Insulating your loft hatch

[TVC]

Right, so the new A class windows are going in, next will be a new boiler. I've had a good look at the insulation in the loft and it's pretty good, I might beef it up in a couple of places.
But, the loft hatch is basically just a piece of ply that lifts into the roof space. So, what's the best way to insulate this and finish the job?

 

[Archie_tect]

Big thick piece of Styrofoam carved to fit to avoid catching... but don't tell....

 

[Amanda P]

Yeah, we've got an offcut of 4" Jablite polystyrene sheet glued to ours; it does the trick.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

the same fibre roof insulation as the rest but in a glorified bin bag & glued to it

 

[Night Train]

In addition to the insulation above it you also need to make sure it is nicely sealed to the ceiling when the hatch is closed. Either ensure that it is heavy enough to sit down snug, pulling the hatch insulation tightly around the opening in the loft insulation, or find a way (recessed handles?) to pull it down snug.

Draught excluder strips would also be a good idea if fitted discreetly.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Not sure you should be insulating the loft hatch - you're better off having a small amount of heat leaking in there to help stop burst pipes & freezing tanks.

 

[Melonfish]

the same fibre roof insulation as the rest but in a glorified bin bag & glued to it

tis what i've got in mine!
also, put those little draugh excluder things round the hatch where it meets the lip, those tac on ones and secure it down with gate hooks, solves that issue of it not sitting properly.
uber insulation.

 

[TVC]

Not sure you should be insulating the loft hatch - you're better off having a small amount of heat leaking in there to help stop burst pipes & freezing tanks.

All I've got in there is the header tank for the central heating and the pipes have run straight up through the airing cupboard below, besides, it's all getting replaced soon with a combi, so the tank will go.

 

[Smurfy]

Not sure you should be insulating the loft hatch - you're better off having a small amount of heat leaking in there to help stop burst pipes & freezing tanks.

In every house I've lived in the cold water tank in the roof sits directly above the airing cupboard (containing the hot water tank). I think the idea is that the area of floor above the airing cupboard is left without insulation and the heat from below keeps the cold water tank and pipes from freezing.

 

[Fnaar]

Whatever you do, don't ask people "would you like me to insulate your loft hatch?" while doing that inverted comma thing with your fingers for the last 4 words.

 

[TVC]

Whatever you do, don't ask people "would you like me to insulate your loft hatch?" while doing that inverted comma thing with your fingers for the last 4 words.

Your title of 'Smutmeister General' is well deserved, your ability to invent new innuendo is masterful.

 

[Archie_tect]

Just make sure your pipes and cold feed tank are under/ on the warm side of any insulation so that you don't need to leave any gaps at all.... and make sure you keep all the eaves vents clear for cross ventilation if you have your roof insulation at ceiling level.

 

[TVC]

Just make sure your pipes and cold feed tank are under/ on the warm side of any insulation so that you don't need to leave any gaps at all.... and make sure you keep all the eaves vents clear for cross ventilation if you have your roof insulation at ceiling level.

Are you some kind of expert on buildings then?

 

[Archie_tect]

Lurk on P+L Lite.... there's so much to know and so little time- how they fit all that research and knowledge in their brains is astounding.

 

[Crankarm]

My hatch has nicely trimmed thatch .