Types and production of hatches for the roof of a house. Installing an attic hatch in the ceiling Roof hatch for a flat roof
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Any roof, no matter what its design, requires periodic inspection and maintenance. Extremely important in this aspect is the ability to have safe access to systems located on the roof, be it antennas, air conditioners or lightning rods and de-icers. Therefore mandatory additional element The roof is considered to have a special access to it, for example, a roof hatch.
A mandatory additional element of the roof is a special exit to it - a roof hatch.
It should be noted that the maximum roof area, according to SNiP, for which it is not necessary to have an exit to the roof, is 100 m2.Traditional methods of organizing access to the roof
You can go onto the roof in different ways, in particular, using:
- vertical external stairs;
- sliding stairs;
- stems mounted to the wall;
- roof ladders.
Types of stairs
Ladder
This is perhaps the easiest option to get onto the roof. It is placed in a perpendicular position to the horizon along external wall. Since it is often installed on outdoors, the surface of the steps must ensure safety when lifting people. They are made of corrugated steel or reinforcement with a crescent-shaped protrusion, and are necessarily coated with an anti-corrosion compound.
Children are prohibited from climbing the stepladder, so the bottom of the structure must be 1 m above the ground, according to the standards.
To access the roof, by analogy with a stepladder, you can use a roof ladder - the only difference is that the latter is located on the roof surface. These can be single steps, or a single structure consisting of several steps.
External staircase
When flat roof it is more convenient to replace the stepladder with one securely attached to the walls of the building. Structural elements can be made of steel: corrugated, stainless or polished, or wood from ash, oak or beech. All of them must be treated with antiseptics and anticorrosives. For additional security install the perial.The presence of metal fire escapes is mandatory for buildings with more than two floors.
The issue is resolved somewhat differently if access to the roof must be provided from the interior.
Folding ladder
You can use such a ladder if the roof hatch has an internal cover that practically hides the structure of the stairs. Typically its thickness is up to 66 mm, including a dense layer of thermal insulation. Preference should be given to sectional rather than accordion-like scissor staircases, as they are safer to climb and descend.It is interesting that roof technical hatches with an internal cover can also connect rooms with different temperatures, that is, residential and non-residential.
In a residential attic it is quite suitable for access to the roof dormer window.
Roof hatches: distinctive features
In residential multi-storey buildings access to the roof is through a hatch, usually located above landing the last one. This option can be considered universal, since it is equally good for both pitched and flat roofs.
In pitched roofs, the attic exit is usually a booth or canopy equipped with side walls.
Exit to pitched roof arranged using the installation step of the rafter legs as a basis, since it is to them that the hatch box is attached. Between the nearest rafter and the hatch trim, as required by SNiP, approximately 7 mm should be maintained. If the distance between the rafters more sizes hatch, make an additional frame from wooden blocks. The design of roof hatches traditionally has a square shape with a side of 120 or 45 cm, and the number depends on the roof area.
Primers and paints are applied to the surface of the lid. Naturally, it should not stand out against the background of the roofing carpet, so the main roofing material is laid on the roof. It is also possible to make it from translucent material.
May differ in roof design:
- work up or to the side,
- Shock-absorbing cylinders are used to secure it in the open position,
- The security of residents is ensured by the locks usually included in the package,
- The safety issue can be solved using a metal grille with a shutter.
In heated rooms, passages to the roof must be insulated, and in non-residential attics you can get by with simple ones.
The number of hatches is also regulated by the requirements of SNiP for fire safety. The location near the chimney pipe is considered optimal, since there is no need to install additional drains required when servicing chimneys.
Advantages
- They are attractive in appearance and complement or continue the design of the room.
- Properly installed, they prevent leakage from precipitation and minimize street noise.
- Convenient to use - they can be opened 95˚ or more, to the right or left.
- The gas shock absorber prevents the lid from accidentally closing. If the hatch flaps are opened to 25⁰, additional access to fresh air can be provided.
- Can serve as an emergency exit.
- The locking system eliminates the possibility of unwanted “guests” entering the attic space.
- The lightness is approximately the same as that of ceiling cladding of the same area.
- Easy to install and adaptable to all types of roofing materials.
Features of hatches for some types of roofs
For flat roof
One of the most common options is the Huopa roof hatch. Thanks to its device, you can easily get into the under-roof space. The kit includes a cover and frame with flange. The tightness of the installation is ensured by the presence of double grooves. Bituminous adhesive is applied to the flashing flange, after which it is glued between layers roofing material. There is a hole in the lower surface of the flashing through which possible condensate can be drained through a special groove.
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 paid to the design and.
- appearance Portable. Such a ladder is usually stored in the pantry and causes additional trouble. She not only takes
- usable space , but when you need to go up to the attic you have to move it. Folding.
Depending on which version of the staircase was chosen and at what angle it is 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. Convenient width The size 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. Functional and nice solution for houses with attics.
- Revision. With small slopes of the roof slopes, it is 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 structures, on the one hand, are reliable, but on the other hand, they are heavy. 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 thick layer insulation. It increases total weight structures, which is why it is necessary to strengthen the structure of the attic floor. 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 a good physical strength. But with them you can use adjustable and stationary ladders.
