How big should a loft ladder aperture be?

dunroving

New house has a "push-up" (not attache/hinged) attic lid and no steps or ladder.

I'd like to put in a drop-down hatch and ladder, and partially floor the attic to store boxes (no discussion needed in this thread about suitability of attic for flooring; have already had a structural engineer take a look).

The current aperture is 68 x 85. The long side cannot be lengthened because at each end it is restricted by an internal bedroom doorway and wall and at the other end by a joist (it's not the correct terminology; a large horizontal supporting beam that runs the length of the house and is tied into the brickwork at the end wall).

Have had four opinions regarding the size of the aperture and whether you can fit a loft ladder in the aperture (again, ignoring the issues with head height/vertical clearance in the attic, etc. as this seems fine)

Opinion 1 (carpenter, kitchen fitter extraordinaire) said the aperture wouldn't fit a loft ladder (too short; width fine). He also said I'd have to fit a folding ladder rather than sliding, because there wasn't enough horizontal clearance to slide the ladders onto in the attic. He suggested putting the loft hatch in a more suitable place in one of the bedrooms.

Opinion 2 (carpenter/joiner) also said the aperture wouldn't fit a loft ladder (too short; width fine). He suggested putting the loft hatch perpendicular to its current orientation, to avoid limiting its length. Vertical drop and angle of ladder would be fine in this suggested new orientation, but will entail moving light fitting and redecorating ceiling. His quote was for a Fakro loft ladder, which I believe is also a folding type. As the landing ceiling wallpaper also runs down the stairs and onto the hallway ceiling below, this would increase associated costs.

Opinion 3 (builder and roofer with experience installing loft ladders) said the current aperture is absolutely fine.

Opinion 4 (structural engineer) said same as above, and that he has a loft ladder in a similar sized hatch at his own home.

My questions is: How can so many experts give such varying opinions on something as basic as a loft ladder and hatch? (I should add that all of them had a poke around in the attic; they weren't just looking up at the ceiling).

[ETA: Closest I can find definitive indication is this site with multiple sorts of loft ladders:

https://www.roofingsuperstore.co.uk/browse/roofing-accessories/loft-ladders-loft-hatches/fakro-1.html

I presume the dimensions are the needed minimum dimensions? Anything below 90cm in length seems to be a scissor type ladder, which I have no experience or knowledge of.]

phill99

Each manufacturer has different requirements for loft openings. I fit quote a lot of loft ladders and haven't yet come across an opening that wont accommodate one.


This one from Screwfix, for example, requires an opening of just 0.38m. So decide on a ladder that is suitable and check with the manufacturers requirements for the opening size. Your opening is a decent size so would accommodate most ladders.

Gloomendoom

Have you considered what you might want to get up through the hatch? That might help you decide.

A colleague of mine keeps canoes in his attic.

dunroving

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Have you considered what you might want to get up through the hatch? That might help you decide.

A colleague of mine keeps canoes in his attic.

I will not be riding my bike trainer in this attic, so that won't be a problem! It will be either just small items (boxes of books) or if big (plastic trunk-boxes), they will be fairly light but bulky (e.g., bedding inside).

Unlike my current house, I won't be up and down from/to the attic in this house. So I don't really need mega-space; but your question is appreciated because I need to consider practicalities.

In short, then, "No canoes"!

dunroving

phill99 wrote: »

Each manufacturer has different requirements for loft openings. I fit quote a lot of loft ladders and haven't yet come across an opening that wont accommodate one.


This one from Screwfix, for example, requires an opening of just 0.38m. So decide on a ladder that is suitable and check with the manufacturers requirements for the opening size. Your opening is a decent size so would accommodate most ladders.

Thanks - but is there a hyperlink missing?

Furts

There is a minimum opening width stipulated for all new homes. By memory this is 550mm x 550mm. The reality is this is to suit trussed rafters and loft ladders are bigger one way than the other. But you will find that Youngman fold up ladder, and such like, are designed to fit into the 550mm dimension