Most of us require extra storage space as our collections of items grow over time. The best option is to board over your loft to create an entire additional level for storage rather than transferring to a larger home, which can be prohibitively expensive. Here is how you can do it…
How to Create Storage Space in Your Loft
Boarding Your Loft
Laying boards over the joists and fastening them with nails or screws is the easiest way to convert your loft into a conveniently accessible storage room. This will provide you a solid floor that can distribute the weight over the joists and give you quick access to your belongings.
It’s not always that simple, though. The recommended depth of insulation (270 mm) is unlikely to be able to be installed in an older home’s joists without dangerously compressing it. Raising the flooring is the greatest option in this situation, and there are various raised-floor options available. The government-recommended LoftZone StoreFloor system is what we always employ.
How Much Space Do You Need?
The size of your roof space and the amount you need to store will determine how much space you actually need in your loft. Your loft floor will typically be between 40 and 50 square meters for a conventional semi-detached house, or around the same size as the footprint of your home. Since there is little purpose in boarding a place you’d have to crawl into, you’ll also need to take headspace into consideration.
Before making a decision, determine how much space you have as you won’t need to board your entire loft for four or five boxes. Determine how many and what size boxes or storage containers you’ll need. Remember that you’ll need to be able to move around the loft comfortably, so roughly twice the number you come up with.
What Else Do You Need?
Even the best storage space may be ineffective if it is difficult to access or navigate. Both a loft ladder that is simple to use and a hatch that is big enough to fit through comfortably are required. There are various ladder kinds, and the best one for you will depend on the amount of space you have, how frequently you will need to use it, and how well it blends into your house.
Additionally, you’ll need light in your loft to locate your belongings. This could entail either installing electric lighting or loft windows, or you could do both. Give us a call if you need suggestions on how to add storage to your loft.
Here are 5 things to think about in order to ensure you get it right:
Loft Access
It’s great to have storage space under your roof, but how will you actually use it? You can have an access that is appropriate for your needs if you decide early on what kind of hatch and loft ladder you want.
Loft Insulation
The majority of homes already have some type of roof insulation, but if you want to store boxes and other expensive objects in your loft, you should make sure that it is adequately insulated to prevent humidity damage. It might be worthwhile to invest in new insulation because it can also enable you to reduce your energy costs throughout the winter.
Loft Boarding
Consider how much space in your loft you’d like to dedicate to storage. With loft boards, you may add space and even boost the value of your house by preventing greater heat loss. It really is a no-brainer.
Loft Lighting
Choose between natural and fluorescent light depending on how much you want to use your loft space. When the time comes, finding those embarrassing family photos will be made simpler the more light you have!
How Much Does It Cost to Board Your Loft for Storage?
The majority of us require more room at home, right? Whether it’s to have a specific place designated for engaging in a hobby or to store the junk we don’t want to get rid of. The loft is the ideal underutilized location, but bare joists are inadequate for safe access and falling through the ceiling is no laughing matter! So let’s look at several loft boarding options and their prices.
Although a full loft conversion is a major undertaking, you can usually get by with only boarding over the loft if you don’t need a real space up there. Your insulation will also be more effective as a result of this. Additionally, it doesn’t have to be extremely expensive.
