How Do Loft Ladders Work?
When it comes to loft ladders, regardless of the style, they work similarly to any other ladder, the main difference being that instead of manually extending upwards, they drop down to extend simply using gravity. When not in use they easily tuck away for use later, giving you convenient access to your loft while also saving space. In this article, we will go through the different styles of loft ladders and how to use them.
Using Sliding Loft Ladders:
Sliding loft ladders are typically made up of two sections, with the top section fixed to the loft’s hatch leaving the bottom section to slide up and down as you need it. Sliding loft ladders often have a secure twist catch in the hatch that must be opened with a key pole which can also be used to pull the bottom section down into position and can be closed by sliding the bottom section back up and fastening the hatch shut with the key pole. During storage the bottom section lies flat on the loft floor so you will need some clearance room in your loft to accommodate this. Sliding loft ladders are a great choice that has become popular thanks to their easy to install design and their sturdy construction. Some sliding loft ladders also have spring assistance to allow easier opening and closing of the loft ladder. One of our best selling sliding loft ladders include the Werner Blue Seal Spring Assisted Loft Ladder due to the ease of use.
Using Folding Loft Ladders:
As the name may suggest, folding loft ladders come in multiple sections (usually 3 or 4) which fold in on themselves. You will also require a key pole to unlock a folding loft ladder which comes with the product. Folding loft ladders usually come as complete kits with a hatch included to when the hatch is opened with the key you can unfold the ladder in its sections. Folding loft ladders are a good option for users who have a large opening size and want a ladder a little more sturdy. A folding loft ladder does sit on the hatch when not in use, however due to the folding design takes up a little less room in the loft than a sliding loft ladder.
Using Concertina Loft Ladders:
Concertina Loft Ladders are perfect for a loft with minimal space or clearance. This style of loft ladder is designed to expand and retract so that it stacks on top of itself in a compact way that can save you plenty of space. In the same way as the other styles, concertina ladders use a key pole to open the hatch to gently release the concertina ladder. Then to put it back away you can simply push the bottom of the ladder back up as each section collapses before fastening the hatch shut with the key pole. The concertina loft ladder is similar to the telescopic ladder in operation however some users prefer the concertina due to the added style of the product.
Using Telescopic Loft Ladders:
Telescopic Loft Ladders are also a great choice for saving space as they require minimal storage and clearance. They open up step-by-step due to the telescopic segments that can be locked into place when extended, making it a safe and easy process. When closing, these ladders simply collapse back down for easy storage and optimization of your space. Telescopic ladders are also designed for quick and easy at-home installation that are so simply that most people will be able to install them on their own. Our telescoping loft ladders also have safety features to ensure fingers aren’t trapped. Telescopic ladders are a perfect choice for small openings too as they come as a stand alone product and can be fitted with an existing hatch.
Using Electric Loft Ladders:
There are typically two categories when it comes to Electric Loft Ladders, metal concertina ladders and wooder folding/sliding ladders which, while similar to those already mentioned are actually more advanced thanks to the electrical mechanisms and operation. This style of loft ladder can be opened simply at the push of a button, causing it to unfold itself offering the easiest operation of any of these styles which makes them perfect for people who may struggle to manually open a loft themselves. This is also the case for closing electric loft ladders, with most manufacturers offering remote controls for the ladder, but others even offer an app that can operate the ladder via Bluetooth. All with back up controls in case of an electrical outage. Our electric loft ladders come in two varieties, fully automatic such as the Skylark electric loft ladder and the Stira semi-automatic.
How these two loft ladders work is that the Skylark being fully electric uses secured mechanisms to bring down the ladder from the hatch completely. The semi-automatic version from Stira opens the hatch and drops the ladder a little for you to pull down the rest.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, there are a number of types of loft ladders that each work in their own way, tailored to different needs. Now that you know the different types of loft ladders and how each one works you should be ready to pick out the perfect loft ladder for your needs. If you need any help or advice don’t hesitate to contact our expert team on 01204 590 232 or for further reading browse our buyers guides: Measuring up for your loft ladders & the loft ladder buyers guide.