All You Need To Understand About Attic Access Doors

It is now a typical feature for most residential or commercial buildings to have attics. Having one poses some challenges to temperature control because heat and the moisture that comes along with it travels upward. If you don't know how to seal the attic space, it may cause some difficulties, but it will also be challenging if it doesn't have access for maintenance and other purposes.

Due to this need for access and temperature control, most of the buildings you see today have ceiling and attic access doors and panels that function as separators for the roof spaces and below. It prevents heat loss and moisture buildup in the upper areas. However, some residential or commercial people still don't have attics, ignoring the heat loss and air leaks these areas may give.

Furthermore, when attic hatches are not adequately insulated or maintained, they might influence the proper general operation of the structure and space. An attic hatch is commonly found in walk-in closets or corridors, although it serves the same purpose of providing access to attic space regardless of its location.

These are the things you need to understand about these installations:

Types of Attic Access Doors

There are several types of attic access doors that you can find. Here are the ones you should know about:

#1. Spring-loaded attic access door: You can find the pull-down stair type typically provided in some structures. Due to its spring-loaded design, you can quickly push out the steps by pushing it up and pulling a neighboring rope. These steps are primarily out of wood or metal and folded in and out for convenience. Although this style of attic access door resembles a standard attic hatch, it is more practical due to the built-in ladder.

#2. Knee-wall attic access door: A knee-wall attic access door is another option for getting into the attic. Instead of being a ceiling mount, this door style usually is at mid-height setting mounted on a short, vertical wall. These attic access doors are typically in a tiny room on the top level of the building and utilized as a loft, storage area, or even a bedroom. The ceiling in this space is usually slanted.

#3. Simple attic hatch: A scuttle hole is another name for this type of attic access door, which is exceptionally prevalent in residences. The most popular and extensively utilized attic entrance by homeowners is a primary attic hatch. It is a detachable portion of the ceiling that is often rectangular or square. The homeowner would quickly push up on this ceiling cut-out and shift it to the side to access the attic. The primary attic also comes with a ladder. You will need it to enter the space after the access door is open and out of the way.

Security and Insulation

One consideration for attic access doors is the quantity of insulating material. It makes little difference what door is in the attic; with no insulation, many buildings lose heat through the gap. As a result, it is advisable to have some insulation, such as weather stripping and foam board. It's also worth remembering that the process for installing such insulation aids varies based on the door type.

When considering an attic access door, another factor that you may want to ponder is the amount of security. Fortunately, you may fit every type of attic door with a homeowner or building owner lock. It is suitable for entries on the outside walls of both commercial buildings and residences. It's also crucial to understand door possibilities to select the best attic access door and make the most of what an attic offers.

Maintenance

Aside from purchasing the appropriate attic hatch, it is also critical for its installation to be correct. When warm air goes through a vent, and an access door or panel does not have proper installation, it can result in condensation. It's also essential to check for drafts and ensure no mildew, unpleasant dampness, or pest infestation once the attic access door installation is complete.

Given the location of the attic, regular upkeep is incredibly essential. Infestations from pests and molds may impact the attic since it is difficult to reach and where people rarely visit, which is true in commercial or residential property. It is the reason why regularly maintaining attic access panels is critical.

Purchasing the Access Door that Fits You

When choosing an attic access door, there are so many possibilities that it might be overwhelming. Remember that a decent attic hatch will have a weatherstrip around the outside to provide adequate insulation. It reduces any heat loss from the interior while also preventing any air from entering.

If you select an attic access door, it is essential to collect accurate dimensions and consider other external factors, such as maintaining the proper temperatures within the attic and in the surrounding area. One approach to help with this issue is to have sufficient ventilation and roofing insulation.

Mold and mildew may grow in an attic lacking sufficient ventilation, insulation, or even a proper hatch. If the infestation gets serious, buying the wrong attic access door or failing to maintain the attic may significantly influence the area and potentially one's health.

Never underestimate the value of quality advice coming from a licensed professional. If you need an access door for your building, always consider getting solid counsel from someone reputable with a proven track record. Remember what a suitable access door and panel can do to your building space.