Manholes with hatches that open downwards are usually equipped with sliding stairs. Due to the complexity of the design, it is difficult to make such options yourself. Therefore, such hatches are usually purchased 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 there will be unpleasant consequences. The same goes for rafter system. Experts have identified several recommendations for placing the passage:
- 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.
- The attic hatch is installed between the floor beams. At correct assembly roof, cutting a hole in the ceiling is not difficult.
- Choose a place so that when climbing into the attic you will not touch the rafters with your head.
- 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 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 into the house and install the bottom strip, fixing it to 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 value.
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.
Every owner of his home should have access to the roof. Moreover, it should be carried out not only from the outside using a ladder, but also from the inside. To ensure this, you will need a sunroof. It can be of various configurations and made from several types of materials. Which one is better to choose and is it possible to do the installation yourself? About it we'll talk in the article.
Is a hatch necessary?
If your roof is left unmaintained, it will deteriorate over time and require major repairs. It is not always possible to get to certain areas using a ladder. The sunroof is much more effective in this regard. The presence of a hatch on the roof is not an invention of installers who want to make money by selling and installing them. The design is regulated by SNIP 01/21/97, where fire safety standards are discussed. The installation of hatches is not mandatory, but recommended for buildings that have only one floor or an area of no more than 100 m2.
The hatch can perform several functions at once:
- provide access to the roof;
- serve as an emergency exit;
- provide daylight.
At the owner's request, several hatches can be installed on the roof. If we talk about its direct functional purpose, then it allows you to carry out maintenance of smoke exhaust ducts in a short time. Without a hatch, lifting some equipment onto the roof can be problematic. Some owners have lighting fixtures installed on their roofs. Their service with ladder can be very inconvenient, and through the hatch can be carried out in a short time. Ventilation outlets may also be located on the roof; their maintenance is mandatory for normal functioning systems. Repair work It is almost impossible to replace individual sections of the roof from inside the room, so access to the surface is required.
A roof hatch can be an emergency fire exit. In some cases, residents manage to quickly get to the roof, from where it is easier to evacuate them. Such a device can also facilitate smoke removal, which is also a fire prevention measure. The hatch can easily be turned into a practical decorative element. If the under-roof space is used as a living space, then the product is made in the form of an inclined window, which promotes ventilation and also lets natural light into the room.
Design nuances
When you hear the word hatch, you can imagine metal cover, which tightly closes the technological hole, but in reality this is not the case. Today, a large number of different modifications have appeared, which the user is free to choose. It's easy to buy a product that will the best way match with the interior, as well as with roofing sheeting. The hatch windows that were mentioned above have a pleasant appearance. Color solutions Such hatches can be very diverse. The base of such an outlet can be made of wood, aluminum, polyurethane and PVC profile. Frames made of wood can be the most expensive, since high demands are placed on their processing.
It is better to choose an aluminum profile for cases where the area where the building is located has a mild climate. This is due to the high thermal conductivity of the material, although various attempts have been made to minimize it. Polyurethane is an excellent insulator. But the cost of such hatches also leaves much to be desired. The glass unit for such hatches may consist of several separate glasses, between which there is air or an inert gas, designed to increase efficiency. Hatches of this type are quite easy to install, since they are already assembled structure. The downside is the need to constantly use a ladder.
Note! It is better to entrust the installation of such a hatch to professionals if there is no experience in such work. This is due to the need for sealed installation to prevent leaks.
Another type of hatch that is used on roofs is the service hatch. Unlike the previous one, its lid does not have a glass unit and tightly covers the hole. The advantage of this solution is the presence of a built-in ladder, which you do not have to carry with you. Technological hatches are used in buildings that have several floors and a flat roof. Such hatches are also supplied assembled, which simplifies their installation on the roof. To order, you can make a hatch of any required sizes and shapes. Such hatches require insulation, as well as the presence of an anti-corrosion layer that prevents destruction from exposure to weather factors. In private houses, such a hatch does not look aesthetically pleasing; this can be considered a disadvantage of this design.
In private homes, it is common practice to use wooden hatches. They are installed with folding ladder, which when folded takes up virtually no space. The ladder unfolds automatically as soon as the hatch begins to open. Sometimes this requires opening the latch. Some models come with railings that make climbing as easy as possible. From the inside the hatch looks like a regular one wooden cover. The advantages of such a hatch are aesthetics, ease of selection of colors and textures for a specific interior, as well as the mechanism itself. Disadvantages include the need for wood maintenance. The paintwork will need to be replaced periodically.
Note! There are types of skylights available in the market that fold out along with a small rail that forms a balcony. Such windows are easy to use as a hatch to access the roof, since in some cases there is no need for a ladder, or it can be mounted permanently on the roof itself.
