Why You Should Choose a Folding Loft Ladder by FAKRO
Is your loft a waste of space or a much-needed storage solution? Many of us use the space at the top of our house as a place for storage where items can be left and forgotten. We only poke our faces in once a year as we wobble precariously on a dodgy metal ladder, rescued from its home in the shed to retrieve the Christmas tree. With knees shaking as we scrape another mark on the wallpaper and loom over the stairs we realise all too late just how far up we are!
your home needs a proper loft ladder
If that sounds like the start of an episode of Casualty then YOU will recognise the need for safe access to your loft, which should be conveniently available at all times. This is where FAKRO can help, because not only do we manufacture superior quality roof windows, we’re also one of the UK’s leading suppliers of easy to install folding loft ladders.
But which style loft ladder should you choose?
Choice is good, but should you choose a metal loft ladder, a scissor loft ladder or the classic wooden folding loft ladder?
To help we’ve written this breakdown of FAKRO loft ladder styles and their advantages – then when you’ve chosen, hop over to it and select your size…
Wooden Loft Ladders:
Classic sturdy designs, easy to install and perfect for most installations.
BOX
The wooden loft hatch and ladder has a pine or metal frame integrated within its box. It comes complete with linings which, in combination with a quick installation system gets the job done fast! The peripheral seal is used to ensure the ladder aperture remains airtight.
HATCH UNFOLDING MECHANISM
The ladder’s mechanism significantly simplifies the operation of the LWK wooden loft ladder. After unlocking, the hatch opens slowly without causing any hazard to the user. In addition, the mechanism maintains the hatch in a fully open position, preventing it from spontaneously closing during the unfolding and folding of the ladder.
HARDWARE
The patented corner hinge and spring mechanism provides added rigidity to the box and prevents distortion.
HATCH
The ‘sandwich’ type hatch can be insulated or fire-resistant depending on your requirements.
TREAD
The grooves on the tread surface help protect users from accidentally slipping while using the ladder.
LADDER
The ladder itself is made of high quality pine and consists of three or four segments depending on your requirements – four segment ladders fold into a smaller space if lack of space is an issue.
STILE ENDS
Made from heavy duty PVC, these protect your floor from scratching while also adding to the ladder’s overall stability (refers to 3-section ladders)
FAKRO Wooden Loft Ladder Codes explained:
Wooden Folding Loft Ladders – LWK, LWZ, LWL
Energy Efficient Wooden Folding Loft Ladders – LTK, LWT, LWT, LWF
Sliding Wooden Loft Ladders – LDK
Metal Loft Ladders:
For a sturdier option folding metal loft ladders offer just as much space saving as wooden:
BOX
The ladder box can be of wood, metal or a combination of a wooden box / metal frame. It has been designed to enable architrave to be installed with ease if the ready-fitted option is not chosen. Peripheral single or double seals provide a good standard of airtightness.
HATCH UNFOLDING MECHANISM
The hatch opening mechanism enables it to be in fully or partly open positions to ensure folding and unfolding are done in safety. LML and LMF loft lad
ders also have a hidden mechanism in the handrail which, in conjunction with that of the hatch opening, enables them to be opened or closed with a single rod.
HARDWARE
The patented corner hinge design adds rigidity to the box and prevents distortion. This ensures that the ladder will be operated trouble-free.
HATCH
The loft ladder hatch is made of wood or metal and can be either insulated or fire-resistant. The insulation protects against heat loss while fire-resistant material protects against heat build-up caused by spread of flame. The external hatch surface is smooth to blend effectively with the visual style of any interior design.
TREAD
Circular embossing of the tread surface prevents slipping while the width of treads (8 or 13cm) enables them to be used safely and with ease.
LADDER
The special design of the metal ladder and a double connection of the ladder hinges guarantee high ladder strength. Ladder elements are powder-coated with hard wearing lacquer in grey RAL 7022 or silver RAL 9006. Some metal ladders have the final two treads left loose and with telescopic stile ends this enables adjustments of the ladder length to be made without the need for cutting.
STILE ENDS
Made from plastic, these protect your floor from scratches and add to the overall ladder stability.
FAKRO Metal Loft Ladder Codes explained:
Metal Folding Loft Ladders – LMS, LMK, LML
Fire Resistant Metal Folding Loft Ladders – LMF
Scissor Action Loft Ladders:
For the ultimate in convenience look no further than the scissor loft ladder:
BOX
The ladder box can be of wood, metal or a combination of a wooden box / metal frame. The box is equipped with a peripheral seal and lining as standard. The box enables a scissor ladder to be installed and adjusted quickly and with ease.
