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UK diy (uk.d-i-y) For the discussion of all topics related to diy (do-it-yourself) in the UK. All levels of experience and proficency are welcome to join in to ask questions or offer solutions. |
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#1
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loft hatch
Hi,
I would like to replace our loft hatch. I know you can get some ready assembled plastic ones but I'm not sure about locking them. They seem to have a plastic latch that you turn through 90 degrees to lock the door closed. The problem is: how do you reach it to turn it when it's eight foot high? I wondered about making my own from wood as the existing one is rather tatty. At the moment it is a push-up type and I'd like to replace it with one on hinges to lower down, with a retractable ladder. Do I use mdf or do I get "real wood" in tongue and groove form and join that to make a hatch? I suppose the only problem with sliding the ladder up after use is that it will squash the insulation. Is there anything else I need to think about before I start? TIA. |
#2
Posted to uk.d-i-y
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loft hatch
"Sam" wrote:
Hi, I would like to replace our loft hatch. I know you can get some ready assembled plastic ones but I'm not sure about locking them. They seem to have a plastic latch that you turn through 90 degrees to lock the door closed. The problem is: how do you reach it to turn it when it's eight foot high? I wondered about making my own from wood as the existing one is rather tatty. At the moment it is a push-up type and I'd like to replace it with one on hinges to lower down, with a retractable ladder. Do I use mdf or do I get "real wood" in tongue and groove form and join that to make a hatch? I suppose the only problem with sliding the ladder up after use is that it will squash the insulation. Is there anything else I need to think about before I start? TIA. I recently converted my loft hatch from a push up to a pull down. The catch is operated by a hook on the end of a piece of dowel, as is the pull down loft ladder. Due to lack of space in the loft I installed a concertina ladder which is held up by springs above the hatch opening when the ladder is in the up position. You can prevent a slide up ladder from squashing the insulation by fixing a wooden rail to the joists. The original hatch was MDF which I cut down to fit the smaller opening. In my experience a push up hatch gives a much better draught seal than can be achieved with a pull down hatch. If you use tongue and grove be aware that it may be heavier than MDF or a sheet of plywood. |
#3
Posted to uk.d-i-y
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loft hatch
DIY wrote:
"Sam" wrote: Hi, I would like to replace our loft hatch. I know you can get some ready assembled plastic ones but I'm not sure about locking them. They seem to have a plastic latch that you turn through 90 degrees to lock the door closed. The problem is: how do you reach it to turn it when it's eight foot high? I wondered about making my own from wood as the existing one is rather tatty. At the moment it is a push-up type and I'd like to replace it with one on hinges to lower down, with a retractable ladder. Do I use mdf or do I get "real wood" in tongue and groove form and join that to make a hatch? I suppose the only problem with sliding the ladder up after use is that it will squash the insulation. Is there anything else I need to think about before I start? TIA. I recently converted my loft hatch from a push up to a pull down. The catch is operated by a hook on the end of a piece of dowel, as is the pull down loft ladder. Due to lack of space in the loft I installed a concertina ladder which is held up by springs above the hatch opening when the ladder is in the up position. You can prevent a slide up ladder from squashing the insulation by fixing a wooden rail to the joists. The original hatch was MDF which I cut down to fit the smaller opening. In my experience a push up hatch gives a much better draught seal than can be achieved with a pull down hatch. If you use tongue and grove be aware that it may be heavier than MDF or a sheet of plywood. IME blockboard is the best material. Takes screws well on the edge and is a good deal lighter than mdf. The key thing to remember is that you make the frame with the door as a freestanding item and then fit it to the joists. Trying to fit a door to an existing frame can be frustrating to say the least. |
#4
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loft hatch
In article , Sam
scribeth thus Hi, I would like to replace our loft hatch. I know you can get some ready assembled plastic ones but I'm not sure about locking them. They seem to have a plastic latch that you turn through 90 degrees to lock the door closed. The problem is: how do you reach it to turn it when it's eight foot high? I wondered about making my own from wood as the existing one is rather tatty. At the moment it is a push-up type and I'd like to replace it with one on hinges to lower down, with a retractable ladder. Do I use mdf or do I get "real wood" in tongue and groove form and join that to make a hatch? I suppose the only problem with sliding the ladder up after use is that it will squash the insulation. Is there anything else I need to think about before I start? TIA. We've had one of those plastic ones made by the same people who make Osma drains and stuff. Pile of cack.. distorts and leaves gaps that the wind whistles through. Make it from wood with some foam seal round the edges and some sort of catch to hold it tight in place against the sealing foam.. Shouldn't worry about the ladder squashing a bit of loft insulation!.. -- Tony Sayer |
#5
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loft hatch
On Sun, 25 Nov 2007 15:24:30 GMT, Sam wrote:
I would like to replace our loft hatch. I know you can get some ready assembled plastic ones ... You can also get ready assembled timber ones, frame, hatch and ladder that sits over the hatch when up. CostCo sell 'em for about £80 + VAT. I think that one is "Eco", plenty of others listed at http://www.loftsandladders.com/acata...t_Ladders_in_T imber_6.html Handy Google find -- Cheers Dave. pam is missing e-mail |
#6
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loft hatch
On 25 Nov, 15:24, Sam wrote:
Hi, I would like to replace our loft hatch. I know you can get some ready assembled plastic ones but I'm not sure about locking them. They seem to have a plastic latch that you turn through 90 degrees to lock the door closed. The problem is: how do you reach it to turn it when it's eight foot high? I wondered about making my own from wood as the existing one is rather tatty. At the moment it is a push-up type and I'd like to replace it with one on hinges to lower down, with a retractable ladder. Do I use mdf or do I get "real wood" in tongue and groove form and join that to make a hatch? I suppose the only problem with sliding the ladder up after use is that it will squash the insulation. Is there anything else I need to think about before I start? TIA. Not to go against the thread, I recently fitted: http://www.screwfix.com/prods/79577/...oft-Door-White Easy to fit as I had to resize an existing hatch and get the ceiling skimmed afterwards. I would agree its not the most robust construction, but its only a loft hatch. The door comes of easily for extra access. Very well draught insulated and a piece of polystyrene on the back, locks securely with the end of the pole used for the ladder. Hope that helps |
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