Loft ladder installation

abtmay

All

I was thinking of installing a loft ladder and a couple of queries I hope ppl in MSE can help:
- which is better, aluminium or wood?
- how much does it costs to install either?
- any difference if I get a 2 section or 3 section ladder?

I saw a website where they charge £279 to install three-section Youngman aluminium loft ladder with a 10 year warranty, trap door, a four foot fluorescent tube and seperate loft switch. Is that any good?

Thanks

ormus

loft ladders are about 30 - 50 quid and very easy to fit yourself.
assuming no alterations are required to the hatch size.

so youre paying a quite lot for a simple light fitting.

abtmay

ormus wrote: »

loft ladders are about 30 - 50 quid and very easy to fit yourself.
assuming no alterations are required to the hatch size.

so youre paying a quite lot for a simple light fitting.

The thing is Idon't have a trap door, just a piece of wood to cover the loft opening (if I see what I mean). I understand that I need a carpenter to fit a loft hatch (trap door). I thought it might be easier (or cheaper) to do everything in one go.

Has anyone have any experience with the following companies;
- the loft shop
- accessyourattic.co.uk
- laddersandaccess.co.uk
- misterloftladder.co.uk
- loftladdersdirect.co.uk
- useyourloft.co.uk

Thanks in advance

stef73

If you already have a loft hatch why not fit it your self ? . I bought one from Range (sure most DIY shops sell them ) it was about £50 aluminium and took about 1 hour to install . Its fine for just going into the loft every now and again . For a light i use an inspection lamp (ebay about £5)

abtmay

stef73 wrote: »

If you already have a loft hatch why not fit it your self ? . I bought one from Range (sure most DIY shops sell them ) it was about £50 aluminium and took about 1 hour to install . Its fine for just going into the loft every now and again . For a light i use an inspection lamp (ebay about £5)

What is the difference between a hatch and a trap door? All I have is a piece of wood that is not connected to the loft (not by hinges or anything as such).

ormus

nothing really. sometimes you can use the same piece of wood. just put two hinges on it.
if required, a new bit of plywood/MDF is very cheap.

abtmay

ormus wrote: »

nothing really. sometimes you can use the same piece of wood. just put two hinges on it.
if required, a new bit of plywood/MDF is very cheap.

I was thinking of doing that, however, the piece of wood opens into the loft, rather than open into the stairwell

crank_girl

abtmay wrote: »

All

I was thinking of installing a loft ladder and a couple of queries I hope ppl in MSE can help:
- which is better, aluminium or wood?
- how much does it costs to install either?
- any difference if I get a 2 section or 3 section ladder?

I saw a website where they charge £279 to install three-section Youngman aluminium loft ladder with a 10 year warranty, trap door, a four foot fluorescent tube and seperate loft switch. Is that any good?

Thanks

I bought a wooden youngman eco s ladder on Ebay for £100ish. Great for the money - good quality and nicer than the aluminium ladders. Then I installed it myself guided by a collins manual. Cost about £150 in total and took about 4 days on and off as I had to resite the access hole (cutting through joists was a bit scary!). The biggest problem I encountered was lifting it in to place (being female, 5' 5" and 8.5 stones!) but I persevered.





I've added on the ladder and plastered around the edges since and am feeling remarkably proud of myself.

ormus

abtmay wrote: »

I was thinking of doing that, however, the piece of wood opens into the loft, rather than open into the stairwell

simply remove the frame stops.
(you can place them on the other/upper side of the trap door if required).

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/WOODWORKING_MAKING_A_LOFT_HATCH.htm

kevsan

my loft hatch does that - i just lift the hatch into the loft behind me and then pull the ladder down, which is attached to two hinges, must have taken 30 minutes to fit.

abtmay

kevsan wrote: »

my loft hatch does that - i just lift the hatch into the loft behind me and then pull the ladder down, which is attached to two hinges, must have taken 30 minutes to fit.

I would need a ladder to access the loft hatch (can't reach)