Raised Loft Flooring Done Properly

Would you like to find out more about loft boarding and flooring? Like, how much it costs, the different types available and whether you can install it yourself. How to convert your loft into usable storage space? If the answer’s yes then you’ve definitely come to the right place!

An introduction to loft boarding and flooring

We get a lot of calls from people who decided to have a go at boarding their own loft. To then only realise that the job in hand is far more taxing than they first thought!  

Lugging big hefty loft floor boards from the front garden up the stairs, and then into the loft is a large job in itself. Never mind then having to contend with manoeuvring the gear about up there whilst walking on floor joists. All whilst trying not to put your foot through the ceiling in the process (it happens a lot)! This makes the task a little more daunting than first imagined. Throw in the deep insulation in many a house these days – that sits a lot higher than the top of the joists – and it certainly gets many head-scratching sessions going. Therefore many people admit defeat at this stage.

That being said, it is possible for DIYers to take on aspects of this type of work. But it’s definitely not for the faint-hearted as you’ll see. we are the experts so let us do it. Contact us for a free quote today.

What are the benefits of loft boarding and flooring?

There are lots of benefits to loft boarding and it’s growing more and more popular. Especially for people with growing families who either don’t want to move or find the cost of moving intimidating. Loft boarding can provide numerous benefits for both you and your home. Here is a list of six main benefits:

1. It creates extra space

You already know this one, as it’s the most obvious reason for boarding your loft. What you maybe didn’t know is that it can create upwards of 50% extra usable space. Think about that. How many other areas of your home would you be able to de-clutter with that extra space?

2. Storage made easier

Many lofts are already used for storage, so you might not see the point of loft boarding your loft. However, lofts tend to be unsuitably designed to get the most out of them. Storing items in your loft can be a difficult and hazardous task. Usually whilst you’re standing on the ladder and trying to move items around! Boarding your loft will not only provide you with extra space. If you also get a purpose-built loft ladder installed, getting the items up there will also be much easier (and safer) too.  After all, you’ll be able to go into the loft itself, and not have to perch precariously on a ladder!
We even take this concept further by installing shelving for some customers. This involves building simple but highly useful shelves so that you can store items above the loft floor level. We use the structure of the roofing timbers to do this safely and you can imagine how much extra storage space this adds!

3. It helps to prevent heat, and money, loss!

When you have loft boarding installed, extra loft insulation is usually put in place at the same time. That brings it up to the government-recommended standard of 270mm we go to 300mm at no extra cost.. Doing so could save you a huge  £700 per year! (updated for 2024!) That will help to keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer and save you money at the same time. So boarding your loft properly can help your home become more energy-efficient as you’ll be using less energy to heat it up. Who doesn’t like saving money?

4. It helps to increase the value of your home

With storage space in the UK at a premium, the more space you have in your home, the more it’s worth. And the associated energy-efficiency gains add to that. And this is exactly what loft boarding provides for you. Having that extra space, whether it’s for storage or for everyday use, can really make a difference in the value of your home.

5. It’s better value than self-storage

The typical cost of using a self-storage facility, for no more than 7 m2, would be around £140 a month – and that adds up to £1680 a year.

6. You could even make money by renting out your loft space to your friends

Very funny but it's real. People are very short on storage space 

Before getting started… a little flooring forethought helps!

There are a few things to consider  before you dive straight into boarding the loft. Those things will have an impact on the work needed to complete the loft to a professional standard.

Listed below are the main points to consider before picking up that saw and drill:

• The design of the roof
• Deciding on the size of the boarded area
• Electrical cables & pipes
• Insulation – existing or which types you need to consider
• How to work in a loft safely
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Which tools you’ll need

Consider your roof design

Deciding on the area of the loft to be floored can in large part be dictated by the design of your property’s roof construction. It can also dictate what will need to be done to complete the job.

Joist and rafter roofs

Diagram of a joist and rafter or ‘cut’ roof

Older properties with a joist and rafter roof construction will usually allow more flexibility. These are favoured by The Loft Boys because they are usually large open spaces. And with few obstructions other than tanks and diagonal roof braces. You will usually find that these properties will allow for larger floorboards to be used (8’ x 2′). This reduces the amount of cutting needed greatly. The only issue you may find using the larger loft boards is getting them into the loft itself. It may be best to call that favour in from your neighbour now!

Trussed roofs

Diagram of a truss roof

Houses built in more recent years usually have trussed roof constructions. These tend to restrict the usable floor area and involve a lot more work notching the boards to sit neatly around the central points of the roof construction. We favour the smaller loft packs for these jobs as we are able to manoeuvre the boards around easier and get the cuts nice and tight.