Raised loft boarding and loft storage in Bromley

Raised loft boarding lifts the boards above the joists on supports, so the insulation underneath can stay at its full depth. It is the usual answer when you want loft storage but your insulation is deeper than the joists. We fit raised boarding in homes across Bromley and nearby.

Why raised boarding?

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 many lofts the joists are shallower than the recommended insulation depth, so boards laid straight on the joists would compress it. Raised boarding avoids that.

How it works

1. We check the existing insulation and top it up where agreed. See loft insulation top-up.
2. Supports are fixed to the joists at the spacing the system requires.
3. Boards are fixed to the supports, leaving an air gap above the insulation.
4. Walkways are kept to water tanks and other services you need to reach.

Things to consider

• Headroom: raising the floor reduces the height in the loft. In shallow roofs this can limit how much of the space is practical to board.
• Hatch position: the boards should sit sensibly in relation to the hatch so you can step on and off safely. A loft ladder helps.
• Ventilation: eaves ventilation should be kept clear, and the gap above the insulation left open.
• Cables: cables need checking before boards go down so they are not trapped or damaged.

Systems

There are several proprietary raised boarding systems, using plastic or timber supports. They differ in height, load and how they fix to the joists. We recommend a system at the survey based on your joists, insulation depth and what you want to store.

Weight

Raised boarding is for household storage. Ceiling joists support the ceiling below and were not always designed for heavy loads, so tell us about anything heavy you plan to store.

Is raised boarding right for you?

Raised boarding suits lofts where the insulation is already deep, or where you plan to top it up, and you want to store things without losing its benefit. If you only need a small area for a few boxes, another option is to board a small section near the hatch and leave the rest of the loft fully insulated and unboarded. We talk through both at the survey, including how much headroom you would have once the boards are raised.

Compare with standard loft boarding, or see loft flooring for larger areas.

Common questions

How high are raised loft boards?

It depends on the system and your insulation depth. The aim is to keep the insulation at full depth with a gap above it. We advise at survey.

Can you top up my insulation at the same time?

Yes. Topping up before the boards go down is usually the easiest time to do it.

Does raised boarding reduce headroom?

Yes, a little. In lower roofs we look at how much of the loft can be boarded while leaving practical headroom.

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Areas we cover

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