Roof Access Hatches in Houses? More Common Than You Think

A roof access hatch is an opening in the roof to provide safe and convenient access to and from the rooftop in residential and commercial buildings. Roof hatches are horizontal doors that cover roof openings and provide entry by means of an interior ladder, ship stair, or service stair. They make it possible for residents and service personnel to gain access to the roof for maintenance and facilitate installation and removal of large equipment in or out of the home. They are quite popular in homes as a separate entry or access is not required to reach the roof.

Roof access hatches allow one to get to the roof to make repairs, access the roof-top garden, or simply to marvel at the view from the top. They can also be used as escape hatches in an emergency. Roof hatches can be installed on flat roofs with a maximum gradient of 30 degrees. They provide a convenient access to roof terraces, cooling installations, window cleaning installations, solar panels, and other facilities on rooftops.

Roof access hatches are generally installed above the attic in homes. Apart from providing access, transparent airtight hatches serve as skylights and illuminate the room with natural daylight. One can enjoy the view outside on a rainy day sitting comfortably inside the room below the hatch.

Roof hatches are made from aluminum or steel. However, the best access hatches are usually constructed from aluminum because they are lighter and the roof can easily support their weight. Hatches are of two types – one that opens outside and the other which slides sideways. They can even be motorized. To do that, the hatch is equipped with an electric motor to open and close the cover. Roof hatches can be customized for size, access type, color, cover type, finish, and more.

Roof access hatches have many advantages. A few important ones are mentioned here.

• Permit entry to the rooftop allowing utilization of space for multiple purposes
• Function as escape hatch to be used in case of an emergency
• Serve as explosion vents which automatically provide an opening through release control in the event of excess build-up of pressure inside the house
• Allow installation of heavy equipment on the roof like a generator or air-conditioning compressor
• Thermally broken design minimizes heat transfer between the interior and exterior metal surfaces preventing harmful condensation
• Allow entry of government personnel for building and fire safety inspection

Roof access hatch is a must have product if one lives in a house which has a slanted roof. It allows one to take advantage of the roof area which would otherwise remain inaccessible.

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