Loft Boarding Installation

Looking for storage in Warwickshire and Worcestershire? Why boarding the loft and fitting a loft ladder could save you money

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The cost for us to fit a quality loft ladder starts from £295. This might seem like a considerable outlay, but if you are thinking about paying for storage, then you really should consider it. Having a sturdy and easy to use loft ladder means that you will be able to safely access your loft.

Compared to storage facilities, a loft ladder could pay for itself in six months

Storage in a dedicated facility comes in at around £50 per month for a 5ft x 7ft area or £85 for 6ft x 10ft. Some facilities may cost less, but sting you with an access charge every time you want to put something in or out.  Based on the lower of these two figures, a fitted loft ladder would pay for itself in six months. Of course, you would also have the benefit of it for as long as you need.

Every m2 of loft boarding is less than a month’s storage

The same is true of loft boarding.  Every job is different, but as a guide you could think about paying £35 per square metre with Stu’s Loft Ladders.  So, you could look at it, that every square metre is less than the cost of one month in storage. You could board an area of 10m2 and fit a ladder for around £650 total and, compared to the cheapest storage costs, break even in a year. To boot, you will have gained more storage space at home than that cost would have bought elsewhere with all the extra convenience.

Boarding the loft could add value to your home

Boarding the loft could add value to your home. As a job that many homebuyers think of doing, having a loft that is already boarded could help your home to stand out for practical-minded house viewers.

Unless you are storing large items such as bulky furniture, boarding the loft is a great alternative to paid-for storage. Think about it. Your loft is secure and you can access items whenever you need them. You can also store them indefinitely without the costs racking up as they would in a storage facility.

Take a look at our services page to find out more.

“I live in the West Midlands and would like my loft boarded, but there’s so much insulation!”

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No problem, give us a call! You might think that you can’t board your loft because there are such thick layers of insulation, but we are used to seeing this and have a system that protects and even improves the thermal efficiency of your home.

Experienced carpenters

We raise the floor so there is no need to remove any of the loft insulation. This is particularly important if you are in a new build as you do not want to invalidate your new home warranty. We are experienced carpenters and can work around the nooks and crannies of your loft to create a raised boarding area that protects your insulation.

Boards improve thermal efficiency

We upgrade the floor supports to accommodate the insulation and then board over the top. Did you know that the boards we use actually help to conserve heat – another great reason to board your loft.

Contact us to find out more.

Our challenge to Warwickshire homeowners: control the clutter by boarding your loft

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It’s not quite time for spring cleaning, but during this winter lockdown space is at a premium in our homes. Our houses have become multi-functional spaces. Bedrooms are offices and the kitchen is a classroom. When the living areas are cluttered and everyone is at home vying for a spot to work or follow a hobby, home might not feel like a haven.

Boarding the loft can offer a way to take control again. You could gain an extra 50% of floor space to use as storage. Make good use of that storage and it could transform your home.

We all think that we should have a good clear out, but it’s not always possible, whether for sentimental or practical reasons – there are some items that we use infrequently, but want to be able to lay our hands on quickly should the need arise. Proper storage is the alternative to either looking at items every day or getting rid of them completely.

Truss shelving for loft storage

Recently, we have been creating a lot of truss shelving during loft boarding jobs. A raised board that sits in the V of the trusses, the shelf creates a handy storage area. This allows our customers to keep boxes neatly at the sides, leaving plenty of floor room to access them. No more having to pick a path around a pile of precariously stacked boxes. It’s these details that make the difference between using storage effectively and not being able to find what you need, when you need it.

So control the clutter and take back your home.

Live in Warwickshire or Worcestershire? What to expect when we board your loft

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Ever thought about boarding your loft, but thought it would be too much hassle? All that dust and disruption, you may have thought. Tradespeople walking mess through the house as the job drags on. If that was your mental image then read on to see that the reality is very different – hardly any disruption or mess and the whole job is normally done in less than a day!

Keeping customers safe during Covid

Now more than ever, you may be nervous about having people in your home. We want to reassure customers that we are following guidelines to keep you as safe as possible. That means wearing masks when we are not in the loft space, hand sanitising before we come into your home and taking away any waste materials and wiping surfaces when we leave. We also recommend opening windows on the floor with the loft access. We are always respectful that it is your home and you need to feel comfortable.

Will you need to see the loft before the job?

Ideally, yes. The price we give you is the price you will pay. As every loft is different we arrange a brief visit before we quote to make sure that it is accurate. This also means that we can make suggestions to help you make the most of the loft space. Perhaps you assumed a wooden ladder would be best, but there is not sufficient space. We can recommend telescopic loft ladders that are strong and easy to use. Or you might find the loft access point tricky, but not have realised that is is a relatively simple job for us to move it altogether.