Upgrades to Make in Your Home That Will Add Value Over Time

Home upgrades help you add functionality to your residence, so it keeps meeting your needs. However, certain home upgrades can also add value over time. That can let you space out the expense of upgrades that boost resale value over a longer span of time. Even if you don't plan on selling anytime soon, boosting your home value can increase your total net worth and possibly even unlock more money through a mortgage refinance.

Open-Concept Living

The trend towards open-concept floor plans for the main living space has been around for a while, and it shows no sign of letting up in the coming years. If you can knock out any walls or awkward junctions to turn a kitchen, dining room, and living room into one continuous space, then you should do so.

Home Office

Remote work is here to stay. Freelancers already work from home a lot, but even many full-timers working for corporations are starting to do a lot of work from home. Many people that still report to an office or location still want a private space to work on personal projects and hobby income. Home office spaces are very valuable commodities and an expectation in many modern homes.

Swimming Pool

Most people love swimming, or at least playing in the water. Families enjoy having a space for the kids to have an outdoor activity while in the safety of their own yard, and nearly any homeowner loves having a place to gather up friends and family for a BBQ or party.

Improve the Bathrooms

The older your home is, the more your bathrooms have room for improvement. Think bigger, and think more. Adding an on-suite to any bedroom is a great move, and just putting in an extra bathroom can help the whole home. Have a powder room with a linen closet? See if you can knock out the closet to add a standalone shower and make it a full washroom.

Add More Space

Whether you finish an attic or basement as a bonus room or put a new hardwood floor on a deck or patio out back for enhanced entertaining and relaxation, anything you can do to add more functional square footage will also add to the value of your home.

In conclusion, there's no guarantee that any of these home improvements will absolutely boost home value over time, especially if your local market makes a downturn. Having said that, there are reasons why prospective home buyers look for features such as these, so consider them as good gambles.

Most Forgotten Things To Clean Around the House

While most homeowners know the value of keeping their houses clean, no one is ever perfect at following through. As a result, we often overlook some areas or objects during this process. That’s why we made a list of some of the most forgotten things to clean around the house. Whether you’re a compulsive cleaner or only do it every once in a while, you’ll want to ensure you don’t skip over these items.

Ceiling Fans and Light Fixtures

If you’re a seasoned house cleaner, checking ceiling fixtures might have become a regular part of your routine by now, but many people tend to forget to look up when they’re cleaning. Ceiling fixtures—fans, in particular—get filthy very easily. Dust can reach quite high up into the air, and these fixtures are the only surface it can land on up there.

Fortunately, once you’re aware of it, these lights and fans are pretty easy to clean. The most challenging part will be reaching them if they’re too far from the ground. A stool or a duster with an extension rod will help you accomplish the task.

Air Vent and Filter Grates

For the same reason that a ceiling fan can accumulate tons of dust, air vent and filter grates can get dirty as well. Vents are usually more noticeable unless furniture obscures them, so we tend to clean them more often. However, the grates over the air filter are much harder to notice, so we often neglect them.

If it’s been a while, you might need to bring your grates outside and take a hose to them. However, once you get into the habit of cleaning them, a simple dusting will do the trick.

Propane Tanks and Appliances

While many people forget to clean the top of the refrigerator or behind the washer and dryer, none of these are more important than cleaning gas appliances and the tanks that supply them. You need to do a lot to care for these items properly, but keeping them clean is vital to ensuring their longevity.

As long as you give them a gentle scrub every few months, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. Of course, it’s also a good idea to be more careful about creating the mess in the first place.

The Inside of Trash Cans

We’ve saved the best for last in this list of the most forgotten things to clean around the house: trash cans. Most people just assume that it’s okay to leave the inside of a trash can a mess, especially if it’s the one that you take outside every week for the trash collectors to dump. Think again. The object that collects all your waste should be the thing you clean most often. All kinds of germs can form in them, which could very easily get you and your family sick.

Make sure to clean them out regularly, either with a hose or, if it’s gotten really bad, some soap and a sponge. In extreme cases, it might be better just to throw it out and buy a new one.

