How to make a manhole cover on the second floor - installation diagrams

• attached;
• retractable;
• folding;
• telescopic.

The attic in a private house is as necessary as air. This is an excellent utility room where you can store old or seasonal items, empty containers, and canning jars. There is no better place to dry herbs, mushrooms, and berries. A room in the attic is an excellent option for summer relaxation, deep sleep to the accompaniment of rain, if the attic is equipped with convenient functional access.

The hatch that provides access to the top must be voluminous and comfortable, but not only that. The staircase used to climb to the attic should decorate the room in the ceiling of which there is a hatch. Obviously, a banal stepladder cannot be considered such a decoration.

Sometimes the staircase to the attic space is made permanently, in which case you need to make sure that it does not create inconvenience , but more often a manhole with an extension or retractable ladder is used. Folding staircase constructors, which unfold only when the entrance is opened, have gained particular popularity.

Choosing a location for the attic entrance

Sometimes the staircase to the attic space is made permanently, in which case you need to make sure that it does not create inconvenience , but more often a manhole with an extension or retractable ladder is used. Folding staircase constructors, which unfold only when the entrance is opened, have gained particular popularity.

Before making a manhole, you need to decide on the design ; it must match the design of the room where it will be located. The lid should open well and freely. Please note that the entrance may require insulation.

When installing a manhole, it is unacceptable to remove part of the supporting structure; this leads to a decrease in the strength of the entire ceiling.

When choosing a material, they are usually based on design and financial capabilities.

Two options for arranging an attic hatch

I would like to note right away that both options are guaranteed to work and have been tested in practice. If you are interested in quick installation, then it is better to choose 1 method of arrangement, and for creative individuals who have the time and desire, option 2 is suitable.

Option 1: fast, simple, reliable

We are talking about a plastic construction . First, you need to take accurate measurements of the ceiling opening; it is not necessary to make a drawing here; a simple diagram will do.

• In addition to the length and width, it is necessary to measure the diagonals; if they are not the same, it means that the opening is skewed and requires alignment.
• The thickness of the overlap is considered an indirect parameter, but this characteristic is also indicated. You can order a window block with this scheme.

Advice! To ensure that the edges of the opening in the ceiling are in harmony with the hatch, it is better to line them with the same plastic; you can buy these panels when ordering; they are intended for arranging slopes.

When ordering a plastic hatch, it is advisable to immediately buy lining for the slopes

• Now you need to temporarily fix the structure in the opening. To do this, insert the hatch into the opening and wedge it around the perimeter, after which you remove the door and check the diagonals of the frame, there should be no distortions.
• The frame has drippers (holes for condensation), they should look down.
• Next, take a drill or hammer drill and drill 2-3 holes on each side through the frame. The structure is fixed through these holes, anchors are used on concrete, and self-tapping screws are used on wooden floors.

When drilling and fixing, the main thing is that the frame does not warp

• At the next stage, the cover is put in place, after which the gap between the frame and the ceiling is filled with polyurethane foam, and when it dries, the excess is cut off and the slopes are glued.

Any home craftsman can install the plastic structure

Option 2: assembling a wooden structure

a wooden structure is not much more difficult than installing a plastic one, plus this option is cheaper.

4. Hinges are attached to the finished hatch and to the ceiling base with self-tapping screws.

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 the spring and summer. 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 from the inside of the attic. Using a tape measure, notes are made on the size of the hatch with the 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.

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, it is necessary to trim the 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.

Related article: How to properly install polycarbonate on a roof

Dimensions

You can make an insulated attic hatch with your own hands, based on the existing opening, which in the standard version is 120 cm long and 60 cm wide. There are cases when the opening has the shape of a square with dimensions of 100x100, 80x80, 70x70, etc. This plays a significant role only in the case when bulky indivisible objects have to be dragged into the attic.

secret (Fig. 5)

with folding ladder (Fig. 6)

with wooden stairs (Fig. 7)

hatch with folding ladder (Fig. 8)

The attic hatch should:

Types of products and their designs

Structurally, hatches can be of several types. This is due to the location and design features.

Types of attic hatches:

1. Horizontal.
2. Vertical.
3. Angular type.

In addition, hatches are also distinguished according to other parameters:

• Hidden structures;
• Designs with folding stairs.

