Lofty Solutions: 7 Essential Benefits of Loft Boarding

If you are considering moving house to get more space you should consider the additional costs you face. Depending on where you live, it could mean average costs of over £9,300 for legal fees, stamp duty, estate agents and other fees before you factor in any increased house value. Meanwhile, you may have a very usable and low-cost solution to your space needs above your head.

When it comes to the benefits of loft boarding, you can set lofty expectations. Loft boarding has essential benefits proven to enhance any home space. Read on to learn why loft boarding might be right for you.

What Is Loft Boarding?

Loft boarding is a method of utilizing your loft space by laying boards over the joists in your attic or loft.

Some DIY enthusiasts may do this by laying boards directly on to the joists. Doing this means that the loft insulation is only placed between the joists. If this is the case the insulation won’t be thick enough to provide adequate heat retention.

For enough insulation to be in place the boards must be raised above the height of the joists. Either battens or specially designed legs are placed on to the joists. This ensures there is enough space for insulation and ventilation under the boards.

If you’ve considered boarding your loft you may have decided against it because of some common misconceptions. You can largely set aside these misconceptions because the benefits are fantastic.

Add Space for Storage

Many homeowners struggle to find enough storage space. If you have an expanding family then the pressure gets even more intense. This is when adding more storage space is a real boon.

Many homes have a large area of useful storage above their heads. The loft could be better used if only it was boarded out and had good access. Boarding your loft could provide you with a space equal to your home’s footprint.

Proper boarding means you no longer use the space immediately around your loft hatch to store a few boxes. You don’t need to balance these boxes on the joists. You can release space in your home creating even more usable living space for your whole family to enjoy without disposing of the possessions you might need in the future.

For many families, extra storage space in the loft means they can free up their garage, garden shed or even spare rooms. Cupboards and drawers can be used for more frequently used belongings.

Safe Access

Moving around in your loft space is dangerous. You have to balance on joists and try not to step on the gaps in between the joists. One false move and you can but a hole into the ceiling below and perhaps injure yourself too.

Even a small amount of damage to a ceiling can mean an expensive repair. A crack or hole in your ceiling might be repaired with a little filler but will never be invisible. It’s only reliably repaired with no sign of damage by a full ceiling repair.

A properly boarded loft gives you safe access to the boarded area. It can support your weight and the weight of your belongings without endangering your safety or damaging the ceiling below. This means you will use the space more and get far more out of your home.

At the same time as boarding your loft, fitting a purpose-built loft ladder can give you easy access to the loft space. This means transporting items to and from the loft is easy and safe.

Energy Conservation

If your loft is currently uninsulated, fitting insulation together with boarding your loft could make a huge difference to your energy costs. The energy bill savings in a typical detached house with gas central heating could be around £225 per year.

If you already have some insulation, adding to that insulation under loft boarding will also improve energy conservation. Not only do you save money but you also have a cozy home with much less heat escaping into the atmosphere.

Sound Proofing

Just as a well-insulated and boarded loft improves heat insulation so it also improves sound insulation. It will help reduce the intrusion of external noises such as road traffic or overhead aircraft noise. It can also reduce the noise from rainfall.

No Planning Problems

Converting your loft for storage need not give you a planning headache. If it is a simple loft boarding project and the purpose is only for storage, you are unlikely to need any planning permission. Do check with your local planning authority.

This is a simple project. Adding extra space to your home by building an extension or building upwards can be costly and complex. Building regulations and planning restrictions can inhibit these developments and increase costs and complexity.

Sale Ability

Extra storage space is a selling point for your house. House buyers may be interested to know that there is a usable storage space with easy and safe access in the loft. This could make a difference in the selling price of your home as well as make it easier to sell.

Extra Room

If you want to add another room to your home the loft may be a viable option. This is a more complex proposition than loft boarding alone. There may be planning and building regulations to consider. The work may need to be more extensive to make an attic room warm and accessible.

Balance the Cost and Benefits

Moving house is an expensive and disruptive project. If it’s more space you need, consider how much you can gain by loft boarding. You may be surprised at how much extra space you can gain with a small investment.

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