How To Install A New Loft Hatch - Easy DIY

Published on 19th September 2021
Do you have a loft hatch thats too small? This video will provide the support and knowledge you need to get stuck in. Consider subscribing to help me grow the channel and help others learn more about DIY.
Tools use:
Multi tool (Plasterboard saw will do)
Pencil
80mm screws
30mm screws
Joists hangers
Hammer
Square
Straight edge (A level works well)
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[@dannycraig1980]

Very helpful cheers 👍

[@johnstoker6957]

Great video, its given me the confidence to try and fit mine, exact same as yours, my original is same and no ladder

[@BerkleyBuilds]

So pleased you found the video helpful. Get stuck in John, you’ll do great! All the best with it.

[@rorymorgan594]

Nice job

[@BerkleyBuilds]

Thanks Rory!

[@marknightingale5470]

Hi. How did you manage to fit the springs? I seem to be having difficulty. Thanks

[@BerkleyBuilds]

Hi Mark. They can be awkward, I located one end in position then used a screw driver to pull the other end. A spring puller would have been better in hindsight as it’s the correct tool but I didn’t have one to hand.

[@marknightingale5470]

@@BerkleyBuilds thank you. No video seems to show this. But a spring puller is a good Idea, thanks

[@tcblue3095]

Hi what size timber did you use around the hole

[@BerkleyBuilds]

Hi Tc, I used 6x2 (150mm x 50mm)

[@Big-KMac]

What size timber did you use to build the frame attached to existing timbers please ?

[@BerkleyBuilds]

I used 6x2 to create the frame

[@clarehill3496]

hi the magnet on my ladder has stopped working. I want to replace it but all labels etc came off years ago. However the ladder, and magnet, in this video looks identical. Could you tell me the make please?

[@BerkleyBuilds]

Hi Clare. This ladder was from B&Q, there wasn’t a specific brand on it. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.

[@ollie9397]

So, how did he get out past the bearers once he installed the hatch from inside the loft ??

[@Robbo4843]

Must have had somebody take them off to let him down as this was the only thing I couldn't do by myself when I fitted one.

[@bertcroft925]

Just what I was thinking😂

[@alex1975uk]

You open the hatch part and drop the ladder from underneath before you go up and fix the frame to the new joist frame you’ve made in the loft.

[@Ryan-kg2fv]

The old looking piece of timber that is running across the top of the two joists at 1.37. Is that just temporarily screwed to support the joists whilst you cut them and frame it up?

[@BerkleyBuilds]

Hi Ryan, that piece of timber is a ceiling binder. This runs the full width of the house, it has the ceiling joists suspended from it. I couldn’t cut this timber beam as it would affect the integrity of the ceilings, which is why I framed my hatch up to it. I hope this help. Ben

[@Ryan-kg2fv]

@@BerkleyBuilds brillant thanks

[@garvielloken3929]

NOOICE!

[@Jeff-gw1dv]

Would have been nice if you had mentioned the size of the loft ladder length and witch as well as height. Am going to have a go at fitting a 700mm X 1000 mm llong X 2.4 high .Good video.Thanks for posting

[@BerkleyBuilds]

Pleased you found it helpful Jeff. Sorry I didn’t mention it, but the reason I didn’t is the length of the ladder gets cut to suit once installed. All the best with your install.

[@Ilovechicpeas]

Very helpful. We are trying to replace a boomerang hinge as a bolt sheered off. Do we have to dismantle the ladder first and also, do we do it with the hatch closed. Tried to get someone to repair it but they all just say they’ll quote for a new one. It’s perfect other than this one bolt.

[@BerkleyBuilds]

You shouldn’t need to dismantle the hatch. I suggest getting into the loft space and shutting the hatch, this should allow you to repair the hinge in its closed position when tension is not on it.

[@Ilovechicpeas]

Thank you so much for your reply, it is very much appreciated. We will have to manipulate it a little to close the hatch as it is slightly off alignment with the loose bolt but could prop it from the bottom and hopefully be ok.

[@RachelLMurphy]

Incredibly helpful video. Can i ask what screws you used at 2:11 to secure the new timber to the ends of the cut joists?

[@BerkleyBuilds]

Thanks Rachel, pleased you found it helpful. To trim up the timber at 2:11 I used some 5x100 screws and an impact driver to get them in.

[@jamiesworkshopprojects1617]

Hi, what screws did you use for the hangers? Thanks

[@BerkleyBuilds]

Good question Jamie. I think I used a 4x30 as that’s what I had in my screw box but you could also use twist nails, either is ok. Nails are potentially a cheaper option but it’s negligible.

[@jamiesworkshopprojects1617]

@@BerkleyBuilds thanks for the quick reply. I’ve been struggling to find info on what screws to use because every website seems to point to twist nails

[@BerkleyBuilds]

those websites aren’t wrong, twist nails are typically used and it’s what the manufacturers recommend for structural applications. A 4x30 screw would do the same job. Hope your project goes well. Ben

[@jamiesworkshopprojects1617]

Thanks 👍🏻

[@dorianmoon]

Tip for stretching the springs to length - use claw hammer on the end hook and pull !!!

[@BerkleyBuilds]

Great hack suggestion, thanks!