DIY installation
If you wish, you can try to install the sunroof with your own hands. To do this, the first step is to determine where exactly the hatch will be located. It is better to carry out the work in spring-summer period. It is at this time that there is the least amount of precipitation, which could ruin the entire process of installing the hatch, as well as the ceilings in the rooms. You should start marking the hatch with your own hands with inside attic. Using a tape measure, marks the size of the hatch with necessary supplies. Nails are driven into the four corners of the rectangle or square. With a plumb line, the markings under the hatch are transferred to the rafters, which will undergo a certain modification. The space that will be used for installing the hatch must be reinforced with horizontal jumpers that are fixed to the rafters.
Note! In some cases it is necessary to install a hatch for flat roof, the basis of which is a slab. Making a hatch in a slab is somewhat more difficult, since you will have to use additional equipment to prepare the hole. In this case, markings are made from the inside, and through holes are drilled in the corners of the future hatch, which will serve as a guide.
In order not to be mistaken about where to make a slot in the roof for the hatch from the outside, you need to clearly outline the dimensions for the hatch from the inside, piercing the skin right through with nails. If you try to re-mark the hatch from the outside, you may simply not get into the space of the prepared frame and will have to redo the work. In some cases you have to trim rafter legs. In this situation, they will need to be further strengthened with jibs. The work on installing the hatch may last longer than one day, so care must be taken in advance to close the prepared hole. A tarpaulin or thick oilcloth folded in several layers is perfect for these purposes.
If a roof window is to be installed as a hatch, it must be prepared in advance. The sash is removed, as well as the skirt that covers the frame. The frame is installed in the opening prepared for the hatch. Waterproofing is installed along the edges of the hatch, which overlaps what is already on the roof. It is nailed to the rafters with a stapler. The next step is to install the skirt, which should provide waterproofing. The perimeter is covered with sealant or bitumen mastic. After this, you can install the hatch flap in its place. The process of installing a roof hatch is in many ways similar to installing a cellar or basement hatch in a house. More details on how to install such a hatch are described in the video.
Advice! Typically, companies that manufacture hatches install them. To speed up the process, according to their instructions, the customer can prepare the opening, and the installers will secure the hatch.
Summary
As you can see, the hatch is not only a nice addition, but also a necessity, especially when it comes to attic floor. Before installation, it is better to consult with someone who has already installed similar hatches to learn about the installation nuances.
The roof of every home should be serviced and inspected from time to time. For this purpose, residential buildings are equipped with a hatch, through which you can get onto the roof of the house. This hatch is required for all houses, except one-story ones, the area of which does not exceed 100 sq.m.
There are many elements that need maintenance: such as a chimney, television antennas, ventilation outlets, etc. Maintenance is often not possible from the inside, so you need a convenient and safe exit leading to the roof.
Another purpose is fire safety, since through the hatch you can not only leave the attic, but also remove smoke.
The hatch leading to the roof of the house is installed taking into account the pitch of the rafters, since the box will be attached directly to them. The gap between the adjacent rafter and the hatch frame trim should be 7 mm.
Hatch to the roof of a house
In the case where the distance between the rafters exceeds the size of the hatch box, an additional frame is installed.
The design of the hatch usually has the shape of a square: its side is 120 cm or 45 cm, and the possible number of hatches is greater, the larger the larger area roofs.
Sequence of actions when installing a hatch
- The first step is to make an open opening leading to the roof and cut off the roofing material: the opening is cut out, supported by nails driven into the corners of this opening.
- The hatch frame is constructed next. This will require wooden beams having a cross-section of 5 x 10 cm - they are nailed to the former location of the beams. Two jambs are nailed to the ceiling from the inside in order to support the weight of the beams.
- When installing a hatch, care must be taken to ensure ventilation. To do this, detainers or reflectors made of plywood are installed near the roof slope to redirect air flows away from the insulating material.
- The last stage is installing the hatch. Its frame is secured to the frame with nails or screws. During installation, for obvious reasons, it is necessary to seal the joints: this can be done by using a sealant.
Types of roof hatches
Today, there are many types of hatches that combine the features of visual appeal and functionality. A hatch is not always a simple cover with a ladder attached to it: in most cases, it does not harm the appearance of the roof or inner space Houses. Let's consider several types of roof hatches: hatch-window, operational, wooden.
Hatch window
Mainly installed on attic spaces where there are no heating systems. Such a hatch allows you to provide access to the surface and roof, as well as create natural lighting in the attic.
Hatch window to the roof
Frames can be made of wood, aluminum or polyurethane. Ease of installation is also an advantage. The disadvantages include the lack of the possibility of attaching a ladder: only an extension is used.
Service hatch
The design is a box with a blind lid. Often the box is equipped with a metal ladder. Such hatches are usually equipped in high-rise or industrial building. The hatch is supplied assembled, and installation does not take much time.
The service hatch may look like this
An advantage is the ability to operate atypical hatch shapes and sizes. Metal box galvanized, painted and thermally insulated.
However, the service hatch is not decorative even if the regular cover is replaced with a translucent one.
Wooden hatch
A wooden hatch with a folding ladder is usually used in private homes. The difference in the design is the presence of a folding ladder attached to a wooden hatch.
Attic hatch in a private house
You can quickly get to the roof using a folding ladder. When folded, the hatch looks like a simple wooden cover. To avoid the occurrence of fungus, the tree must be treated with protective agents.
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- 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.
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