Frequently Asked Questions
Stira Folding Attic Stiras are manufactured in Dunmore Co. Galway since 1982.
Opening size
Most homes have a square attic hatch opening. As part of our installation service our fitter will extend/adjust the current opening to the correct size for your Stira loft ladder.
Note: If the location of your current attic hatch opening means installing a loft ladder would not be safe, such as over a staircase, or is located where the opening cannot be adjusted as required, we can still install a Stira loft ladder solution for you in a different room by creating a new opening.
Nationwide coverage
We have our own Stira fitters and install our Stiras loft ladder solutions nationwide, across all 32 counties.
Call out Fee / Deposit
There is no call out fee for our survey assessment/measure up appointments. We take deposits for custom/bespoke orders, and our made to order solutions such as our Semi-Automatic, Heavy Duty and Fire Rated loft ladder systems. For Standard Manual stock loft ladders, payment is due on completion of your Stira installation.
Supplied and Fitted, Supply only
Stira quality loft ladder solutions are only available directly through Stira, either with Installation or Supply Only.
Stira loft ladder solutions are not available through any of the hardware stores or other merchants.
Appointment
To book yourself a free survey assessment appointment, please fill in the form online or call our office on 093 38055. We’ll need your Name, Address, Contact number and Email address to book in your appointment, and we’ll allocate an appointment week to you. Prior to that week, our Stira fitter will then arrange the exact date and time of your appointment with you directly.
The survey assessment/measure up appointment will take approximately 20-30 minutes. We can then confirm which Stira loft ladder solution will be the most suitable for you and your home, and will provide you with a quote. From there, you can make your decision. We carry a full range of loft ladder solutions in our Stira vans so in the majority of cases the installation can be , and is, carried out there and then. However, there is no obligation proceed with an installation on the day.
Guarantees
There is a 10 year parts Guarantee on all manual Stiras (both fitted and DIY), and a 1 year Guarantee on our Fitters Labour. In the rare case of there being any issues within the first year of your installation you fully covered. After the first year, all manual parts are covered for a total of 10 years. All electrical parts have a 4 year Guarantee (Semi-Automatic Stira).
Parts
Replacement parts can be ordered over the phone on 093 38055. We will require your Stira unit number which is noted in red on the Sticker on the inside of the trapdoor, along with your address. We manufacture these parts at our factory in Co. Galway, and they are for our Stira loft ladder solutions only. We cannot supply parts for any other lesser quality brands of folding attic stairs.
Replacement plastic latch
There are no plastic parts on our Stira loft ladder systems. Lesser quality “look-a-likes” often come with plastic latches which break. These are not Stira loft ladders.
Stira systems have a clever spring loaded counter leaver opening and closing mechanism. This means there is no latch to break and the spring keeps the trapdoor tightly closed and airtight.
Some Stira customers request a locking mechanism as well. The type of lock we use during manufacturing for this requirement is like that of a front door lock.
Also, if your attic ladder requires a pole to be inserted and twisted to open and close it, it is also not a Stira.
Weight limit
Our Stira loft ladder systems are independently test by the British Standards Institute (BSI) to 150 kg (23.6 Stone) annually. In house we have tested our loft ladder systems up to 190kg (29.9 stone)
Size range
Stiras range of Manual loft ladder solutions are suitable for floor to ceiling heights starting from 2.35m (7ft 9″) right up to 3.1m (10ft), and our range of Semi-Automatic solutions are suitable for floor to ceiling heights starting from 2.35m (7ft 9″) right up to 3.92m (13ft).
Payment
Payment is due on completion of the installation. Deposits are required for custom and built to orders solutions. Our fitters can take cash, cheque or card payment (card payments do depend on mobile coverage). You can also pay by bank transfer or card over the phone once the installation is completed. We also work in partnership with Humm Finance.
Vertical opening / Opening on wall
Our Stira solutions fold up onto the trap door so would not work in a vertical opening. Our fitter can create a new opening on a flat part of the ceiling if required.
We have a Clip-on Stira ladder solution which is not permanently fixed. Clip-on Stira ladder solutions are custom made and attach to a rail to access the attic. They come with a Second rail for storing your Clip-on Stira ladder elsewhere.
When to install a Stira – New Build
Once your finished floor below where the Stira is to be installed is down, and the heating is on, your Stira loft ladder system can be installed.
Heavy Duty Stira Vs Standard Stira
Our Standard Stira solutions are intended for average use, accessing your storage space once a week or less. If you plan to utilise your attic space more than this, as a office or maybe a hobby room, it might be worth considering one of our Heavy Duty Stira solutions for more frequent use.
Custom Stira
If one of our range of standard sizes doesn’t suit your attic opening, we can manufacture a custom Stira for you at our Factory in Dunmore Co Galway. We can provide a Stira folding attic stairs solution to suit most homes.
Insulation / Airtightness
Our range of Standard Stira loft ladder solutions are fully airtight, certified Class 4 (highest result possible). They come with an Insulated trapdoor which has been calculated to achieve an overall U-Value of 0.17 W/m2K in a typical ceiling.
Our range of Stira Cosy+ loft ladder solutions are also fully airtight, certified Class 4 (highest result possible). They come with a highly Insulated trapdoor which has been calculated to achieve an overall U-Value of 0.16 W/m2K in a typical ceiling, perfect for for maintaining an “A” BER (Building Energy Rating).
As part of our installations we also apply airtightness tape to create an airtight seal between the Stira frame and trimmed out opening in the attic space, as well as caulking around the ceiling architrave which we also affix as standard with all our installations.
Trapdoor Finish
The trapdoors of our Stira systems (with the exception of our Stira Cosy+) are a natural Timber finish which can be either painted, stained, or varnished to match your home. We do not paint the trapdoors.
Transparent Perspex trapdoors are also available as an optional extra.
The trapdoor of our Stira Cosy+ range is a White hardboard finish.
Fire Rating
We also offer Fire Rated options across our full range of Stira loft ladder solutions.
Optional extras
We have a full range of attic safety products to keep you safe while utilising your loft space. These include handrails, attic floor mounted grabrails, and our safety balustrades which is a guardrail protection which surrounds the exposed opening.
All Stira solutions come with Protective Rubber Boots, however they didn’t always so these are available for older Stira systems.
Note, these are not suitable for our Heavy Duty Stira.
Attic Flooring and Insulation
Not a lot of people know this, but we can also provide and install attic flooring in certain regions, so you can really start to utilise your loft space safely and effectively.
The attic flooring we lay is Tongue and Groove OSB Flooring which is used as structural underflooring in construction so is perfect for walking on and storing box/items on in the attic space. We can also lay top up insulation.
Disposal of old ladders
If as part of the installation, if there is an old or lesser quality system that has failed that needs to be taken out, we will do that which is all part of our service.
If you wish for us to dispose of the old ladder for you, there is a extra charge of €30 for our disposal service.
If your question is not in the information above you can call us on 093 38055 or email enquiry@stira.ie with your query
