Converting push up loft hatch to hinged down
 

What's the best way of achieving this to SWMBO compliant standards,
(i.e. so the result doesn't just look like a sheet of painted plywood
stuck to the ceiling!).
Also, at the moment insulation is attached to the rear of the (push up)
hatch stapled behing a plastic sheet - how have people attached
insulation to their drop down hatches so as not to interfere with loft
ladders etc.

Mike

Converting push up loft hatch to hinged down
 

"Mike Pepper" wrote:
What's the best way of achieving this to SWMBO compliant standards,
(i.e. so the result doesn't just look like a sheet of painted plywood
stuck to the ceiling!).
Also, at the moment insulation is attached to the rear of the (push up)
hatch stapled behing a plastic sheet - how have people attached
insulation to their drop down hatches so as not to interfere with loft
ladders etc.

Presumably the existing hinge-up hatch rests on four battens fixed inside
the frame. Depending on the frame depth you might be able to re-position the
flap so that it is hinged under the battens. The hatch can be fixed in place
by a lock so that only the key hole is visible, if you don't want a bolt.
Or, spring-held catches are an alternative but then you would need a handle
or knob in order to pull the hatch down. Magnetic catches are another
possibility, but again a handle or knob would probably be needed. You may
have to reposition the battens higher in the frame. Insulation probably isn't
necessary but a slab of glued on insulation, such as a cavity wall
insulation batt, might be more pleasing to madam's eye. You might get some
ideas he

http://images.google.co.uk/images?q=loft+hatch&ndsp=20&svnum=10&hl=en&lr=&saf e=off&start=0&sa=N



There are ready made white upvc drop down hatches but you may have to alter
the size of the hatch opening to suit:
http://www.lyndalestairs.co.uk/UPVCtrap.jpg

Converting push up loft hatch to hinged down
 

On 2007-01-25 09:28:46 +0000, "Mike Pepper"
said:

What's the best way of achieving this to SWMBO compliant standards,
(i.e. so the result doesn't just look like a sheet of painted plywood
stuck to the ceiling!).
Also, at the moment insulation is attached to the rear of the (push up)
hatch stapled behing a plastic sheet - how have people attached
insulation to their drop down hatches so as not to interfere with loft
ladders etc.

Mike

Probably the most effective way is to buy a complete package including
fold down wooden ladder.

I've fitted two of these - one in the house and the other in the
workshop for access to the roof spaces.

A wooden casing fits in the space between joists and the ladder (folded
in three sections) sits on the hinged trap door which is attached to
it. Large springs or struts counterbalance most of the weight so that
the trapdoor and ladder can be dropped down and then the ladder
unfolded.

In comparison with most aluminium ladders which tend to push into the
loft space, these don't occupy extra floor space and don't have as much
height requirement. The hatch is insulated as well.

It may be necessary with some designs to lengthen the opening to
accommodate the casing but not by much.

The casing can then be finished with an appropriate moulding,
architrave or whatever appeals.

Converting push up loft hatch to hinged down
 

Andy Hall wrote:
It may be necessary with some designs to lengthen the opening to
accommodate the casing but not by much.

Have you found some short ones then? 570 x ~ 1000 seems a common size,
Ideally I'd like 570 x 570 or up to about 750 if not, but I can't find
anything.


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