How to make a hatch in a slate roof. Roof hatch: reliable and safe access to the roof. Features of fire hatches

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  • Delivery cost - 30 rubles per 1 km from the Ring Road
  • From 15 to 30 km from the Ring Road we deliver only orders worth over 15,000 rubles
  • At distances over 30 km from the Ring Road in St. Petersburg, it is delivered by transport companies**, delivery costs are calculated according to the tariffs of the selected company, delivery of cargo of any size to the transport company’s terminal is FREE.
  • Delivery is NOT provided for orders under 1000 rubles. Only pickup and delivery to a transport company is possible

In houses without an attic, the attic space is often used for domestic purposes. You can store useful things there and display communications. To make it convenient to get to the top, you need to make a hatch for the attic, and it is better if it is inside the house. We will tell you how to design and select the dimensions of the attic hatch in this article.

Whatever shape and type of manhole you choose, it will be difficult to do without a ladder. If a hatch made of metal or wood can be easily hidden in the ceiling, then when choosing a staircase you need to think about the layout of the room. There are several design options:

  • Stationary. Installed during construction of the house. They cannot be moved or folded, so Special attention is given to the design and appearance.
  • Portable. Such a ladder is usually stored in the pantry and causes additional trouble. Not only does it take up useful space, but when you need to go up to the attic you have to move it.
  • Folding. This is the most convenient option for use in a residential building. Saves living space, no effort required special effort, in order to use it. The only drawback is the difficulty of assembling the folding ladder.

Depending on which version of the staircase was chosen and at what angle it was installed, the size of the hatch to the attic is determined. The permissible width ranges from 0.7 to 1 meter. The practical slope of the lift is 65°, and the convenient one is 45°. In the first case, the structure will not take up much space, and in the second, you can easily climb into the attic.

For most stairs, 10-15 steps without risers are sufficient. A convenient width of steps is considered to be 250-300 mm. To save material and not lose practicality, the distance between steps is made equal to 190 mm. Choose durable wood species, 20 mm thick. This thickness can support a weight of more than 150 kg.

Types of hatches

Depending on the design solution home, the selected staircase and the operation of the attic space are used different kinds hatches The most common constructive solutions The following options are considered:

  • Horizontal. It is used in situations where you often have to lift it into the attic. You can do it yourself by cutting it into the ceiling and installing a ladder.
  • Vertical. Suitable for buildings with multi-level rooms. If one of the rooms does not have attic floor, and combined with the roof. Such a hatch is built into the wall that separates the living and non-residential premises. Rarely used in private construction.
  • Attic. The hatch is combined with access to the roof. A difficult project to implement, which is usually sent to specialized studios. A functional and beautiful solution for houses with attics.
  • Revision. At small slopes The roof slopes make it difficult to get into the attic. If you still need to check the space above the rooms, make a small hatch. Usually, either a folding or portable ladder is used for it.

In the classic version, the access to the attic is made square with a white flap. If desired, you can make or order a design that matches the color of the home’s interior. Large manholes are equipped with two doors, and in some cases, to enter the attic, it is enough to fold back one half of the hatch.

If the attic space is not heated, care must be taken to ensure that the crawl space is sufficiently insulated. Sold in stores ready-made options, therefore, it is not necessary to calculate the thickness of the insulation and assemble the hatch.

Popular hatch materials

As mentioned above, two main materials are used for attic hatches: wood and metal. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages, as well as subtleties during installation.

Metal constructions on the one hand, they are reliable, and on the other hand, they have a lot of weight. The dimensions and weight of the product turn off many homeowners. The fact is that when closing a heavy lid it can hit painfully and cause injury. In addition, it is quite difficult to install the product alone.

Metal conducts heat well, so if the attic is unheated, you have to add a thick layer of insulation. This increases the overall weight of the structure, which is why it is necessary to strengthen the attic floor structure. To facilitate the operation of such a hatch, manufacturers integrate a hydraulic system.

Simpler and cheap option - wooden hatches to the attic. Although the strength is inferior to metal, wood has its advantages. For example, this material is an excellent heat insulator and does not allow cold to pass through in winter. The light weight of the sashes makes the option safer to use. Simple design and the availability of materials allows you to make a hatch yourself.

In addition to the material, attic hatches also differ in the method of opening. Some designs are made so that the sashes tilt upward. For such options you need to have good physical strength. But with them you can use adjustable and stationary ladders.

Manholes with hatches that open downwards are usually equipped with sliding ladders. Due to the complexity of the design, it is difficult to make such options yourself. Therefore, such hatches are usually bought in specialized stores. Still, this option is preferable, as it saves space in the house and makes the attic hatch invisible.

