If you want reliable loft access, you’re going to need a loft hatch and a loft ladder.
But before you can choose the right options for your loft and purchase them, you’ll need to find out more about UK loft hatch sizes.
The question is:
How big does a loft hatch need to be for a loft ladder?
You’ve come to the right place!
At Insulation Superstore, we took a deep dive into loft hatch sizes, the process of measuring for a loft hatch and much more.
Let’s crack on.
Table of contents:
- What is a standard loft hatch size?
- Loft hatch building regulations
- How to measure a loft hatch
- Can a loft hatch be made bigger?
- Final thoughts
What is a standard loft hatch size?
There are a few standard loft hatch size options in the UK. The most common one is 562mm x 726mm, which is sufficient to give you comfortable access to your loft. However, you’re also likely to come across the following, among others:
- 450mm x 600mm
- 542mm x 645mm
- 600mm x 700mm
- 700mm x 900mm
And that’s not all! Nowadays, many manufacturers offer bespoke, made-to-measure loft hatch solutions.
So, how small can a loft hatch be?
While there’s no minimum size per se, loft hatch size regulations recommend that your loft door be at least 530mm x 530mm.
What other relevant regulations are there?
That’s exactly what we’re going to find out next.
Loft hatch building regulations
There are several Building Regulations which apply specifically to loft hatches.
These are:
✅Part J Regulation, which states you need to install the correct inspection hatch if your boiler flue is located behind a wall or ceiling void.
✅Part B Regulation, which outlines the necessary fire resistance properties of loft hatches.
✅Part E Regulation, which details the required acoustic ratings of loft doors.
✅Part L Regulation, which explores how you should insulate a loft hatch to achieve a U-value of less than 0.35 W/m²k.
To find out more about U-values, head over to our in-depth guide.
How to measure a loft hatch
Measuring up for a loft door is very simple. All you need is a reliable step ladder and a tape measure. Climb up the ladder and carefully measure the length and width of the loft hatch opening – i.e., the distance between the timbers.
Next, subtract around 5mm from the total width and length to allow for the thickness of the loft door. So, for a standard 562mm x 726mm hatch to fit comfortably, for instance, the opening should measure approximately 567mm x 731mm. This is your rule of thumb for all loft hatch sizes.
But what do you do if your opening is too small?
Let’s find out.
Can a loft hatch be made bigger?
If the loft ladder you intend to fit requires a bigger opening, you’ll have to widen it. When doing so, it’s absolutely essential that you don’t cut through any support structures, such as beams and timber lintels, as well as any pipework or wires.
So, before you actually get to the point where you start cutting through the ceiling, you’ll need to examine your home’s building plans carefully and have a good understanding of the structural layout.
The process itself is quite delicate and requires excellent DIY skills. For a detailed discussion of the ins and outs, check out our step-by-step guide on how to widen your loft latch.
Final thoughts
Loft sizes in the UK are fairly standard, and the good news is that there’s no shortage of viable options.
So, you should have no trouble finding the right size loft door for pretty much any opening.
What’s more:
Made-to-measure solutions are also readily available on the market, even if they’re typically more expensive.
And if your loft opening is too small, you can always enlarge it.
The bottom line is:
Measure up carefully, consult our Loft ladders & hatches buyer’s guide, and you’re good to go!
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