With rising energy costs, a well-insulated loft hatch is more important now than ever before. Premier Loft ladders explain what to look for.
An uninsulated home loses considerable heat through the roof. Insulating the loft/attic could therefore save hundreds of pounds in energy costs while also improving comfort for the property’s occupants. However, the cooler air in an insulated loft can result in draughts through gaps in the insulation, such as an ill-fitting and poorly insulated loft hatch.
When choosing an insulated loft hatch and ladder there are three important factors to consider:
1. The amount of thermal insulation provided by the loft hatch.
A well-insulated loft hatch reduces the heat loss from the warm room into the cooler loft space above. A U-value is often shown on loft ladder specifications. This is a measure of how much heat is lost. Therefore, the lower the U-value, the better. You should be looking for a U-value of less than 1 W/m2K.
2. Is the loft hatch airtight?
This relates to the amount of air that will travel through the hatch while in its closed position (e.g. through gaps around the trapdoor). The first thing to look for is whether the loft hatch is certified with a Class 4 air permeability rating (the highest rating). The second consideration is a strong, rigid trapdoor, made from durable materials that will last the test-of-time and provide a tight seal for many years of use.
3. Air permeability around the outside of the hatch box.
The final challenge is to minimise the amount of air that escapes around the outside of the hatch box. It is therefore important to make sure that you choose a hatch box that fits the size of your ceiling opening, allowing for a suitable size installation gap to fill with insulation. Where necessary, choose a made-to-measure loft ladder to ensure a good fit.
For more information, www.premierloftladders.co.uk/insulated-loft-hatch-and-ladder