4 Things to Consider Before Buying Attic Stairs

Attic stairs play a vital role in unlocking your attic space for storage. We’ve already addressed why attics can play a crucial role in a modern storage solution for Kiwis here – they are, in our eyes, the perfect solution for storage. Understandably, attic stairs serve as the vital connective structure between the home and the space. It’s important to get it right.

Today we’ll be exploring the four things you need to consider before buying attic stairs for your home.

Location

It’s important to consider the location of your attic stairs. Where you put your stairs will help determine how easy it will be to access the attic. A great place to start is looking at your current internal attic access. In most cases, this will determine where your attic stairs will go, but it may not be quite right.

You will need a certain length of space for the attic ladders to expand out to, and presumably this area will need to be free of any homewares or furniture that may impede access. Sometimes, the internal access is placed in inopportune places.

Understanding joists

You will need to consider the construction of the attic space itself. Installing a ladder will involve understanding whether any joists need to be cut. You will need to know whether these joists are structural, or load-bearing – and therefore, if they need to be cut, how they will impact on the safety of your home. Consider getting a building engineer or carpenter out to look at your joists, and determine where they may need to be cut.

Material

What material you choose for your ladder is crucial. Hometech offers FAKRO folding attic stairs in two popular materials – and both have their pros and cons.

Our steel option is light, durable, resistant to corrosion and rot, and can take higher loads than its wooden counterpart. It’s a strong option for those who are looking for a ladder that will last a long time. Cons include price and look. As a heavy-duty steel option, it is not only more expensive, but may stand out in an older villa or bungalow.

Pine is highly durable and lightweight. Of the two, it’s a cheaper option. However, pine is a softer wood that may be impacted by temperature changes and moisture throughout the home. While our FAKRO folding attic stairs are expertly constructed to the highest quality, timber can degrade over time if conditions are poor.

Insulation

Your attic can be a significant source of heat loss. When you introduce or expand your attic cavity with attic stairs, the propensity for heat loss is increased. That’s why it’s crucial that your attic stairs are properly insulated, ensuring that the heat stays where it should. That’s why our FAKRO attic stairs feature thick insulation that helps keep heat in.

Looking to upgrade your attic to a storage space with attic stairs?

If you are looking at storage solutions for your NZ home, then consider unlocking your attic with attic stairs. Attic stairs can play a crucial role in extending the utility of your home, allowing you to use it to its fullest.

Contact Hometech today to discuss how attic stairs can transform the space in your roof – we offer free consultations to help you find the most appropriate stairs for your needs. Additionally, you can browse our range of FAKRO folding attic stairs online.