Choosing the right loft hatch and ladder

Whether for general access to loft storage or as a maintenance hatch for roof space services, the need for access through ceilings is a requirement for most buildings so it’s important to have a safe point of entry.  A proper loft hatch, as opposed to a simple board, offers much greater convenience and ease of access to the loft.

If you want to create safe, energy efficient and easy access to your loft space without installing a costly and space consuming staircase, look no further than our range of thermally insulated, draft sealed, cost effective loft doors.  Designed for quick and easy installation, ease of operation, and with a choice of insulated door panels to prevent your heat from escaping into the loft space.

Our step-by-step guide reveals the four key things you need to consider to achieve the perfect loft access solution.

(1) Measure

To determine what you’ve got room for. If you are starting from scratch, you’ll be deciding on a new location for the loft hatch and ladder. Or, perhaps you are making improvements to the current access to the loft. Either way, it’s wise to use a stud, pipe and wire detector to find your joists, and mark the edges of these on the ceiling to create your new access hole. Before you begin, check:

• You have 100mm between the opening and any wall or obstruction.
• You have enough headroom at the chosen entry point to the loft.
• The position doesn’t have obstructions (like a header tank).
• If you are planning to install a ladder that it can run in the same direction as your joists.
• That no structural integrity will be lost when creating your new opening.

(2) Decide

What kind of loft access door? We have a variety of loft hatches to suit different requirements. They all fit flush with the ceiling for minimal impact, and are a complete unit comprising of:

• A frame which can be fixed into the trimmed opening with a seal.
• An insulated hatch.
• A seal between the hatch and the door.
• An unobtrusive, flush fit with the ceiling.
• A maintenance-free finish, that’s also wipeable so you’ll be able to remove unsightly fingerprints.

You can choose from;

Drop down – GL250 Range

• A modern loft door which is cost effective and simple to install.
• Considered to be the best on the market for air tightness.
• Compliant with Part L of the Building Regulations it has been developed to reduce heat loss and prevent the problem of moist warm air entering the roof space causing condensation.
• The multi-point catch mechanism maintains a more effective draught seal around the entire accessible opening. It also reduces warping of the door and prevents sagging and gapping.

Manthorpe GL250 
Overall Size: 856mm x 686mm, Fitting Size: 562mm (max) 553mm (min) x 726mm,
Accessible Opening: 715mm x 545mm

Push up – GL260

• Our cost-effective alternative to traditional loft space access.
• Provides the perfect solution when space is limited, for example in a tight hallway.
• Twin catches pull the door down onto the compression seal to give a tight seal between the door and frame.
• The door can easily be removed for full loft space access.
• Lightly textured surface that can be easily cleaned with a solvent-free damp cloth. Alternatively, the surface can be painted to match the interior décor.

Manthorpe GL260
Overall Size: 662mm x 662mm, Fitting Size: 562mm x 562mm,
Accessible Opening: 528mm x 528mm

Drop down One Hour Fire Rated

• For situations where safety is paramount, ideal for use in dwellings with a shared loft space and when a fire-rated loft hatch has been specified by the building designer.
• Fire retardant mineral wool insulation provides a U-value of 0.35 W/m²K.
• Manufactured from powder-coated steel.
• A 1-hour fire rated loft door independently tested at Warringtonfire (test report available upon request).

Manthorpe GL270F Square: 
Overall: 580mm x 580mm, Fitting: 531mm x 531mm, Accessible Opening: 515mm x 430mm

Manthorpe GL280F Rectangular:
Overall: 749mm x 584mm, Fitting: 726mm x 562mm (706mm x 542mm after lining with 10mm plasterboard) Accessible Opening: 665mm x 521mm

(3) Install

Fitting varies according to the type of loft hatch you are installing, all our loft access doors come with easy-to-understand installation instructions that are also downloadable from our website www.manthorpebp.co.uk/loft-access

(4) Need a ladder?

To make your loft a usable space, the easiest way to gain access will be to fit a ladder.  

Our robust two and three section loft ladders (GLL256 and GLL257) are compact, lightweight, easy to install and are available in either two or three sections for varying heights.

Features

• Metal safety catch which prevents premature drop during smooth sliding ladder operation.
• Deep, non-slip treads.
• Rubber feet for extra stability. 
• 3 section ladder comes with a mid-section handrail.

To determine which ladder will best suit your space, measure from the floor of your landing to the top of your roof joints and the dimensions of your loft hatch, or visit our website www.manthorpebp.co.uk for further information.

Use the following table and diagrams below: