While it's true that loft ladders are a very useful asset in a home, not every home has one! In fact, there are hundreds of homes up and down the country with huge attic space and no way of accessing it. If you've been considering adding a loft ladder to your home, there are a few factors you should take into consideration. Today we're going to walk you through the things you should look for in a loft ladder in the hope that we can help you choose the perfect loft ladder for your home. So, what should you look for in a loft ladder?

Durability

When you make improvements to your home, you want to make sure you're investing in items that will stand the test of time. No one wants to purchase a loft ladder now and find that it needs replacing in as little as 2 - 5 years! All of the loft ladders we offer here at Ladders UK Direct are built to last, but some are designed to be used more frequently and to last longer than others.

The type of material that your loft ladder is made of will play a big part in its durability. There are a few different loft ladder materials to choose from, but the most common are aluminium and wood. But which is most durable?

Wooden loft ladders are great if you're planning to use your loft frequently. They're incredibly durable and can hold heavy loads. They also boast a natural aesthetic that's really appealing in modern homes. 

Aluminium loft ladders are also a durable option, but they're not as heavy-duty as their wooden counterparts. They're better for less-frequent use and they're incredibly lightweight.

See all the differences between wood and aluminium loft ladders here!

Ease-of-use

Choosing a loft ladder that works for you is easy if you have a good idea of what (and how often) you'll be using it. Here at Ladders UK Direct, we offer a wide range of sliding, concertina and fixed loft ladders - all of which are very easy to use!

Our fixed loft ladders and loft staircases are ideal if you're planning a loft conversion. They provide a permenant access solution that will make it easy for you to get up and down into your new-found space as often as you'd like to. They're also incredibly stylish, meaning they'll be a talking point when you have guests over - or when you put your house on the market. 

Shop Loft Stairs >     Shop Spiral Stairs >

Our sliding loft ladders are ideal if you only want to access your loft a few times a year. Many of our extending loft ladders are spring assisted, meaning they can be extended and put away with ease whenever you need them! You will find a wide range of wooden and aluminium loft ladders in our sliding range/

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Max-load

Finally, one of the key things you should look for in a loft ladder is the max-load. People tend to overlook this very important detail when choosing a loft ladder, but the max load will determine how much weight you can carry when you're going up into the attic - so it's important you pick one that suits your requirements. 

If you're planning on carrying large pieces of furniture, christmas decorations or other personal items into the loft, then it's important you factor this extra weight in when you're browsing loft ladders. Some of our lightweight aluminium loft ladders can carry up to 100kg, while our sturdier, wooden loft ladders can carry up to 150kg and more! 

Other things to look for in a loft ladder include:

• The size, shape and length of the loft ladder
• Whether or not it comes complete with a hatch kit or not
• The comfort of the rungs
• The accessories (including handrails) 
• The style and colour

Here at Ladders UK Direct, we offer a huge range of loft ladders to suit your home! You can browse our full range of loft ladders below.

Browse All Loft Ladders >

 Read More:

- How to Choose a Loft Ladder

- What is the Best Loft Ladder?

If you live in a small home like a bungalow, you might be keen to utilise your loft space for additional storage - or even as an extra room. Without a bit of care and attention, our loft spaces can gather dust and be forgotten about, but with the right access solution and a bit of TLC, you can turn your loft into a functioning, usable space.

Today we're going to explore some of the best options if you're looking for a loft ladder for a small space. We'll show you some of the key things to bear in mind while choosing a loft ladder for a small space, and we'll show you a selection of the best loft ladders for small spaces that we have on offer! So, if you're ready to make the most of your loft - just keep reading.

How small is the space?

Before we can get started, it's important that you measure the space around your loft hatch so we can help you choose the perfect loft ladder for your small space. Here are some of the key measurements you should take before you start shopping:

• Floor-to-ceiling height
• Floor-to-floor height
• Loft hatch dimensions
• Hatch clearance (horizontal and vertical)

You can find useful graphics to help you gather all the measurements you need in our loft ladder measurements infographic!

Which loft ladders are best for small spaces?

If you're looking for a loft ladder that isn't going to take up too much space, we'd definitely recommend exploring our sliding or concertina loft ladders. These loft ladders are designed to be discreet, easy to manoeuvre, and completely collapsible, so they won't take up tons of space. Many of these ladders are stored on the reverse of the loft hatch, meaning, once they're stored away, they take up no space at all in your home! 

Other factors you might want to consider when choosing the best loft ladder for your small space are:

• The material the loft ladder is made from
• The accessories it comes with (eg. handrail)
• The amount of noise it will make (timber ladders tend to be quieter than aluminium)

Our loft ladders for small spaces

Here at Ladders UK Direct, we offer a wide range of loft ladders that are ideal for small spaces. Let's walk you through some of the best options...

Spacemaker Loft Ladder

As the name suggests, this loft ladder has been designed with space-saving in mind. It's lightweight & easy to install, has wide slip-resistant treads, and comes complete with all fittings. 

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Dolle Hobby (1200 x 700) Wooden Loft Ladder

If you're looking for an excellent, space-saving wooden loft ladder, this Dolle Hobby loft ladder is the way to go. The loft ladder itself fits completely on the hatch, so it takes up minimal space in your loft when stored away. This ladder also comes in other dimensions to fit your small space exactly. 

Shop Now >

So, there you have it. If you're in the market for a loft ladder for small spaces, we hope you've found this article useful. Be sure to shop our full range of loft ladders if you haven't found a solution that will work for your home here. 

