Boarding and insulation are perhaps the two most important things you can do for your loft. Unfortunately, they’re not obviously compatible, since the government-recommended depth of insulation tends to come well above the joists. This makes it difficult to lay boards and keep the insulation effective. Fortunately, there is a solution. The pros and cons… Read more »
At one time, we’d pump heat into our homes and accept that much of it would be lost. Today, though, we’re far more aware of the impact of wasted heat on everything from the bank balance to the environment. There are many places to insulate your home, but the loft is the single most important…. Read more »
If you have an unboarded loft, walking over exposed joists calls for a balancing act. Missing your footing could lead to injury, or even putting your foot straight through the ceiling below. But how much safer is a boarded loft? Can you really trust your weight to wood laid over the joists? Boarding your loft… Read more »
Insulating your loft can prevent large amounts of heat from escaping through your roof space. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that insulating the loft of an average house can save between £150 and £250 on your energy bills — and, of course, this reduces your carbon footprint, too. There are many kinds of insulating materials… Read more »
Modern homes are far better at keeping out draughts—but that’s not always a good thing. All the warm, moisture-filled air that used to escape naturally now has nowhere to go, so it drifts upwards into the loft. Without proper ventilation, this trapped moisture turns into condensation, leading to damp, mould, and even structural damage. That’s… Read more »
So you’ve boarded your loft for easy access, extended the hatch and fitted a reliable loft ladder — but it won’t be much good if you can’t see what you’re doing when you’re up there. A torch isn’t reliable enough, so your loft needs lighting — but what type is best? We’ve got a guide… Read more »
However great your loft is, it won’t do you much good if you can’t get into it. If you try climbing an unsteady step ladder or standing on a chair to haul yourself up, that’s just an accident waiting to happen. You need a loft ladder — but what kind? Sliding Loft Ladders If all… Read more »
Most homes with a pitched roof have a loft space under the rafters. Traditionally, this has been a place to store anything you’re unlikely to want, since it can be difficult to get at, and you have to balance on exposed joists to reach the items you put there. Unless you board over them, that… Read more »
The heat escaping from your home both burns money and increases your carbon footprint. If you see a heat-imaging scan, you’ll be struck that, while there are a number of hot spots, the bulk of the escaping heat comes through the roof. It has to be stopped. What Is Loft Insulation? Loft insulation consists of… Read more »
More people than ever are making use of their lofts, with conversions ranging from virtually an extra storey to boarding over the joists for storage. While full conversions can be expensive projects, sometimes requiring planning permission, boarding for storage is relatively straightforward. There are questions to be answered, though, before you dive in. Assessing Your… Read more »
