Retractable Staircases

Retractable staircases are elegant staircases for use in spaces where a permanent staircase is not needed or not an option. They are commonly used in loft areas in which there it a hatch or other type of smaller opening to gain access.

Why a retractable staircase?

Most people use ladder but this can prove tiresome after a while if you wish to gain access to your loft on a frequent basis. Not only can it be a nuisance, fetching and carrying the ladders each time but, if you looking to move things in an out of the loft, a more stable footing is usually required.

This is when a well-design and installed retractable staircase is a wise investment of money and time. And just because the retractable staircase is something functional, does not mean it has to be boring! There is a wide range of stylish retractable staircases to choose from!

There are two ‘basic’ types of attic retractable staircases – pull down and folding.

• A pull-down retractable staircase tends to unfold into one single piece of ‘ladder’ and is usually attached to the loft by the hatch door. Traditionally, most people believe that these types of retractable staircase are sturdier.
• Folding retractable staircases fold up and down to fit inside the loft space. These retractable staircases are particularly useful in smaller lofts, or where loft space is at a premium. They can be supplied in wood or metal, and look spectacular in aluminium; as a consequence they are also lighter and will not give the user splinters and neither will they ‘rot’ or wear away over time.

When considering purchasing a retractable staircase for your loft you will need to consider:

• Local authority planning requirements and fire safety issues – you need to make sure that the retractable staircase you are thinking of purchasing and installing meet all the necessary legalities etc.
• Checking dimensions is important too, and should be double checked before you buy the retractable staircase. Check the measurements carefully as some staircases will list length from floor to ceiling whilst others may list the dimensions from floor to attic floor, two slightly different measurements.

Installation

Installing a retractable staircase is not the easiest of jobs and not one we attempt, as a rule on a frequent basis. In this respect, it is probably wiser to invest in an expert installer especially as you have invested in a fantastic retractable staircase. It would be a shame to have such a brilliant looking and practical staircase, for it to be shoddily installed.

Retractable Staircases Scotland Areas

Continental Stairs supplies and installs retractable staircases across Scotland including the areas below:

Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee, Paisley, East Kilbride, Livingston, Cumbernauld, Hamilton, Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline, Ayr, Perth, Kilmarnock, Inverness, Greenock, Coatbridge, Glenrothes, Airdrie, Falkirk, Stirling, Irvine, Dumfries, Motherwell, Wishaw, Clydebank, Bearsden, Cambuslang, Musselburgh, Arbroath, Elgin, Bellshill, Alloa, Dumbarton, Kirkintilloch, Bathgate, Stenhousemuir, St Andrews