Shop All Loft Ladders Now >

Loft ladders are popular ladder solutions for a number of reasons, particularly their ability to give access to a loft area without taking up large amounts of space.

When it comes to accessing a loft space, loft ladders are one of the easiest ladders to use, making loft access quick and simple.

Due to their popularity, there are a wide number of different loft ladders available on the market. One of the key defining features between the different types of loft ladder is material, with two of the most popular materials being wood and aluminium.

Both wood and aluminium loft ladders have their own strengths and weaknesses. Both are great loft ladder materials, but if you’re struggling to pick from the two you might be looking for a candid comparison between the two. If that’s what you’re looking for, you’re in the right place!

Whilst they’re both good options, they each have different strengths. Read on to find out which loft ladders’ strengths are more closely aligned with your needs.

Loft Ladder Measurements

If you’re planning to install a loft ladder, there are some vital calculations you’ll need to do first. Whether you’re shopping for a wooden loft ladder or a concertina ladder, you need to know if it’ll fit your home before you make a purchase.

To help you get it right, we’ve put together this loft ladder measurements guide. Do make sure that your measurements are as accurate as possible – accurate measurements will prevent complications with your loft ladder installation later on.

DID YOU KNOW? You can use the filters on our website to find a loft ladder that meets your exact requirements! Visit laddersukdirect.co.uk/shop/loft-ladders to browse our range.

Floor to Floor Height

One of the most important measurements you need to take before purchasing a loft ladder is the floor-to-floor height. Get this measurement wrong, and your loft ladder might be too long or too short!

The floor-to-floor height is exactly what it says on the tin: the distance between the floor of your loft and the floor below it (where the loft ladder will sit when fully extended). You will need to know this measurement in order to purchase sliding, concertina or telescopic loft ladders.

Floor to Ceiling Height

Floor-to-ceiling height is important because you want to make sure your new loft ladder folds away neatly and the hatch is flush to the ceiling.

To take this measurement, you need to measure the space between the floor and the ceiling of the room under your loft. This measurement is needed if you’re purchasing a folding loft ladder or a ladder that’s integrated with a loft hatch.

Hatch Clearance

When you install a folding loft ladder, you need to make sure there’s enough space for the ladder hatch to move freely. So it’s important to measure the arc between the hatch and the wall.

To take this measurement, you should measure the distance between the back of your loft hatch and the nearest obstruction in the room below.

Loft Hatch Opening

If you don’t have a loft hatch in place already, then you’ll need to take loft hatch opening measurements. These define the size of the hole you’ll need to cut to install your new loft ladder and hatch.

You may need to consider where the structural beams in the ceiling are – you definitely don’t want to cut through those! Also take into account wires, pipes and other obstructions before you start cutting.

Did we mention we sell complete loft ladder and hatch kits here at Ladders UK Direct? Don’t forget to check them out!

Horizontal & Vertical Clearance

When you’re folding your loft ladder away, it will take up some space in the attic. Ideally, you want your ladder to fit neatly into the attic without bumping into your belongings or other obstacles. If you get the horizontal and vertical clearance of your loft ladder wrong, you might have a hard time putting it away.

This measurement is usually determined by the height of your attic. To find out if your chosen loft ladder will fold away into the attic, you should check its maximum clearance in the product specification. If you can’t find it, get in touch with your loft ladder supplier.

Popular Types of Loft Ladder

Having trouble choosing the right type of loft ladder for your home? Let’s take a look at the two most popular styles…

Sliding

Sliding loft ladders are the most common type of loft ladder on the market. The sections of the loft ladder slide together to create one compact unit inside the loft ladder hatch.

Concertina

Concertina loft ladders are ideal if you have very little attic space. Rather than sliding together in large sections, the whole ladder concertinas (folds in on itself) to become a very small unit. These loft ladders are often used for mezzanine floors.

Popular Loft Ladder Materials

When it comes to choosing the right material for your loft ladder, there are two options that dominate the market: wood and aluminium.

Aluminium Loft Ladders

If you’re in the market for an inexpensive, lightweight loft ladder, aluminium is the way to go. Aluminium loft ladders can be used by most people. We’d recommend aluminium loft ladders to homeowners who want to purchase one loft ladder to last a lifetime, but don’t plan to access the attic often. This is simply because aluminium loft ladders don’t offer the most comfortable climb.

Wooden Loft Ladders

Wooden loft ladders are a beautiful, natural alternative to aluminium loft ladders. They’re made to last, can be customised using wood paints and are especially comfortable to climb because of their smooth edges. We’d recommend wooden loft ladders if you’re planning a loft conversion and want to access your attic more regularly.

Now you know a bit more about the measurements you need and the options on offer, we hope you can choose the perfect loft ladder for your home.

We offer a wide range of loft ladders including wooden ladders, mezzanine ladders, concertina ladders and even loft ladder and hatch kits! Head over to our Loft Ladders page to shop.

Loft Ladders >

Email sales@laddersukdirect.co.uk for more help finding your perfect loft ladder.

If you want to access your attic more easily, installing a loft ladder is a great way to achieve this. A permanent loft ladder saves you the hassle of fetching and setting up a conventional ladder every time you want to go up there - and most loft ladders can be neatly folded away when you're done.

Before you purchase a loft ladder, though, we recommend taking a moment to familiarise yourself with the different types of loft ladder that are available. Here's a quick guide from Ladders UK Direct...