Frequently Asked Questions about Attic and Loft Ladders

How do I choose the correct Attic Ladder for my Attic?

Is my Attic suitable for an Attic Ladder?

If I use my Attic Ladder everyday, do I need a different type of ladder?

Do I need to be careful about what weights I intend to carry into my attic?

I don’t know if my attic opening is large enough?

How much space is there in my attic?

Does it take a long time to fit an attic ladder?

I think that I’ll get an expert to fit my Attic Ladder, but I don’t know anyone?

How much will it cost me to have my ladder fitted?

Will cutting a larger hole in the ceiling will make a horrible mess?

Will my ceiling need to be painted after a ladder is fitted?

I have heard that there will be problems selling once the attic is interfered with?

After I fit an Attic Ladder can I add flooring in the attic in the future?

How can I pay for my attic ladder?

If I am not happy with my attic ladder for some reason can I return it and get a refund?

Where else can I find information about attic ladders?

What's the next step - how do I order my attic ladder?

If you read the information below and follow the step by step guide you will have no difficulty deciding on the type of Attic Ladder which suits you and your attic.

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99% of attics are suitable for an attic ladder. The configuration of your attic or hatch opening may dictate to some extent the type of ladder you need to fit, but there will always be a suitable model for your attic.

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If you intend to use the ladder on an occasional basis to provide an extra storage space then an inexpensive easy to fit aluminium ladder where you don’t need to increase the hatch opening is probably the best answer. If the attic space is going to be used everyday then chose a more robust ladder (either wooden or aluminium) and ensure it has a hand rail for extra safety. If you intend that the attic ladder will be left in position for some period of time each day (home office in the attic) then perhaps you may want a wooden ladder, wooden ladders are generally more attractive to look at and have a solid feel when climbing. All attic ladders are designed to be operated and deployed from below.

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Each Attic ladder has a weight rating, this is the maximum weight allowed on the ladder. The weight rating should be matched to your particular application.

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As a general rule of thumb, the wooden folding type ladders all require the opening to be enlarged while most of the aluminium types will fit a standard opening. There is a measurement form on our Attic Ladders page which covers everything. Once you have all the measurements you are ready to choose a particular ladder for your attic. Alternatively fax the completed measurement form to us and we can give you the options that will work in your attic. If you need to enlarge your attic hatch opening you might consider if the present opening is located in the best location. The price difference between enlarging an existing opening and creating a new opening is small.

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In most cases your attic is probably as big as the floor plan of your house. In the average two-story house there is around 200sq ft of useable floor area, that’s 20ft by 10ft, bigger than any room in the house. In a bungalow, double that to 400sq ft.

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Fitting an attic ladder (depending of which type of ladder) will take from 2 hours to 4 hours. There are some possible difficulties such as new bracing may need to be fitted around the hatch or a complete frame may need to be added (only when increasing the size of the opening).

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Every part of the country has companies and individuals fitting attic ladders. We have a large data base of fitters and in most cases we can recommend a local fitter.

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In the case of a ladder which does not require the attic opening to be enlarged we suggest you fit the ladder yourself, it’s quite simple. Where the attic opening needs to be enlarged you could also do the fitting yourself and there are a lot of resources on the internet to help you, including films and step by step photos and text files. We can send you all the links to these resources if you want to do a DIY installation. However some of you may be happier to call on an experienced fitter and in that case the cost of fitting will be somewhere between €150 and €250. The final price will depend on the type of ladder you buy, the configuration of your attic hatch. So assuming you buy a mid-range ladder and the fitting job is more or less standard the final price including the ladder would be €375.00 approx.

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The fitter will put dust sheets underneath the installation area; these sheets will catch the waste. Dust can present a problem therefore ensure that all the doors to the other rooms are kept closed. In most cases the rubbish will consist of 1 plastic bag. Fitter’s do not take this waste with them and will leave it in a plastic bag for you to dispose of. It is not a messy job and within a day your home will be back to normal.

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Repainting is not necessary as the opening (in the case of enlarging) will be the exact size needed for the ladder to fit in place, some architraving may need to be positioned around the opening which will cover over any small gap or unpainted plasterboard.

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Fitting an attic ladder has no legal or by-law implications whatsoever neither is there a need for completion certificates or any form of paperwork. It will have a positive impact on the future sale of your house.

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Yes you can but flooring the attic space is not as simple as laying chipboard over your existing joists. The joists in the attic are designed to hold up the ceiling below and are not suitable to be covered in flooring and used as a load bearing floor (the Christmas decorations, old kids toys and suitcases don’t represent ‘loading’ – storage) in the majority of two story houses. Take professional advice on flooring your attic. In some cases where there are solid walls between rooms directly under the attic, flooring will be possible without adding support joists. However if the walls under the attic are studded partition walls – take expert advise, in most cases extra supports will need to be added.

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We accept most credit cards and laser cards also cheques and cash. In the case of credit card payments we record your details manually and we will shred your information once payment has been completed.

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We are sure you will be happy with the ladder once it arrives but if for some reason you are not happy we will give you a full refund on the cost of your ladder. We do a bit more than a full refund we also refund the cost of the original (€15) carriage. You will not even have to return your ladder as we will collect it from you (at our cost). We take your unhappiness seriously as many of our sales come from satisfied customer referrals.

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Talk to neighbours on your street and find out what they have done. Take a look at properties near your home for signs of building work (e.g. loft windows). The owners will have first-hand experience with the area, the rules, and local builders and architects. Ask friends and colleagues for recommendations too. This is generally the best way to get ideas about your attic and will quickly establish what is possible with your house type.

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1. Click here to download the measurement form, get your measuring tape and complete all the measurement boxes.

2. Decide on the type of use you want to make of your attic – the purpose of fitting a ladder, access for storage, extra bedroom, home office etc. Also think about possible future uses, it may only for storage today but in time it may become an office/bedroom.

3. Decide on the ladder type you want using the completed measurement form and the ladder specifications on each ladder type on our attic ladders page.

4. Contact us by phone, fax or email to get the price for your chosen ladder and to confirm that it will fit your attic. Or contact us for any advice you might need to help you chose the correct ladder.

5. We can send you a list of the various ‘self fitting’ resources available to allow you to decide whether to fit the ladder yourself or call in an expert.

6. When you order your ladder we can put you in contact with a fitter in your area to fit your ladder if you decide you need some help.

All our attic ladders are delivered via DHL overnight for €15 per ladder. DHL’s parcel tracking service will allow you to track your delivery.


OK, let’s get started, print the measuring form and start measuring…

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