Loft ladders are intended to provide access to a loft or second story, an area immediately under the roof of a structure. Loft ladders come in a variety of styles from handcrafted custom designs made by woodworkers to mesh types designed for very specific decorating schemes. Prefabricated generic wooden loft ladders are also available at home improvement centers.
3 section loft ladders are often the preferred choice over stairs for loft access simply because they require much less room; some can even be hidden away. The aluminum loft ladders may be designed with a slope so they’re easy to climb or they may stand vertically.
Some telescopic loft ladders are permanently installed, being held by bolts to the side of the loft or the wall beneath the loft. Loft ladders also come in movable styles, such as those used in libraries and freestanding loft ladders, which are designed to lean against the edge of the loft when access is required. All designs can include handrails for safety and rubber feet, which provide traction to prevent the ladder from slipping or causing damage to the floor.
Loft ladders are also available in several folding designs. Some fold up like attic stairs and disappear into the ceiling. Others may work like a telescope reducing in size when they’re not in use. Accordion-style bed loft ladders are also available; these can be pulled down from the edge of the loft or a ceiling hatch. Each of these loft access ladders has either two or three sections that slide down to complete the entire ladder; they are commonly known as sliding loft ladders.
Following are the basic types of loft ladders:
- Aluminum ─ Aluminum ladders are probably the most popular, perhaps because they can be purchased more cheaply than the other types. Their price range is wide depending upon how well they’re manufactured. Only the heavy duty ladders are intended for regular use. All aluminum ladders are available in both two and three section designs.
- Timber ─ Timber loft ladders are more expensive than aluminum but are more attractive and make a better choice if the ladder will reside in a prominent place. Some timber ladders are actually made like a fine piece of furniture to complement room design. They come in a variety of wood finishes for every décor. Timber loft ladders are designed for heavy duty use and can also be purchased in both two and three section designs.
- Concertina ─ This ladder is so called because it operates in much the same way as a concertina. When it’s pulled down from the loft the ladder expands until it reaches the floor. When it’s fully down, it provides a set of steps for access to the loft. When this accordion-like ladder is no longer needed it’s pushed back up into the loft and hidden away.
A safety loft ladder is another type of loft ladder, which provides a safe, rapid method of escape from a loft. Many building codes require two modes of entry and exit. A window will serve as one while the loft ladder provides the second.
While you can certainly install permanent DIY loft ladders yourself, this is one job that is preferable to call a professional to do. Installation may involve sawing through beams and could involve dealing with a load-bearing beam. If you’re determined to try it yourself, however you must have a good idea of the following measurements:
- The size of the hole you may make in the loft to accommodate the folding loft ladder
- The horizontal and vertical clearance required to house the ladder
- The distance from the loft to the floor (the distance the ladder must traverse)
Before you purchase one of the loft ladder kits from your corner home improvement store, however be certain it comes with a complete set of do-it-yourself instructions.
