This article gives the key fitting points for each type of loft ladder. Always follow the full instructions for your model (linked below), and use a separate ladder to reach the loft while you work.
Before you start
- Check your hatch size and floor-to-ceiling height against Which loft ladder do I need?
- Have the fixing screws ready (they are not supplied).
- For Grand Sliding and wooden ladders, plan for two people: one in the loft and one below.
Key points by model
Always read the full fitting instructions on the product page first. You'll need a separate ladder to reach the loft while you fit it.
Sliding loft ladders
- Don't use the loft ladder until it's fully installed and the pivot bar stops are fitted. The side locking catches don't take weight.
- Set the ladder at an angle between 65° and 80°.
- Your trapdoor should be at least 20mm thick, with a 2mm gap all round.
- Leave about 1m² of flat, level floor at the bottom.
- Only carry items under 10kg up the ladder, and don't let children under 16 use it.
Grand Sliding loft ladder
- The loft floor must be 25mm plywood. Chipboard isn't suitable.
- The hatch door must be at least 19mm thick and hinged to swing down.
- Minimum hatch opening is 686 x 508mm.
- The gap from the loft floor to the back of the hatch must be no more than 125mm (fit a spacer batten if it's more).
- We recommend two people for fitting: one in the loft and one below.
Deluxe and Grand Wooden loft ladders
- In a truss roof, the ladder must run parallel to the trusses.
- Make the opening 5mm larger than the outside of the ladder box in each direction.
- Never open the hatch before the ladder is fully installed, and never remove the springs: they're under high tension.
- Cut the ladder to length at 90° using the measurement method in the instructions.
- In humid areas such as a bathroom, paint the wooden parts and oil the metal parts.
Loft hatches
- Part L 'Swing Down' insulated loft hatch: trim the opening to 562 x 726mm. It isn't structural, so never stand on it.
- 1-hour fire-rated hatch: line the opening with 10mm plasterboard and seal the join with fire-resistant mastic.
How many loft legs do I need?
Our loft leg calculator (on the loft legs product page) gives the number of legs for your boards and joist spacing. As a guide, one pack of our loft boards (1.17m²) needs 12 to 16 legs depending on joist spacing.
Manuals and downloads
All documents are PDFs.
- Deluxe Telescopic Loft Ladder: fact sheet, instructions
- Grand Wooden Loft Ladders: instructions, fact sheet, technical drawing
- Deluxe Wooden Loft Ladders: fact sheet, instructions, technical drawing, instructions, instructions, technical drawing
- Concertina Loft Ladders: fact sheet, instructions
- Grand Sliding Loft Ladder: fact sheet, instructions, technical drawing
- Sliding Loft Ladders: fact sheet, instructions, instructions, instructions