Loft Ladders Fitted in Middlesbrough & the North East

A proper loft ladder makes the loft part of the house rather than somewhere you only visit once a year with a wobbly stepladder. We supply and fit metal loft ladders in homes across Middlesbrough, Teesside and the North East, measured to suit your ceiling height and hatch, with the hatch itself insulated and draught-stripped so it does not let heat escape.

A loft ladder is a small job that makes a real difference, and it fits naturally alongside raised loft boarding and loft insulation.

Who a loft ladder suits

• Anyone who uses the loft for storage more than once or twice a year.
• Homes where getting into the loft means carrying a stepladder upstairs and pulling yourself through the hatch.
• People having loft boarding fitted, because storage is only useful if you can reach it.
• Homes with a water tank or other equipment in the loft that needs occasional access.
• Anyone who wants a steadier climb, perhaps with a handrail at the top.

Signs you need a new loft ladder

• You rely on a stepladder balanced on the landing.
• Your existing ladder is old, loose at the hinges, or does not reach the floor properly.
• The ladder sits at an awkward angle because it was not made for your ceiling height.
• The hatch is a loose board with no insulation, and you can feel cold air around it.

The ladders we fit

Metal sliding ladders

Sliding ladders come in two or three sections that slide over each other and stow on the loft floor beside the hatch. They are sturdy and simple and suit many standard hatches, but they need clear space in the loft next to the opening.

Metal folding ladders

Folding ladders fold up in sections and are usually attached to a frame in the hatch opening. They suit lofts where there is not much clear floor space beside the hatch, and they are quick to pull down and put away.

Handrails and extras

A handrail at the top gives you something firm to hold as you step on and off the ladder. A hatch pole lets you open the hatch from the landing. Any new lighting or switches in the loft should be wired by a qualified electrician.

Measuring for a loft ladder

Two measurements decide which ladder fits, and getting either wrong means a ladder that is unsafe or will not work:

• Floor-to-loft height. Measured from the landing floor up to the top of the loft floor. Every ladder has a minimum and maximum height range.
• Hatch opening size. The clear opening between the joists or trims. Each ladder needs a minimum opening to fit and fold properly.

We also check that there is room on the landing for the ladder to come down without hitting a wall, stairs or a door, and that there is space in the loft for it to stow. Landings in older terraced houses can be tight, so it is worth having it measured rather than guessing.

Enlarging a loft hatch

Many older homes have small hatches that are awkward to climb through or too small for a ladder. An existing opening can often be enlarged. Ceiling joists carry load, so they cannot simply be cut: where a joist has to be cut, timber trimmers are fitted to carry the load around the opening. The new opening is then framed and lined, ready for the ceiling edge to be decorated. If the joists or ceiling show signs of damage or earlier poor alterations, we tell you before work starts.

Insulating and draught-proofing the hatch

A loft hatch is a gap in your insulation. A bare hatch door lets warm, moist air from the house straight into the cold loft, which wastes heat and adds to condensation. Our ladder installations come with an insulated hatch door and a draught seal around the frame. If your loft insulation itself is thin, a top-up can be done on the same visit.

Free ladder with boarding

Free metal loft ladder fitted with any loft boarding package over 15m², subject to survey. If you are thinking about storage in the loft, it makes sense to look at both together. See raised loft boarding for how it works.

What affects the cost

The price depends on the type of ladder, your ceiling height, whether the hatch needs enlarging, extras such as a handrail, and whether other work is being done at the same time. You get a written quotation after a free assessment.

Who does the work

Ladders are fitted by The Insulation Company or an approved installation partner. Eligible installations come with a written guarantee of up to five years; the terms are set out in your quotation.

Areas we cover

We cover Middlesbrough and Teesside, County Durham, Tyne & Wear, Northumberland, North Yorkshire and York, and parts of West Yorkshire and the East Riding. See all the areas we cover, or call 0800 229 4668 to book a free assessment.