metal ceiling access options

[russ455]

metal ceiling is 12' high, r38 blown in insulation. 4ft spacing on the trusses.
i dont expect to access the attic more than once a year. not used for storage I dont like the way this access panel just lifts up and gets set on top of the cellouse. so, any suggestions to raise/lower when needed? hinges, fold up stairs, cables with pulleys? probably other ways I havent thought of.

 

[Bert_]

Most people just have a short piece of tin the length between two rafters. Just unscrew it to open.

 

[russ455]

luckily I have that.
the thumbnail doesn't show it but can be seen when expanding the picture. I dont like being 12' up on a ladder and lifting the existing access with its heavy wood frame, and setting on the cellouse.
since it's not used for storage maybe I'm overthinking

 

[TurnipTruck]

I prefer exterior gable access through a hatch or louver, instead of through the ceiling.

 

[PCustoms]

it's not used for storage maybe I'm overthinking

Yes

 

[Jon h]

I have 14’ ceilings and the hatch is about 2’x2’ with a piece of 1/2” plywood with a few pieces of ridged styrofoam glued to it that I just push up into the attic. It’s pretty easy to move into place when accessing the attic. I then pull it back with me as I descend the ladder. No worries.

Jon h.

 

[racecougar]

luckily I have that.
the thumbnail doesn't show it but can be seen when expanding the picture. I dont like being 12' up on a ladder and lifting the existing access with its heavy wood frame, and setting on the cellouse.
since it's not used for storage maybe I'm overthinking

Why does it have a heavy wood frame? Liner panel over a piece of plywood with insulation stapled to the back is all that's warranted here. It should be rather simple to push up while on a ladder.

 

[Hank11]

You need a wall around the hole to keep the insulation in place and foam sheet on the actual “door”. The door is held in place and removed from below.

 

[Innovate1]

I have blown in insulation but the same solution should work for you. I built a box of OSB around the opening to keep the insulation out of the hole. The hole cover is a piece of plywood (maybe osb) with some rigid foam on the back side. Easy enough to push up and put crossways of the opening on top of the OSB box around the opening. If there isn't room to rest the lid on the box and still have room to get through you could build some light framing above the insulation to put the lid on that when it's open.

Might want to look at how well that seals. Seems like sealing that would be difficult with the ceiling panel on the lid. A little leakage can loose a lot of heat.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

My builder used a pre-fab access door with a seal in my metal ceiling. They also built a ~18” coaming or box-like structure so I could have insulation blown in.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I believe you're overthinking it.

Just need a box or frame around the access to keep your (nasty) blown in cellulose in place. Lift it up and set it out of the way.

My access covers are 3/4" plywood with a few layers of rigid foam on top. I just through bolted with some long carriage bolts to hold it in place. A frame of 1x4 pine wrapped with coil stock trims it out nicely and seals up most of the air. Not fool proof but with the wood burner, does provide small amount of make up combustion air.

 

[trashauler]

Mine is also like SouthernIllinois Has a box built inside to hold back the insulation and its hinged. Push up to access. I need to make a catch, so it holds open when climbing through. Not sure what the actual door is made out of, but its thick