Hi, I just bought a split level flat. An oldish, probably 20's or 30's build hotel that was converted into flats some 30+ years ago. I'm top floor.
I have two loft hatches, just wooden boards resting on a frame. Cant measure them properly atm as I lack a ladder (but I've bought a telescopic one I expect next week). I did manage to pile some boxes of books up on a foot stool and get a measure of one of them but only to within a cm or so of accuracy as it was a bit of a stretch, then browsed the usual places to see what was available.
Nothing pre made was close to the right dimensions, length wise found a couple that were about right but width wise everything was way too big or too small. A friend who knows DIY much better than me will be fitting it and I will be helping. He has suggested packing out the sides with timber and using expanding foam to insulate any gaps. The look from inside the roof is unimportant as I only need access to store some boxes of stuff up there after I insulate it and possibly board out a small section. Is my friends suggested method the best way of dealing with this?
As browsed I found that there are many different types, looking at reviews of those that there were reviews for on Amazon etc I found a lot of negative comments mainly about flimsiness of construction, poor quality insulation etc. Some people slagging off specific brands others just saying a particular unbranded product was naff. So I looked elsewhere and found that other websites were selling the same products as on Amazon and ebay but just at a higher price, special made to measure ones are very pricey. Any advice on this? A good brand etc? Is made to measure going to benefit me most? My main aim being insulation, air tightness and sturdiness.
I have two loft hatches, just wooden boards resting on a frame. Cant measure them properly atm as I lack a ladder (but I've bought a telescopic one I expect next week). I did manage to pile some boxes of books up on a foot stool and get a measure of one of them but only to within a cm or so of accuracy as it was a bit of a stretch, then browsed the usual places to see what was available.
Nothing pre made was close to the right dimensions, length wise found a couple that were about right but width wise everything was way too big or too small. A friend who knows DIY much better than me will be fitting it and I will be helping. He has suggested packing out the sides with timber and using expanding foam to insulate any gaps. The look from inside the roof is unimportant as I only need access to store some boxes of stuff up there after I insulate it and possibly board out a small section. Is my friends suggested method the best way of dealing with this?
As browsed I found that there are many different types, looking at reviews of those that there were reviews for on Amazon etc I found a lot of negative comments mainly about flimsiness of construction, poor quality insulation etc. Some people slagging off specific brands others just saying a particular unbranded product was naff. So I looked elsewhere and found that other websites were selling the same products as on Amazon and ebay but just at a higher price, special made to measure ones are very pricey. Any advice on this? A good brand etc? Is made to measure going to benefit me most? My main aim being insulation, air tightness and sturdiness.