post: installing loft hatch

posts/installing-a-solar-powered-security-light.md

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 title: "Installing a solar-powered security light"
 slug: /installing-a-security-light/
-date: 2025-11-16
+date: 2025-11-11
 tags: ["projects", "DIY"]
 ---
 

posts/installing-loft-ladder-and-hatch.md

@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+---
+title: "Installing a loft ladder and new loft hatch"
+slug: /installing-a-security-light/
+date: 2025-11-18
+tags: ["projects", "DIY"]
+---
+
+![](./img/ll-from-above-rotated.jpg)
+
+I'm back with another thrilling tale of home improvement.
+
+When I first moved in, there wasn't a loft ladder installed. So I had to use an
+outdoor ladder to access the loft. For some odd reason they installed the loft
+hatch in the bathroom which is inconvenient and risks exposing the loft space to
+moisture.
+
+Installing a proper loft ladder and taking steps to reduce moisture was
+therefore high on my priority list.
+
+Lofts are weird and bespoke so I was a bit nervous about buying an off-the-shelf
+ladder but I knew it would be cheaper than paying a professional.
+
+I opted for the "Werner 3 Section Easy Stow Loft Ladder" from Argos.
+
+When I was about half-way through the installation, calamity struck and I
+realised that the existing hatch, which opened inward, would be blocked from
+closing by the ladder.
+
+To overcome this problem, I would need to construct a new hatch that opened
+outward and that would hang down when the ladder was extended.
+
+This turned into quite a side-quest and took far longer than the installation of
+the ladder itself. However it presented an opportunity to address the moisture
+risk.
+
+I was mindful of moisture degrading the hatch-door so I did some research and
+realised that I needed what's called _marine_ plywood. Basically, plywood
+treated to withstand moisture better than standard ply.
+
+B&Q offer a cutting service where the first five cuts are free if you buy your
+wood from them. So I ended up having to buy a very large piece of marine ply and
+had it cut down to the size of the hatch. Alas, my measurements were off and it
+was too small. So I had to try again with the spare wood and a hand-saw. This
+time I was overly conservative and it was slightly too large, so I spent a long
+time using a surform plane to shave it down to size.
+
+![It fits!](./img/ll-unpainted-hatch.jpg)
+
+Finally, it fit the hatch nicely. Marine ply on its own provides some protection
+from moisture but to give it the best chance I bought some B.I.N primer which is
+designed to protect wood in moist environments like kitchens and bathrooms.
+
+![B-I-N!](./img/bin-primer.jpg)
+
+After applying the primer I applied two coats of standard satin wood in
+brilliant white.
+
+![The painted hatch](./img/ll-hatch-outside.jpg)
+
+![Only primed the outside. Perhaps I will regret this.](./img/ll-hatch-door-inside.jpg)
+
+Whilst the hatch did fit, there were annoying gaps on the left and the right
+side. This is the sort of thing that gets ahold of me and burrows into my
+subconscious because I am both a perfectionist and a highly average handiman.
+
+But then I had a brainwave and realised I could apply some white self-adhesive
+draft excluder to both hide the gaps and reduce draught/moisture getting into
+the loft.
+
+![Applying the draught excluder](./img/ll-draught-application-rotated.jpg)
+
+![Draught excluder, applied](./img/ll-draught-closeup-rotated.jpg)
+
+Also, the caulking around the hatch architrave was cracked and moist. So I
+scraped it out and applied new caulk designed for bathrooms. I didn't bother to
+paint over so it doesn't look amazing but the bathroom ceiling is already in a
+bad way so I will leave that until I have it replastered and properly treated.
+
+![Ugly but functional recaulking](./img/ll-recaulking-rotated.jpg)
+
+With the hatch problem finally resolved I could finish installing the ladder.
+This was mostly straightforward. With the ladder extended the hatch is very
+small and I have to maneuvre myself sideways at the top to get through. Still,
+this is much more convenient than bringing a dirty ladder into the bathroom
+every time I want to access the loft.
+
+![Extended in all its raging glory](./img/ll-extended-1-rotated.jpg)
+
+Overall, this project probably cost more (£201) than it would to just have a
+specialist install it but, on the plus side, I learned about marine ply (and
+have plenty spare) and B.I.N which seems to be the gold standard of primers. I
+also now have an intimate and god-like knowledge of my loft hatch and how many
+people can say that these days?
+
+![Not extended, coy.](./img/ll-loft-collapsed-rotated.jpg)
+
+| Product                                                | Cost  |
+| ------------------------------------------------------ | ----- |
+| Werner 3 Section Loft Ladder (Argos)                   | 89.92 |
+| Marine plywood (B&Q)                                   | 65.00 |
+| Stanley 40mm Plastic Surform Plane (Amazon)            | 15.99 |
+| Zinsser B-I-N White Multi-surface Matt Primer 1L (B&Q) | 24.00 |
+| Self-adhesive draught excluder 6m                      | 6.49  |