Enlarging loft hatch opens up possibilities in Shipston-on-Stour

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Reasons to consider enlarging the loft hatch

If you are considering boarding your loft and fitting a fixed ladder you might also want to think about changes to the loft opening itself. Many people don’t realise how easy it is to enlarge the loft hatch.

We often see older style hatches which aren’t big enough to accommodate larger items. By enlarging the hatch you create new possibilities about what you are able to store. Suddenly you can take up those bulky items. Even bringing down smaller boxes becomes easier and safer when there is more space around the ladder.

With a skilled carpenter carrying out the installation, the integrity of the timber joists is maintained by inserting the proper supports as we cut a larger space. Re-plastering around the new opening leaves the ceiling looking as if the hatch was always meant to be there.  A responsible contractor will leave the site, painted to your specification and neatly finished.

If your preference is for a wooden hatch surround, then you will almost definitely need to enlarge the opening, as the smallest wooden hatch is 1m long – larger than most people’s current loft hatches.

New loft hatch in Honington

In Honington, a hamlet just outside Shipston-on-Stour, we improved the loft access in a barn conversion with a large attic space.

Half of the loft was already boarded but, as is often the case, the family’s circumstances had changed and they now wanted to board the entire area.

The owner’s elderly father had come to live with them and they required more storage space to accommodate his belongings. As some of these were bulky, we recommended enlarging the loft opening as part of the job, which also included fitting a wooden ladder.

Repositioning loft hatch

Not all properties allow as much space as this barn conversion, however enlarging the loft hatch is not the only option for improving access. Where space is tight, for example on a landing, we can reposition the hatch to make it safer and more convenient to access.  This often involves a change in its orientation so that the ladder descends safely away from the stairs.

Whatever kind of property you live in, we can suggest ways to make the most of your loft. Message us to request a no-obligation visit.

Wooden Loft Ladders proving popular in Warwickshire and Worcestershire

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Five years ago our customers were shying away from wooden ladders, preferring the more cost-effective aluminium option.  Recently this has changed, so that in 2019 we have been installing more wooden loft ladders than any other kind. This shift in customer choices led us to wonder,  why the change?

In uncertain times we all know that people favour staying put and investing in what they have rather than moving house. In what has been a turbulent 2019 this must surely be a factor in people committing to top of the range ladders.

Add to this the fact that homes are getting smaller, particularly when you compare the living space in new build homes today with that of previous decades.

Whatever period of house we live in, we all have so much more stuff.  Most customers who contact us want to clear their loft to create more storage space and streamline their living spaces.

For many people this concerns items that they only use at particular times of the year or equipment for occasional hobbies. Some customers like to swap over their winter and summer clothes to create wardrobe space. When it comes to carrying heavy items up to a loft people prefer the sturdiest timber ladders.

Wooden Loft Ladder in Warwickshire

This was the case at a recent installation in the Bridgetown area of Stratford-upon-Avon, where we boarded the loft of a detached 1970’s family home. At 35m2, this was a larger than average installation taking two days in place of the usual one.

Storage space at a premium in Stratford

The customer planned to  move items from both the garage and bedrooms freeing up valuable space in the home – at a premium with three children. The family enjoys camping in the summer along with all the equipment involved and planned to store items in the loft.

In order to comfortably and safely take larger items up to the loft, their preference was for a wooden ladder.

Timber loft hatch

To further ensure easy access, we enlarged the loft opening fitting a new timber hatch.

The customers were delighted and as soon as we finished were planning to spend the weekend de-cluttering and creating more space in their home.

“On average a wooden loft ladder costs £180 more than an aluminium option,” commented Stuart Dyson, owner of Stu’s Loft Ladders. “Whilst there are jobs where a lightweight aluminium or telescopic ladder are the best option, many customers, particularly those with larger loft areas, are choosing wooden. Fitting a loft ladder is something that you will most likely only do once whilst you live in a property and so people want the quality and strength of timber.”

We are always happy to advise on the best loft ladder for your home and to provide a no-obligation quote. Call us on 07712 327 889 or message us.

Custom-made in Studley – the bespoke benefits of having skilled carpenters board your loft

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One of the benefits of having experienced carpenters board your loft and fit a loft ladder is their ability to create a bespoke installation to your exact requirements. This was the case at a recent installation in Studley, near Redditch, for a customer whose mobility issues meant that accessing the loft had been tricky.

More than just a loft ladder for Studley customer

The customer approached us for a quote to board and fit a wooden ladder to her home, a three-bedroom semi-detached. As she was happy with the price, the deciding factor was whether we could create a safety balustrade for her around the opening in the loft as she had some balance problems.

