Fast access for a 2 1/2 story house??

videobruce · #1 (**permalink**) 11-24-2012, 8:47 AM

I wanted a faster way to access my roof antennas without getting my 32' fiberglass & my 16' aluminum roof ladders out. I had to have the south side of my roof replaced (tear off), so what better time to do this?
Living is one of those single story new homes built in the 50's (and later) is surely no problem as one can almost jump up on the roof without a ladder.

But, being 25 or so feet up (at the peak) is another story.

There are plenty of 'roof windows' and skylights available, but none made here that actually open all the way. I was only able to find those industrial 'roof hatches' which are big, square, bulky & expensive that are designed for flat roofs.

I then found these 'roof access windows' from Fakro from Poland (believe it or not) that had a US importer out of Illinois. These are very popular in Europe due to building design and fire regulations for 2nd & 3rd floor living (though the regulations have changed), but not here unfortunately.

The US site is here;
Attic ladders, skylights and roof windows from FAKRO, What distinguishes us, offer, egress window

I choose the smallest window. It fit between the rafters, so no rafter cutting was necessary. I had it placed as high up as possible. I have a 8' fiberglass folding ladder in the attic, so that aspect was covered. What I needed was a short ladder from the window to the peak. I can climb out and get to the peak without, but that isn't the safest idea.

I looked around for a 16' aluminum extension ladder since I already did the same thing with a 32'. Splitting the two half's, using one for the "roof ladder" with a "chicken hook" (I believe that is what it is called) to hook around the opposite slope of the roof for access from the gutter.
I did the same for this 16 footer, but bought two pair of 8" 'L' brackets with a 2x4 placed between them for the 'hook'. One of those 'chicken hooks' is too large and heavy for such a short ladder.

It works out fine. I had enough room between the frame of the window and the closest leg of the tripod (I didn't want to move it) and the 8' length was just about right. I can lift it up and out, then return the ladder back inside the attic in a minute.

Pictures below:

videobruce · #2 (**permalink**) 11-24-2012, 8:49 AM

There is a side benefit from all of this; I now have a easy view of the antennas & mast without going outside on the front porch that I use to do to confirm the TV antenna direction.

Here is the ladder mod detail. I originally used a single pair of those brackets, but found excessive side play so I doubled them up.

Redneck0410 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-24-2012, 8:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by videobruce

There is a side benefit from all of this; I now have a easy view of the antennas & mast without going outside on the front porch that I use to do to confirm the TV antenna direction.

Simple and functional. Saves a lot of headache now, don't it?

videobruce · #4 (**permalink**) 11-24-2012, 8:57 AM

This worked out far better than I thought it would. I had concerned about what to do for 'steps' from the bottom of the window frame to the peak. Standing on that 8' stepladder, I can almost touch the peak. Dragging out that 32 footer, then the 16' 'roof' ladder with the 'hook' was no picnic. This is.

I go up at least once a year for maintenance. Besides, the view is great.

BTW, the window was $660 delivered.

Redneck0410 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-24-2012, 9:00 AM

You might look into putting a toe board near where the bottom of the ladder would sit that way your ladder won't slide down the roof while you're on it. Just a thought.

videobruce · #6 (**permalink**) 11-24-2012, 9:18 AM

I didn't want any obstructions left on the roof. I feel this is safe and sturdy.
I added photos for the ladder mod above.

Confuzzled · #7 (**permalink**) 11-24-2012, 9:30 AM

Now if you could learn to properly size images before uploading so you don't blow out everybody's browsers and bandwidth. Several of those are over 500Kb and/or 1,300 pixels wide.

rapidcharger · #8 (**permalink**) 11-24-2012, 9:36 AM

Why not just climb out that side window in the bottom picture and go up the roof?

You chicken?

mmckenna · #9 (**permalink**) 11-24-2012, 2:00 PM

Nice.
Our dispatch center is in a building with a steep pitch roof like that. The original plan was to install a tower next to the building to support the antennas. Design considerations, specifically the architect, took over and nixed the tower and replaced it with antenna supports mounted into the roof peak. The access solution was very similar to yours, but a steel hatch. No ladder needed, however a safety line was run along the roof peak. Now, we just climb out the hatch and hook into the line.
Your's is similar and I like it!

videobruce · #10 (**permalink**) 11-24-2012, 2:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Confuzzled

Now if you could learn to properly size images before uploading so you don't blow out everybody's browsers and bandwidth. Several of those are over 500Kb and/or 1,300 pixels wide.

Then I suggest you move up from dialup to broadband and get a better browser.
Next time, I'll leave the images the orginal size: 2560x1900 at 4MB.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rapidcharger

Why not just climb out that side window in the bottom picture and go up the roof?
You chicken?

Sure, come over and show me how it's done. BTW, it's a front window that has about 12" of roof before the gutter below the window.

videobruce · #11 (**permalink**) 11-24-2012, 2:57 PM

mmckenna;
Thanks for the comment. The other plus is additional light from the window in the attic. When I go up there during the day, it looks like I left the light on.