Such structures are also distinguished by their diameter. He considers the standard size to be 120 by 60 cm. However, the sizes are completely different, it all depends on the specific conditions and capabilities of the owners. The design of the room itself also plays an important role. For example, many people make the entrance to the attic a real highlight of the house. In this case, the entrance to the top is designed as creatively as possible, and the size of the passage can vary depending on the wishes of the residents.

Today, factory-made hatches have become widespread. There are a great variety of their designs. Just go to any construction hypermarket and you can find dozens of options there. The most popular designs are those with retractable stairs. There are variations here for every taste - metal, wood, plastic, combined. The length of these ladders is usually adjustable, however, most often varies from two meters to two and a half. The staircase design can be chosen from ready-made options , and it is also possible to make it to order.

What should an attic hatch look like?

The attic hatch should:

1. fit into the overall interior of the room
2. open and close freely
3. do not interfere with movement around the room
4. do not fall under the floor beams to maintain the integrity of the ceiling frame
5. be easy to install for do-it-yourself installation
6. have a modern design
7. be reliable, durable, functional
8. have insulation on the lid
9. be equipped with a comfortable handle, arguments, and beautiful fittings.

Installation of stairs for the attic

Manufacturing stages

Cutting the opening

Cutting an opening for the attic

If a roof access hole was not provided during the construction of the house, you will have to cut it out yourself. Of course, if such a hole for installing the door already exists, this stage of work is skipped.

To begin with, markings are carried out with the expectation that the hole should be 5–6 cm larger than the dimensions of the hatch frame. In the future, the gap will help compensate for the thickness of the boards from which the frame will be made. The material from the sawn piece of the ceiling can be used for cladding the lid, of course, if it has a normal aesthetic appearance.

Assembling the opening frame

Assembling the opening frame for the attic

Making a lid

Hatch with lid to the attic

We do insulation and finishing

Attic insulation scheme

As you already understand, this is how the simplest hatch leading to the roof of the house is installed. More complex solutions include a design with a retractable staircase. The installation process here is carried out according to a similar scheme with only some differences.

The presence of a manhole in the attic allows the owner of the house/cottage to acquire additional usable space, which can subsequently be used in various ways: for example, if there is a manhole, it is much more convenient to install heating or ventilation equipment in the attic, to arrange an attic floor there for summer recreation, etc.

Design nuances

When you hear the word hatch, you may think of a metal lid that tightly closes the technological opening, 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 is easy to buy a product that will best match the interior, as well as the roofing. The hatch windows that were mentioned above have a pleasant appearance. The color schemes of 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 installed quite simply, since they represent an already assembled structure. The downside is the need to constantly use a ladder.

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 a 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 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.

Let's look at the components of the manhole manufacturing process

Door

First, we decide on the location of the future opening. It is advisable to cut it closer to the landing, but at the same time not next to it, otherwise inconvenience may occur during the subsequent manufacture or installation of the staircase. Of course, it is unacceptable to plan to make a manhole in the bedroom. An important point that should be taken into account is the slope of the roof of your roof in the place of the future hole, because for the convenience of subsequent use of it, the space above the opening must be large enough.

Next, we proceed to the manufacture and subsequent assembly of the frame. It is best to use boards with a thickness of at least 30 mm. It is clear that your hole should be quite compact, so it is better to make it rectangular rather than square. The frame must have equal corners.

Door for hatch to attic

In order to insulate the manhole, a sheet of fiberboard should be cut to fit the internal size of the frame, to which you can additionally attach a sheet of polystyrene foam. glue another sheet of fiberboard to it , the resulting “sandwich” will provide the necessary temperature conditions in the interior of the house. A sealing rubber band is glued along the inner perimeter of the attic hatch.

Insulation of the attic hatch can be done using another option. For this purpose, a vapor barrier film is fixed inside the finished lid, on top of which insulation is installed, which is usually used for interfloor ceilings (foam plastic or mineral wool will do). Fastening is done with glue or wooden planks.

The manhole door is ready, now it needs to be attached to the frame using hinges. The hatch will be much more convenient to open if its door is equipped with a handle and a latch.

