A simple job that makes a big difference
Many homes still have a small hatch with no ladder, meaning access is a case of balancing on a chair with a torch. Fitting a proper hatch and ladder is a relatively quick job that makes using the loft for storage, or simply checking the tank and insulation, far more manageable.
It is also a job worth considering when a home has just been bought, since it is far easier to picture the loft as useful storage once there is a safe, permanent way to get up into it.
Enlarging or trimming the hatch opening
Where the existing hatch is too small for a ladder or for carrying items through comfortably, we can enlarge the opening between the ceiling joists. This has to be done carefully to avoid cutting into a load-bearing joist, so we check the layout of the loft before marking out any new opening.
Sometimes the opposite applies and an opening simply needs trimming square and tidying up before a new hatch door and lining are fitted.
Folding ladders versus sliding ladders
There are a few common types of loft ladder, generally falling into folding and sliding designs. Folding ladders concertina down from the hatch and tend to suit most standard ceiling heights, while sliding ladders extend in sections and can suit spaces with less headroom for a folding mechanism.
We talk through which style suits your landing and ceiling height before recommending anything, rather than fitting whatever happens to be easiest.
Measuring height and landing space
Getting a loft ladder right depends on accurate measurements: the floor-to-ceiling height, the depth of the loft above the hatch, and how much space there is on the landing below for the ladder to open out into. A ladder that is too long or opens into a doorway is a nuisance every time it is used, so we take these measurements on site rather than guessing.
- Floor-to-ceiling height
- Space needed on the landing below
- Depth and headroom inside the loft
Insulated hatch doors
A lot of heat can escape through an old, thin hatch door. We can fit an insulated hatch as part of the job, which helps reduce draughts and heat loss from the landing below, particularly in homes where the loft itself is already well insulated.
Handrails and non-slip treads
Some loft ladders can be fitted with a simple handrail or grab point near the top, which makes stepping off onto the landing a little steadier, something worth considering if anyone in the household is less confident on a ladder.
Non-slip treads on the ladder rungs are another small addition that helps, particularly in a loft that gets used fairly often rather than just once or twice a year for the Christmas decorations.
Choosing where the hatch sits
Where there is some flexibility in the ceiling layout, positioning the hatch away from a bedroom doorway or a tight landing corner makes the ladder easier to use day to day. This is worth discussing before any cutting starts, since moving a hatch even a short distance can make a real difference to how comfortably the ladder opens out below.
Lighting for the loft
Once a hatch and ladder are fitted, a loft light makes the space genuinely useful rather than something you need a torch for. We can arrange for a light to be fitted as part of the same job through our electrical service, with a switch positioned conveniently near the hatch.
For a quote or to check whether your landing has enough space for a ladder, call Micky on 07735 852901.
Keeping the finish tidy
Once the hatch and ladder are in, we trim and fill around the new lining so the edges look neat against the ceiling, ready for a lick of paint through our painting and decorating service if needed. We clean up thoroughly afterwards, since cutting into the ceiling can create some dust and debris on the landing.