Enlarging loft hatch

[GARYF123]

Hi, i am fitting a new loft ladder and want to make hatch longer. I have no problem with this as i have done it before. The problem is there is a length of 3 x 2 nailed to the top of joists at 90 degrees so it is spanning all the joists from one side to the other. Is this just a tie to keep all joists stable? Can i cut a section out and put another length of 3 x 2 on the other side of new hatch?
Many thanks in advance,

Gary.

 

[noseall]

It is a ceiling binder.

Cutting the existing binder will render it useless.

Can you not fix a complete binder elsewhere relatively close to mid-span? Alternatively, it may mean fitting a pair of binders each side of the hatch.

 

[GARYF123]

Hi Noseall,

Thanks for reply. Not sure i would get a complete binder up into loft space! Not sure what you mean by a pair of binders either side of hatch? Do you mean full length or 2 short ones?

Thanks,

Gary.

 

[noseall]

Full length.

 

[GARYF123]

Would it be possible to lift the existing ceiling binder and move it to clear loft access then screw it back in position about 400mm away from original position?

Gary.