Choosing a loft ladder in Redditch

Posted by Brad on

We have been fitting quite a few loft ladders in Redditch and the surrounding area lately. Customers always ask for our opinion on which is the best loft ladder. The reason that we like to visit a property before quoting is because the right ladder for the job will depend on multiple factors which in turn will impact on the price.

Aluminium, wooden or telescopic loft ladders

We have three ladder options, all of which are of the highest trade quality from our trusted supplier. We can fit wooden, telescopic and aluminium ladders depending on your budget, space and strength requirements. 

Other factors to take into consideration are the position and size of your loft hatch, the space around the hatch, and your personal preference. However, we can move the position of the loft hatch if you prefer.

As general guide, telescopic and wooden ladders are sturdier and stronger whilst still being easy to use. An aluminium loft ladder is our most popular option, which may be down to the fact that it is the most affordable whilst also being strong and light.

So, if you would like to find out which loft ladder is best for your needs, then email us at stuart@stusloftladders.co.uk

Forget DIY for loft boarding and loft ladders – we are taking bookings in Redditch and areas near you

Posted by Brad on

The year is racing or is that just our impression? Spring is the perfect time to get on with all those jobs you’ve been meaning to get around to before summer starts. If creating proper loft storage with a fixed ladder or loft boarding is on your list, then why not free up your time to get on with other things by calling in the professionals?

Loft boarding is a tricky job – we should know, we’ve been working on our trade for over a decade. Our skilled team includes trained and experienced carpenters. As every loft is different and has its own quirks and features to work around, then our carpentry skills are essential to what we do.

What’s more, we can source the best materials from trade suppliers, meaning that when you cost up the job as a DIY project, you may be surprised that there is not such a huge difference in doing it yourself and getting us in, in terms of cost. Not when you take into account the amount of time it will take you, and the potential hidden cost of hiring the right tools.

We give a benchmark figure of £35 per square metre for loft boarding. The cost of the fixed ladder you choose varies according to your preference. Aluminium is the most cost-effective option; it is also incredibly light and strong, meaning that it is our most popular loft ladder.

So, with April nearly over, give us a call and we can provide a no-obligation quote so that you are ready to get on with other jobs or to start relaxing in the sunshine.

Call us on 07712 327 889.

Keeping busy boarding lofts and fitting loft ladders in and around Alcester

Posted by Brad on

It’s spring and we’ve been busy. Maybe it’s the good weather or maybe just the time of year, but we have been particularly busy this April, boarding lofts and fitting loft ladders in Alcester and the surrounding Warwickshire towns and villages.

The photos below are from a job which shows what we do best: creating functional, easy loft access with no mess to clean up afterwards. For this customer, we fitted an aluminium loft ladder and enlarged the loft opening. The new larger hatch is ready insulated and closely fitting, so no more losing precious heat up to the loft cavity. It leaves a neat finish that blends in and looks as if it were always there. 

Our next job was a loft ladder installation and part-board for a customer in a new-build property in Alcester. Their preference was for a wooden ladder, which, as the photo shows, stows neatly away in the loft space. Part boarding is a popular option as it creates storage space without committing to boarding right up to the eaves, making it more economical.

Wooden loft ladder and part boarding in Alcester

In this third job, our experienced team moved the loft access from the bedroom to the landing. Not only was this a more convenient location, but we were able to ensure that the loft opening was larger than before, making it so much more useable. No more moving beds out of the way and then squeezing through a small loft opening for this customer.

All in all, three happy customers, even more so as all our work is guaranteed

Call us now on 07712 327889 for a no-obligation quote on loft boarding or fitting a fixed ladder. Or email us at stuart@stusloftladders.co.uk

We also move loft hatches and can advise on the best option for your home.

Would you trust a trader to board your loft who wasn’t recommended in the Stratford-upon Avon area?

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Choosing a trader to work in your home is a big decision. We have all heard stories about people who have been let down by cowboy traders or disappointed by those who have not been as professional on the job as they seemed when quoting for it.

As a small, independent firm, we rely on word of mouth. It’s kept us busy boarding lofts and fitting ladders for over a decade.

We love it when our customers share their good experiences of our service on our Facebook page or on our website. ‘Professional’ is usually the word they use to describe our service and we take a pride in ensuring that we make each job the best it can be.

All our reviews are genuine – we don’t edit them in any way. In lieu of asking a neighbour, it’s the next best thing. In fact, our name often comes up on local forums with our customers recommending us when people enquire about who to trust for loft ladder fitting and loft boarding in Stratford-upon-Avon and the surrounding area.

So, if you are looking for a reliable local firm, then take a look at the reviews on our website and on our Facebook page. We are also very happy to have a chat about any concerns you may have about either choosing a loft ladder or boarding your loft.