[@paulwilson1555]

Crazy question, just bought a house, same loft hatch in place, I have opened it months ago, when first viewing the house, tried it today, it will not open, what is the method for opening the hatch to pull down the ladder... Is it just a matter of pulling as hard as possible?

[@BerkleyBuilds]

Hi Paul.,firstly congrats on buying a house. Interesting question, use force as a last resort as something could have gotten stuck or caught. Loft hatch’s have a latch, try turning this both ways and even push the hatch up slightly to hopefully loosen it. Good luck with it. Ben

[@paulwilson1555]

@@BerkleyBuilds thank you Ben, I will give it another go.

[@DeeTeaDee]

Whats the weight limit on these typically man? Im like 240lbs (108kgs , 17st1) And lets say Ill be carrying items up n down into the loft too Cheers , great video too 👍🏻

[@johnstoker6957]

@@DeeTeaDee usually 150kg, thats what the ones i have looked ar say

[@andrewdowniephd]

Great advice. We've had one of these for 17 years now, installed by a joiner all those years ago, but the catch has now started to be difficult to catch the door and the loft hatch opens at random. Any tips you can offer to remedy this?

[@BerkleyBuilds]

Hi Andrew, an interesting question. It seems obvious that it’s a faulty latch if the hatch swings open randomly. I’d suggest you firstly try adjusting the latch so it engages better. If the latch still proves to be an issue then I’d recommend replacing it with a new latch. A quick google search shows they’re widely available at Screwfix, Toolstation, Amazon, EBay. Changing it should be as simple as removing a few screws. All the best with solving the issue. Ben

[@andrewdowniephd]

@@BerkleyBuilds thanks for the reply. This is going to sound stupid but does screwing the metal opener in and out move the latch mechanism? It's something I should have checked but as it's closed at the moment, I won't risk opening it in case it doesn't close again, lol.

[@BerkleyBuilds]

@@andrewdowniephd without seeing your specific latch it’s hard to give advice accurately but I would assume not. To adjust the latch I would have thought you’d have to open the hatch, unscrew the latch and reposition it. You might get lucky, the holes where you screw the latch to the hatch may have enough play, allowing you a small bit of adjustment without repositioning the whole latch.

[@-chris1965]

Been quoted £500. Gonna have a go meself

[@user-jy2su1er7b]

How did you make sure that the rectangle drawn in pencil was square? What size timber and hangers did you use?

[@BerkleyBuilds]

Great question! I did it with a lot of measuring. I first measured the distance I wanted it away from the doors. Using this as a reference I was able to measure and mark the rectangle. To make sure it was square I measured opposite corners, when square they should be the measurement. I used 6x2 timbers and hangers to suit.

[@user-jy2su1er7b]

@@BerkleyBuilds Thanks. Also I presume packers are required as the loft hatch timber frame would seldom be a perfect fit for the loft ladders? How did you go about making sure the timber frame on the loft ladders was level? Please could you send a link to the hangers you used.

[@BerkleyBuilds]

@@user-jy2su1er7b yeah, to get the perfect fit you’ll need to use some packers but the timbers you use for the ‘trimmers’ can be custom fit so you may not need packers. I used these hangers - www.screwfix.com/p/simpson-strong-tie-timber-to-timber-joist-hangers-47mm-x-248mm-10-pack/37986

[@alimcmellon7130]

How do you know if beams are structural?

[@BerkleyBuilds]

In the roof you can pretty much guarantee all beams are structural as nothing would be installed if it was redundant. All ceiling joists act together to support the ceiling so they need to be trimmed (braced) when forming an opening, which spreads the load to adjacent joists.

[@garvielloken3929]

Would have been nice to have seen the full process

[@BerkleyBuilds]

It’s hard to get the balance else people click off the video. I thought I showed enough so people could get an idea of how it’s done.

[@privacy3116]

Very helpful. Just the right amount of information. Thanks,problem solved.!

[@raypeasley]

Looks like a SCREWFIX loft ladder am I right?

[@BerkleyBuilds]

A very keen eye Ray! It is a ScrewFix loft ladder

[@johnclay444]

The only flaw i can see it is really a 2 man job

[@BerkleyBuilds]

You’re right it can be a two man job but it is possible on your own. I screwed in two pieces of timber as bearers so the hatch could rest on them while I fixed it in position. It also helps to make sure it’s flush with the ceiling.

[@johnclay444]

But you cant get out of the loft with the bearers on 😅​@BerkleyBuilds

[@BerkleyBuilds]

@@johnclay444 you can if you don’t close up the original loft opening till after you’ve finished, otherwise you’re right you’d need someone to let you down!

[@anthonyflynn3837]

Hangers should be nsild not screwed

[@BerkleyBuilds]

I would agree however, in this application I used a 5x40 screw. Which would be the equivalent to a twist nail therefore, I deemed it acceptable.

[@MKRM27]

@@BerkleyBuilds a screw is very brittle, and can snap under the kind of shear forces under the application used for here. A nail has much greater tolerance for shear force

[@Paul-dr8tq]

I agree, just fitted a loft hatch/ladder following your video as a guide and the very fact the hangers come with nails, I'm going to use them