Christmas seems like a distant memory now, but for many people it is the only time of year they access their lofts so frequently in a short space of time.  Extra chairs for guests, camp beds and decorations are all things that people store away for infrequent or seasonal use, and these things all come out, and have to be put back at Christmas.

Due to this infrequent use of the space, many people do not think about their loft ladder very often, but will definitely have noticed that metal loft ladders are extremely cold when pulled down in the winter; the cold temperature in the roof space transfers into the aluminium of the ladder and it can take a long time to warm up.  Anyone with medical conditions that are exacerbated by cold or simply don’t like touching very cold things can understand why replacing a metal loft ladder with a wooden one is a good move.

Although wooden loft ladders cost a little more than aluminium ones, with a basic wooden model costing around £99 compared to £47 for the most basic metal one, they are a lot more comfortable to use.  Wooden loft ladders also feel a lot sturdier when in use, and they make a lot less noise when deployed and stowed, perfect if you keep presents for the kids hidden up there and you don’t want them to catch on.

If you are thinking of selling your home in the near future, or simply want to add a bit of value then a wooden loft ladder is the way forward.  More attractive to a prospective buyer than a metal one; it will make a great impression on viewers if they want to view the loft space and need to use the ladder.  The feeling of a warm and strong ladder also helps reinforce the perception of your home as a secure and nice place to be.  It may seem like a very small factor, but people viewing a house do not need any reasons to drop your home down the list; so anything you can do to create a good impression is worthwhile.

Depending on the dimensions of your loft space, you could go as far as adding a handrail to the ladder, if you choose a model that does not come with one as standard, and add a balustrade to the opening inside.  Adding these features to a loft that is boarded out and emptied can sow the seed of an easy loft conversion in the minds of anyone who views your house, increasing the potential of the dwelling and addressing storage and living space needs for prospective buyers.

Loft ladders from Midland Ladders come with fixings and loft hatches (where appropriate), as well as the poles to pull the ladder down with.  They can be fitted easily by anyone with a little DIY knowledge, and would be cheap to install if you were to pay a handyman to do the work for you.  Usually, new loft ladders are installed in the same place as the existing loft hatch, but if the new ladder requires a hatch larger than the available space in the original location it will have to be re-sited.  This may take a little more work than the average DIY person is comfortable with undertaking, as it involves looking carefully at the roof joists in the location where the new ladder could be installed.

Take a look at our selection of wooden loft ladders and see for yourself just how much more attractive they can be than a metal one.