Loft Ladder.

Dale.

Dale.

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Dale.
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Need one badly, best place to go please? Online or shop, doesn't matter.

I'm reasonably handy with the tools but is instalation best eft to the pros?

Any other tips?

ta much. (y)
 
Depends on your loft really. They are easy to fit, hinges and a catch for the loft hatch. Make sure the ladder you use has the roof clearance to push the ladder into the loft
 
Had ours done by a local firm that did loft hatch installations. They used the Fakro brand. IMO it's not difficult to do - Fakro even do a video of how to install.

Our old loft hatch opened into the loft. The guys cut out a larger space for the hatch and installed it. The new one opens outwards and the ladder unfolds. If you want to keep your existing hatch, you can install just a ladder but make sure there's enough space for the ladder when stored away and when bringing down.
 
I got an Abru ladder.
Folds into 3 sections and the opening is pretty big.
Like this
Other than it making a loud noise when opening the ladder it is easy to operate and secure.
 
Thanks.

I'm sure our loft has enough cearance loft side, I can stand up in the middle and I'm nudging 6ft tall. The only potential problem I can see is that our hatch sits side to side in the hallway and is rectangular, with the longest side being side to side, so might mean the ladder would have to be fitted that way. If I install the ladder along the length of the hallway so to speak, it will then have to clear the shortest side of the rectangle. Our loft is floored though, so I could attach the fittings through the flooring and into at least one of the studs.

I'd like one that the hatch is part of the whole, negating the need to have a step ladder to open the hatch. The Homebase one looks good.
 
The loft hatch will have a framework around it so thats usually all thats needed to fit the ladder to. I have similar to the homebase one, except it's two part.
 
if you are up and down the loft regularly, fix a wooden fold down one, these are much better than the aluminium slide out type,
and feel much safer, I installed mine about 5years ago now, best idea ever, wife go's up attic regular (used for storage) not cannabis :)
easy to install , they come installed in frame, just cut out hole size ,then screw into place, you dont say if you have a trussed roof or joists ?
 
mark richards said:
if you are up and down the loft regularly, fix a wooden fold down one, these are much better than the aluminium slide out type,
and feel much safer, I installed mine about 5years ago now, best idea ever, wife go's up attic regular (used for storage) not cannabis :)
easy to install , they come installed in frame, just cut out hole size ,then screw into place, you dont say if you have a trussed roof or joists ?
Click to expand...

We have what I would call 'A frame joists'. It's a relatively new build, as houses go, 2004 and is a bungalow.

Does your Optistep come with the hatch?

thanks.
 
Dale. said:
Thanks.

I'm sure our loft has enough cearance loft side, I can stand up in the middle and I'm nudging 6ft tall. The only potential problem I can see is that our hatch sits side to side in the hallway and is rectangular, with the longest side being side to side, so might mean the ladder would have to be fitted that way. If I install the ladder along the length of the hallway so to speak, it will then have to clear the shortest side of the rectangle. Our loft is floored though, so I could attach the fittings through the flooring and into at least one of the studs.

I'd like one that the hatch is part of the whole, negating the need to have a step ladder to open the hatch. The Homebase one looks good.
Click to expand...
I have a feeling that what you're describing is what we had. In which case, the length of the hatch became the width of the new hatch, and the width was extended further into the hallway. Meant the ladder folds out into the hallway.

http://www.fakro.co.uk/products/all-products/loft-ladders/wooden-folding-section-loft-ladder/

We went for the Komfort one since the grab handle was useful. It's not impeded taking stuff up/down into the loft (so far!). Looks very much like the Optistep one.
 
omens said:
the length of the hatch became the width of the new hatch, and the width was extended
Click to expand...

hmmm, that's got me thinking :thinking:, I would have to cut into a joist to make that work.
 
I fitted a Telesteps telescopic loft ladder a few years back, it's strong and simple to use. At the time I had a lift out loft hatch so needed to convert that to hinged and that was probably the hardest part (not really that hard for me). The ladder itself just screws to the side of a rafter. You need to make sure there's enough space for the body of the ladder to lie in the loft when it's stowed away.
 
Depending on how often its used & by whom, look at one with a handrail for safety & also check out it's maximum weight rating. (heaviest person using it + carrying a heavy box + a bit of leeway?)
 
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https://www.loftshop.co.uk/


Been a good few years since I used this company but pretty muvh found them invaluable..

Useful for advice on legal issues when I did a full loft conversion, but, as said, been a long tome since I used ghem.

Steve
 
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Don't buy one until you've looked at a Telesteps ladder. We have one and it's absolutely brilliant. I'll take some photos of it in action when I get a chance.
 
Behold the Telesteps loft ladder in action.

upload_2018-1-2_12-23-25.png

It's made of aluminium and is very strong, but as you can see it folds up so it requires very little space in the loft. The little red buttons on the underside of each step are locking catches, so that as you push it upwards from the bottom each step automatically retracts into the next one. I got mine from The Loft Shop.
 
ooooh, like that!

Might get away with one of those with my current hatch set up. How wide is your loft hatch please Stewart?
 
Dale. said:
Might get away with one of those with my current hatch set up. How wide is your loft hatch please Stewart?
Click to expand...
I don't know off-hand. I'll measure it for you when I get home. The link I posted to The Loft Shop suggests you need 520mm minimum, but I'll check in situ.
 
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I've measured it. My hatch is 525mm wide and the ladder is indeed 520mm. It's quite a close fit but it's fine, the ladder doesn't touch either side as it comes down.
 
Cheers Stewart. Our hatch is 520x620mm.

We are car shopping today as Wifey has a day off so ladders will be next week.
 
Byker28i said:
It's never ending excitement in your life :D
What car are you after and in the spirit of this thread, have you measured the garage to make sure it fits :D
Click to expand...

Chortle. :LOL:

I'd have to build one around the new car, apaprently, SWMBO says "it has to be bigger". Now there's a title for a thread. :exit:
 
A recent car breakdown which left my wife and 6 year old daughter stranded on a dark and busy road has prompted the new car search as I've lost all faith in the current one now. (n)
 
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