Looking for a cost-effective option for a loft ladder and boarding in Worcester?

Posted by Brad on

Let’s face it, at this time of year there are plenty of demands on our money. In fact, many of our customers want a loft ladder and boarding to prepare their homes for Christmas, but are on a tight budget.

We are always happy to advise on how to help cut the cost of loft boarding and fitting a fixed ladder without compromising on quality.

Aluminium ladders offer the best value. What’s more, they are strong whilst being lightweight, so they are easy to unfold and put away. We use a trusted trade supplier, so whilst this option is cost-effective, we can also testify to its quality. In fact, aluminium is the most popular ladder choice – we must have fitted hundreds over the years, all for extremely satisfied customers.

A further consideration is what area of the loft do you need boarded. Many customers like to board right up to the eaves and for us to fit the loft boarding around any supports. However, it is equally popular to simply board a central section. This can provide more than ample storage space, as well as room to move around to access boxes and other items.

So if you would like to create extra storage in your home, whilst keeping the costs down, make it simple with an aluminium ladder and boarding of a central section.

Contact us now online or call us on 07712 327889.

What is the best loft ladder and boarding option for Warwickshire and Worcestershire homeowners?

Posted by Brad on

When quoting for work, we are often asked what is the gold standard option for loft ladders and loft boarding.  It is a hard question to answer because the best option can depend on the configurations of your home, however budget and space allowing, we can make recommendations.

Timber loft ladders provide safety and elegance

Space permitting, timber loft ladders are generally seen as the luxury option. We install three-section timber ladders, which are stored inside the trap door, so no loft floor space is wasted. We only source ladders through our same, trusted, trade supplier and stick to the models we know are tried and tested and will provide customers with years of reliable use. With a sturdy tread and integrated handrail, our timber loft ladders offer stability in use and are suitable for customers who use their loft frequently. They are also designed to take heavier loads than some of the other ladders that we offer, so if that is a consideration then definitely think about installing a timber ladder.

Loft boarding up to the eaves boosts storage

When it comes to boarding, we only use one type of quality board that increases the U-value of your home by adding to the insulation in your loft. Whilst boarding just a central section of the loft suits those on a budget, if you are able to board right up to the eaves, you will obviously increase your storage potential. We can cut the boards around any loft trusses so that the finish is neat and runs to the edge of your loft. 

Truss shelving in the loft increases storage potential

Bespoke extras also add to your storage possibilities. Truss shelving is a popular add-on for the customers we visit across Warwickshire and Worcestershire. These shelves sit on the V of the roof trusses and provide a handy area for storage, leaving the central floor area clear. By placing boxes at the side on truss shelving, the central section of your loft is kept free for you to move around and to give you space when accessing your belongings. We can also build additional bespoke storage shelving to accommodate whatever items you need to store, be it suitcases or sports equipment.

No obligation consultation to find out what’s right for you

Whatever you budget, we are happy to advise with a no-obligation consultation. Contact us here or take a look at our Facebook page for photos of recent installations.

Live in Warwickshire or Worcestershire and thinking of installing a boiler in your loft space? What you need to know about loft access

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If space is at a premium in your kitchen, or you don’t have a utility room, then you may be considering installing a boiler in your loft space. If this is the case, then you need to be aware of the regulations and issues regarding loft access.

Retractable loft ladder

In order to allow safe access for a heating engineer you will need a retractable ladder installed. You can talk to us about the options and there will be one to suit your budget. Aluminium is both light and sturdy, but we also supply timber ladders if your budget allows.

Aluminium Loft Ladder in Bidford

Loft boarding to create a safe walkway and working platform

You will need to create a walkway from the loft hatch to the boiler as well as an adequate working platform. *  We would add that the boards need to be safe and stable, by which we mean securely attached to the joists and laid flush so that there are no trip hazards.

Lighting

You must provide adequate lighting to allow an engineer to carry out the work and to enter and exit the loft safely.

Guard rail

There should be a guard rail at the exit of the loft. We can build this in easily as part of a loft improvement package. We are experienced carpenters and can create a bespoke handrail for you at a reasonable cost.

Size of loft hatch and location

Although not specifically covered by regulations, no heating engineer is going to want to access your boiler if the loft hatch is in a dangerous or difficult position. The same goes if the loft opening is very small. The good news is that enlarging, or even moving, the loft hatch is not a big job and we undertake this for customers as part of our regular work.

Always consult a qualified heating engineer about a boiler installation

*Please note this blog is only intended as a guideline to make you aware of some of the considerations and that regulations may change. There are other considerations regarding boiler installation in a loft space, so we advise you to always consult an appropriately qualified heating engineer. 

If you want to talk about loft boarding or fitting a ladder in readiness, then we would love you to get in touch.