When will you be able to start the job?

We are a small, family-run business and so we can be flexible around your needs. Generally speaking, we can book most jobs in within a few weeks on a day to suit your schedule.

How long will the job take?

Of course, every job is unique, but we have been doing this for a decade and find that 95% of the jobs we do can be completed within the day. Normally we are done by afternoon leaving you free to start storing items in your newly accessible loft space. There is always the exception and, if you have a very large loft area to board, then we may have to come back the next morning – it will be the next morning as we only do one job at a time.

How much mess will there be?

If we are boarding the loft then nearly all of the work is done in that space, including cutting the boards so that there is little disruption to your living space. If we are fitting a ladder, then we will work around the loft access but this creates no mess. If we are enlarging or moving the loft hatch then there is a little more involved, but we always put down dust sheets that protect your floors. Rest assured we see cleaning up as part of the job. Once recent customer commented that her husband didn’t even notice that we had been there until she pointed out that the loft hatch had changed. But then if we are fitting a new loft hatch, we even paint around it so that it looks as if it was always there!

Loft boarding transforms space in Bidford-On-Avon

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We love a before and after photo. If you follow us on Facebook, you will see that the photos we share on our page show the difference that loft boarding really makes. Over the course of a day, customers see one level of their home transform from wasted space to useable storage.

Wasted space to useable storage

These photos show far more vividly than we could ever describe the incredible change. In the scheme of home improvements, boarding the loft is relatively inexpensive, but the options it gives you are immense.

Loft insulation is marvelous stuff, but trust us, as people who spend their days working in enclosed environments with it, it is not something you want to get on your clothing or transport back down to your living areas.

New build in Bidford-On-Avon

This particular job was in a three-bedroom, semi-detached property in Bidford-On-Avon, Warwickshire, an area where we often work. It was a new-build home, so high levels of insulation – fantastic news for heat preservation, but not so good for storage.

If you look at the after photo you will see that we completely tidied the loft area. No more scratchy and unpleasant insulation fibres to worry about, only a neat area for boxes and room to move about whilst accessing them.

The result – another delighted customer!

Message us now for more information.

Warwickshire and Worcestershire loft improvement – How much of the loft should I board?

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 Some customers know straight away that they want to board out the entirety of their loft, preferring to maximise every inch for the storage possibilities. More often than not, these customers think along the lines of, “whilst I have the experts in, I might as well have the whole lot done.”

Other customers seek our advice on how much to board. Either, like most of us, they have budget constraints or a large loft where they might not need all the space accessible. 

Our answer involves posing another question first: how much you want to store? If it is just Christmas decorations and the odd box, then think about doing a portion of the loft nearest to the opening. One caveat is the need to consider the accessibility of items where they are up there. If you only board out a section large enough for the boxes you wish to store, you will make accessing them quite a chore. It might be better to continue the boards further under the eaves so that you can neatly line boxes up there with labels facing outwards. This means that you can then leave an area clear in the middle of your loft for moving about up when retrieving or storing items.

It’s not just what you do, it’s the way that you do it

It might not just be a case of how much you board, but also how you do it. To make the most of the space you have when boarding, the boards themselves should be cut to fit exactly around the loft struts. This can make a big difference to usability. 

Maximising loft storage space in Shipston upon Stour

The photo used here shows a recent job in Shipston upon Stour in Warwickshire. This was a large loft area and the customer wanted to neaten the loft up and make the most of the full area. All our team are skilled carpenters and so we fitted the boards around the roof supports. In doing this it also made it more unlikely that boxes would pick up fibres from the insulation that would then be transferred into the house. A much neater job all round and one that left the customer very happy. 

This photo shows the area before which was totally unusable.

And this was the finished job…

So, think about the three main points

  • What is my budget?
  • What do I want to store?
  • Is that likely to change? eg family members moving back home. 
  • Could I board half of the loft but make the most of that space by using the eaves ?

Stu’s Loft Ladders are always happy to advise. We prefer to visit to provide a full quote, but we are happy to look at a photo of your loft to advise on how much to board. Contact us by email stuart@stusloftladders.co.uk or  call on 07712 327 889

Loft Boarding Installation

Stratford homeowners ask can you board the loft in a new build? No problem, just call in an expert

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So, you’ve got the keys to your new build home and you are ready to start unpacking. Anyone who has ever moved into a new build property will know the excitement of thinking that they are the first people to ever live there. But, as you start unpacking, you realise that you are going to run out  of space and start thinking about the loft and whether you can use it to store belongings. You’ve heard something about not being able to board new lofts because of the levels of insulation. So what do you do?

