Welcome to Ahead Loft Ladders

UK building regulations require loft insulation to have a total depth of 270mm for mineral wool (soft insulation). This is to ensure it achieves the recommended U-value* of 0.16 W/m²K.

High-performance insulation boards like PIR require less thickness (120-170mm) to meet the same U-value.

Insulation must not be placed right up to the eaves. Instead, leave a clear 50 mm air gap to allow adequate airflow and prevent damp retention.

*The U-value is a measure of how fast heat escapes through a part of the building. Lower numbers mean better heat retention.

This is the approach many DIYers will take when boarding their lofts, however it is not a great approach if you have loft insulation.

Compressing insulation directly under loft boards will remove any air gap and lead to potential damp from condensation.

Since the warmth from your house will directly meet the cold loft air, moisture can easily condense on the boards and rafters, leading to a mouldy smell.

In most cases this would not be something we would consider. There are a number of reasons for this:

• A lot of cheap online electrically operated ladders are of very low quality
• We cannot guarantee the fit, finish or safety of a ladder not purchased from one of our recommended suppliers
• Measuring and fitting an automatic loft ladder is a complicated process, and should be carried out by a professional before purchase
• Getting an unrecognised model to work with your loft hatch may be difficult or impossible

Safe access to your loft should be your priority, which is why the best approach is for Ahead Loft Ladders to visit your property and provide a no-obligation quote.

We always recommend at least 18mm thickness for most loft boards. This is suitable for nearly any item up that would be stored in a loft, up to 25kg per m².

22mm boards are also available if the gaps between your joists is over 400mm.

This is a technique known as a ‘warm loft’, where the entire space is insulated to effectively become part of the house’s indoor heating area.

There are a few issues with this approach:

• Lofts require adequate ventilation to avoid damp issues, but a fully insulated loft does not allow for this without specialised systems to move the air and moisture
• A fully insulated loft will become part of your house’s ‘thermal envelope’, which will involve extra outlay, complication and heating costs
• Keeping your attic as a ‘cold loft’ ensures there a large insulating airgap between the upstairs of your house and the air outside
• It is false economy to create a ‘warm loft’ space just for storage – you would be better off putting your money towards a full loft conversion

In general we do not recommend a ‘warm loft’ unless you need the loft to become a habitable space.

Most automatic loft ladders are mains powered, so will not operate during a power outage. However there are some models that include a battery backup, suitable for 10-15 uses without external power.

A handful of models can also be operated manually if power is not available.

Speak to us about the available options and we can help select the right model for your needs.