Every loft ladder does the same basic job. It drops down from the hatch using its own weight, gives you a safe climb into the loft, then folds or slides away when you finish.
What changes from one type to the next is how the ladder stores and how much room it needs. Choose the wrong type and it may not fit your hatch, or it may sit right where you planned to store your boxes.
This guide explains how each type works and which homes it suits. It draws on Ladderstore’s guide to how loft ladders work. Ladderstore is one of our loft ladder suppliers, and their team knows these products inside out.
How does a loft ladder work?
A loft ladder works like any other ladder, except it extends downwards instead of upwards. You unlock the hatch, usually with a hooked key pole, and gravity does most of the work as the ladder comes down to the landing floor.
When you finish, you push or slide the ladder back up into the loft and close the hatch. The ladder then sits out of the way until you need it again.
The five main types handle this in different ways:
- Sliding
- Folding
- Concertina
- Telescopic
- Electric
Each one makes a different demand on your hatch size, your ceiling height and the space inside your loft. That is why the type matters as much as the price.
How sliding loft ladders work
A sliding loft ladder has two sections. The top section fixes to the hatch frame and the bottom section slides up and down over it.
You open the hatch catch with the key pole, then use the same pole to pull the lower section down. To close it, you slide the lower section back up and lock the hatch.
Some models add spring assistance, which takes much of the weight as you open and close the ladder.
The trade-off is storage. When the ladder is up, the lower section lies flat on the loft floor. You need a clear strip of floor beyond the hatch for it to rest on.
Sliding ladders suit lofts with good clearance above the hatch and owners who want a sturdy, simple design that is easy to fit.
How folding loft ladders work
A folding loft ladder comes in three or four sections that fold over each other. Most come as a complete kit with the hatch already included.
You release the hatch with the key pole, and the folded ladder comes down with it. You then unfold each section until the feet reach the floor.
When closed, the folded ladder rests on top of the hatch inside the loft. It takes up less loft floor than a sliding ladder, but it needs room above the hatch for the folded stack.
Folding ladders suit larger hatch openings and anyone who wants a solid, stair-like feel underfoot. Many are made from timber, which gives a firm, quiet climb.
How concertina loft ladders work
A concertina loft ladder expands and retracts like a set of scissors. Each section stacks on top of the next, so the closed ladder takes up very little room.
You open the hatch with the key pole and the ladder lowers gently. To close it, you push the bottom of the ladder upwards and the sections collapse into each other. You then lock the hatch with the pole.
Concertina ladders suit lofts with low clearance or very little spare floor near the hatch. They also suit homes where you want the ladder to look neat and modern when it is down.
How telescopic loft ladders work
A telescopic loft ladder opens one section at a time. Each section slides out and locks in place before you open the next, so you control the ladder at every stage.
To close it, you release the sections and they slide back into each other. The closed ladder forms a compact block that needs little storage space.
Telescopic ladders are a good fit for small hatches. Most work as standalone ladders, so you can fit one to your existing hatch without replacing it. Many models also include guards to stop fingers getting trapped between rungs.
They are also among the simplest ladders to fit yourself, which keeps costs down if you are handy with a drill.
How electric loft ladders work
An electric loft ladder opens at the press of a button. A motor lowers the ladder and a second press brings it back up.
You will find two main designs:
- Fully automatic ladders lower the whole ladder for you
- Semi-automatic ladders open the hatch and lower the ladder part way, then you pull it down the rest of the way
Most come with a remote control, and some work through a phone app. They also include a manual back-up so you can still reach the loft during a power cut.
Electric ladders suit anyone who finds a key pole and a pull-down ladder hard work. They also suit homes where someone uses the loft every day, such as a loft office or hobby room.
Which loft ladder suits your loft?
Start with two questions. How big is your hatch? How much clear space is there above it?
| Ladder type | Room needed in the loft | Hatch size | Best for |
| Sliding | Most. Lower section lies flat on the loft floor | Standard to large | Sturdy everyday access with good clearance |
| Folding | Moderate. Folded stack rests on the hatch | Large | A firm, stair-like climb |
| Concertina | Least. Sections stack tightly above the hatch | Small to standard | Low clearance and tight spaces |
| Telescopic | Least. Closes into a compact block | Small | Small hatches and fitting to an existing hatch |
| Electric | Depends on design | Varies by model | Frequent use and easy operation |
If you plan to use your loft often, think about how you will carry things up and down. A wider ladder with a handrail makes it safer to climb with a box in one hand.
How to measure for a loft ladder
Measure before you buy. Three figures decide which ladders will fit:
- Floor-to-ceiling height, from the landing floor to the top of the ceiling below the hatch
- The hatch opening, length and width
- The clear height and length above the hatch inside the loft
Check the space below the hatch too. You need room on the landing for the ladder to come down and for you to stand at its foot.
Ladderstore has a clear step-by-step guide to measuring up for a loft ladder. Their loft ladder buyer’s guide is worth reading too if you are still deciding between types.
Plan your loft ladder and loft boarding together
A ladder gets you into the loft. A safe floor lets you use it.
Many homeowners fit a ladder, then find there is nowhere safe to stand or store anything once they reach the top. Stepping between joists is risky, and laying boards straight onto the joists squashes your insulation and lets heat escape.
LoftZone StoreFloor solves this by raising the boarded deck above the insulation. Your insulation keeps its full depth and the gap underneath keeps air moving, which helps reduce condensation. For lofts with less headroom, StoreFloor Compact gives you a lower raised deck.
Plan the two jobs together and you can:
- Create a boarded landing area right next to the hatch
- Leave a clear strip for a sliding or folding ladder to rest on
- Keep your storage zones away from the ladder’s path
A raised floor also changes your clearance above the hatch. Measure for your ladder with your planned floor height in mind, so the closed ladder still fits once the boards are down.
You can see how a raised floor goes in with our step-by-step install guide. If you only need a few boards around the hatch, browse our loft boards.
Get easy, safe loft access with LoftZone
Once you know how loft ladders work, the right choice comes down to your hatch, your clearance and how often you use the space.
Browse our loft ladders range, or visit the LoftZone shop to buy your ladder and boarding together.
Would you rather leave it to a professional? Find a LoftZone installer near you to board your loft to a high standard. If you have a question about which ladder will fit your home, contact our team and we will help you choose.