We crafted a strong wooden balustrade around three sides of the loft opening in order for her to safely and confidently access the loft.

Safety rails and loft storage – our carpentry skills make the difference

Other add-ons we can provide are grab rails for older adults or built-in storage for suitcases, books etc.

Stu Dyson, founder and owner of Stu’s Loft Ladders explains, “ Because we are experienced carpenters, we can work around whatever issue the client has, whether that is adding grab rails or balustrades, or building in storage to make the most of a newly-boarded loft.  It makes sense to have this work done at the same time as part of the loft improvements. We are not just fitting a kit, we are shaping each installation to the customer’s needs.”

For more information or to arrange a free quote, please call us on 07712 327889.

Why the perfect loft ladder depends on the setting

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Aluminium just the job in Bidford whilst wood is the way in Shipston – why the perfect loft ladder depends on the setting

One of the questions we are most frequently asked by potential customers is which type of ladder we recommend. Our answer is always the same – it depends on the setting. The type of ladder that will work best is dictated by your budget, the space available and your personal preference. Here we look at two loft ladder installations in Warwickshire, one using a wooden ladder and another with an aluminium ladder – both of which were perfect for their location and the house owners.

Wooden Loft Ladder in Shipston-on-StourWooden Loft Ladder in Shipston-on-Stour

In Shipston-on-Stour, we were asked to fit a ladder in the bungalow of an older couple. As is not uncommon, they had been told that gas engineers could not service their boiler in the loft without the presence of a fixed ladder. The requirements here were for a solid ladder to enable easy and safe access to the boiler for gas engineers and for the couple themselves. Although more expensive than aluminium, wooden ladders can support weight up to 160kg and the team from Stu’s Loft Ladders recommended one for this installation.  The couple also chose a wooden hatch surround. Wooden frames are available in a variety of sizes and so are suitable for customers who wish to have a larger loft opening –perfect for gas engineers carrying awkward tools and equipment. Another benefit of wooden loft ladders is that our team can cut them to the precise length according to the ceiling height, up to 3.2 meters.

Aluminium Loft Ladder in BidfordAluminium Loft Ladder installation in Bidford-on-Avon

In some cases, a heavy duty loft ladder is not always required.  At a recent job in Bidford-on-Avon, the customer preferred a lighter option and chose an aluminium three-section loft ladder for their three bedroom semi-detached.  Aluminium ladders are our most popular option as they come with a ten year guarantee and are light and easy to use.  For this family, wanting to store children’s toys and Christmas decorations, this was the perfect loft ladder option. We were also able to relocate the hatch which was previously in one of the children’s bedrooms – a totally impractical location. We boarded and plastered the original opening and cut a new loft hatch in on the landing – ideal for sneaking Christmas presents up to the loft when the children are asleep!

Every loft ladder installation is different

As well as asking which ladder we recommend, customers often ask for a cost over the phone or via Facebook. We are always happy to give a guide figure, however we prefer to visit, so that we can provide advice based on the customer’s exact requirements. Every installation is different and we can talk through the best option to make loft access safe and hassle-free.

Barford installation proves space needn’t be an issue thanks to a telescopic loft ladder

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No space for a loft ladder?

Sometimes we find that customers have long harboured a belief that they do not have space for a fixed ladder to access their loft space.

This was the case at a recent installation in Barford, near Warwick, where we were asked to come up with a solution for easy loft access.

The homeowner of a detached house on the high street had been unable to use his loft due to a combination of a hatch positioned over the stairs and a lack of space in the loft for the traditional type of fixed ladder.

The solution: a telescopic loft ladder

Barford Telescopic Loft Ladder

We recommended a telescopic loft ladder, which once folded only extends by 12 inches into the loft space.

In half a day, we were able to fit the ladder as well as change the orientation of the loft opening, repositioning it over the landing. In this case, the homeowner chose a plastic hatch surround, preferring its neat profile and finish.

“We find impractical loft hatches to be a common problem for house owners, particularly in older properties,” commented Stu Dyson, owner of Stu’s Loft Ladders. “The openings are often in a dangerous location over the stairs. We can advise on the best place to reposition it so that the loft can be accessed safely and easily. With the addition of a telescopic ladder, the customer was delighted with the solution we provided.

“We leave every job finished to a high standard, sealing and repainting around the hatch so that it looks as if it has always been there.”

With a no-obligation visit our team can advise on the best combination of ladder and opening to suit every home.