Description
Plenty of UK lofts have an opening that no standard folding ladder will fit — a 620mm-long hatch in a narrow landing, a bungalow ceiling well over three metres up, or a trimmed opening between tight joists. This compact aluminium concertina loft ladder is built for exactly those openings. It retracts straight up into a stack barely longer than the hatch itself, carries a full 200kg per step, and comes with a telescopic handrail as standard, so a small hatch no longer means a flimsy ladder.
It is supplied as a made-to-measure unit for your opening size and floor-to-ceiling height, with eight standard combinations covering openings from 620 x 530mm up to 820 x 530mm and ceiling heights from 1.9m to 3.39m.
Key benefits
Fits openings as small as 620 x 530mm — far smaller than a folding timber ladder needs. Pressure die-cast aluminium construction rated to 200kg per step, so it is a proper working ladder rather than a light-use one. Spring-assisted retractable action that lowers and lifts the ladder under control. A telescopic handrail included, fitted left or right to suit the landing. Eight size combinations, including a 3091–3390mm option for tall bungalow and converted-barn ceilings that most loft ladders cannot reach.
Suitable applications
Replacing a pull-down ladder in a small existing hatch without enlarging the opening; narrow landings where a folding ladder would need too much swing room; tall ceilings up to 3.39m; and any loft used for regular storage where a higher load rating is wanted. Where you also need a fire-rated or fully insulated hatch supplied with the ladder, see our fire-rated timber loft ladder with insulated hatch or our heavy-duty concertina loft ladder with insulated hatch.
Specification
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ladder type | Retractable concertina (scissor) loft ladder, spring-assisted |
| Material | Pressure die-cast aluminium |
| Load capacity | 200kg per step |
| Handrail | Telescopic handrail included (left- or right-hand fitting) |
| Opening sizes (length x width) | 620 x 530mm, 620 x 580mm, 670 x 530mm, 670 x 580mm, 750 x 530mm, 750 x 580mm, 820 x 530mm |
| Floor-to-ceiling heights | 1900–2200mm, 2201–2500mm, 2501–2790mm, 2791–3090mm, 3091–3390mm (opening size is matched to height — see options) |
| Maximum floor-to-ceiling height | 3.39m |
| Lead time | Made to order, typically around 4 weeks |
Installation & ordering guidance
Measure your finished floor-to-ceiling height first, then the trimmed opening (length in the direction the ladder descends, then width). Each height band is paired with the opening lengths that give the correct tread spacing at that height, which is why the options are listed as height plus size rather than as a free mix. The ladder frame is fixed to the trimming joists inside the opening and the ladder is then adjusted so the feet sit flat on the floor when fully extended; the retracted stack needs clear headroom directly above the opening in the loft. If you are boarding or insulating the loft at the same time, see our PIR insulation board, and for a hatch-only fire-rated upgrade our fire-rated insulated loft hatch.
FAQs
Will it fit my existing hatch? If your trimmed opening is at least 620 x 530mm and within one of the height bands listed, choose the matching option. If your opening is larger than the sizes here, our heavy-duty concertina ladder with insulated hatch covers 1200 x 600mm to 1400 x 700mm openings.
Does it include a hatch door? This listing is the retractable ladder unit with its mounting frame and handrail, made to fit your opening. If you need an insulated or fire-rated hatch supplied with the ladder, choose one of the two hatch-and-ladder products linked above instead.
Why does the opening size change with ceiling height? A taller ceiling needs more treads, and a concertina ladder gets longer as it gains treads, so the opening has to be long enough for the stack to retract into. The options pair each height band with its correct opening length.
Is it easy to operate? Yes — the mechanism is spring-assisted, so the ladder lowers and retracts under control, and the handrail gives a steady hold on the way up and down.
Is it fire rated? No. This is a ladder unit, not a fire-rated hatch. Where a fire rating is required at the ceiling, see our fire-rated timber loft ladder.
Custom, unbranded product. Part of our loft ladders range.
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