Deciding a Roof Hatch That Fits Your Requirements

Choosing what type of roof hatch you will purchase for your establishment might be a difficult decision. Roof hatches are an essential part of your establishment because this product will allow your maintenance crew easy access whenever your roof needs repairs or checkups. Thus, you must thoroughly deliberate the quality and type of roof hatch you want to purchase. 

The roof access hatch usually contains horizontal doors covering roof openings and providing easy access using an interior ladder, service stairs, or ship stairs. The size and type of a structure usually determine the method of egress required. This article will lay out all the essential information about roof hatches to help you make the right choice. 

Figuring Out Your Roof Hatch's Purpose 

Determining who will use a hatch to gain access to the roof or serve as an entry for large types of equipment can help choose the hatch size required. You can often specify a small, single-cover model in conjunction with a fixed ladder, ship, or service stair if a hatch is for personnel access only. 

The frequency and reason to access the roof area can also impact the hatch size. One good example is how a larger hatch with a ship or service stair will enable workers to carry extensive tools to the roof for service purposes. It is essential to contact the roof hatch manufacturer to verify the hatch's hardware locations and clear opening.

Retrofit Vs. New Applications

Commonly, establishment owners purchase roof hatches for installment on a new roof, while some applications also need replacing an old or worn-out hatch. If you want a low-profile replacement hatch, This is perfect for retrofit applications. These hatches can cap over an old hatch curb without the need to replace your roofing material. The low-profile curb can be mounted directly to the existing curb if you remove the old hatch cover.

Facility Type

The facility where professionals install the hatch can also initiate choosing the type of roof hatch they desire. High-security applications, storage facilities, highly corrosive settings, or projects requiring special aesthetic considerations will require roof hatches that address the needs of these specific environments.

High-security environments such as prisons, pharmacies, banks, and embassies require highly secured entry and exit points, including roof openings against unauthorized access. Because of this, hatches can be manufactured from heavier gauge materials and modified with several modifications for enhanced security. You can include options such as gun ports, bullet-resistant view windows, and deadlocks.

Suppose you have highly corrosive environments like chemical plants or in areas with extreme weather conditions. For the highest level of corrosion resistance, your roof hatches should have aluminum or stainless steel material. Copper roof hatches can match the aesthetics of heritage projects and for buildings located in historic districts.

Cost

The cost of roof hatches will also vary depending on their material. You can specify hatches made of galvanized steel from a cost perspective. They provide a primary degree of corrosion resistance and are usually with a primer paint finish. If you want a more expensive option than galvanized steel, then aluminum hatches are your next option. This material is commonly supplied with a mill finish and requires only a little or no maintenance. Stainless steel and copper products are the most expensive material. Hatches fabricated to meet particular size requirements generally carry a price premium.

High-Quality Roof Hatches

Contractors should also consider common design elements to select a hatch that will provide a safe means of rooftop access. These factors include energy efficiency, ease of operation, and weather-tightness. A high-quality roof hatch will help sustain efficiency in an establishment, so choose a roof hatch with welded corners with full insulation in both the curb and cover. Many hatch manufacturers also offer insulation options if you want a more enhanced thermal performance. 

Custom Sizes

If all the sizes do not fit your preference, some manufacturers can customize their products without compromising the quality or performance. Roof hatches can also be supplied with curb liners or fully enclosed curbs if you want to install them on existing ones. You can also customize curbs so that they can be installed directly on standing-seam metal roof panels. It will allow the hatch to sit straight on a metal roof without a job-built curb or built with louvers into the curb to provide continuous ventilation into your establishment. 

Your manufacturers can offer interior and exterior padlock hasps for standard roof hatches as an access control feature. If you want more enhanced security, you can design hatches to include keyed cylinder locks or contact switches that you can wire into a building's alarm system control panel.

Knowing the different factors in choosing the proper roof hatch for your establishment is vital to keep the security and maintain the quality of your roof. You can easily monitor your roof's quality and provide easy access to any needs with roof hatches. When purchasing a roof hatch, make sure you communicate thoroughly with your manufacturer so they can assist you in finding the ideal one for your establishment.