How I Converted an Attic Vent Into a Quick Access Hatch

5 Materials
$50
2 Hours
Easy
I'm getting ready to do a major kitchen remodel that going to require a bunch of attic work. Rather than crawling the dirty, head bashing distance from the garage scuttle, I came up with this easy hatch project.
We have existing vents like this on all sides of the house. They're locked in place. I had the idea while patching a hole in the siding, thinking it would be a perfect place for me to crawl in, directly above the kitchen.
I started by gently popping the trim around the vent off with a mini pry bar.
With the trim off and the nails removed the vent came out in one piece.
I started a couple frames with 1 x 4 pine boards and my Kreg Pocket hole jig.
With the pocket holes, screws and a little glue, I assembled the frames in a couple minutes.
I used a router to carve recessed beds for hinge plates to lay in.
Nice and neat.
I screwed the hinges and the old vent onto the frames.
With the hinge pins out, I could fasten the unit with self drilling screws, without the heavier face frame flopping around.
I caulked the seams and gave it a coat of quality primer. This thing would be facing the setting Phonix sun, so I wanted it protected.
A couple color matched coats of paint and this project was done.
Pretty cool huh? I'm not sure I'm going to leave it forever, but it's going to be a HUGE help when I start crawling around re-wiring the kitchn lighting, moving the vent hood duct, and tearing out the soffits.
There's a ton more info in the blog post, as well as a view of the short attic space with the itchy, mystery insulation. Check out the "To see more:" link below!
Suggested materials:
  • Spax Self Drilling Screws Screws   (Hardware Store)
  • 1 x 4 pine   (Hardware Store)
  • Color Matched Paint   (Home Depot)
See all materials
John @ AZ DIY Guy
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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4 of 48 comments
  • Ele13318401 Ele13318401 on Dec 18, 2016
    por lo que veo la cerradura va en el exterior porque es el acceso que tendra, por eso abrio esa escotilla, no tiene otro acceso al entretecho y tiene que trabajar dentro
    • John @ AZ DIY Guy John @ AZ DIY Guy on Jan 12, 2017
      La cerradura está afuera. Voy a utilizar esta escotilla para entrar en el ático, no para salir de ella. Perdona mi español, estoy usando Google Translate.
  • Jan Lawrance Jan Lawrance on Jan 11, 2017
    Clever idea, but at our house we would have uninvited guests; ie birds and bats!
    • John @ AZ DIY Guy John @ AZ DIY Guy on Jan 12, 2017
      The louvered vent piece has a heavy duty screen built-in. Nothing but the tiniest of bugs can slip through. Phoenix has been known to have roof rats. I'm on guard!
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