Maintaining your roof's quality is not something that you should disregard. Although roofing materials are durable and can withstand extreme weather conditions, they will eventually receive damage that can affect your way of living and other structures in your commercial space. To avoid costly repairs in the future, you should hire a professional roofing technician to check and maintain your roof regularly.
However, there are some instances when the roof damage is inside that is only accessible through your attic. Your attic provides your establishment with extra storage and can be convenient whenever your roof technician requires safe access when conducting roof maintenance.
Accessing the roof cavity can pose safety risks to the occupants and service personnel who perform routine installation, repairs, or maintenance of services, such as air conditioning, within the roof cavity. For your maintenance service to conveniently access your attic when repairs are needed, installing attic access doors is a must!
If you haven't yet installed attic access, here are some common types you can choose from and the steps to properly install it.
Types of Attic Access Doors
- Simple attic hatch: This access door is also called a scuttle hole and is quite common in homes. A simple attic hatch is homeowners' most common and widely-used attic door. It often looks like a removable part of a ceiling that is either rectangular or square. Accessing the attic would entail the homeowner pushing up on this ceiling cut-out and moving it to the side. A ladder also goes with the simple attic access door. The ladder will be your guide to entering your attic.
- Spring-loaded attic access door: Because this type of door is spring-loaded, the stairs will instantly come out once you push the door up and pull the cord. The stairs are either wood or metal and can fold up as soon as they fold out. Even though this attic access door looks similar to a simple attic hatch, it is more convenient because it has a built-in ladder.
- Knee-wall attic access door: Another alternative to access the attic is using a knee-wall attic access door. You can install this access door mid-height on a short, vertical wall instead of a ceiling. Commonly found within a small room on the top of the house, you can use this access door as a loft, storage area, or even a bedroom. This attic access door is perfect for rooms that have sloped ceilings.
Installation Steps:
Step #1 Identify the Joists
To install your purchased access door successfully, you must first check your attic space and mark the locations of two adjacent ceiling joists. You can do this by utilizing a stud finder to locate the inside corners. Once found, mark the top and bottom end of the access hole, spaced about 3 feet apart.
Step #2 Cutting the Drywall
Once you have located and marked the joists, you can start cutting the drywall where you will install your attic access door. Carefully cut out the ceiling using a drywall saw or handsaw to create the entry. Ensure that you mark the areas correctly to avoid mistakes. Pop the rectangular piece out and place it aside for potential use later.
Step #3 Installing the Frame
Once you have the entry point, for the next step, get the attic access frame and install it by drilling it with a screw into its designated holes. Although the process is relatively easy, ensure that you properly install the frame to the markings you have located. Precision is always vital to avoid any mistakes.
Step #4 Installing the Hinges and Panel
Following the user's manual, install the hinges and the door carefully. Test the door to see if it smoothly opens and closes. You should also purchase an access door with a built-in foldable ladder to avoid slips or accidents when climbing up the attic.
The Bottomline
Installing an attic access door provides various benefits, including safety, convenience, and efficiency. If you're struggling to install this product yourself, it is always best to contact the professionals and let them handle the job.
Regular roof maintenance will enhance your roof's quality, prevent wear and tear and boost its lifespan. It is highly beneficial because the chances of obtaining roof damage will decrease, saving money on costly repairs and maintaining comfort for your occupants.