Preparing the installation site

You can’t just randomly mark the slot locations for installing the attic crawl space. There are load-bearing beams in the ceiling and if they are damaged they will unpleasant consequences. The same goes for rafter system. Experts have identified several recommendations for placing the passage:

  1. If you have a folding or portable ladder, then there should be enough space for it. When calculating, pay attention to both the height of the structure and the width. Correctly selected dimensions will make the operation of the lift more convenient.
  2. The attic hatch is installed between the floor beams. If the roof is assembled correctly, cutting a hole in the ceiling will not be difficult.
  3. Choose a place so that when climbing into the attic you will not touch the rafters with your head.
  4. The dimensions of the hatch and the hole in the ceiling must match exactly, otherwise cracks and cold bridges will appear. Over time, there will be a threat of structural collapse.

As a rule, attic hatches are sold ready for installation. Their design often comes with a pre-installed folding staircase and external slats at the top and bottom. Remember that you will be installing it together with the outer casing and the method of fastening depends on it.

After you have purchased the hatch, take all dimensions from it and transfer them to the ceiling. It is most convenient to do this from the attic side. Drill pilot holes in the corners with an electric drill. Next, once the precise markings have been made, use a jigsaw to cut a hole in the ceiling.

When installing the hatch, do not damage the insulating layers of insulation. Cut carefully if necessary required amount film, rather than tearing it.

Once the hole has been made the work moves inside the house. Remove the cover from the hatch and fit it to the resulting opening. If the width or length is not sufficient for installation, cut to the required dimensions. At the same time, be careful that the gaps between the ceiling and the hatch are minimal.

Hatch installation

It is more convenient to start the installation from the attic, and first you need to secure the outer strip. After this, insert the hatch into the hole and secure it. Now go to home and install bottom bar, fixing it on the ceiling. Make sure that the attic hatch is flush with the ceiling. All that remains is to secure the cover and all the work is finished.

Check the ladder before using it bearing capacity. It is designed for 150-250 kg load. Gradually increase the weight until you reach the maximum.

Now all that remains is to decorate the attic hatch or hide it using ceiling finishing materials. If you have wooden structure, enough inner part cover it with slats, and if it is metal, paint the sashes in the desired color.

Install according to the instructions included with the attic hatch you purchased. A simple description will help you install the structure yourself. Once everything has been done, you will be able to freely climb into the attic at any time of the year.

If you are determined to actively use the attic space, most likely you will have to make a hatch into the attic. In villages in the past, this task was dealt with very simply - it was enough to use ladder, but for modern man such a dubious method can hardly be called suitable. Definitely, you will need a convenient access hole from inside the house, and not from outside, as was previously practiced. Available for sale ready-made solutions, but you will still have to install them yourself, and the dimensions of the structure may not work. This article will talk about how to make the roof of a house habitable.

Buy or make?

Those who plan to buy a finished product can use the instructions for its installation, which will also be given in this article, and those who want to make a convenient attic hatch with their own hands will be interested in the full information about the process, which we offer for reading. So, here are a few important nuances that will be useful in your work:

  • choose a location for the opening so as not to hit your head on rafter elements or the roof at the time of lifting up;
  • an entrance to the roof of the house is not built under the floor beams;
  • if the top floor is still not insulated, you will have to make thermal insulation;
  • the opening definitely needs to be strengthened. Suitable for wooden structures wooden beams, and in concrete houses reinforcement is carried out with metal corners;
  • It is necessary to provide free space under the hatch for the retractable ladder.

If you make the hatch along with the ladder yourself, do not be lazy to carefully study all the stages of the process, then you will not encounter difficulties in the work, and it will not seem complicated to you.

Manufacturing stages

Before you make a hatch into the attic, you need to draw up drawings on which all the necessary measurements and parameters are noted: the thickness of the ceiling, the dimensions of the lid and the opening that you will cut. Please note that insulated rooms can be equipped with a regular cover, while cold rooms will require additional thermal insulation. It doesn’t matter how you draw up the diagram - by hand on paper or in a special computer program, the main thing is to take into account all the necessary dimensions. Once the diagram has been drawn up, you can proceed to the practical side of the issue, as well as prepare the tools for the work.

Cutting the opening

If a roof access hole was not provided during the construction of the house, you will have to cut it out yourself. Of course, if such a hole for installing the door already exists, this stage of work is skipped.

To begin with, markings are carried out with the expectation that the hole should be 5–6 cm larger than the dimensions of the hatch frame. In the future, the gap will help compensate for the thickness of the boards from which the frame will be made. Material from a sawn piece ceiling can be used to cover the lid, of course, if it has a normal aesthetic appearance.

Assembling the opening frame

Here we will need boards with a thickness of 2 - 3 cm, this is the caliber that will make the base durable. The frame can be round or square shape. The second option requires that all corners be straight. Frame sizes of 60x120 cm can be considered standard, and such dimensions are suitable absolute majority homeowners. You are guided by personal preferences and the dimensions of the opening; you may want to enlarge the opening to the roof of the house, but we do not recommend making it smaller. After assembly, the frame is mounted in its seat in the ceiling opening.

Making a lid

As mentioned earlier, the most ordinary cover can be assembled from the cut out remains of the ceiling, which were formed as a result of cutting out the opening. The assembled door must be reinforced with reverse side cross bar. Then it needs to be secured in the selected place with loops located along the long or short side of the lid. Take a closer look at which side will be more convenient for you to open the door, and only then proceed to secure it to the frame. Also consider how the hatch leading to the roof of the house should open, inside or outside the room.

