Loft ladders: sizes, types and how to choose

07.10.2026

Loft ladders give safe access to the attic, and when folded they take no space in the room below. Most buying mistakes come from one wrong measurement. This guide covers the three measurements you need, the standard opening sizes, the difference between wooden and metal ladders, and how to choose the hatch insulation. The examples come from the Fakro and KRONmat ladders that Ymalko offers in Montenegro.

1. Three measurements before you buy

Ceiling opening. Measure the width and length of the opening between the joists. If the opening already exists, the ladder is chosen to fit it. If it is still to be made, it is easier to build the opening to a standard ladder size.
Room height. Measure from floor to ceiling. Every model has a maximum height it is made for. Standard lengths cover heights up to about 280 cm, and some models more. Wooden ladders can be trimmed to the exact height.
Space to unfold. The ladder needs free floor space in front of the opening while it unfolds and where it rests. Scissor ladders need the least space. Also check the height above the opening in the attic, where the folded ladder sits.

2. Standard opening sizes

Sizes are width x length of the opening in centimetres:

Three-section wooden folding ladders: 60 x 111, 60 x 120, 60 x 130, 70 x 111, 70 x 120, 70 x 130, 70 x 140
Shorter wooden ladders: 60 x 94, 60 x 100, 70 x 94, 70 x 100
Metal scissor ladders: 50 x 80, 50 x 90, 60 x 90, 60 x 110, 60 x 120, 70 x 80, 70 x 110, 70 x 120

Not every model comes in every size. For openings that match no standard size, send us the measurements and we will check what is possible.

Room height by model. For each model the manufacturer gives the maximum and minimum room height, measured from floor to ceiling. In rooms lower than the maximum, wooden ladders are shortened according to the fitting instructions.

KRONmat OLE Best and OLE Premium Thermo: 235 to 280 cm.
KRONmat OLE Best Mini: 252 to 280 cm.
KRONmat OST-B Best: 230 to 280 cm (below 250 cm one scissor section is removed).
Fakro LWT and LTK Energy: up to 280 cm for openings 100 and 120 cm long, up to 305 cm for 60 x 130, while 70 x 130 and 70 x 140 come in a 280 cm or a 305 cm version. The minimum height is 234 to 257 cm, depending on the size.
Fakro LWT Passive House: 234 to 280 cm.
KRONmat OMP: 200 to 300 cm.
KRONmat OSA-G: 222 to 300 cm.

For the OSS spiral stair and for heights above 305 cm, send us your measurements.

3. Wooden or metal ladders

Wooden folding ladders are the most common choice for houses and flats. They are made of pine and fold in three sections, and the treads are profiled against slipping and fixed to the stringers with dovetail joints.

Metal scissor ladders are chosen when the opening is small or there is no room in front of it. The length adjusts to the room height, and rollers at the bottom protect the floor from scratches.

Check the load rating too: Fakro LWT and LTK Energy have a maximum load of 160 kg.

4. Hatch insulation

The ladder opening is a hole in an insulated ceiling, so the hatch decides how much heat escapes to the attic. The thicker the hatch and the more seals it has, the lower the losses.

Basic level: thermally insulated hatch 2.6 to 3.6 cm thick.
Better insulation: hatch 4.6 to 5.6 cm thick, as on the OLE Premium Thermo models.
Energy-efficient houses: Fakro LTK Energy with a 6.6 cm hatch and a U-value of 0.68 W/m²K.
Highest level: Fakro LWT with an 8 cm hatch, three seals and a U-value of 0.51 W/m²K, and LWT Passive House for passive houses.

If the attic is unheated and the room below is heated, a better insulated hatch pays off.

5. When the attic is used every day

Folding ladders are for occasional access. If the attic is a room you enter every day, fixed stairs are better:

Mill stairs: straight wooden stairs for a small space; the OMP model folds and frees the space when not in use.
OSA-G modular stairs: steel structure with wooden treads, adjustable height, straight or with a turn.
OSS spiral stairs: a solution when floor space is limited, turning right or left.

All three types are designed for self-assembly.

Checklist before ordering

Width and length of the opening
Room height from floor to ceiling
Free space in front of the opening
Whether the attic is heated
How often the attic is used

Loft ladders in Montenegro

See the range of ladders and stairs:

Models mentioned in this guide:

Send us the opening size, the room height and the free space in front of the opening, and you will get a model recommendation and a quote.

Contact Ymalko Montenegro for a quote