A Simple Ladder

anotheruser

I have a telescopic ladder, which I'm selling as it's hassle and doesn't feel very safe.

Our loft hatch is tiny, so there's no opportunity to have a proper loft ladder that comes down with the hatch.

However, I am looking for a simple ladder that I can lean up against the wall and climb it to get into the loft. I have been looking at loft ladders and thinking about getting a small lock to drill on to the side so the upper section would be at the optimum height for what I need.

So am I right in thinking if I bought a loft ladder that has two sections, they don't come with a locking mechanism as they're really supposed to slide down from the loft?

Unless I can get a cheap (£20) suitable and simple ladder that anyone else can suggest.

27cool

It is actually very easy to enlarge a ceiling hatch. I've done it myself.

Ectophile

It's normal for the telescopic loft ladders to have a simple locking mechanism, which locks into place when they are fully extended.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

if you have a Lidl near you they had a multi-functional ladder on Sunday, might still be able to get one, bit dearer than what you were looking for.

Dan-Dan

Don't buy one of these if you have a normal size landing, they aren't suitable

missile

Loft ladders come in various design. Mine has three sections with hinges and folds to fit within the loft hatch.

anotheruser

Hmm.

I thought I couldn't enlarge the hatch because of the wood surrounding it perhaps supporting the joists.

I might look at that then as it'll be a million times easier storing my crap up there. (Some has had to go elsewhere because it physically won't fit through the gap!)

Le_Kirk

If you look carefully at it, you will probably find that the "wood surrounding it" is just a frame made to house the hatch lid. Providing you don't cut through a joist you should be OK. When I did mine, I cut the plasterboard alongside the joist and added noggins between adjacent joists and then made a new frame to suit the hatch that came with the ladder. It is of course easier if your ladder goes parallel with the joists.

phil24_7

I recently fitted a new hatch in my mums house. I needed to cut through a ceiling joist to do this but it was easy enough to strengthen the remaining joists and provide adequate support for the new hatch and ladder.

I will be doing similar to mine in the summer though I shouldn't need to cut through any joist for this as it already has a reasonably large opening.

Please also be careful storing stuff up there. It is very unlikely that your loft is designed to carry any load other than the ceiling below it. To much stuff or heavy items could very well cause damage to joists, the ceiling or the roof structure and could even decide to join you in your bedroom!

Norman_Castle

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/how-to/woodworking/making-a-loft-hole

I would avoid cutting more than one joist. I fitted a loft hatch with wooden ladders in a different place to the original hatch. This fitted between the ceiling joists so was very easy to fit. Having proper ladders and decent access has made the loft very usable.

WARNING. The amount of crap you own will increase in direct proportion to the amount of space you have to store it.