Having a loft within your home is a luxury that not every homeowner gets to experience. A lot of home builders don’t view the loft as an efficient use of space, so lofts have been stricken from building plans everywhere. Anti-loft builders and homeowners don’t realize that a loft space is actually a wonderful thing and serves as a versatile space.
If you are one of the lucky ones with a loft at home, the first thing you need to consider before transforming the space into your own personal haven is how to access it. A loft ladder is a necessity, but you shouldn’t just settle for any ladder. There are many varieties to choose from, ranging in style, materials, price, and functionality.
3 Main Types of Loft Ladders
There are many varieties to choose from, but the 3 main types of loft ladders are sliding, folding, and telescopic. Before you decide on the one for your loft, you need to establish your budget and think about how often you’ll be using the space (and what you’ll be using it for).
Sliding Loft Ladders
The easiest loft ladder to install and use is a sliding one. The top of the ladder is attached to joists inside the loft and the ladder can be broken down into 2-3 sections. If you’re on a budget, you can opt for a sliding ladder composed of aluminum, but keep in mind that this is a noisy option.
Aluminum sliding ladders are only ideal if don’t plan on using the loft space every single day, but instead just plan on utilizing it for storage. For frequent use of the loft, choose a sliding ladder made from timber instead. This won’t just have a better overall function, but will also be much more pleasing aesthetically.
Folding Loft Ladders
Folding loft ladders are extremely easy to use and highly functional. The ladder is separated into 2 to 3 sections and it simply folds closed when the ladder doesn’t need to be used. You won’t even see the ladder when it is not in use since the folded sections will sit hidden away in the loft space.
Just like with a sliding ladder, the less expensive folding ladder will be constructed of aluminum; this should only be considered if you don’t plan on ascending the ladder multiple times a day. The higher quality folding ladders are made from timber, so choose this option if your budget allows for it.
Telescopic Loft Ladders
If you are extremely limited on space, the telescopic loft ladder is the way to go. The design in simplistic and it offers tons of space-saving characteristics. These are minimalistic to say the least, but the simplicity of the telescopic ladder makes it nice to look at. Since it is the most minimal option, you can’t beat the price of telescopic models.
There are several more varieties of loft ladders to choose from aside from these 3 types, including electric and concertina loft ladders. But you can’t go wrong with a sliding, folding, or telescopic loft ladder model.
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