For Brits, lofts are a blessing for storage. Currently, the loft conversation trend is high across the UK. To use your attic, you need to own a loft ladder first. As it is more convenient and suitable for small spaces.
But buying the best loft ladder is not an easy task. You want it to be economical and suitable for sturdy use. And from so many available options, things become pretty confusing.
Well, this is where we came in! Our technical team has done detailed research and has picked some of the best products for you. Whether you prefer a wooden loft ladder or DIY loft ladders to suit you more, we got you covered.
Our Top 3 Telescopic Loft Ladders For You!
In a hurry and don’t have time to read every single detail? Then, here are the three hot sellers that will surely fullfil your needs:
- Automatic rung lock
- Adjustable hooks
- Anti-slip foot support
- D-shape rungs
- Self-locking hatch
- Suitable for DIY installation
- Insulated hatch
- HDF board finish
- No need for a fitted lock
9 Best Loft Ladders In The UK
There is no one size that fits all. That is why our editors decided to test different types of ladders and have handpicked only the perfect products. So you can get the best value for your money!
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Insulated Hatch | Optistep Loft Ladder With Hatch
| 9.7 | Check On AmazonCheck On eBay |
With Handrails  | Deluxe Floor To Ceiling Ladder
| 9.5 | Check On AmazonCheck On eBay |
For Small Hatch | Abru Loft Ladder With 3 Section Mechanism
| 9.1 | Check On AmazonCheck On eBay |
For Families  | Warner Loft Ladder With Easy Stow
| 8.8 | Check On AmazonCheck On eBay |
Fully Fitted Ladder  |
| 8.6 | Check On AmazonCheck On eBay |
For Small Opening  |
| 8.2 | Check On AmazonCheck On eBay |
For General Use  |
| 8 | Check On AmazonCheck On eBay |
For Small Space |
| 7.7 | Check On AmazonCheck On eBay |
Safest Ladder  | Nassboards Telescoping Ladders
| 7.4 | Check On AmazonCheck On eBay |
Best Wooden Loft Ladders
Almost 40% of Brits have a wooden ladder installed for the attic. Compared to steel or any alloy material, it lasts 3x longer.
1. Optistep Loft Ladder With Hatch – Best Ladder With Insulated Hatch
Optistep timber folding ladder has everything that suits your needs. It is made of refined and sturdy pine wood that ensures longevity.
It comes with an insulated hatch that prevents any cold air from escaping through it. The insulation is 3cm thick.
Material: Pine Wood | Special Feature: Self-Closing Hatch | Warranty: 2 Years
The treads, a.k.a steps, are wide and not slippery. The maximum weight handling limit is 150kg.Its self-closing hatch has an HDF board finish. The cherry on top is that there is no need for a fitted lock which looks very aesthetic.
- Its insulated hatch has a soft opening.
- The treads have an anti-slippery profile.
- Its safety handrail prevents kids and the elderly from falling.
- The frame is equipped with a sealing strip that ensures tightness.
- Due to frame width, it is not suitable for tiny spaces.
- You need professional help to install it.
2. Deluxe Floor To Ceiling Ladder – Best Loft Ladder With Handrails
The manufacturers have clearly given safety a priority.
The EN 14975 certificate makes it a heavy duty loft ladder.
Its large twin handrails are easy to grip and are made of steel.
Material: Wood | Special Feature: Large Twin Handrails | Warranty: Lifetime
Its counterbalanced hatch door has double springs and a 2.5mm insulated sheet. The rubber base covers contain any accidental slip.
- The twin handrail is large enough to hold from the first step.
- You don’t need to tighten its side springs.
- All 3 extensions open effortlessly.
- Its strong, wide treads ensure a proper grip.
- You need to open the door manually.
- Its metal braces are weak and blended.
Are Wooden Ladders Banned?
No, wooden ladders are safe to use for loft and indoor purposes. Mostly they are made of pine wood which is suitable for rugged use.
According to guidelines issued by HSE UK, they are safe to use as long as the build quality is strong enough to hold and balance your weight.
Best Aluminium Loft Ladders
Across the EU, Aluminum ladders are considered the best pull down attic stairs for small openings. The three-section mechanism is also suitable for small spaces.
3. Abru Loft Ladder With 3 Section Mechanism – Best Loft Ladder For Small Hatch
Abru aluminium loft ladder has a compact design and is suitable for DIY installation. The rungs have a nice D-shape that provides additional grip.
The three-section mechanism is perfect for high ceilings. The auto self-locking hcatch act as a base support.
