Ramsay and Sons (Forfar) Ltd

Established as a limited company in 1946, we have been producing high quality ladders and access solutions from our head office and manufacturing facilities in Forfar, Scotland for over 75 years. 

We are a family-run business split into two divisions, Ramsay Ladders and Ramsay Access, allowing us to provide ladders and access solutions for a variety of sectors within the commercial and residential markets. 

Although renowned worldwide for our original Loft Ladder, our product range at Ramsay Ladders is as diverse as the purposes for which they are used for. Regardless of its purpose or the environment in which it is to be used, every product is designed with the latest innovations and manufactured to a standard that few companies can match. 

Our vast range of standard products include: 

  • Ladders 
  • Step Ladders 
  • Loft Ladders 
  • Platforms 
  • Football Goal Frames

Should our standard range of products not meet your requirements, our fabrication division, Ramsay Access, will design & manufacture to your exact specification. Backed by years of experience, we are one of the UK's leading designers & fabricators of special access products. 

A DIY Guide To Boarding Out Your Loft

A DIY Guide To Boarding Out Your Loft

Boarding out your loft can help to provide safe and dry storage or even act as the first step in creating a craft or hobby room. It's a job any competent DIYer can achieve with the right tools and materials.

 

#1 GET THE ESSENTIALS RIGHT

To successfully board out your loft, you'll need:

JIGSAW AND WORKBENCH

SCREWDRIVERS

HAMMER

ELECTRIC DRILL

MEASURE AND PENCIL

GLOVES, GOGGLES AND FACEMASK

STANDARD LOFT BOARDS

SCREWS SUITABLE FOR FIXING LOFT BOARDS

INSULATION SUFFICIENT TO CREATE A DEPTH OF AT LEAST 270MM.

 

#2 MEASURE UP

Boarding out your loft can help to provide safe and dry storage or even act as the first step in creating a craft or hobby room. It's a job any competent DIYer can achieve with the right tools and materials.

 

#3 LAY OUT YOUR BOARDS

You'll create more strength and integrity in the boards if you stagger them - joins that line up across the boards can create a weak point.

Cut the boards to length and to allow access to light fittings if necessary, being careful not to trap or cut any wires.

When you're satisfied, it's time to fix them in place.

 

#4 DON'T FORGET TO INSULATE

You'll find that the recommended 270mm depth of insulation makes attaching the boards difficult. However, if you compress the insulation you'll compromise its effectiveness.

The best solution is to split the insulation and lay to the depth of the joists under your boards, and attach the rest under the roof using twine and nails to hold it in place.

 

#5 BOARDING OUT

It's now time to screw the boards into place.

Line each board up with the centre of the joist and then drill two to three pilot holes each side before fixing each board into place.

 

#6 ATTACHING A LOFT LADDER

Loft ladders can vary in design, so be certain to read the manufacturers' instructions before fitting.

The Ramsay loft ladders fit almost any size of hatch, but be sure to give us a call or read our brochure to ensure you select the right model.  We also offer you the choice of filling in our Measurement Chart and we can confirm exact sizes required.

Start by lowering the ladder fully to the floor and attaching the top stops before fitting the guide assembly to the frame of the loft hatch. You can fit the handlebar in place at this point or after assembly if preferred.

Now follow the instructions for fully lowering and locking the ladder in place by releasing each section of your loft ladders until they reach the stops, at which point you can release the locking catches.

To store your newly installed ladder, simply release all the catches and slide the ladder upwards until it can be safely stowed in the loft.

 

#7 TIPS FOR USING YOUR NEW LOFT STORAGE

Keeping your newly boarded out loft free of clutter is the best way to store your possessions.

Place heavier items around the perimeter of the boards to spread the weight, leave items you use often accessible from the loft ladders, and use sealed plastic storage boxes to keep your possessions dust-free.

 

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