We do insulation and finishing

The issue with insulation, as we said earlier, will depend entirely on the degree of thermal insulation top floor. An insulated floor can get by with a basic layer of insulation, but we advise you to pay attention to sound insulation. Naturally, a cold room needs a high-quality large-scale insulating coating. To do this, you will have to lay a layer of vapor barrier membrane and a layer insulation material according to the standard scheme for such a process. On last stage Exterior finishing needs to be done.

As you already understand, this is how the simplest hatch leading to the roof of the house is installed. To more difficult decisions This includes a design with a retractable staircase. The installation process here is carried out according to a similar scheme with only some differences.

Complex designs

The hatch to the attic can be equipped with a stationary ladder. Here, too, work begins with cutting the opening. The further course of the process depends on which design you have chosen and in what order you will make it. Let’s say right away that the work of assembling and installing the hatch with the ladder in in this case will be somewhat more complicated than in the option discussed above. Be sure to ensure that all sizes of interacting elements match:

You can measure all these parameters yourself or remove them from a purchased product if you do not make it yourself. In this case, the cover must have a space that will accommodate the longest part of the retractable ladder in the assembled position.

Also remember that the weight of the ladder must be adequately supported by the lid, otherwise breakage and, in the worst case, injury cannot be avoided. We must not forget about the reliable latch, which will firmly hold the structure in the frame of the ceiling opening.

All the processes that we mentioned are presented schematically, but if you decide to build an attic hatch yourself, you don’t need more detailed information, because you most likely have certain skills, but general recommendations illustrations won't hurt anyone. Anyone who buys a ready-made hatch for access to the roof of a house can use the installation instructions, which are necessarily included with the product.

Hatch to the attic: step by step installation with your own hands


A hatch to the roof of the house is necessary if you plan to actively use the attic space. How to make a hatch into the attic, read our article!

Construction of houses

The attic is a great place to store old things, clothes and other accessories. However, for its operation, it is necessary to install a hatch that will help you easily get into the attic. We’ll talk further about the types of attic hatches and the features of making them yourself.

How to make a hatch into the attic: choosing a location and preparing for work

A fairly common purpose of the attic is to serve as a storage room. There are various kinds of things that have seasonal or periodic use. In order to get them, you must have constant access to the attic. For these purposes, it is recommended to install a hatch that will allow you to get any necessary thing out of the attic.

There are two ways to enter the attic. The first involves making a special entrance hole on the gable part on which the attic door is installed. This method The good thing is that you don’t need to make a hole in the ceiling and violate its integrity. Although, when using a door, it is necessary to install an additional ladder, and this requires material investments. The second, easier to manufacture method is to install a hatch in the attic, which is located on the ceiling.

In the process of choosing the location where the hatch will be located, first of all, it is necessary to take into account the fact that the hatch cover must open freely, without any obstacles.

In addition, the hatch design must be in harmony with the overall style of the interior. If you plan to use a stationary staircase, then it should also not interfere with free movement around the room.

If there are beams on the ceiling, then make sure that the hatch is not located directly on them, since the strength of the ceiling is significantly reduced.

The hatch to the attic with your own hands should be:

  • attractive and distinguished by the presence of modern design;
  • differ in ease of installation;
  • be reliable, durable and safe;
  • it is preferable to choose or construct insulated hatches;
  • additional fittings: lugs and handles will help simplify the procedure for using the hatch.

Hatch to the attic: features and varieties

Depending on the location of the hatch installation and its design features, hatches in the attic are:

The first option involves installing a hatch on the ceiling surface. Such hatches are easy to use and easy to manufacture. The second type of hatches is also called a manhole. Corner type the hatch is most often installed in the attic space, if there is a sloping roof type.

In addition, attic hatches are made of wood, metal, plastic and others. alternative options. Most often, wood is used in the construction of hatches.

Insulated attic hatch - manufacturing technology

To build a hatch with insulation, we recommend using these instructions:

1. Before starting the manufacture of the hatch, you should make a drawing of the hatch for the attic, which indicates its shape, dimensions and additional design features.

2. To build the hatch frame, prepare boards that are at least 2 cm thick. Try to build a rectangular structure of a previously determined size.

3. Please note that all corners must be absolutely even. Standard attic hatch dimensions are 600x1200 mm. Although determining the size of the hatch depends on the constitution of the people who will use it and on the size of the things stored in the attic.

4. The next stage is cutting out an opening in the ceiling; note that the opening should be 5 cm larger than the dimensions of the hatch. Main function of this allowance - covering the opening using a special frame.

5. If work is carried out in wooden house, then the same tree that is cut from the ceiling is quite suitable for making a hatch. Otherwise, you need to purchase wood.

6. When choosing wood, it is better to give preference to larch, since this type of wood has good performance and strength characteristics.