Material: Alloy Aluminum | Special Feature: Comfort D-shaped Rungs | Warranty: 5 Years
Overall, the design is sleek and suitable to use in rooms too. It is a suitable option for attics that are over 3m high.You only need to tighten the tension springs occasionally. It weighs only 5kg while supporting up to 150kg.
- It comes with a universal stowing pole.
- The D-shaped rungs provide essential grip.
- The narrow design is ideal for tiny homes.
- You need any professional help with installation.
- There are no handrails for additional grip.
- Its stowing mechanism is painfully slow.
4. Warner Loft Ladder With Easy Stow – Best For Families
Warner easy stow ladder has an impressive 3m length.
Its three-section aluminium frame is built of sturdy material.
The extended arm rail and stowing arm provide you with a quick and easy grip.
Material: Alloy Aluminum | Special Feature: Quick Stow | Warranty: 3 Meters
Now slip feet padding to prevent any disbalance.The ladder rungs are sturdy and suitable for rugged use. Overall, the width is 35cm wide, which makes it perfect for narrow attics.
- Compared to the size, it weighs only 5 kg.
- Its sections slide smoothly and quickly.
- Rubber security feet are also made of top-quality material.
- It doesn’t shake a bit when fully extended.
- The relatively compact design could be an issue for bulky persons.
- Its hand support rail is quite thin.
5. Youngman Deluxe Loft Ladder – Fully Fitted Loft Ladder
Toptower brand has some exceptional attic access ladders.
You can buy easiway or telescoping models too.
The wide and comfortable treads have a pivot arm all along for gliding use.
Material: Alloy Aluminum | Special Feature: Free Standing | Warranty: 3 Meters
It is easy to assemble. You can use it without any fuss. Its enamel structure can be used for years without noticing any rust. The only thing that I hate is its difficult installation process.
- Its freestanding mode supports the whole structure swiftly.
- The pivot arm support is made of sturdy quality.
- Its streads are near to each other, making a perfect choice for short people.
- It can’t be connected with a hatch.
- The instalment process is very tricky.
- It shakes a bit when extended to the fullest.
Do Aluminum Ladders Conduct Electricity?
Yes, aluminium is an excellent conductor of electricity. That’s the only major drawback of aluminium loft ladders.
It is highly recommended to keep your aluminium ladder away from electricity or any conducting source.
Concertina Loft ladders
Concertina ladders are a perfect replacement for a small step ladder and consider more suitable for persons with short legs. These will suit you more if you are planning to convert your attic into a room.
6. Alufix 9-Trend DIY Fit Ladder – Best Attic Ladder For Small Opening
Alufix is a trusted brand for concertina ladders. The operating mechanism is smooth and flexible.
The 78mm deep treads ensure a strong step grip.While easy opening and closing save you from waiting or fuss.
Material: Alloy Aluminum | Special Feature: Flexible installation | Weight: 12.5 KG
It can bear 150 weight. When opened to full capacity, it can reach up to 8 feet. Overall, it has 9 steps that are almost 0.8 feet away from each other.
The suspension springs support and balance the weight. The only thing which is missing is a hand-supporting rail.
- It is perfect for narrow and small hatch openings.
- The step design is unique and ensures no turbulence.
- Its build quality is top-notch and perfect for heavy use.
- An additional 3 years warranty ensures mind peace.
- The rungs wide distance is not suitable for kids' use.
- While closing, you need to push rungs very hard in upward directions.
7. BPS Concertina Loft Ladder – Best For General Use
If you’re looking for a wide yet a ladder for small places, then the BPS concertina ladder is a perfect fit for you
The rubber coating on all rungs prevents any sudden falls. But due to rubber, you can slip due to wet shoes.
Material: Alloy Aluminum | Special Feature: Rubber Coated Spreads | Warranty: Lifetime
Its hard plastic base doesn’t go well with the marble flooring. The most irritating thing is that you have to close it by yourself, which requires a lot of force.
- The rungs are wide and have a rubber coating.
- It balances the weight evenly.
- The compact design is suitable for small spaces.
- Closing is a hectic task and requires a lot of force.
- The plastic used seems a little off and cheap.
- Its manual has poor instructions written.
Is Concertina Ladder Easy To Use?
Yes, vertical concertina ladders are safe for indoor use. They have anti-slip feet that ensure an even weight balance. Mostly, their rungs are 10 inches wide, which is enough to provide a strong grip.
Telescopic Loft Ladders
Folding telescopic ladders are the first choice of every UK household for lofts. They are safe and lightweight. This makes them perfect to use for attic access.
8. Nestling Telescopic Ladder – Best Loft Ladder For Small Space
Being a DIY ladder enthusiast, I am the biggest fan of telescopic ladders.
