A ladder leading to an occasionally used and unrepresentative attic does not have to be an interior decoration. However, the loft ladder must be safe and comfortable to use, in order to ensure accessibility to items stored in the loft. What are the types of loft ladder and what should be considered when choosing it?
Folding or extending loft ladders do not interrupt the thermal insulation of a loft, thanks to their construction and a hatch, which seals an opening in a ceiling. Additional warming of the hatch, which is available in some models of the loft ladder, also contributes to limiting the occurrence of thermal bridges.
What should you pay attention to when choosing the loft ladder?
Loft ladders are available in various types, shapes and sizes. When choosing them, it is worth paying attention to the comfort of their use, the space they occupy after opening and folding, and the type of a hatch. The most important issue is to adjust the size of the loft ladder to the size of the ceiling opening, especially if the purchase is made after the construction of the ceiling. If we are at the stage of erecting the ceiling, we can adjust the opening to the size of the loft ladder. We should also take into account the height of the loft ladder, i.e. the height which is measured from the ceiling to the floor.
An important parameter is also the permissible load of the ladder, which can range between 250 and 500 kg. Before choosing a particular model of stairs, you should consider whether you will be carrying heavy objects into the attic and adjust the maximum load of the loft ladder accordingly.
Another issue that affects the use of the loft ladder is the type of a hatch that seals the opening in the ceiling. Hatches can be more or less an attractive part of interior design, but the most important thing is their level of thermal insulation. In order to limit heat loss through the opening in the ceiling, the best choice will be the loft ladder with increased thermal insulation, equipped with an insulated hatch and characterized by the lowest possible heat transfer coefficient. Hatches with increased fire resistance, used in fire resistant loft ladders, are also worth mentioning. They have a layer of linen insulation and a lining made of red MDF board, which has an increased resistance to fire. This type of product is offered, for example, by Fakro.
Wooden loft ladders
The loft ladder made of wood can be very easily adjusted to other elements of interior design. They can be painted in any color, varnished or in the raw state, which gives great opportunities for decoration. However, it should be remembered that raw wood should be impregnated in order to protect it from moisture. Wooden models are mostly made of beech, spruce or pine. Wooden loft ladders can also be slightly cheaper than other variants.
Metal loft ladders
The ladder to the attic made of steel or aluminum is a good choice for modern interiors. They blend well with raw loft arrangements. The metal loft ladder can be powder coated in many colors and do not require impregnation or maintenance after purchase. They are easy to clean, resistant to mechanical damage and usually withstand high loads.
Folding, extending and scissors loft ladders
Due to the construction and method of opening, we distinguish between folding, extending and scissors loft ladders. The first ones consist of three or four parts connected by hinges. They can be made of wood, aluminum or steel. The extending loft ladder consists of three or four parts connected with fittings, thanks to which the structure can be extended. Their advantage is the possibility to be used in very high rooms, even up to 300 cm. Extending loft ladders can also be made of wood, steel or aluminum, or a combination of several materials. Scissors loft ladders are metal structures with pivot folding. Although they are not as comfortable to use as the other types, the fact that they do not take up much space after being unfolded speaks in their favor.
Loft ladder does not interfere with the decoration of the attic, while being the best solution for a house with an attic at the same time. When choosing them, it is worth taking into account the arrangement of the interior, the height from floor to ceiling and the maximum permissible load. A well-chosen model will be comfortable to use and will serve for a long time.
