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Wellhöfer AluDrei Attic Hatch
Product Overview
Main purpose
To provide access to the attic or roof space without compromising the airtightness or thermal performance of a building.
Use it on
All ceiling types in domestic and commercial buildings. Ceilings up to 3.6m high in airtight buildings and Passive Houses, especially where there is a need for loads up to 200kg on the ladder.
Overview
The Wellhöfer AluDrei Attic Hatch is an airtight attic hatch with a stable and lightweight 3-section aluminium ladder. It provides access without compromising the airtightness and insulation of an airtight building. The hatch is easy to install and certified to EN 1026:200-09. The aluminium ladder is suitable for loads up to 200kg.
Where to use it
A Wellhöfer AluDrei Attic hatch is for use in rooms with a ceiling height up to 3.6m.
It has been designed specifically for use in houses where the ladder needs to be loaded up to 200kg or where the highest levels of ladder stability are required.
The hatch is compatible with all types of ceiling: timber joists & beams, suspended ceilings and concrete ceilings.
What it does
The Wellhöfer AluDrei is a high-strength, lightweight and stable Attic Hatch for up to 200kg loads. It provides access to the roof space or loft without compromising airtightness or the effectiveness of the building’s insulation.
Air leaks around attic hatches drastically reduce the effectiveness of the building’s insulation layer, cause cold-spots and lead to condensation when warm humid air from the building meets cold air in the loft/attic space above. Poorly performing insulation will also increase the overall heating costs of the building.
This hatch has 96mm of high-performance insulation built-in and an innovative sealing system to ensure no air can leak via the door or from around the edges of the frame.
How it works
Attic hatches get longer in length as the ceiling height increases. This is to accommodate the longer ladders needed for higher ceilings. The hatch dimensions refer to the size of the ceiling opening (i.e. the hole in the ceiling). The supplied hatch will be slightly smaller than these dimensions so it will fit perfectly into the hole.
The attic hatch door is made from white 16mm melamine resin-coated chipboard. The weight of the ladder is counter-balanced with a lever and spring system to evenly spread the load and provide a safe low-effort operation. This also provides even contact pressure for a proper airtight seal. The steps of the ladder are 11cm deep.
The airtightness level achieved with Wellhöfer attic hatches remains the same during airtightness tests (blower door test).
Why we love it
The AluDrei aluminium ladder with 200kg loading capability is the strongest ladder in the Wellhöfer range. It provides the most stable and secure access to an attic or loft space.
Wellhöfer are the only attic hatches in the world where both the hatch door and frame are certified as airtight. The perimeter casing uses Wellhöfer’s HOKA twin wall sealing system to provide an exceptional level of airtight detailing. This is one of Wellhöfer’s leading features which contributes to the success of the hatches over the past 60 years.
It is simple to install and ensures there is no air leakage or resulting heat loss between the perimeter of the attic hatch and surrounding timber framework (or concrete).
Wellhöfer airtight and insulated attic hatches have also completed thorough testing for the emission of harmful chemicals, VOCs and off gassing. The test results showed the attic hatch has a rating 9 times lower than the “harmless” level required by the Sentinel Haus Institut, while the formaldehyde emission value is recorded as being 16 times lower than the harmless value.
Additional Options
This attic hatch is also available in a Fire Rated version which is available for an additional cost. The three options are:
- FS30 - provides fire resistance of 30 minutes from below the hatch into the attic
- FS30 2S - provides fire resistance of 30 minutes from both below and above the hatch
- FS90 2S - provides fire resistance of 90 minutes from both below and above the hatch
Please contact us for further information on these fire rated options.
