loft ladders. how easy to install

lizzylad84

Bought a new house az nd plan on buying a loft ladder ftom woodies (stira type) just wanted to know how easy it is to install in my attic?

Atlantic Dawn

Hardest work is getting a solid frame made around the opening to accommodate the ladder. I spotted this guide on Youtube before, has the basics...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDoI21EduUs

DublinDilbert

Not really for the novice diy'er.

They aren't hard to install as such, the problem is making the opening bigger to accomadate it.

You need to be careful where you place it and if cutting cord members of the trusses.

Get the metal internal type which will work with the existing opening. Last one I fitted came from adverts for €30. Also picked up an insulated attic door for the same money. So no requirement to make the opening bigger.

Woodies would be expensive to purchase the wooden type of attic stairs in, also these are large and uninsulated so will suck away heat in winter.

Sleeper12

A carpenter shouldn't break the bank on a job like this. If it were my house id pay the carpenter. He'll be much neater. We'll neater than me.

lizzylad84

Thanks for the advice folks. I'm going to get a carpenter to do it as I'd make a balls for it

dodzy

DublinDilbert wrote: »

Not really for the novice diy'er.

They aren't hard to install as such, the problem is making the opening bigger to accomadate it.

You need to be careful where you place it and if cutting cord members of the trusses.

Get the metal internal type which will work with the existing opening. Last one I fitted came from adverts for ?30. Also picked up an insulated attic door for the same money. So no requirement to make the opening bigger.

Woodies would be expensive to purchase the wooden type of attic stairs in, also these are large and uninsulated so will suck away heat in winter.

Youll find that woodies are competitive on these stairs. Get them for circa ?100 usually. Ideally, if fitting, you should try and fit in line with the trusses, rather than cross cutting. Better off with a 550mm unit and spacers. If this can be facilitated, then it's definitely within the scope of a DIYer as it's only plasterboard cutting, fit and bolt in stairs and fit/paint some architrave. Far better that the metal type as the access port size is doubled. Makes a huge difference when hauling suitcases up & down. Any I've done have insulating strips surrounding the door hatch.

antiskeptic

lizzylad84 wrote: »

Thanks for the advice folks. I'm going to get a carpenter to do it as I'd make a balls for it

There are a lot of folk advertising a supply and fit service. They seem to use the same type (a wooden fold down ladder) with insulated hatch - the same type you get in Woodies for 100 euro (good enough quality.

If it's an old house then beware of lath and plaster ceilings. Supply and fit guys won't touch it and it's truly not for the non-expert diyer

lizzylad84

It's a brand new house and existing hatch is considerably shorter than woodies ladder. There's a light fitting about 10mm from hatch too so I'd like to avoid re routing that if possible

the_pen_turner

make sure you get the heavy duty one. the light duty is rubbish and only designed for very rare usage

well worth the extra if you will use it ocasionally

antiskeptic

lizzylad84 wrote: »

It's a brand new house and existing hatch is considerably shorter than woodies ladder. There's a light fitting about 10mm from hatch too so I'd like to avoid re routing that if possible

It's easier to elongate a hole than widen it but if getting a stairs fitter in, neither ought be a big deal. Get the biggest ladder you can - it makes a huge difference carrying stuff up if the ope is a large one.

Moving a light fitting isn't a big deal either but you'd prob need a sparks or someone handy to do it, if not yourself.

Check too where the stairs is going to land - you don't want what one I know got: a ladder whose last section couldn't fold out because it was hitting the bed.

Lex Luthor

great investment....not worth scraping on unless you are good with that sort of thing