How to insulate loft hatch with existing ladder

[Novice Becky]

Any ideas as to how you would go about insulating a loft hatch with a ladder attached?  Any examples? We inherited the loft ladder - it might be 40+ years old but does a good job. The ladder is fixed to the hinged loft hatch door as well as to the joist/binder at the top.

 

Would you just stick some sort of PIR insulation board on, cutting around where the ladder is attached to the hatch, and just accept that there will be breaks in the insulation? Is there a thinner insulation board I could use? There's not much space between the wooden hatch and the ladder at the top of the ladder.

 

Or would you remove the ladder, fix insulation to the wooden loft hatch and then remount the ladder on top of the insulation. (I need to remove the ladder anyway in order to get a new MVHR unit through but there's a lot of rusty looking screws.) In which case what (screwable) insulation material would you use?  Would I need to relocate the top of the ladder? Or would I need a different ladder?

 

Open to suggestions!

Thanks.

[JohnMo]

You could ju I'll seest replace it with an insulated and air sealed loft access with ladder. Screwfix and others sell them.

 

Or could you space the ladder away from the hatch more, then glue PIR on to the hatch. The more the better.

[ETC]

Out two hatches in - one above the other. Bring down the ladder. Go up and open the insulated hatch.

[saveasteading]

I have fixed carpet underlay. It's not thick but it is durable, so its a compromise. Also draught strip on the touching surfaces.

[Novice Becky]

Thank you people. I didn't know about having 2 hatches and boxing in the ladder. I will try and space the ladder away from the hatch more, then glue PIR on and see if that works.

[joe90]

Make sure you have a draught strip as well, that looks like a cold loft (insulation at bedroom ceiling level).

[ToughButterCup]

Here's a YT playlist that might help you.

[Novice Becky]

Thank you @ToughButterCup. Very helpful. Just got distracted with the MVHR install.