Loft boarding in Bromley

We board out lofts across Bromley, Orpington, Beckenham and nearby so you have a safe, usable storage space. Boards are fixed to the joists or to a raised frame, depending on how deep your insulation is and how you plan to use the space.

What is included

• A free survey of your loft, access, joists and insulation
• Part or full boarding, to suit what you want to store
• Moisture resistant boards (ask us about the current range)
• Walkways to water tanks and other services
• Advice on a loft ladder and hatch if access is awkward

Boarding straight onto joists, or raised?

If your insulation sits below the top of the joists, boards can often be fixed straight onto them. If it is deeper than the joists, laying boards directly on top would squash it. The Energy Saving Trust recommends a minimum of 270mm of loft insulation, and advises not to squash mineral wool, as that reduces how well it insulates. It also advises leaving a small ventilation gap between the insulation and the boards to help prevent condensation. In that case we recommend raised loft boarding, which lifts the boards on supports above the insulation.

How much to board

Many people only need part of the loft boarded, usually the area nearest the hatch where boxes are easy to reach. Leaving the rest unboarded keeps insulation undisturbed and keeps the job simpler. If you want most of the space boarded for larger items, see loft flooring.

What we check at the survey

• Joist size, spacing and condition
• Insulation type and depth
• Hatch size and position, and whether a ladder is fitted
• Headroom and roof structure, including any trussed rafters
• Water tanks, pipes, cables and eaves ventilation
• Signs of damp or condensation

Storage, not a room

Boarding a loft for storage is not the same as converting it. The Planning Portal says building regulations approval is needed to turn a loft into a habitable room, and that a conversion normally needs a proper staircase rather than a retractable ladder. See boarding vs conversion.

Weight and use

Ceiling joists support the ceiling below and were not always designed for heavy loads. Boarded lofts are for household storage such as boxes, cases and seasonal items. If you plan to store anything heavy, tell us at the survey so we can advise.

Before we arrive

Clearing the area to be boarded lets us work safely and check the joists and insulation properly. We protect the landing and the area below the hatch while we work.

For what affects the price, see our loft boarding cost guide.

Common questions

Will boarding my loft squash the insulation?

Not if it is done properly. Where insulation is deeper than the joists, we use raised boarding so it stays at full depth.

How long does loft boarding take?

Most lofts are boarded within a day or two, depending on size and access. We confirm timings at the survey.

Do you clear the loft first?

We ask you to clear the area to be boarded before we arrive, so we can work safely and check the joists and insulation.

Get a free quote

Areas we cover

Bromley | Orpington | Beckenham | Chislehurst | West Wickham | Hayes, Bromley | Petts Wood | Biggin Hill