What type of loft hatch do you need?

Deciding on the right loft hatch you need actually requires more thought than you might have first guessed, it can make a big difference about how accessible and convenient your loft is to use, so it’s important you get it right. Loft hatches can vary greatly in size depending on the type of loft ladder you’ve got installed, in this article you’re going to find out about how the type of ladder affects the characteristics of the opening to your loft.

If you’re intent on moving a lot of large boxes up to your loft you’re almost certainly going to want a much wider loft hatch to ensure that they can actually fit through the opening, if this is the case you might want to look into folding loft access ladders. These loft ladders are much wider than normal which means they work well in combination with larger hatches. The benefit of using them is that they are very easy to install and they won’t take up much of your loft space because they fold away very neatly.

If you find yourself constantly in your loft and expect to make regular visits to it then concertina attic stairs maybe more appropriate, these tend to be much smaller and more compact and may warrant you having a smaller loft hatch installed too. If you don’t foresee yourself ever storing large items in your loft this is probably the perfect compromise for you, they are quick and easy to access.

When looking for a loft hatch it’s beneficial if it is finished in such a way that requires hardly any extensive cleaning and isn’t going to accentuate any dust or dirt that it accumulates. Many products on the market will state this quality in their specifications. Additionally, fire safety is a very important issue so it pays to do your research before you select a particular model; ideally you will want 6 inches (150mm) thick fire proof insulation installed at the back of the hatch. Finally, if you want a large loft opening you will need to ensure that the product you buy doesn’t require an unreasonably large frame, this will significantly decrease the access area and you may wind up with a significantly smaller opening than you had originally intended.

Remember that whatever hatch you do eventually decide upon you will need to make sure it is installed correctly. Any loft or roof access hatch needs to be built in the middle of the ceiling beams, this will be an important factor when considering the size of the opening and its location too. There’s no point wanting installing a loft hatch where it’s most convenient to get to if it’s going to present serious structural problems.

As a final note I would like to make one suggestions, if you have small children and are concerned about their safety or them gaining access to your loft it is advisable that you purchase a unit which features a loft hatch lock, believe me them little devils will find a reason to get in anywhere.