7. The side of fixing the hinges on the hatch depends on the individual preferences of its owners.

8. In order for the lid to gain additional strength, care must be taken to install a diagonal spacer, which is secured using self-tapping screws or steel angles.

9. In order to ensure thermal insulation of the hatch, it is recommended to use insulation. Most often, the same material is used as when insulating the attic, for example, polystyrene foam or mineral wool.

10. Please note that a vapor barrier must be pre-installed at the bottom of the cover, since these types of insulation are susceptible to moisture.

11. At the next stage, fittings in the form of latches and closers are installed. Installing a seal around the perimeter of the hatch will prevent cold air from the attic from entering the room.

12. C inside the frame is sheathed with a platband, thus improving the appearance of the hatch.

13. The work is completed by installing a ladder that will help you climb up and down to the hatch.

Installing a hatch in the attic: installation of purchased structures

Installing a store-bought hatch is a little easier than making it yourself. However, in this matter there are nuances that must be adhered to.

The cost of a purchased hatch directly depends on the material from which it is made. The price of metal hatches is significantly higher than that of wooden ones.

Before purchasing a hatch and ladder for the attic, first take measurements of the ceiling height in the room, optimal size for the hatch, where the stairs are installed. Among the advantages of purchased sliding ladders for hatches are:

  • compactness and ease of location even in a small room;
  • multifunctionality;
  • ease of installation;
  • attractive appearance.

Unfolding the attic ladder does not require too much effort. It is because of this that purchased models are more common than homemade ones. A minimum of two people are required to assemble the hatch and ladder. One of which is located in the attic, lifts the structure to the top.

Before fixing the frame, two boards are installed on the lower part; it is on them that the hatch is laid. Next, the structure is laid on them and leveled with wedges. To control evenness corner structures use a level.

This way, it will be possible to avoid deformation of the hatch during its installation. After the ladder is fixed to the frame, the hatch is secured to it with screws. If a small gap forms, use polyurethane foam to fill it. Next, remove the boards that protected the hatch from distortion; keep in mind that until the foam has completely hardened, it is not possible to operate the hatch.

The side bolts on the ladder are loosened and it unfolds to the desired size. If there is a skew, the ladder should be adjusted so that it becomes level; this is done by twisting the bolts.

How to make an attic hatch with your own hands

If you plan to install a hatch for the attic on a reinforced concrete floor, it is recommended to install the hatch at the junction of two slabs. This will prevent the entire structure from weakening.

To make standard or fire hatches, you need to make a hole for a concrete slab; the work will take at least an hour and a half. To make a hole you will need a grinder with attachments for working with metal, a hammer drill, a crowbar and a sledgehammer.

First of all, make a marking; the size of the hole on the concrete should be several centimeters larger than the size of the hatch itself. To obtain strictly vertical end sections of the hatch, it is necessary to have a hammer drill and a drill in it, the length of which is much greater than the thickness of the slab.

Make sure that the hammer drill is strictly vertical to the surface. Drill one hole in each corner of the previously marked plate.

Using a diamond blade, cut one of the marking lines first. Make sure that the disc does not come into contact with the fittings, as there is a risk of damage. After preparing the slots, use a hammer drill to find empty areas of the slab by drilling through it.

Using a sledgehammer, break the slab; use a crowbar where the concrete touches the reinforcement. After covering all the concrete, carefully cut off the reinforcement and, using leveling, smooth out all the unevenness that appears on the surface of the metal. Please note that the accuracy and quality of the hatch installation depends on the evenness and smoothness of the opening.

Tip: If you plan to use a purchased device, then the dimensions for the opening should be indicated in technical specifications hatch. At self-production attic hatch, at least one centimeter should be left on each side.

In order to build a hatch staircase to the attic, you must first build a frame, which is secured in the opening with the help of anchors. To ensure smooth closing or opening of the hatch, it is necessary to purchase door closers. In addition, the surface of the cover should be similar to the finish of the ceiling. The best option– application polystyrene foam boards, which are covered with chipboard on top.

The finished hatch must be equipped with seals and face strips. Therefore, the hole for its installation must be made with maximum precision.

To carry out the work, it is better to climb into the attic and start from this part. In relation to external dimensions casing, it is necessary to mark the floor on which the hatch will be installed.

To remove the top layer of the ceiling, it is best to use a grinder. If there is waterproofing and insulation on the ceiling, you should carefully remove them and trim them with a knife. To see the perimeter of the hatch in the room, you need to make several control holes.

Next, take the hatch and place it on the floor surface in the attic, compare its dimensions with the perimeter of the holes made. The hatch frame should be located in the opening as airtight as possible. If there are cracks on it, then use polyurethane foam to seal it. Work with it should begin only after careful alignment and determination of the hatch's position.

If there are rafters on each side, secure the hatch between them. A high-quality attic staircase requires special framing to help protect people living in the house from accidental falls.

If there are rafters on only one or two sides, it is necessary to install a beam on the third side on which the hatch will be fixed. Please note that hatch installation work requires special responsibility from the person who performs it. The minimum load on the ladder and hatch is 200 kg.

