loft ladder installation - wooden, aluminum ? which one ?

mustiuc

Hi all,

Need a bit of your help after some disappointments I had in the last 2 months. Contracted some guys to install a loft ladder; the original hatch is too small (60cmx40cm) so they had to cut joists, frame it, install, etc.
Had a booking with them, waited weeks, informed me that they got Covid, booked another date, on that date something else happened, etc. I asked my monies back.
Found another guy, took measures, had a look to see how many joists needs cut, the orientation of the ladder (which I am not very happy with) and recommended me an aluminum ladder instead of a wooden one (he has one and it's good - he says).
So having this experience so far with conflicting information or people messing around I decided to buy the ladder myself. I am asking you which one as I assume there are plenty of products on the market but not all are good/reliable and as you might know the loft ladder isn't changed every couple of years. So which one are better? aluminum or wooden?
I want at least to install the one I am buying and not the one chosen by the trader based on price to have bigger profit, as the installation price would be the same.

Thank you in advance.

mustiuc

edit.
"So which one are better? aluminum or wooden?" - any links would be perfect

Section62

mustiuc said:

So which one are better? aluminum or wooden?

Personally I'd go for aluminium - lighter, but also not affected by insect attack etc.

I wouldn't install any wood in a loft which hasn't been treated against woodworm and anything else which enjoys munching wood.  The hassle involved in checking whether or not a wooden ladder has been treated and/or treating it before/after installation isn't worth it... especially not when aluminium also has the benefit of lightness.

Whatever you do, make sure the ladder is designed with a safety mechanism which stops it falling uncontrolled out of the loft - being hit on the head by a ladder is not an enjoyable experience.

Ebe_Scrooge

I'll second aluminium.  If it's any help, I got one of these about 15 years when we moved into our house, still going strong will no issues: https://www.diy.com/departments/mac-allister-3-section-12-tread-tilt-turn-right-loft-ladder/1495364_BQ.prd

It was a doddle to fit, and has always worked well.  Obviously there are hundreds of ladders available from tons of different places - but you asked for a link so hopefully that may help somewhat :-)

prowla

I have a telescopic one which I bought at an Ideal Home show some years ago; it requires no space more than the hatch opening.

It seems wobbly going up and down, but it's fine.

TELLIT01

Aluminium extending ladders are lighter and tend to take up less of the opening space when in use.  Wooden ladders often have treads nearly as deep as on a stair case.  That's not a problem if the loft opening is very large, but can be an issue with smaller openings.  We had our loft hatch enlarged by one joist many years ago and it's now big enough to get the largest of suitcase up.

PollyWollyDoodle

I've just booked for a wooden loft ladder to be installed in a few weeks.  I had one in a previous house and for me (not very agile and now over 60) I found it was much easier to use than an aluminium one.  However it is more expensive, and they are larger than usual (they fit on top of the hatch) so the hatch area needs to be extended. 

If you're comfortable climbing ladders then the aluminium ones are perfectly adequate.

Brie

Aluminum are great for all the reasons already listed except for one thing.  They have a weight limit. 

We had one that was good for up to (as I recall) 100 kilo.  Fine for your average MSEr but not my OH & I unfortunately.  And certainly not if we were trying to hoist something heavy into the loft. 

Thankfully the dang thing never collapsed as the loft hatch was at the top of the stairs (as are so many) and I expect either of might not have easily survived bouncing all the way down the stairs.  Very happy that our current house has storage space into the eaves either side of the bedrooms instead of above.

Norman_Castle

Section62 said:

mustiuc said:

So which one are better? aluminum or wooden?

Personally I'd go for aluminium - lighter, but also not affected by insect attack etc.

I wouldn't install any wood in a loft which hasn't been treated against woodworm and anything else which enjoys munching wood.  The hassle involved in checking whether or not a wooden ladder has been treated and/or treating it before/after installation isn't worth it... especially not when aluminium also has the benefit of lightness.

Are ceiling joists or roof trusses routinely treated against insect attack?

Norman_Castle

I fitted one of these about 5 years ago and I'm still really pleased with it. https://www.laddersandscaffoldtowers.co.uk/acatalog/Wooden-Loft-Ladders.html

They appear more expensive than aluminium ladders but are complete with the hatch and surround which may save money on installation.

You say you're not happy with the suggested orientation. This is often dictated by the areas above and below the hatch so sometimes its impossible or difficult to fit certain ladders in specific locations.

Section62

Norman_Castle said:

Section62 said:

mustiuc said:

So which one are better? aluminum or wooden?

Personally I'd go for aluminium - lighter, but also not affected by insect attack etc.

I wouldn't install any wood in a loft which hasn't been treated against woodworm and anything else which enjoys munching wood.  The hassle involved in checking whether or not a wooden ladder has been treated and/or treating it before/after installation isn't worth it... especially not when aluminium also has the benefit of lightness.

Are ceiling joists or roof trusses routinely treated against insect attack?

Yes.

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