JnglMassiv · #12 (**permalink**) 11-24-2012, 3:25 PM

Looks really nice but why did you put the hatch so high? You still need a ladder in the attic to get outside, right?

N8IAA · #13 (**permalink**) 11-24-2012, 7:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JnglMassiv

Looks really nice but why did you put the hatch so high? You still need a ladder in the attic to get outside, right?

Could it be the pitch of the roof

Larry

WayneH · #14 (**permalink**) 11-24-2012, 9:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by videobruce

Then I suggest you move up from dialup to broadband and get a better browser.
Next time, I'll leave the images the orginal size: 2560x1900 at 4MB.

Not everyone runs the same screen resolution as you. How do you think your post looks on a mobile device. If you do post photos in that huge native size then they'll be deleted.

You've also been here about eight years. There's no reason to still post in the New User forum OR cross-post. Please be respective of our rules next time. Thread moved....

videobruce · #15 (**permalink**) 11-25-2012, 6:20 AM

1. I requested that this thread be deleted since I felt the other forum made more sense. Did you not see the flagged post?
2. Mobile devices is a four letter word in my book. They have turned the country into electronic zombies.
3. I had no intention of posting native sized photos, it was in response to that poster that complained about bandwidth.
4. I posted in the 'New" forum as I stated, I thought it might reach more viewers as opposed to the specialized "forum" which really doesn't have to do with "towers".
5. Again, I flagged this thread in favor of the other, did you not see this??

I thought I would share this with you. No one there seems has a problem with it;
http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthr...288#post285288

videobruce · #16 (**permalink**) 11-25-2012, 6:23 AM

Quote:

Looks really nice but why did you put the hatch so high? You still need a ladder in the attic to get outside, right?

As I stated, to make the distance from the hatch to the peak the shortest.
The photos clearly answered your questions. What isn't understandable??

kruser · #17 (**permalink**) 11-25-2012, 9:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by videobruce

I thought I would share this with you. No one there seems has a problem with it;
http://www.nscale.net/forums/showthr...288#post285288

Ah, one of my other favorite hobbies! Looks great!

I have one of the square hatches with a pull down attic type ladder just outside my door for roof access.
I'm in an apartment and they gave me full access. My own key and all so I can service my antennas and weather equipment up there whenever needed.
It is a flat roof with nice 3-1/2 foot tall walls all the way around the perimeter. Keeps me from falling off!
I mostly use tripod mounts for everything but do have a few things bolted to the heavy duty AC unit frame. I'm already up on the 3rd floor so I only try and get another 10-15 feet above the flat roof line.
I wish I had a hatch like you installed in my younger years when I lived in a house. I spent more time on the roof than I did listening to the radios or messing with the HO scale model railroad layout.
It also took me two ladders to get up there. One from the ground to the lower roof and another that I'd haul up that got me from the lower roof to the top of the main roof. My house had a really sloped roof on the front side and the back side was a minor slope. I had chimney ratchet strap mounts halfway down the front slope for the large stuff and then smaller stuff was mounted on vent pipes and a tripod on the flatter roof.
It was a chore getting there and looked much like your situation.
I'd be coming down that ladder you lay flat on the roof though instead of climbing up it. The main chimney was mounted below the peak down the steep front slope by about 12 feet.
There was a dormer window that came out the front but it was much lower than the chimney so that was harder getting out that and climbing up without falling off.
I used to climb out that dormer window when I was a teenager and jump to a pine tree and climb down and back up. That was my late night escape route back in the younger years!

I had to give up my model RR layout when I moved here to the apartment.
I still have all my equipment though and plan on setting that back up when I get out of here.

videobruce · #18 (**permalink**) 11-25-2012, 9:21 AM

Quote:

It also took me two ladders to get up there. One from the ground to the lower roof and another that I'd haul up that got me from the lower roof to the top of the main roof.

Which is exactly why I did what I did.

BTW, that wasn't my layout. It was just posted due to the unjust criticism as an example of large embedded photos..

~~kb2vxa~~ · #19 (**permalink**) 11-25-2012, 4:16 PM

I was going to comment but your attitude problem rather put me off.

JnglMassiv · #20 (**permalink**) 11-25-2012, 5:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by videobruce

As I stated, to make the distance from the hatch to the peak the shortest.
The photos clearly answered your questions. What isn't understandable??

Jeez, videobruce, I wish my grinding wheel were as abrasive. Since you asked, however, it seems for convenience, I think most would agree that one would put the hatch in such a way so as one would not require the use of a second ladder to facilitate egress. If the goal was to mount the hatch, as you say, 'the distance from the hatch to the peak the shortest', (for some reason) you appear to have been able to put it at least another 18-20 inches above the current position (roofaccesswinow03.jpg). Now please understand, I'm asking as a homeowner without easy access to my roof and I'm probably looking at a tearoff in the next few years myself and might consider such an installation. Thanks in advance.