Loft ladder installation DIY vs. professional services – which is right for you?
The attic or loft in our homes has different functions. For some, it is a place to store unnecessary things. For others, it will be a usable space that, when properly arranged, significantly increases the area of the house. After all, you can arrange a cosy bedroom, a room for children or a private office there.
However, to comfortably access this floor, it is necessary to install a loft ladder. In many places where you do not have too much space, folding attic ladders, which practically do not take up space when they are not in use, turn out to be an ideal solution. But can you carry out such an installation yourself, or will professional help from specialists be necessary? Let’s find out.
What should we know before installation?
Before you decide to install a loft ladder by yourself, it is worth knowing that there are several types of such solutions available on the market today. Therefore, it is necessary to check which model will work best in your home before making a choice. After all, attic ladders appear in several sizes, are also made of different materials, and may have additional accessories.
The most popular models on the market today are sectional stairs with a metal or wooden ladder and scissor stairs. In the case of segmented stairs, as the name suggests, they are usually built of two or three segments folded or extended into a ladder. The segments are mostly made of wood or metal – mainly steel. The choice of material, of course, translates into the product weight.
Scissor stairs, on the other hand, are made of aluminium, so they are much lighter. They also take up less space than sectional stairs because they fold in an accordion, so they are often chosen for small rooms. For more information on types of attic ladders, visit https://www.fakro.co.uk/loft_ladders/.
Is it worth installing loft ladders yourself?
There is a straightforward answer to this question. Although it is not difficult (manufacturers always include detailed instructions with the product), it requires a certain amount of experience and skill. After all, it is worth bearing in mind that poorly installed stairs can cause thermal bridges, so that you will lose a lot of energy in winter, and thus electricity bills will increase.
Remember that some types of loft ladder can weigh up to 200 kg and will need to be lifted. If this is the case, installing them yourself will certainly be very difficult and you will need help. Therefore, if you do not feel up to the task and are not confident in your skills, it is better to leave this task in the hands of professionals. Then you will rest assured that the entire installation process will go smoothly.
Loft ladder installation – common mistakes
Every job brings the risk of making a mistake. The installation of loft ladders is no different. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that any mistake during installation can cost you a lot – both in terms of financial aspects and the comfort of using the stairs. With our vast experience, we know that many seemingly trivial mistakes can be guarded against. That’s why we’ve compiled a list below of the most common mistakes that are made when installing loft ladders:
- Poor installation of the box in the ceiling, usually due to poor surface levelling
- Not using the correct tools,
- Not following the instructions in the operating manual,
- Inappropriate choice of installation site,
- Poor matching of the type of stairs to our needs.