Extending/Unfolding Loft Ladder For Storing Items

[Lone]

I’d like to use my attic more, but not keen on detached ladders as not really secure, wanting more in the way of a pull-out unfolding loft ladder that is permanently attached inside the attic.

Storage area is good up there, but wouldn’t like to have a mishap retrieving supplies, equipment, etc., using inadequate (normal) ladders or stepladders.

Anyone ever fitted such a loft ladder, to make entry into the attic more practical and convenient, and what make did you use for the task ?

[jennyjj01]

Free standing steps to the loft are an accident waiting to happen. Proper ones aren't hard to fit if the opening is in the right place. Biggest issue is that the opening door has to be modified to hinge down rather than probably push up. About £50 buys the ladder.
https://www.diy.com/departments/2-secti ... 791_BQ.prd
Check out local small ads for someone to take the hassle out of fitting it. Probably worth the cost to get it done right by someone who's done it before.
Don't overload the ceiling joists, even with the weight of flooring. I got some shelves fitted into the W shaped roof supports, which seem more than capable of taking a load.
Just get a man in

Oh. And temperature in an attic swings from icy to boiling and can get damp too. Not good for food.

[jansman]

I will second what jenny says.My daughter is having a loft ladder fitted next week,and boards put down.The chaps doing it will be putting bearers on the joists too,so as not to compress the insulation,or it loses it's effectiveness.

[Yorkshire Andy]

You'll probably need to chop out a joist to make the original hole big enough so you'll need to assess what load is on the joists and reinforce the joist either side and add stringers to cross brace the cut out joist and give you something to fit the ladder to after ensuring there's enough room to shove the ladder up and any cables are out the way

Then fit a "door frame" the width of the joists all round and add hinges a sheet of ply / MDF and fit catch

Next screw ladder to cross brace

[jennyjj01]

You'll probably need to chop out a joist to make the original hole big enough...

Oh Wow. "Chop out a joist!". Nooooo. Get a man in!

Checking into this, rather a bit too late, it transpires that my loft storage breaks just about every building reg under the sun.
Insulation nothing like: Ventilation non-existent: Flooring too thin and totally wrongly fitted: LOAD WEIGHT 10 x What it should be
My shelf in the trusses was the only thing anywhere near right, but I'm massively overloading it.

I'm going to have to seriously work on sorting it out. Not expecting anything to collapse, but if the bedroom ceilings start to sag ( they possibly already are) then it will be a stupidly big bill one day.

Anyhow....
Here's a expert fitting a loft ladder https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeWctZkSGos Made me cringe how he let his plaster dust go everywhere.
Here's a dead simple product for DIY shelving into roof trusses. https://www.toolstation.com/loft-ledge/p46498

[Arwen Thebard]

You'll probably need to chop out a joist to make the original hole big enough so you'll need to assess what load is on the joists and reinforce the joist either side and add stringers to cross brace the cut out joist and give you something to fit the ladder to after ensuring there's enough room to shove the ladder up and any cables are out the way

Then fit a "door frame" the width of the joists all round and add hinges a sheet of ply / MDF and fit catch

Next screw ladder to cross brace

"Get A man In!"
Anyone remember the faulty towers episode where O'Reilly blocks up the dinning room door.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mmPhN-pAKo

[Yorkshire Andy]

In ours I'm using a set of telescopic ladders can get 2 rungs into the loft so it won't tip far if it moves

[jennyjj01]

"Get A man In!"
Anyone remember the faulty towers episode where O'Reilly blocks up the dinning room door.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mmPhN-pAKo

LMAO.
"You orelly men?".
"No. I'll call them. You go see if the roof's still on"

[Lone]

Thanks for the info.

I did actually acquire loft ladders a few years back, thinking I could fit them myself.

Changed my mind when seeing what was involved...over time gradually cannibalising the parts for other things - long handle for my hut door, strengtheners for short patio posts, even used a folding clip as a holder for my hat/jacket in the greenhouse, the actual ladders themself ideal to reach further along my hut roof to repair the felt.

Not exactly its original purpose, but at least not gathering dust being wasted

[Deeps]

I got mine from Aldi a while back, can't remember how much. Luckily enough a mate had not long fitted his so wanted to have another go so did mine for me. He was a lot quicker than I would have been.