It’s coming up to that time of year again where the Christmas decorations come down from the loft, summer clothes are stored away until the sun returns and warm jumpers, thick duvets and wooly blankets are brought down.  For some people, a properly fitted loft ladder makes this task simple, but others still prefer to balance on a step ladder and pull themselves through the loft hatch.  They often make this choice based on cost, but in fact having a properly fitted loft ladder can increase the resale value of your home; as more and more people are having them fitted, so more people expect them to be there.

Loft ladders come as standard on a lot of new homes, but can be very easily fitted in older homes.  Sometimes the loft hatch needs to be widened to accommodate the extra space a loft ladder needs when descending, and there can be issues of space used inside the loft to store the loft ladder when it is folded away.

Models that fold into a concertina and then store themselves on the back of the loft hatch address this issue nicely.  They do tend to be a bit steeper than other loft ladders due to the concertina nature of their construction, but if space is at a premium, then this is the right solution.  The concertina ladders are made of metal and take inspiration from industrial and commercial access and escape solutions.

Most loft ladders are built like extension ladders, that is to say they slide telescopically into sections.  This means when they are stored away they take up less space than a step ladder, but this storage space is in the loft.  This type of loft ladder is often available in both metal and timber, with timber being a very popular choice for the look in the interior of the home.

Some of these extending ladders have a motor which drives the deployment and stowing away of the ladder, meaning that the home owner does not have to pull the ladder down or get it back up into the attic after use.  These have a remote control, which deploys the ladder at the touch of a button while removing the need to even open the loft hatch.  It could not be easier to access that vital storage area of your home.  Other systems that do not have this motor feature use a simple hooked pole to pull the loft ladder down, which is also used to push the ladder back into the hatch.  These systems are designed to make that as easy as possible, so runners and castors are used to make the sliding mechanism smooth and simple.

For people who access their loft on a regular basis, a space saving staircase is a better option than a fitted loft ladder.  Space saving staircases are a hybrid of a ladder and a staircase, but are classed as staircases for the purposes of building regulations.  They often use clever tricks such as staggered steps, or even hidden or floating steps in some modern buildings.  However, when used in place of a loft ladder, the style of space saving staircase is usually kept simple.  A good example is this design by Graz.

Review: Alufix Concertina Loft Ladder

Concertina loft ladders fold into a box shape when not in use, stowing neatly against the inside of the loft latch.  When deployed, they unfold in a concertina fashion, hence the name. This is the ten tread model, but an eleven tread model is also available.  It comes assembled ready for fitting and has wider treads (three inches) than many other loft ladders of different styles.  The mechanism is spring loaded, so it deploys and stows easily and needs a smaller hatch size than most folding models.

The down side to this model is that the operating pole is not supplied; the ladder comes with the hook needed to use the ladder, but not the pole.  This would not be a problem for most people though, as a broom handle will work just as well.

Review: Youngman Easiway 3 section Loft Ladder

Youngman make a few different loft ladders, but the Easiway 3 section loft ladder is the middle-level model.  This comes in three sections (therefore taking up less space in the loft than the two section models) and has a pole that is used to open the loft hatch and pull the ladder down.  Because this model is attached to the loft floor by an extra strong arm, deploying and stowing this ladder is easy.  An optional handrail gives the user more stability when climbing up and down with bulky or heavy items, such as the Christmas tree or a bag of baubles.

The down side to sliding loft ladders is the amount of space they take up inside the loft.  For most people this is not a problem, as the space that the ladder takes up when stowed provides a pathway when entering the loft.  If, however, more space is needed and access within the loft is not such a concern, then a sliding loft ladder is a good solution. The other thing to take into consideration here is the hatch size needed in order to fit the ladder and have it deploying safely.  Not many loft hatches are large enough for sliding loft ladders, especially in older homes, and widening them will incur an expense.

Review: Dolle space saving staircases

Dolle make a variety of space saving staircases.  All their models are available with a hook and bar set for easy removal of the staircase when necessary.  Generally, if a space saving staircase is the solution you need for regular access to an elevated space (such as a loft or mezzanine floor) then it should not need to be removed (at least very often).  However, if the space saving staircase does block access to another room for large items, then it can be helpful to have a mechanism by which it can be removed.

Another reason a space saving staircase might need to be removed regularly is if it’s used in place of a loft ladder for those with poor mobility, or for children to access an occasional playroom.

Review: The Graz Modular Spacesaver Staircase

The Graz Modular Spacesaver Staircase is a great alternative to a loft ladder especially where access to the roof space is required on a regular basis.  This model is designed to fit into almost any space, as the whole construction comes in units of treads and risers, meaning that corners can be achieved as well as varying heights.  Because the ballustrading can be fitted to either side of the staircase, it can be purchased with confidence that this staircase will fit anywhere you need it to.  Graz also make a spiral model that is designed specifically for small spaces.

As you can see, there are a lot of different types of loft ladder and alternatives to what you might commonly think of as a loft ladder.  There are benefits and disadvantages to all of them, entirely dependent on the way they are going to be used, and who is using them.  If you are looking for a loft ladder but aren’t sure which type is right for you, then ask your friends and colleagues about their loft ladders, perhaps you could arrange a test climb and decide from experience which is the right style of loft ladder for you.