Pull down ladder in garage?

Mark M · 4 Jul 2018 at 19:33

Not really sure on how to best to describe this but my double garage has a pitched roof that I store bits and pieces up there that I have to used the steps for which is a bit of a pain. Can you get anything that’s like a loft ladder but without the hatch? Having the hatch wouldn’t be the end of the world if it was the only option but thought I’d ask the question if there was something suitable?

Other question is whether there is any weight issues to consider? I won’t be storing anything heavy, just things like the garden furniture cushions etc

sdavlaws · 4 Jul 2018 at 20:11

If its roof trusses that are relatively modern they will have a light storage load of 250N/m2, but that is uniformly distributed across the bottom chord of the trusses

It may also still have the allowance in the design for a 250N/m2 dead load for a plasterboard ceiling and 2No. 450N point loads for a water tank (I normally leave them on garages)

rubberduck · 4 Jul 2018 at 20:36

sdavlaws said:
If its roof trusses that are relatively modern they will have a light storage load of 250N/m2, but that is uniformly distributed across the bottom chord of the trusses

It may also still have the allowance in the design for a 250N/m2 dead load for a plasterboard ceiling and 2No. 450N point loads for a water tank (I normally leave them on garages)

Hi can you explain a little more about how I can use these figures to calculate how much weight I should be ok storing in my boarded garage roof? Thanks.

Mark M · 4 Jul 2018 at 20:36

Thanks although I have no idea if 250N/m2 is a lot or not? I should have said that I don’t want to actually get in and stand up in the garage loft area more just be able to reach over and get the things we use frequently such as the garden furniture cushions etc.

sdavlaws · 4 Jul 2018 at 20:44

If you divide the load in N/m2 by 9.81 it will give you the weight in kg/m2

Sorry i am that used to using Newtons i didn't think.

Standing up there isn't an issue there is a standard 900N (approx 90kg) short term point load in the design of any truss for access (maintenance etc)

Skillmister · 5 Jul 2018 at 06:21

Helped my dad install one a few months ago. It was 2 sections that slide to extend. The top section attached to the top side of one of the beams and had what I can only describe as bolt ends that sat in rails on the outside of the ladder so you could slide it up and over into the roof. Very simple but worked fine. Unfortunately I don't know where it was from and he's on holiday at the moment but it can't be a rare thing!

paradigm · 5 Jul 2018 at 10:51

Our loft ladder would easily work without the hatch. The hatch just covers up the hole, but if the ladder were installed on the edge of a platform, it would still function as is, it's not attached to the hatch in any way shape or form.

paintguy · 5 Jul 2018 at 12:20

There are plenty of loft ladders available without the hatch. It used be pretty much the norm but now the hatch/ladder combo seems to be more readily available these days.