HATCH UNLOADING MECHANISM
The hinge mechanism significantly simplifies ladder operation. Once unlocked, the hatch opens slowly to avoid any risk to the user. It then keeps the hatch in the fully open position and prevents spontaneous spring back during folding and unfolding.
HARDWARE
The patented corner hinge design adds rigidity to the box and prevents distortion. This ensures that the ladder will continue to be operated trouble-free.
HATCH
Scissors loft ladders are equipped with white insulated or fire-resistant hatches, made of either wood or wood and metal as standard. The external hatch surface is smooth to blend effectively with the visual style of any interior design.
TREADS
The specially embossed pattern on the tread surface protects the user from accidentally slipping while using the loft ladder.
LADDER
The scissor ladders construction makes height adjustment a simple process with no need for cutting. It also enables the ladder to be folded to a smaller size and used in openings as small as 50 x 70cm. The elegant, modern style is achieved through use of ‘S’-shaped stringers which can also be used as handrails.
FAKRO Scissor Loft Ladder Codes explained:
Scissor Loft Ladders – LST, LSZ
Fire Resistant Scissor Folding Loft Ladders – LSF
The loft balustrade is made of pine wood, protects the ceiling opening in the attic and makes it easier and safer to descend the ladder. The LXB-U is installed directly to the loft floor and is strengthened with flat-bars. The LXB-U balustrade is suitable for the biggest loft ladder size 86cm x 140cm, so it can be applied to all types of loft ladder without cutting its horizontal bars.
It facilitate loft ladder brackets installations in the ceiling. Installed in the corners of the box, they add to its overall rigidity ensuring equal lengths of diagonals. Bolts are screwed into brackets guaranteeing quick and accurate levelling of the loft ladder in the ceiling.
ARCHITRAVE LININGS LXL
The architrave is designed to finish the installation of the loft ladder and to cover gaps in the ceiling which remain after the fitting process. The architrave elements are of solid pine wood (LXL-P) or in white (LXL-W) or PVC (LXL-PVC). This quick and simple fitting process ensures a fast, aesthetically pleasing finish of the installed Loft Ladder. In the case of PVC architrave, connection with the box does not require any nails. The LXL-PVC architrave is available in white.
BOX EXTENSION LXN
Made of pine, the box extension matches perfectly with the box of the installed ladder and enhances the look of the ceiling opening. In addition, in case of ceiling thickness exceeding 31cm, for 4-segment and scissors LST and LSZ loft ladders, the box extension serves as an extension element of a box height allowing for installation of the LXW upper hatch.
ADDITIONAL TREAD LXT
An additional tread makes climbing the ladder easier and increases comfort and safety when accessing the loft space. Made of wood, it is installed between the final tread and loft floor and is particularly recommended for use in situations where the upper hatch is installed on the ladder box or where ladders are installed in a thick ceiling.
UPPER HATCH LXW
The LXW Upper Hatch prevents attic dust from accumulating on the hatch and steps of the closed ladder. It improves the overall insulating parameters and airtightness of the ladder on which it is installed. The upper hatch consists of a frame equipped with a peripheral gasket, 3.6cm thick hatch door, hardware, installation brackets, gas piston and rotational closing handle. In order to close the upper hatch from the loft side, it is possible to install an additional LXZ handle.
HANDLE LXZ
The LXZ handle enables the LXW upper hatch to be closed from the loft side e.g. during maintenance work in the loft or on the roof.
LXS STILE ENDS
The LXS Stile Ends are finishing elements mounted on the base of the ladder, adding a smart touch to its appearance. They add to the ladder’s stability and are made from specially selected material to protect the floor from being scratched. They are available for all segment of loft ladders with wooden ladder sections (besides 4-section and LDK loft ladder).
HANDRAIL LXH
The LXH Metal Handrail makes climbing the ladder easier and increases user’s safety and comfort. It is mounted onto upper ladder section.
INSULATION KIT LXD
The LXD Insulation Kit provides the standard of tight insulation between the ladder box and ceiling opening needed in energy-efficient construction. It includes: airtight collar, insulation material (sheep wool blocks) and an air permeable collar.
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