Cutting an opening

Attic hatch with ladder looks simple and stylish

It remains to think about the issue of getting into the attic through the hole. You can purchase an aluminum ladder, or you can make it yourself.

Despite the fact that the main goal of decorating a crawlspace in the attic will be to give this structure a more aesthetic appearance, there are a number of requirements that will need to be taken into account when choosing a design option. There are not too many of them and following these recommendations will not be difficult:

Additional insulation

Absolutely all modern lyadas can be divided into two categories: with an attached ladder and without it. Each case has its own nuances. If the owner of a private house has purchased a ready-made structure with a folding staircase, then additional compaction is not necessary. If the master does everything with his own hands, then all subsequent actions must be carefully considered.

Experts note that many manufacturers equip lids with special heat-saving plates located on the front surface of the lid. This creates the desired effect and also prevents the loss of valuable heat. To insulate the hatch yourself, you need to prepare a high-quality plywood sheet, as well as the seal itself. You can use the scraps that remain after cladding the attic. After this, you need to perform the following manipulations:

1. At the initial stage, you need to take measurements of the attic hatch opening.
2. Based on the data obtained, you can assemble a frame from boards (2 to 3 cm thick).
3. Now the master can assemble the hatch cover, which should be 50 centimeters smaller than the frame itself. Thanks to this, the sealing material can be fixed as firmly as possible.
4. A vapor barrier film must be placed on top of the lid.
5. To fix all the parts, you can use ordinary wooden planks and glue.
6. The hatch needs to be covered with a prepared sheet of plywood and decorated. In this case, you can show all your imagination, but the finished product must fit harmoniously into the existing interior.
7. All wooden parts must be treated with a high-quality antiseptic.
8. At the final stage, all that remains is to secure the do-it-yourself hatch to the second floor. In this case, the master will need hinges and screws.

A structure insulated with foam plastic will look no less original.

General design requirements

Despite the fact that the main goal of decorating a crawlspace in the attic will be to give this structure a more aesthetic appearance, there are a number of requirements that will need to be taken into account when choosing a design option. There are not too many of them and following these recommendations will not be difficult:

Where the hatch is installed is of great importance. If this is a technical room, then no special decorations will be needed, but if the passage to the attic space is organized from the kitchen or other living part of the house, you will have to create a beautiful design. In addition, this design often includes a retractable ladder and should also be easily accessible when the door is opened.

Before starting work you must purchase:

Safety precautions

It is quite possible to make and install an attic hatch with your own hands. This work may take a couple of days, depending on the experience of the builder and the availability of the necessary tools and materials.

Safety precautions when creating an attic crawl space with your own hands are extremely important. It is necessary to ensure that there is no electrical wiring running through the work site. When working with a grinder and hammer drill, you must use safety glasses. The work will be carried out at a certain height, so a reliable ladder or stable stepladder is required. By following these simple rules, you can quickly and safely add new space to your home.

The attic hatch, although not used often, is a noticeable part of the interior. Therefore, with some effort, you can not only expand the square footage of your home, but also add some zest to it.

Features of the construction of a manhole in the cellar

Tip: Installation of the hatch cover is carried out after it is completely manufactured.

In this case, it is necessary to take into account:

What material is better to use

To make a manhole cover you can take:

• Glued plywood, at least 10 millimeters thick. This is a lightweight material that has sufficient strength, which is provided by glued veneer sheets, where the layers are placed alternately across and along the wood fibers.

Tip: After making the workpiece, it must be soaked in drying oil and coated with varnish or paint.

• A good option is a frame made of timber and covered with plywood on both sides. The cellar lid, if desired, can be insulated. To do this, the space between the lower and upper coatings is filled with a gasket. The following are used:

1. residues from mineral wool mats;
2. Styrofoam;
3. foam;
4. old blankets;
5. carpet that has served its purpose;
6. old coats. (read Basement insulation with polystyrene foam: features and nuances of the work)

• Galvanized iron will last long enough. The wooden frame is covered with it on both sides or on one, with or without insulation.

Tip: Unless absolutely necessary, the frame is sheathed only on one side, the top side. But this can only be done if major protection against cold or break-ins is not needed.

Experts advise making and installing insulated hatches to prevent cold air currents from entering the home.