Direct installation of the hatch requires the following actions:

  • assembling the frame and installing it in the hole;
  • fixing the rim on the surface of the rafters from above, if they are not on the beams;
  • fixing the rim from the bottom of the room;
  • securing the cover to the hatch;
  • connection of the ladder with the hatch;
  • checking the functionality of the entire system.

Features of fire hatches in the attic

Such hatches have very simple design features; they consist of a steel frame, for which a non-combustible material is used as a seal, and a steel door that automatically latches after closing.

To enter the attic space there is a retractable ladder on the hatch. Before installing such a hatch, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the features of its selection:

1. Fire resistance from 40 minutes to one hour.

2. The minimum thickness of the steel from which it is made is 1 cm. It is possible to cover the hatch with the same material as the decoration of the room to ensure its complete harmony in the interior.

3. The presence of a non-flammable thermoactive seal, which, when expanded, blocks smoke from entering the attic or room.

4. Internal filling – mineral wool or any other fire-resistant material.

5. The presence of closers, handles, locks are of high quality.

6. If you plan to install the hatch on a wooden floor, then you must additionally purchase materials installed between the hole for the hatch and the hatch itself.

DIY attic hatch, Construction portal


Construction of houses The attic space is an excellent place to place old things, clothes and other accessories. However, for its operation, it is necessary to arrange

DIY attic hatch

The attic is used to store old things. This room is used to store household items that are used only at certain times. For example, it could be a sled or skis. From the owners country houses Questions arise about how to get into the attic. How to provide access to this room? To do this, you need to install an attic hatch in the floor with your own hands.

How to choose a location for installing a hatch

There are several types of attic hatches. Homeowners use 2 options for entering the attic. In the first case, the owner makes a special hole on the front part. An attic door is installed in the resulting opening. However, with this method there is a need to install an additional ladder. This requires additional investment on the part of the home owner.

Another option is to install a hatch in the attic. When choosing a location for the hatch, it is necessary to take into account that the lid must open freely. Pay attention to the design of the hatch. It should match the overall style of the interior.

If you plan to use a standard type of staircase, make sure that it does not interfere with free movement around the room. Removing part of the ceiling when installing the hatch is unacceptable. This leads to a decrease in their strength.

In order to make a hatch into the attic with your own hands, you need to adhere to several rules:

  • The design should be attractive and have a modern design.
  • Ease of installation is of great importance.
  • The hatch must have high strength and reliability.
  • When choosing models, preference should be given to insulated type structures. Otherwise, cold may enter the room. Closers and handles can be used as additional accessories.

When choosing a location to install a hatch, you need to consider several points. Ensure that the hatch cover opens freely. There should be no obstacles to functioning. When installing a structure, many owners do typical mistake. They do not take into account their height and, when climbing stairs, can hit their heads on structural elements.

If you are installing a hatch in the attic yourself, then under no circumstances mount it on load-bearing beams. During operation, their integrity may be compromised. This will affect the load-bearing capacity and reduce the strength of the ceiling. When installing, consider characteristics such as reliability, safety and durability. To avoid manufacturing errors, you must adhere to the drawing.

What to do if the top floor is not insulated? In this case, before installing the hatch, it is necessary to carry out thermal insulation work. Wooden beams are used to strengthen the opening. In concrete houses, you can strengthen the opening under the hatch using metal corners. Be sure to consider the availability of free space under the hatch for a retractable ladder.

What types of hatches can there be?

Depending on the installation location and design features distinguish:

  • Horizontal models.
  • Vertical structures.
  • Corner models.

Horizontal hatches are very convenient to install on the ceiling surface. Many owners of country houses have already appreciated their ease of use. In addition, they are quite simple to make.

Wood, metal or plastic are used in the production of attic hatches. It all depends on the preferences of the owner who decided to equip an attic in the house. Metal models have high strength.

How to make an insulated attic hatch

To make an attic hatch with your own hands using this technology, you must adhere to the following sequence. First you need to prepare a drawing taking into account the design features, shape and size of the frame. When making an insulated hatch, boards with a thickness of at least 2 centimeters are used.

In the future, the owner must make a rectangular structure based on the size of the room. All corners must be absolutely even. Typically, home owners use designs with standard sizes, which are 600 by 1200 mm. However, a lot depends on the constitution of a person - so that it is convenient for him to climb into the attic. Be sure to measure the height of the ceiling before proceeding with the installation of the hatch.

At the stage of fixing the hinges on the hatch, take into account the individual preferences of the owners. The cover should not reduce the strength of the structure. To do this, you need to install a diagonal spacer. It is fixed using self-tapping screws or steel corners.

Thermal insulation of the hatch is ensured through the use of insulation. This can be polystyrene foam or mineral wool. Please note that in attic After rain, condensation will begin to accumulate. To prevent the formation of moisture, you need to think about a vapor barrier. Thanks to vapor barrier materials condensation can be avoided.

