Essential Tips on Finding a Good Loft Ladder
A loft ladder is typically used for the purpose of creating an accessible reach point between the upper floor of a house and an additional attic level or loft, usually entered through a hatch. This area of the house is mainly used for storage, although it may fit other purposes such as being an artistic getaway or safe house. Whatever the case, these ladders play an important role in allowing a person to enter and exit the loft area, and for this reason you should try to ensure that the ladder you eventually purchase is of exceptional quality in its structure and built with durable materials.
To begin with, there are several different types of loft ladders available to purchase. Each type can be expected to vary in terms of quality, materials, shape, and basic structure. Depending on the amount of money you are willing to invest in a ladder of this sort, you will want to purchase accordingly. Prices will vary not only according to the specific brand name or ladder manufacturer purchased, but will also be determined by the construction materials and the type of metal alloy used in the manufacturing of the ladder. The three major types of loft ladders include the concertina loft ladder, aluminium loft ladder, and telescopic loft ladder.
Concertina loft ladders are built with a retractable metallic structure that can be easily folded into a very small space and unrolled or retracted whenever you wish to enter or exit the loft that they are installed in. These ladders are built into the loft's hatch, so that when the loft is opened they can be unfolded in one swift movement. The benefits of this type of ladder include its convenient size and retractable functionality that will allow you to avoid the bulky and cumbersome characteristics associated with permanent type ladders that cannot be retracted. Concertina type ladders can be constructed out of stainless steel, aluminum, or even durable plastic.
Aluminium loft ladders are vastly superior to wooden ladders in that they are more durable and will not splinter or crack over time. They are usually fixed-place ladders that connect to attics that do not have a hatch-system point of entry. One of the major advantages to aluminum ladders is that aluminum is a relatively inexpensive metal alloy, so you will be able to cut costs on the purchase of a ladder by obtaining one of these. As detailed above, concertina ladders can also be made from aluminum, and will cost much less than their stainless steel counterparts as well.
Telescopic loft ladders are similar to concertina type ladders in that they are used for hatches and are designed with fully retractable characteristics. The only difference is that telescopic ladders, as their name implies, fold in a way similar to a telescope. This means that each individual step-on section fits into the section above it, which is larger. This structural design is neat and simple to operate, making this sort of ladder one of the most popular types purchased by homeowners.
As a final note, loft ladders can be found in a wide variety of stores both online and locally. If you choose to purchase a ladder online, you may be provided with the opportunity to take advantage of lower costs and convenient shipping directly to your home address. Online purchases are also easy in that all you need to effectively buy an item is a valid credit card number, minimal contact information, and a shipping address. You can also purchase any of the above-mentioned ladder types from furniture and home accessory stores in your local area. For these reasons, once you have decided which type of ladder will be more suitable for your specific loft, you can quickly find what you are looking for by doing a little research on your own, reading reviews, and comparing prices.
