart from the overall test for its strength and stability, the ladder’s feet are tested with heavy weights so you can be sure of its credibility when you climb. The weight capacity should be 150 kilogram, and angle of inclination, 61 degrees; to top it off the loft ladder should carry a quality certificate endorsed by British Standards.