What to do with old glass loft hatch (insulation)

Dylan80

Had a new loft hatch fitted in a safe position. Our old hatch is glass above the stairs with a skylight above.

Obviously we would want to keep it, but I'm assuming it is losing a lot of heat from the house.

What would my options be? Sheet of perspex across the top? Plastic glazing sheet from Wickes? Or have a new hatch made with double glazing? I'd imagine the last option would be expensive, especially as the glass is like bathroom glass.

Davesnave

A obscure double glazed panel wouldn't be significantly more expensive than a clear one, but I'd try to retain the existing surround if I could, rather than go for upvc inside the house.

You'd go to a glaziers and have it made to measure - maybe £50 at a guess. You could even go triple glazed if the surround allows.

Depends what your idea of expensive is. The above is much cheaper than having the skylight removed, plasterboarding over and fitting a sun tube, which might be more heat efficient.

ic

Is the glass hatch accessible from within the loft? What arrangement have you got to prevent somebody stepping on it when in the loft?

phil24_7

Thats a very good point ic.

You would need to protect the glass with some kind of barrier or make sure it is strengthened glass.

Dylan80

We don't intend to use the loft, just wanted safe access. It was cheaper to get a new hatch fitted than for someone to go up there, clear out the mess the previous owner left and fit insulation; we can do that ourselves now.

I guess to be safe, i could surround it with 4 by 4 screwed into the joists to make it more obvious.