Three Steps to (Storage) Heaven for homeowners in Warwickshire and Worcestershire

Posted by Brad on

We like to keep things simple! When it comes to how to improve your loft, there are three main things to consider:

  1. Boarding
    This is the game changer! No more wasted space and no trying to precariously balance things, or worse yourself, on joists. With boarding costing around £35 per square metre, it is good value for money in relation to the space you will gain. If you are thinking about boarding the loft yourself, read our blog post first to check that you have the necessary skills and tools for the job. We get it done in less than a day and clear away all leftover materials and any mess. 
  2. Fixed Loft Ladder
    Make using the loft safe and make it easy. A fixed ladder means that going up to the loft is a breeze. If you already have a fixed loft ladder, but it is a bit heavy and clunky, why not change it for a modern, light version. Life is too short to dread going up to the loft!
  3. Loft Opening
    Is the hatch in the wrong place, like a bedroom or over the stairs? If it is in the right place, but awkward to get to and use, we can enlarge the opening or change the orientation to be more convenient. Changing the loft opening so that it is not over stairs is a job that we do quite often. We can fit a new hatch and surround and leave the ceiling looking as if the new hatch was always there!

There you have it – three steps to maximising your loft space. Contact us now to arrange a no obligation quote, or take a look at our services page for more information.

From Stratford-upon-Avon to Redditch, We Talk Loft Ladders

Posted by Brad on

We love talking about loft ladders – aluminium or timber, telescopic or folding, they are our favourite topic of conversation. Whilst this might not make us popular at parties, our customers have a lot of questions about what makes the perfect loft ladder, so we’ve answered a few here.

What are the options for a fixed loft ladder?

We fit three styles of ladder:

  • Aluminium – lightweight and economical, the three sections slide into position and feature a handrail. Great where space is tight or for light use
  • Aluminium telescopic – ideal for smaller hatches or where there is limited clearance in the loft. Sturdier than you might think with an automatic locking system and extra-wide treads.
  • Wooden – aesthetically pleasing and suitable for heavier use. A three-section ladder that stores within the trap door to save space.

Where do we source our loft ladders?

We only fit trade ladders sourced from our trusted supplier. We always use the same supplier, so that we can vouch for the quality of the products we fit, both in terms of finish and usability. We fit a lot of ladders every week so we know they are good!

What is the most popular loft ladder?

We fit a lot of aluminium loft ladders. This option suits a wide range of homes and is cost-effective, which, as we also board the loft at the same time for most customers, means they can afford the whole package.

What about electric ladders?

We don’t fit electric ladders. The ladders we fit are so easy to use that there isn’t really a need amongst our customers – the cost versus benefit for the majority is not worth it. We provide an access pole that allows you to open the hatch and pull down the ladder without even requiring a step to reach the hatch.

Contact us

So for a no-obligation quote, contact us on our website form or call 07712 327889. We’d love to chat about loft ladders!

Loft improvements in Warwick, Redditch, Bidford and Stratford-upon-Avon – all in a week’s work for Stu’s Loft Ladders!

Posted by Brad on

June is generally a busy month. We are not yet into summer holidays and people are getting on with home improvements before they go away. This year, the effect of coming out of lockdown and people feeling more confident about having work done in their homes, means that our diary is packed. We are certainly not complaining, as we love to be busy! Last week’s loft improvement jobs show a good range of the services we provide.

Boarding in Warwick

First up was a loft boarding job in Warwick, boarding around central roof supports, but leaving the area up to the eaves. We also fitted an aluminium ladder, creating an easy loft access and storage solution. A happy customer and our week was off to a good start!

Partial loft board in Bidford-On-Avon

Next we visited Bidford on Avon for a boarding job. The customer only wanted a partial board, so we created a storage area in the middle section the loft. Another happy customer!

Loft boarding and timber ladder in Stratford-upon-Avon

On to Stratford-upon-Avon. Here we turned wasted space into functional storage with a timber ladder.  Again, the customer wanted boarding to the middle section only, but in this large loft, this still created a large amount of storage potential.

Redditch boarding to middle section of loft

Later in the week we were in Redditch. Again creating a useable storage area with a board to the middle section of a loft. 

Enlarging and moving loft hatches

Our next two jobs were all about loft hatches. In Bidford, we enlarged the loft opening for a client and fitted a new hatch. To finish the week off, we visited another customer to move the loft opening, which had been over the stairs. This is a common location for hatches in older houses and not one that is very safe. We turned the loft around to run the other way on the landing and fitted an aluminium ladder and plastic hatch. 

Get in touch for your loft improvement quote

As you can tell, we specialise in loft improvements and we stay busy through customer recommendations. We are taking bookings now for the rest of June and July. Get in touch if you need some help to unlock the storage potential of your loft! Or still not sure? Check out more pictures of these jobs and others on our Facebook page.