You can use them swiftly, and they don’t take up a lot of space.
The automatic rung lock ensures safety and balance. You can easily retract them to your desired height.
Material: Alloy Aluminum | Special Feature: Stabilizing hook with auto lock | Weight: 15.3 Kg
It comes with adjustable hooks that make it easy to use for the attic. The build quality is great, and the EN131 certificate provides additional mind peace.
The wide foot support and anti-slip base features are just the cherry on top. The only that bothers me a little is that you have to open it manually every time you need to use it.
- You won’t hear squeaky noise from the base.
- You can separately lock every rung before using it.
- Its anti-rust coating prevents the exterior from any rust.
- It doesn’t need a lot of space.
- You have to open it manually every time.
- While closing, you can hurt your fingers due to strong rung force.
9. Nassboards Telescoping Ladders – Safest Telescopic Ladder
The showstopper feature of Nassboards ladder is its portability. You can extend it within 10 seconds.
Its self-locking pins and XPS-quality material make it perfect for indoor and outdoor usage.
Material: Rust Proof Aluminum | Special Feature: Quick adjustment | Weight Capacity: 150 kg
To use it for the loft, all you need to do is open the rungs to specific heights. We highly recommend you watch your fingers while retracting it.
Unfortunately, the base rubber feet are not top quality and seem a little off. But overall, its strong built quality ensures 100% safety.
- The build quality is sturdy and suitable for rugged use.
- Due to its compact design, you can use it for any purpose.
- Its self-locking mechanism keeps the rung intact.
- The XPS quality material makes it bearable over 150kg.
- There is no hook for additional support.
- It can slip if you don’t ensure a safe ladder angle.
Are Telescopic Ladders Any Good?
Yes, telescopic ladders are exceptionally good when it comes to weightage capacity and build quality.
They don’t require any large space which makes them a perfect fit for small homes. We strongly recommend looking for an EN131 certificate to ensure the safety standards.
Different Types Of Loft Ladders
Truth to tell, you can have as many types of loft ladders as you want. Some of them are great for high ceilings and compact spaces.
But in the UK mostly, three types of ladders are widely been used. These are:
- Sliding Ladders
- Folding Ladders
- Telescopic Ladders
All of the wooden loft ladders fall under the category of folding loft ladders. While ladders made of aluminium broadly fall under the sliding category.
But so far now, telescopic ladders are most popular in the EU and USA for lofts and attic access.
Attic Ladder Buying Guide
Attic, a.k.a loft ladders, could cost over a hundred bucks at minimum. So, to get the best value for your money, there are a few things you must consider:
1. Frame Type
Even before the quality, you must consider the type of frame. The frame can’t be configured.
So always make sure that the ladder frame is compatible with the hatch opening.
2. Safety Features
Your ladder must be made of strong and sturdy quality. There must be an anti-slip patch on the rungs.
Mostly loft ladders have an arm grip handle. But the material of it is cheap and doesn’t support sudden turbulence. So, always double-check its material, coating and safety features.
3. Type Of Loft Ladder
Mostly loft ladders have two types, i.e. rungs and steps. Usually, the rungs are fixed far from each other while the steps are close.
So keep frequent usage in mind. For kids and the elderly, steps are suitable. While for persons over 100kg rungs must be preferred.
4. Insulation
Attics are mostly very cold. That’s why their covers must be tight-fitted and properly insulated.
We strongly suggest you never use a loft ladder without insulation. As the continuous cold air will cool your home in winter.
5. Angle Of Ladder
75 degrees is the safest ladder angle. So, your attic ladder must be open at that fraction.
If you’re using a telescopic loft ladder, then ensure to use adjustable safety hooks for accurate angles.
Best Loft Ladder UK FAQs
What type of loft ladder is best?
You can adjust the telescopic rung in accordance while the auto lock mechanism in both ensures additional safety.
Which is the best wooden loft ladder?
How do I know which attic ladder to buy?
How do you measure a loft ladder?
Does the attic ladder increase home value?
Plus, additional storage space with safe access is something that everyone looks for while buying a new home.
Wrapping It Up!
Loft ladders are essential for every home. You may use them less compared to regular stairs, but they can add value to your home.
Telescopic and concertina loft ladders are preferred for small homes. While wooden folding ladders are suitable for wide spaces.
We highly recommend you measure the size of the roof hatch accurately for the best fit. Always prefer a loft ladder that has a properly insulated finish.
We hope that our article helps you to find the perfect fit for your home. Well in the meantime keep on shining and enjoying the moments of life!
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