After this, they begin to install fittings in the form of latches and closers. Using a seal will help prevent cold air from the attic from entering the main rooms of the house.

Covering the frame not only increases the strength of the structure. In this way you can change the appearance of the product. At the final stage, a ladder is installed that rises to the hatch.

How to make a hatch with your own hands

Installing a hatch at the junction of two slabs weakens the entire structure. When installing standard hatches, you must first make a hole in concrete slab. The work will take approximately 2 hours. During this time, you can make an opening in the floor according to the markings.

The most convenient way is to cut a rectangular opening for the hatch using a grinder. The tool must include special attachments. They are designed to work with metal. When installing the hatch, prepare a hammer drill and a sledgehammer.

First, mark the hole in the concrete. After this, drill control holes using a hammer drill. The length of the drill must be greater than the thickness of the ceiling. Otherwise, you will not be able to drill the ceiling to the required depth.

Now take diamond blade and cut through one of the marking lines. During operation, it is necessary to take into account that the disk should not come into contact with the reinforcement. Otherwise, the ceilings may be damaged. Damaged beams may not be able to withstand the load. Construction mistakes can be costly for a home owner.

Installation features

Use a sledgehammer to break the floor slab. To make the job easier, you can use a crowbar. Carefully cut off all the reinforcement and smooth out any irregularities. The accuracy and quality of the hatch installation will depend on the smoothness of the opening.

When making a hatch at home, you need to consider next moment. You need to leave 1 centimeter on each side. This play is used to cover possible defects.

Anchors are used to secure the hatch in a certain place. After installation, it is necessary to achieve smooth closing of the hatch. This can be achieved through closers. To prevent deformation, the hatch is covered with chipboard. This way you can increase the strength of the structure.

When installing attic hatch It is necessary to take into account that you can find ready-made options in stores. They just need to be mounted in the opening. However, their quality largely depends on the material from which the products are made. Metal structures are more expensive because they are more durable and reliable.

All purchased products are equipped with mechanisms that ensure the safety of the owner. The factory ladder meets all safety requirements. Its steps are made in such a way that it is impossible to slip on them. This reduces the risk of injury.

What are the advantages of a rope opening system?

The hatch handle can be replaced with a more original opening system. For this, a rope is used, which is secured with special blocks. A hole must be made in the ceiling surface. Through it, the rope is lowered to a certain distance. At the end of the rope there is a hook, which is attached to the wall ring. Thanks to this mechanism, even a child can open the hatch, since this does not require significant effort.

Stages of making an attic hatch

To ensure the tightness of the finished hatch, seals and face strips are used. Before installing the hatch, holes must be drilled. To perform this operation, go up to the attic. You can avoid mistakes if you carry out preliminary markings. In the process of installing the hatch, you cannot do without an angle grinder.

What to do if a layer of insulation and waterproofing is laid on the attic floor? You need to work carefully. Construction Materials can be removed with a knife. After this, the area occupied by the hatch is determined. This way you can avoid mistakes when installing a hatch in the attic. Match the size of the cover with the inspection holes provided for installing the housing.

The hatch should be located in the opening as tightly as possible. Cold air will flow into the rooms of the house through the cracks. Condensation will begin to accumulate on the walls. Therefore, existing cracks are sealed using polyurethane foam. This way you can achieve a seal between the attic and the rest of the house.

After this, careful alignment is carried out. The hatch is fixed between the rafters. To equip the staircase you need to use a special frame. Otherwise, people climbing the stairs into the attic may fall and be injured.

When installing the hatch, you must adhere to the following rules:

  • First you need to assemble the frame and mount it taking into account the pre-drilled holes.
  • The next stage is the installation of rafters, which are necessary to ensure the safety of people.
  • After securing the ladder and hatch, the functionality of the system is checked.

What are the features of fire hatches?

All hatch elements are installed on a steel frame. It is designed to strengthen the structure. To prevent drafts in the room, a seal is used.

The insert door automatically latches when closed. To get into the attic faster, the hatch is attached to a movable ladder. Thanks to the fire-resistant coating, the structure can withstand about 40 minutes even during a fire. The owner of the house attaches great importance to the appearance of the hatch. It should not stand out too much due to a mismatch in style. Non-flammable materials are used as sealants.

Mineral wool is used as internal filler. When installing a hatch, pay attention to the quality of the fittings. The reliability of the design depends on the strength of closers and locks.

Among the advantages of purchasing purchased products This can be attributed to less labor intensity during installation. During the installation process, consider the characteristics of the stairs. It is necessary to know the height of the ceiling to avoid collisions with structural elements. A person should not be afraid that at any moment he may hit his head on structural elements.

Be sure to consider the size of the opening. It should be 5 cm larger than the hatch. This allowance is necessary in order to cover the opening with a special frame. When buying a tree, it is best to give preference to larch. It is characterized by high strength and reliability.

DIY attic hatch: step-by-step instruction, Photo and video


DIY attic hatch. How to choose a location for installing a hatch. Stages of making an attic hatch. How to make a hatch with your own hands.

