Minimum truss spacing for readymade fancy loft ladder.

[epsilonGreedy]

I have been fitting the long bracing timbers into my roof structure today and before fully fixing the two trusses over the landing I thought it best to check I will be able to fit a loft ladder and slide an MVHR unit between the joists.

 

The problem is that my attic trusses over the landing are a chunky 50mm thick. One truss is 5mm out of position hence spaced 605mm on centres resulting in a 55.5 cm gap for the frame of a loft ladder. Is this wide enough? If not I could slide one truss an extra 10mm over with a lump hammer to widen the gap, (yes I will re plumb the verticals of any moved truss).

[Temp]

Some go down as low as 38cm opening width.

 

https://www.toolstation.com/werner-aluminium-loft-ladder/p40397?store=U2&utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=googleshoppingfeed&gclid=Cj0KCQiAy579BRCPARIsAB6QoIb8tiyFh0KrswOeW3itXoH80wP8mZBxcvwSCmfR3M78BowFT0RrIKQaArTZEALw_wcB

* Minimum loft opening width 0.38m (1'3")

 

https://www.toolstation.com/telesteps-loft-line-mini-loft-ladder/p53636

Mini hatch opening: 520 x 600mm

 

https://www.toolstation.com/tb-davies-envirofold-loft-ladder/p63295

Loft Opening Length x Width:1200 x 550mm

Edited November 8, 2020 by Temp

[Dave Jones]

they made for 600 opening and you wouldn't want any smaller to get in and out off. if you've not already platsterboarded you will get them in no problem.

[joe90]

I think the simple answer is it depends on the loft ladder width and size of your MVHR!!!? just measured mine and it’s 550mm wide frame packed out between 600mm joists. I would not want it any narrower than mine.

Edited November 8, 2020 by joe90

[Temp]

+1

Its not the ladder its your shoulders that are the limitation.

[Oz07]

The ladders are made for 600 c ie 550mm gap. You can always put mvhr up before you fix the frame in. 

[PeterW]

@epsilonGreedy this is a bargain at the moment if you have a trade card, even at £99 it’s good value. 
 

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Youngman-Timberline-Loft-Ladder-Access-Kit/p/183453

[joe90]

  On 08/11/2020 at 15:50, PeterW said:

@epsilonGreedy this is a bargain at the moment if you have a trade card, even at £99 it’s good value. 
 

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Youngman-Timberline-Loft-Ladder-Access-Kit/p/183453

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That’s identical to mine and works well.

[Dave Jones]

keylite do an insulated one in several dimensions to suit truss spacing.

 

https://www.keyliteroofwindows.com/shop/loft-ladder/

 

[epsilonGreedy]

  On 08/11/2020 at 15:50, PeterW said:

@epsilonGreedy this is a bargain at the moment if you have a trade card, even at £99 it’s good value. 
 

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Youngman-Timberline-Loft-Ladder-Access-Kit/p/183453

 

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Thanks and @joe90likes his.

 

I might fit one as soon as the roof is slated. The extra ££ for the attic trusses is beginning to look like a wise investment, the space created is larger than I anticipated even though headroom room is 5ft.

[joe90]

@epsilonGreedy is yours a warm roof? If so the storage in the loft is an asset IMO, saves masses of cupboards in the house and with an easy usable loft ladder easily accessible. A good place fir the MVHR if you’re fitting one and mo need to insulate the pipework (apart from the incoming pipes from the outside) ?

[epsilonGreedy]

  On 09/11/2020 at 18:28, joe90 said:

@epsilonGreedy is yours a warm roof? If so the storage in the loft is an asset IMO, saves masses of cupboards in the house and with an easy usable loft ladder easily accessible. A good place fir the MVHR if you’re fitting one and mo need to insulate the pipework (apart from the incoming pipes from the outside) ?

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Not a warm roof by design but as I look at a useful storage area I am starting to consider how it can be partitioned into a semi warm space. Just need to ensure I don't create temperate damp space.

[joe90]

  On 09/11/2020 at 18:51, epsilonGreedy said:

a useful storage area

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Great for suitcases and Christmas trees (false) etc.