apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Why don't you get a fire escape type ladder? Not the normal ones, but those ones that are very slim and the top and the bottom bolts to the wall.

Or you could just put a whole column of towel rails or rails that they use for elderly people in bathrooms (they are pretty sturdy right?) as 'rungs' and attach them to your wall.

you can also check the current issue of Dwell- there's some renovation of a Shophouse where they use a ladder in the kitchen to access overhead storage, etc...

the resource might be listed in there- not sure though, I threw it away or i'd check for you.

-kellen

I have been looking for one for my loft also. I found library rolling ladders at a local architecture salvage store for a reasonable price.

I also looked for the makers of the Dwell ladder but couldn't find anything about it in the magazine.

David and Im's one space (see smallest coolest apartments 2006) had a cool ladder up to their loft bed: http://apartmenttherapy.com/photo/041106onespace/10%20ladder
I think maybe they got supplies from a marine supply store and made it themselves?

How about a step Tansu cabinet?
It is more expensive than a ladder, but lots of storage, and a very cool piece, used exzactly as it was designed to lo those many years ago in old Japan.
This is not a great example -- you'd want one with regular steps, but it can be made as you like, I'm having a hard time finding one larger than 72 inches tall; you'd likely need something a little taller for your loft.
http://dukaru.homestead.com//Furniture/StepTansu.html
I also have a fantasy that you will buy a slide. Climb up one side to get to bed, slide down the other when its time to get up.

I know an independent carpenter who might take the job, but I don't want to post his number publicly since I don't know his availability and don't want to innundate him if he's not into it.
If you roll over my name in blue, you can go to my Web site, e-mail me and I'll either send you the number or call him to see if he can do it.

I had the same issue when living in a loft and found this pre-fab almost vertical modern staircase. I believe Lowe's or Home Depot now sell these.
http://www.arkestairs.com/gallery.php?photo=karina_full_2

The guys who ended up buying the loft from me installed this and seem to really like it.

'Build it Green! NYC' has a lot of salvaged materials. They may have some ladders. Check out their site:

http://www.bignyc.org/?cat=2

I am home sick today, so I've been searching Craigslist -- trying to solve your ladder problem. This guy builds loft beds. He may be willing to build you your ladder:

http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/fur/168103075.html

The rolling ladder people.

http://www.putnamrollingladder.com/

oops, putnam laddders is already posted above...

Thank you all for all your input!!! Keep it coming.

Hostos.

Jenny,
Wow! Those Arke stairs are so great! I don't have anywhere to climb to, but almost wish I did so that I could install those stairs!

what about something like this?

no idea what it would cost, but they sure do look cool...

the link didn't work after all.

http://www.warnerspecialty.com/products/products.asp?Warner=Standard+Access+Products&Category=225

commercial alternating thread stair
http://www.lapeyrestair.com/

I checked in the June issue of Dwell in the resource section for the stairs previously mentioned above, but they don't list the stairs. The stairs are very nice -- looks like a steel ladder that moves along on a rail.

In the May issue, there was a fabulous loft bed in a 700 square foot space with a ladder. That ladder is from http://www.lapeyrestair.com/. It looks like it's the "alternating tread stair," but I can't tell if it's steel or aluminum.

Whoa-great minds think alike! I was busy studying my Dwell resource list, so I didn't check back to see that dj posted same link earlier.

we have the commercial alternating thread stair in my office leading up to our roof deck and people fall down it all the time. going up i think is pretty comfortable and easy, but almost everyone gets nervous when climbing down and a bunch of people (mostly visiting clients, oops!) have tripped on the way down. just something to think about...

We had the exact same problem with a loft space in our office. The room was too tight to install proper stairs as they'd take up too much space so we bought some foldable attic stairs and bolted them to the wall just below the floor of the loft. The ladder extends out perfectly but the drawback is that we can only fold the ladder in half and have a hanging attic ladder in our space now. Wish I had pics of our setup but here it is from Lowes.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=3632-287-S2210&lpage=none

Chuck if you get around to taking some pics of your setup please let me know. It would be great to get a better idea before making that purchase.


thanks.

I saw a very sturdy old barn ladder at an antique store in the Chamblee area in Atlanta the other day and mentally earmarked it for my future cabin with loft. But if you want it, try giving Biggar's Antiques a call and asking for details. It was quite sturdy and I think less than $500. Of course getting it to you might cost a bit more.

Anna
----------------------------------
Contact: Billy Biggar
E-Mail: biggarantiques@aol.com
Telephone: 770-451-2541
Address: 5576 Peachtree Road
Chamblee, GA 30341
Web Site: n/a
Information: A real antique shop. Large inventory of Original Country Store, 1950s Kicthenware, fishing, hunting, sports, furniture, signs, architectural, ephemera. Retail refinishing, prop rentals, resturaunt decoration.

I found a beautifull ladder

www.escadex.com.br/praktika.htm

Hey all, So I have a similar question but a little more complicated. I have a hatch skylight that goes directly from a wall in my livingroom to the roof. I need to find some sort of SECURE wall ladder to mount to the wall so that I can get up to the roof regularly. I thought of mounting several industrial bars (like stair rails or towel bars) to the wall on top of one another, but Im afriad it wont be strong enough. So does anyone have any ladder or other creative suggestions? Thanks a lot! The ladder has to be around 6-8 feet high and rather slim.

Noticed the help call by Hostos...don't know how old the quest is but here's help:

nycreativecarpentry@hotmail.com makes Custom loft & library ladders and sometimes offers some stock ladders on eBay.

The standard ladders are wood (pick your species);

stained & varnished or painted;

assembled or knocked down; 19 1/2" wide with 7 1/2" steps; & made to fit your floor to floor height.

Gene