choosing a right ladder for you

 The Right Ladder

Choosing a right ladder

I have been fitting loft ladders since around 1999, during that time I have met a lot of customers of all ages, so I think I am something of an expert when selling a ladder to our senior citizens.

A Loft Ladder

Age brings with it aches and pains, along with problems in your hands and arms,  balance also is more of an issue.

When choosing a right ladder, you need to take this into consideration, what you were able to do  20 - 30 years ago, needs more of an effort.

Loft ladders such as  concertina ladders,  which are not sprung assisted, should be avoided at all costs.

They take great effort to push them into the air and store away.

Perfect Choices - Choosing a right ladder

You can get models like  DSC Concertina Loft Ladder

DSC domestic or commercial ladder

These have their own hatch door, frame and ladder and can be operated virtually with one hand.  These are a little expensive, but safe sound and robust.

Your may want a Junior Heavy Duty Concertina Loft Ladder. This is a cheaper model and will fit into those awkward spaces,  where no other ladder will go.  Again these are easy to move in and out of a loft hatch.

It has sprung assisted arms on each side which takes most weight away.

If when choosing this ladder, always get telescopic handrails, and choose a wider tread size if you can afford it when choosing a right ladder for you.

Avoid - If age above applies to you.

Avoid when choosing a right ladder for you (if you have issues in  arms or shoulders, or limited stature).

Dolle Concertina Loft Ladder. It is otherwise a good ladder, but time has taught me, that our older customers struggle with this particular model.

It is held in a hatch by two springs,  these keep it in a horizontal position, but they do not offer sufficient assistance when stowing it away.

This can be (if elderly) quite difficult and, depending upon a height of a ceiling (dangerous).

Anyone else using this model,  are fine with it.  If you are not using it personally,  but need a concertina ladder,  due to limited space then get it.

Almost all other ladders are pretty much easy enough to manage otherwise.  If in doubt when trying to choose a right ladder , always call us  on 01271 858698.

Proper Ladder

Get yourself a proper ladder

I was working in Plymouth one week and went to a customers house to do a free survey for installing a loft ladder.  I got there and discovered the chap was using a step ladder to gain access to the loft area.

Crazy man on ladder

I told him to get a proper ladder and that it would be much safer if he installed a 3 section light aluminium Titan Loft Ladder

 Get a Proper Ladder

Easy to use, easy to get in and out of the loft and, more important, safer than the crazy way he was getting into the loft at the moment.   Well he hummed and puzzled for a while when I gave him the price for the ladder, installation and conversion of his old door into a nice drop down loft door, he then said, he would continue with the method he has used for years, thanks for coming but, no thanks.....well I was disappointed I did not get the sale but, told him to be careful and went on my way.

Three or four days later, I got a call from his wife, asking me to come and install the loft ladder, because, just after I had been, he climbed the old ladder again, slipped, fell and broke his hip.

Never take risks with ladders, you only have one life.