Aluminium folding loft ladders
Light, strong folding ladders that suit most standard hatches and fold neatly onto the back of the hatch door.
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Loft Ladders and Insulated Hatches
Our loft ladder installation service gives you a safe way up, a hatch that keeps the heat in, and a ladder that folds out of sight when you are finished.
BS EN 14975the standard that loft ladders are made and tested toSource: British Standards Institution
Loft & Insulation
Loft Ladders & Hatches with EcoBuild Contractors
Balancing on a step ladder with a box in one hand is the usual way into a loft, and a common way to fall out of one. A proper loft ladder installation replaces that with a ladder fixed to the hatch frame, lowered with a pole and stored inside the loft when it is not needed. It is a small job, but it makes the rest of the roof space practical to use every week rather than once a year.
We fit aluminium folding ladders, timber folding ladders and telescopic ladders, choosing the type around your ceiling height, hatch size and the space above and below. Every ladder comes with a hatch that seals properly. An old loose hatch board is often a noticeable source of draughts upstairs, and it lets warm, moist air from the house rise straight into the cold roof.
Not every hatch is in the right place or the right size. Many are too small for a ladder and a person carrying a box, or open above the top of the stairs. We can enlarge an existing opening, frame it properly or move it to a better spot, then make good the plaster so the landing ceiling looks finished rather than patched.
What we do
Loft ladder and hatch work we carry out
Timber folding loft ladders
Two or three section wooden ladders with wide treads and a handrail, supplied with their own hatch door and frame.
Telescopic loft ladders
Ladders that slide down section by section and retract into a compact stack, ideal for small openings with little room to stow.
Loft hatch replacement
Old loose boards swapped for a properly framed hatch door that closes flush with the ceiling.
Insulated, draught-sealed hatches
Hatches with an insulated core and a compression seal all the way round the frame.
Loft hatch enlargement
Openings widened or lengthened to take a ladder and make it easier to pass boxes up and down.
Loft hatch relocation
A new opening formed where the old one is badly placed, with the old hole closed, boarded and plastered.
Bespoke loft access
Grab rails, guard rails around the opening and a light near the hatch wired by a qualified electrician, planned to suit your loft.
Why it is worth it
Benefits of loft ladders & hatches
Steadier access
A fixed ladder with proper treads and a handrail is far more stable than a step ladder standing on the landing carpet.
Fewer draughts upstairs
A sealed, insulated hatch closes the gap that lets warm air leak out of the landing and bedrooms.
A drier roof space
Moist air from bathrooms rising through a loose hatch is a common cause of loft condensation, and a good seal cuts it off.
The loft gets used
With easy access and a boarded floor, a loft that sat empty becomes everyday storage.
Which loft ladder is right for my home?
Three things decide it: the size of the hatch, the height from the landing floor to the ceiling, and the space in the loft for the ladder to stow. Folding ladders in aluminium or timber need a reasonably sized opening and lie on the back of the hatch door when closed; timber feels more solid underfoot, aluminium is lighter to pull down. Telescopic ladders retract into a short stack just above the opening, so they suit the smallest hatches and the tightest spaces.
Choose a ladder made to BS EN 14975, the standard for loft ladders, with a load rating that suits the people using it. If you plan to turn the loft into a bedroom or office, a loft ladder is usually not enough: Building Regulations guidance in Approved Document K normally expects a fixed staircase to a habitable loft room.
Can a loft hatch be moved or made bigger?
In homes with a traditional cut roof, the ceiling joists can usually be trimmed to widen an opening, with new timbers added to carry the load around it. Trussed rafter roofs, found in most modern houses, are different: a truss must never be cut without an engineer's design, so we work within the gap between trusses or move the hatch to a bay that gives the size you need.
Moving a hatch also means checking what is above and below it: cables, pipes, the tank position and the shape of the landing. We plan the new opening so the ladder lands somewhere sensible, clear of the top stair and away from bedroom doors.
Our process
How the job runs
- Measure upWe measure the hatch, the floor-to-ceiling height, the headroom in the loft and the space on the landing for the ladder to come down.
- Prepare the openingThe hatch is enlarged, reframed or moved if needed, with the surrounding ceiling protected and the structure kept properly supported.
- Fit ladder and hatchThe frame is fixed into the opening, the ladder is set to the right length for your ceiling height and the seal is checked all round.
- Test and tidyWe run the ladder up and down, show you the pole and catches, make good any plaster and clear up.
FAQ
Loft Ladders & Hatches questions
How long does it take to fit a loft ladder?
Fitting a ladder into an existing hatch of the right size usually takes a few hours. Enlarging or moving the hatch adds time for the structural work and plastering.
How do I know what length of ladder I need?
The length is set by your floor-to-ceiling height, which we measure on the survey. Most ladders can be cut or adjusted to suit, within the range the manufacturer allows.
Will a new hatch stop the draught on my landing?
A hatch with an insulated core and a compression seal closes the gaps a loose board leaves, so the draught and the heat loss through it are greatly reduced.
Do you take away the old hatch?
Yes. The old hatch door and all offcuts go with us, and if the opening has moved, the old one is closed and plastered.
Is a loft ladder enough for a loft room?
For storage, yes. For a bedroom, office or any habitable room, Building Regulations normally require a fixed staircase, which is part of a loft conversion.
Free, no-obligation quote
Get a free quote for loft ladders & hatches
Tell us a little about your property and the work you need. Add a few photos if you can, it helps us give you an accurate price sooner.
Related services
Often booked with loft ladders & hatches
Loft Boarding
A raised storage floor on LoftZone StoreFloor or Loft Legs, fitted above full-depth insulation so the loft stays warm and becomes properly usable.
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Loft Insulation & Boarding
Old insulation removed, new mineral wool laid to around 270 to 300mm, then a raised storage floor, ladder and hatch fitted so the loft works properly.
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Loft Cleaning & Clearance
Clutter cleared, old or contaminated insulation removed, and droppings and dust cleaned away, leaving an empty loft ready for whatever comes next.
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