Posted on January 10, 2013

Location – Maida Vale, London

Early morning and we are ready to set off to a gym in Maida Vale, west London.  Not for pre-work exercise to work off those Christmas mince pies, but to install a new loft ladder for servicemen to access.  As it was for tradesmen and servicemen, the best ladder to fit was a steel loft ladder. There was a ladder in place already but it was old and in need to replacing.  Lets get to work!

Here we are ready to go into the void and take out the old loft ladder
1_current-opening  2_current-opening

Hatch open and time to take out the old loft ladder.

3_removing-old-loft-ladder  4_removing-old-loft-ladder  5_removing-old-loft-ladder

Once the old ladder is removed, we set out removing the existing frame around the current hatch opening

6_amending-frame-for-new-loft-ladder  7_amending-frame-for-new-loft-ladder

Frame all removed.  Now its removed we need to extend the current hatch as the new loft ladder that we are putting in has a hatch length of 1200mm.  Time to start sawing!

8_extending-opening-for-new-loft-ladder  9_extending-opening-for-new-loft-ladder

While the expert does the hard work, I will un-package the loft ladder (I am not good for much else)

10_new-steel-loft-ladder  11_new-steel-loft-ladder

While I am getting the ladder ready, our fitter continues to prepare the opening with new timber lining

12_cutting-timber-to-size

Aha new extended opening ready to go!

13_new-opening-ready-for-new-loft-ladder

Now that the hatch is ready and waiting, our loyal fitter prepares the final touches to install the loft ladder.

14_preparing-new-loft-ladder

Is it ready yet? yes he says! ok its time to put the loft ladder into place.

15_fitting-new-loft-ladder  16_fitting-new-loft-ladder

17_fitting-new-loft-ladder  18_fitting-new-loft-ladder

lovely job! lets fix the ladder into position now and make any necessary adjustments to the loft ladder to ensure its safe and the angle is correct.

19_fixing-new-loft-ladder-into-place  20_adjusting-loft-ladder-steps  21_cutting-loft-ladder-feet-to-size

Ladder all secure in place, angle adjusted so its correct.  Now its time to put a nice architrave around the ladder to make it look lovely and professional.

21_fitting-architrave  22_fitting-architrave  23_finishing-architrave  24_new-loft-ladder-installed

Lovely job! looks great, show us how it looks open now please Mr Fitter.

26_opening-new-loft-ladder  27_opening-new-loft-ladder  28_opening-new-loft-ladder  29_new-loft-ladder-installed