Loft Hatch installation

[MoonMan2]

Having watched a few YouTube videos and examining a loft hatch in one part of my house; I feel confident I could install a loft hatch in another part of my house.

In looking at the spec for this part of my house, the roof trusses are at 60cm centres. Does this mean the distance between the roof joists 'centers' are 60cm? That would make them fairly standard, for a 56cm width loft hatch to go?

Next question, I know where I want my new hatch but how would I know where to start, to 'stab' the ceiling in the 'correct' place with the plasterboard cutter? I mean, how do I know for sure I ain't gonna hit a roof joist, messing everything up on first lifting of a tool? There is a light socket in the middle of the ceiling, does that give a clue as to the whereabouts of the joists? I'd like my new hatch to be 'nearish' the light socket.

 

[Keithmac]

Joists will match up to trusses.

I drilled a small pilot hole after using a stud finder. The small hole would suffice.

Once you're through I used s Sawzall to cut left and right until I stopped at a joist (go carefully and you can feel instantly when you've hit it).

Once you've got first cut between joists its plain sailing.

Just make sure you support any cut joists correctly. Not an issue if you are just going between them.

Most hatches have a 10mm to 20mm overhang underneath to hide the cuts on the ceiling.

 

[Keithmac]

Make sure you don't chop through the lighting wiring!

 

[JP_]

Do you have access to this bit of loft already? If so, drill a small hole next to the joists from inside the loft.
I bought one of these loft hatches with ladder earlier this year, it is great. Best I've used.
https://sunluxroofwindows.co.uk/312-wooden-loft-ladders-with-hatch

 

[Keithmac]

Do you have access to this bit of loft already? If so, drill a small hole next to the joists from inside the loft.
I bought one of these loft hatches with ladder earlier this year, it is great. Best I've used.
https://sunluxroofwindows.co.uk/312-wooden-loft-ladders-with-hatch

I want to fit one of these, I think I need to move the hatch though as they need a bit of room to swing closed?. How far in does it go when closed?.

 

[JP_]

I want to fit one of these, I think I need to move the hatch though as they need a bit of room to swing closed?. How far in does it go when closed?.

No space needed, the ladder sits on the hatch door.

 

[Keithmac]

I how high up is it approximately?, would be a real bonus if I could fit one in our original hole!.

 

[Keithmac]

Is yours a 4 piece ladder?.

 

[JP_]

Here's mine - spring loaded, so once unlocked it just drops a little, then easy to pull down.

 

[JP_]

Is yours a 4 piece ladder?.

Yeah, mine is the 68cm wide one, but pretty much the same

 

[JP_]

I how high up is it approximately?

mine is 2.5m, but they go to 2.8m - you have to cut off the bottom of the ladder.
They do lots of sizes so you should get something that fits - I had to pad out with a few old 20mm floorboards

 

[Keithmac]

Sorry I meant the stacked height, looks about 2 foot?.

I think I can make one of those work in our existing hatch hole

 

[JP_]

Ah, I see. No, a lot less than 2 feet. Will measure in a minute ...

Just under 15 inches

 

[Keithmac]

Thanks @Djangobanjo that's very helpful .

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I want to fit one of these, I think I need to move the hatch though as they need a bit of room to swing closed?. How far in does it go when closed?.

You can find the studs, by finding the nails/screw heads with one of those rare earth magnets. Mark where it sticks, then the line of the stud should be obvious. The ladders come in various types, some swing up and over in two sections and need clear space height to land - others can fold up just on the door.