It's hard to imagine roof maintenance, cleaning gutters, repairing antenna devices, maintenance solar collectors or working as a chimney sweep without access to the roof. The choice of method of access to it depends on the angle of inclination of its slopes and the purpose of the space under it. Access to the roof can be provided by a vertical stepladder or ladder installed outside, an internal folding ladder with a hinged lid, as well as a variety of hatches - insulated and non-insulated. Steps and walkways installed on the roof help to move conveniently on the roof. The path to the roof must be secure. Therefore, it is not so important how it is carried out, the main thing is that it guarantees a quick and safe rise to the roof.

Stepladder on the wall

(Option for flat roofs)

The simplest solution is vertical, mounted on external wall. The bottom edge of the stepladder should be at a height of about 1 m from the ground, this will prevent children from climbing onto the roof, and adults can use a regular ladder in this case. A similar solution is a sectional stepladder, consisting of two parts. Its lower, attached section has a height of about 1.5 m; it is used if necessary.

It is important that the surface of the steps of the stepladder is not slippery. To do this, they are made of corrugated steel or periodic profile reinforcement (with crescent-shaped protrusions).

A safer stepladder is mounted on the wall of the upper floor, leading to the roof from the balcony or terrace. Its only inconvenience is that to access the roof you need to go through interior spaces Houses. Metal structures of stepladders must be coated with anti-corrosion paints or polymer powder compounds.

External staircase

(For flat roofs)

More convenient and attractive in appearance, compared to a vertical stepladder, is a steep external staircase leading from the lower floor to a terrace (or platform) located at roof level. The design of such a staircase is made from steel pipe with brackets welded to it - for installing steps. Their treads are made of corrugated sheet steel or impregnated wood (oak, beech, ash). And the railings can be made of pipes, rods, cables, etc. Typically, the surfaces of all steel elements of the stairs are protected from corrosion paint and varnish coatings. But such a staircase can be made from polished or ground stainless steel.

Elements metal stairs Roof exits can be coated with polymer powder compounds or made of stainless steel

Sunroof

Typically, roof access hatches are located above the top landing of the stairwell. The installation location of hatches in pitched roofs depends on the pitch of the rafters. The distance between the hatch box and the adjacent rafters to which it is attached should not exceed 7 cm. If this gap is larger, it is necessary to install two transverse beams and one vertical beam between the rafters (one of the sides of the hatch box is attached to it). When the hatch is wider than the distance between the rafters, you will have to cut out a fragment of one rafter leg, and strengthen its cut edges to the transverse frontal beams, which transfer the load to the adjacent rafters. If such a solution is not provided for in the project, it is necessary to obtain an opinion from the designer or architect on the possibility of performing this work. On a pitched roof large area with several chimneys it is better to install two hatches. Then there will be no need for walking ladders for the chimney sweep. Hatches should be located next to the chimney. The market offers hatches in several sizes: the smallest are 45 x 55 cm, the largest are 120 x 120 cm. You can also order a custom-sized hatch. But the price of such a hatch will be 20-30% higher than the cost of the hatch serial production with similar dimensions. The manhole cover is finished with galvanized roofing steel, its surface is primed and coated with paints or powder varnish.

So that the manhole cover on the roof surface does not catch the eye, it is lined with the material used in the roof covering. Finishing a manhole cover on a roof made of bitumen shingles or steel sheet easier to do. But it is better to entrust this to a professional roofer who will do the job better. The lid can be transparent, filled with glass or polycarbonate. The hatch opens up or to the side. IN open position the cover can be fixed by two servomotors (gas springs). Serially produced hatches are equipped with devices that prevent uncontrolled closing of the lid. If the hatch is mounted above a heated room ( staircase, wardrobe, utility room), its thermal insulation properties are of great importance. Some manufacturers offer insulated hatches, the design of which can have a heat transfer resistance of R = 1.5 m2*K/W (a polycarbonate cover has R = 0.45 m2*K/W). The cuffs that come with the hatches allow them to be installed in roofs coated with different materials, both flat and wavy, having both regular and high profile waves.

Sometimes hatches are equipped with burglary protection; their blind cover is additionally reinforced from the inside, and the hinge axes will not allow them to be removed when the cover is closed. The hatch can be equipped with a grille with a lock located in the lower part of the hatch box. You can order the hatch with a lock that has a three-bolt deadbolt, or with a lock equipped with a certified lock insert.

Folding ladder with cover

(both for flat and for pitched roofs)

Typically, a folding ladder is installed to access an attic or flat roof.

In the second case, the ladder hatch has two covers: an external one and an internal one (covering the folded ladder).

The inner lid is a sandwich: wooden frame It is covered on both sides with fibreboards, between which a sheet of polystyrene foam 3-6 cm thick is placed.

The thickness of the internal covers is 3.6-6.6 cm. Internal covers, which have a thicker layer of thermal insulation, are recommended to be installed in flat roofs and ceilings between rooms with a large temperature difference (between residential and non-residential premises).
The heat transfer resistance of such a cover R is 1.54 m*K/W (with 3 cm thick polystyrene foam, for which R = 0.91m*K/Wt).