Features
- Ladder tested for 200kg loading
- Unique airtight sealing system of door and frame
- Door and perimeter casing tested in accordance with DIN EN 1026:2016-09 air permeability: Class 4
- Fully insulated attic hatch door
- Stringently tested for airtightness & thermal performance
- Surpassed VOC and emission testing by renowned Sentinel Haus Institut
- Manufactured by world leader in high performance attic hatches
Benefits
- Aluminium ladders tested for 200kg loading to ensure the most stable and safe access to attic spaces
- Proper sealing of the hatch and frame prevent air leakage equivalent to an A5 size hole in your ceiling.
- Preventing heat loss through the attic improves energy efficiency and reduces heating bills.
- Each hatch is built with experience gained over 60 years.
- Ideal for projects that want to meet tough building performance requirements or standards.
- Provides permanently high levels of airtightness and insulation performance all year round.
- Remains airtight during the harshest winds outside and during blower door test conditions.
- No harmful chemicals or off-gassing that pollute your home. It has 16 times less formaldehyde and 9 times less VOCs than what is considered harmless.
Questions
There are currently no questions and answers published for this product
Technical Details
Key Technical Data
Installation Guide
Please ensure you have measured the ceiling height correctly and purchased the correct attic hatch for that ceiling height.
The frame is manufactured 15mm narrower than the size of the ceiling opening so it can fit perfectly into the hole and have enough space for the sealing system to be fitted around the edges.
Choose a position between the ceiling joists and structural timbers which is suitable to accommodate the hatch. Additional timber may need to be added at right angles to the joists to form noggins that frame the opening and provide structural support for the hatch when installed. The long side of the hatch should align with the joists and the short side with the noggins. Before installation begins, the perimeter of the ceiling opening must be sealed airtight to the surrounding airtightness layer. The area around the ceiling opening should be free of any obstructions like wiring or pipes, etc.
The system is supplied with a double-sided airtight tape which has a thick strip of grey coloured adhesive on one side. This side of the tape should be stuck to the ceiling opening first.
Lower the hatch into place until level and plumb with the ceiling below and secure it to the ceiling opening with screws. The strips of tubular/cylindrical insulation are then squeezed into the gap between the ceiling opening wall and hatch.
To complete the airtight seal, the second side of the airtight tape should be stuck to the hatch frame (at the bottom) and pressed down firmly. PVC architrave is added next, to hide the tape and provide a slick and clean finish.
If the installation is part of a refurbishment (retrofit), the distance between joists may not be suitable. In this situation, additional timbers may need to be fitted around the ceiling opening in order to upgrade the structural integrity of the ceiling and provide a solid material for the fixing screws.
If you are installing the hatch into a concrete ceiling, please use 8mm concrete fixings; the supplied screws are only suitable for use with timber.
The ladder should be put in place and secured with loosely tightened bolts. You must then adjust the position of the ladder so that when it is extended, the ladder has no bend in any of its hinges. Once all three sections of the ladder form a straight line, the ladder fixings should be tightened fully. The supplied floor protection covers should then be stuck to the underside of the ladder feet.
If the height of the ceiling is up to 50mm higher or 50mm lower than you expected, the ladder can be adjusted to change the angle of the ladder and safely deal with the error. European loft-ladder regulations EN 14975 state that the angle of the ladder must be no steeper than 61°. The minor adjustments for 50mm variance in ceiling height will not exceed this angle.
If the ladder is too long for your ceiling height, please re-order the correct size. EN 14975 also states that the height of the first step (nearest the ground) must be at least half as high as the gap between the other steps.
Hints & Tips
If cladding or panelling is added to the hatch door, the additional weight may require the spring tension to be adjusted.
We recommend lubricating the moving parts with a drop of suitable lubricant every 12 months and checking the tightness of all non-rotating/moving connecting bolts regularly.
If your ceiling opening is more than 20mm different to one of the standard sizes, a custom size can be manufactured as a special order. Custom sizes incur additional cost to manufacture and for delivery (from Germany). Custom length (dependant on ceiling height): 1000mm - 1600mm, custom width: 600mm - 1000mm.
Installation of a Wellhöfer attic hatch
