It’s great to have a house with an attic, but far too many homeowners don’t really bother to make use of their attic spaces. Attics can offer additional storage space, as well as the possibility of conversion to an extra room. A spare bedroom, a secluded study, a cinema room…the possibilities are endless.
Being able to access your attic is the first step to using it, and if you don’t have a loft ladder, you could be inadvertently cutting yourself off from a really useful space in your home. If that isn’t reason enough to get yourself a loft ladder, here are several more.
Easy Access
The key thing a good loft ladder lets you do is access your loft or attic at your convenience. No more hefting a ladder all the way from the garage or utility room to get up there: a loft ladder is ready whenever you need to use the loft, especially if it is integrated into the hatch. You won’t have to carry a ladder through the house, potentially knocking things over or damaging the paintwork.
So, whether you have a mezzanine space, a loft room, or use your attic just for storing the Christmas tree and other miscellaneous bits ‘n’ pieces, having a ladder ready and waiting for you makes access so much more convenient.
Convenient Storage
Not only is a loft ladder a great way of getting into your loft or attic space, but if your ladder is integrated into the hatch, it will fold away to be hidden when the hatch is closed. This makes for an incredibly convenient storage solution because you won’t have to worry about sacrificing any house or garage space for a ladder or step ladder.
Safe Usage
An integrated loft ladder, especially one that is attached to the hatch, is automatically sturdier than one you have to fetch: if it’s integrated into the loft hatch, you can’t accidentally knock it over while getting in or out of the loft.
Both aluminium and wooden loft ladders are strong enough for frequent, long-term use, though wooden ladders are generally more durable than their aluminium counterparts. Wooden ladders also allow you to carry heavier loads up and down, but you should always consult the manufacturer’s guidelines to determine what the maximum load is.
If you have a mezzanine or use your attic for more than storage, a staircase kit would be even safer than a ladder. Not only are they generally angled more gently than ladders, but they come with railings for you to hold on to as you ascend and descend.
Aesthetics
Choosing a loft ladder isn’t just a practical concern – getting the right one can also tie a space together aesthetically.
In an office with a mezzanine floor, you could choose a more industrial-looking aluminium ladder or a spiral staircase. For a home with a newly-appointed loft conversion, a wooden loft ladder or staircase will add a touch of cosy elegance. Wooden ladders also come with an added bonus: you can paint, stain, or varnish them to suit your home’s aesthetic!
Loft Ladder Safety
Careless use of any kind of ladder can result in injury, and a loft ladder is no exception. Here are a few tips to keep you safe as houses on your loft ladder:
- Check the ladder is in good working order before you use it.
- Be familiar with the maximum load of the ladder and do not exceed it.
- Be aware of how heavy an object you can lift. You could easily injure yourself, so do not try and carry something that’s too heavy to handle!
- Ask for help carrying things up and down the loft ladder if you need it – many hands make light work, so it’s much better to team up than to struggle alone.
- Don’t allow children to use the loft ladder without supervision.
- Don’t drop from the loft hatch or slide down the ladder. This is a surefire route to injury or worse.