Firstly, you want to step off the ladder, at the highest point in your roof- there’s not much use in putting the ladder, say, in the laundry, if you step off the ladder and it’s only a meter high… You’ll be banging your head every time you go into your roof space.
Your existing manhole is a good start, so grab a ladder, stick your head into your roof space and have a look where the highest point in your roof is located. Quite often it’s in the passageway, or a room, which is central in your building.
The other factor is the foldout and the standout dimensions of your chosen ladder. The fold out is the amount of space you’ll need to unfold the ladder- a diagram hereabouts shows the measurement of our Eco ladder.
You’ll note that in this particular ladder model, you’ll need to allow enough space for the ladder to be folded up and down without obstruction.
The other things people get concerned about, but don’t have to be, are the air conditioner ducting in your roof.
When we build a storage space in your roof we often insert additional sections of ducting and then re-route the ducting around the storage area. This makes no difference to the performance of your air-con, but leaves the storage space free of ducting that you’d have to constantly step over.
When electrical cables cross over the potential ladder location we bring in a licensed electrician to re-rout the wiring for lights, smoke detectors etc. around where we’ll be working. When water or gas pipes obstruct the ladder location, we’ll organize a plumber to do the same- now understand that getting these additional services done will cost you extra, so it may be better if we locate the ladder opening somewhere where these issues don’t exist.
Hangers, collar-ties and support struts can also play a part in where you locate your in-roof storage area. You don’t want to be playing dodgem and having to jump over or limbo under these timbers.
Ideally, we want to put the storage area over load bearing walls, where there is a clear access and a good open area where you’ll be moving around within the roof storage area. If we need to relocate any supporting structure, we have our Registered Builder attend and instruct our installers the easiest, safest and most cost-effective way to ensure you get an open area, free of obstacles and still maintain full structural integrity.
So, before you decide where the ladder is going to be installed, check the height of where you’ll be exiting the ladder. Make sure that you have enough foldout space for the ladder, and that’s the ideal place to install your ladder.
Then have a look around for other obstacles, wiring, pipes, hangers etc.