The tightness of the junction of the inner cover is ensured by the gasket round section, located in the milled groove of the box.

There are two types of stairs - sectional and scissor. More popular are sectional stairs consisting of three or four folding or sliding sections. Stairs have different lengths, they are chosen depending on the height of the room. Steel mounting angles flights of stairs allow you to clearly fix the sections in the unfolded state and adjust the angle of inclination of the stairs. The stability of the ladder is ensured by the lid opening mechanism; it fixes it in the open position.

Sectional stairs are made of steel or wood. The staircase may have railings or handles on both sides to ensure safe and comfortable ascent or descent.

Scissor ladders are made of steel and fold like an accordion. They are more difficult to lay out than sectional ones. The surface of the steps, regardless of the type of staircase, should not be slippery - to do this, it is enough to make grooves on the surface of the wooden treads of the steps.

Attention! The thermal insulation of the exit hatch from a residential to a non-residential premises can be increased by additionally placing a 10 cm thick polystyrene sheet on the inner cover.

Folding sectional ladder can withstand loads of up to 160 kg

The steel scissor ladder is very convenient, but it is more difficult to unfold and fold

Roof steps and ladders

(Suitable for pitched roofs)

Free movement of people on the surface pitched roof provide steps and walkways installed on the roof. On roofs with slopes less than 30°, steps must be installed with a distance between them of 70 cm (in every second row of tiles). If the slope of the roof slope is more than 30°, steps are installed every 35-40 cm (in each row of tiles). Walking ladders usually have a width of 25 cm and a length of 40 to 300 cm.

The base of the step is made of strip steel (40 x 4 mm), and the handle is made of sheet steel 2 mm thick. The steps located in every second row of tiles are moved like a stepladder. A long ladder along the ridge serves as a horizontal path leading from the hatch to the chimneys. The treads of the steps and the platforms of the walking ladders are made of galvanized steel sheet, the surface of which is varnished or powder-painted to match the color roofing material.

Steel drains do not always visually match the roof covering, such as asphalt shingles. An alternative to a standard metal ladder would be a ladder with a platform made of wooden blocks with a cross-section of 40 mm, impregnated under pressure. These bars are attached above the brackets of the base of the ladders. The base of ladders and steps can rest on bars attached to the rafters with screws. Base brackets are selected depending on the type of roofing material: ceramic and cement tiles, metal tiles, flat or profile roofing steel, roofing felt or bitumen shingles.

The distance between the ladder brackets should not exceed 80 cm. If the chimney is high, brackets are installed on it to lift it to its mouth.

Steps and walkways must have a corrugated or perforated surface that prevents slipping

To install steps on the roof, special tile elements with aluminum or concrete overlay are used. These elements are selected depending on the type of tile used in the roof. The tile element with a step is attached to the block with two bolts (for example, 4.5 x 45 mm), and the block is attached to the rafters with nails

Walking ladders, platforms and roof steps provide convenient movement along the roof during operational work

Skylight

For both pitched and flat roofs

It can be installed in any room in the attic. Until recently, there were windows only for pitched roofs, but now manufacturers of these products offer windows for flat roofs. Both types of windows can serve as an emergency exit to the roof (if their sizes comply with standard requirements). When installing an exit window in a flat roof, they mount it on its supporting structures wooden case windows, the upper part of which has a slope of 19°. The window itself is installed on this body.

Typically, such windows have dimensions of 66 x 98 (or 118) cm or 78 (or 94, 114) x 140 cm and are intended for installation in heated rooms. Therefore, special sealing cuffs are attached to their edges adjacent to the roofing. The plastic mass applied to the underside of the cuff promotes a tight connection of the cuff with the surface of the coating material, guarantees necessary thermal insulation and eliminates water seepage. Some companies offer universal cuffs designed for any type of roofing coverings, others - two types of cuffs designed for installation over wavy and flat roofing materials.

Cuffs are typically made from aluminum and copper, but a cuff made from titanium and zinc alloy can be ordered.

Attention! In order to properly lay thermal insulation around the perimeter of the hatch frame, the dimensions of the opening for it in the roof should be 5-7 cm larger than the window frame.

The exit window for a pitched roof is selected depending on the angle of inclination of its slope. The market offers windows designed for installation in roofs with slope angles of 15-85°, 20-65°, 20-85°.

The exit window can be hinged or tilt upward. Some of them are equipped with gas servomotors to make opening easier. Emergency exit windows can be equipped with a device that automatically raises window sash. Usually boxes and window frames made from layer-by-layer laminated wood (usually pine) and coated with several layers of varnish. External glazing is made from tempered glass. Thermal insulating glass unit should guarantee small heat losses. If window glass has a heat transfer resistance R = 0.91 m2*K/W, then the window R will be about 0.67 m2*K/W.

The roof exit window must meet the requirements for an emergency exit and have dimensions of at least 60 x 80 cm

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