Raising the floor before boarding protects your insulation

The answer is, you call in an expert. You can board the loft in a new build, but you need to be careful not to affect the levels of insulation or to invalidate your NHBC warranty. An experienced loft company, such as Stu’s Loft Ladders, will not board the loft in a new build without first upgrading the floor.  That means that we raise the level of the floor to accommodate all the insulation. What’s even better is that the boards we use will actually add further insulation, making your house even more energy efficient.

In a new build, we would definitely recommend that you use an experienced company who can use their carpentry skills to ensure that the insulation is protected. Whilst we are on the job, we can add a fixed ladder and enlarge the hatch from the standard one fitted to one that allows extra room for storing larger items.

Contact us now to arrange a no-obligation quote.

Loft Boarding in Warwickshire and Worcestershire – why minimalism isn’t the only option for a calmer home

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Minimalism is all the rage. From celebrity decluttering shows to You Tube channels dedicated to taking control of our homes, it’s easy to feel that we need to live with clear, polished surfaces and no attachment to material objects. 

We get the feeling that the people making some of this content don’t have to deal with the issues many of our customers do, like several generations living under one roof, or partners with hobbies that require mounds of equipment. Not everybody wants to get rid of photos and books that represent different stages of their lives. 

Improving your loft might be the simplest solution

We offer the simplest solution and our customers love us for it. Tidy your stuff into boxes and put it in the loft. No drama, no big decisions. If you decide you need the snow shoes or limited edition picture disk or want to rifle through your photos to find that one shot of you ten years ago for social media then you can go up to the loft and retrieve them.

Loft boarding makes retrieving items easy

The secret is making retrieving those items as easy as possible.  You don’t want to be hunting in the shed for a step ladder and then balancing on the joists whilst going though the boxes. You need to be able to pull down the ladder in one easy motion and organise and find items on stable and secure boarding. 

So next time you read about creating the perfect calm home, why not look up and think about all that space above your head and then call in the experts. Maybe you don’t need a total clear out, you might just need to think about how you store the things you own.

Fixed loft ladders and boarding help home-owners put safety first in the Midlands

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This week we were messaged on our Facebook page by a homeowner in the Midlands whose husband had put his foot through the ceiling of their bedroom whilst trying to retrieve boxes from the loft. Whilst the image of a boot coming through the ceiling calls to mind a scene from a classic British sit-com, it does raise a serious question – how safe is your loft?

Making loft access safe in the Midlands

Loft boarding

Ok, so we know that there are more exciting things to spend your hard-earned cash on than loft boarding, but if you are balancing in your loft space between joists, then you really need to think about it. You will reap the reward for years to come and avoid the nightmare scenario like our Facebook friend of having to repair a hole in your ceiling. Or worse, a trip to A & E. Loft boarding can be completed in less than a day and will even add to the insulation in your property, so it is a win-win situation.

Install a fixed ladder

Without a doubt, the single most important thing you can do to improve safety when accessing your loft is to install a fixed ladder. We are often surprised at how risk-averse adults will blithely climb a precarious step ladder carrying heavy boxes. Not to mention having to heave themselves up to the loft from the platform of a ladder that stops short of the ceiling.  A fixed ladder means just that – it will not move from under you. Add to that a hand-rail and your ascent to the loft is not only much easier, but far safer. Some of our customers have thought for years about getting a fixed ladder before age catches up with them and they decide that they just can’t take the risk of using a step ladder any more. Stu’s Loft Ladders can even build a handrail around the opening in the loft if you want to increase safety when coming down the ladder too.

Reposition the hatch

Housebuilders often position loft hatches on the landing so as to avoid bedrooms with heavy furniture. This can mean that the hatch is a bit too near the stairs for comfort. We can move the loft hatch – either partially so that we change its orientation, or close it up and relocate to a safer and more convenient location. If you are using a step ladder to access your loft hatch near the stairs, then you really should call us in to talk about making the whole process safer.

In summary, if you feel that accessing your loft is not safe then it probably isn’t and you should talk to the experts. Contact us now to find out more.

Looking for loft improvements in the Midlands – why choose a specialist loft company?

Posted by Stu's Loft Ladders editorial team on

We specialise in improving lofts and loft access. It’s what we do, day in day out and it’s been that way for more than 10 years.

You can’t beat experience

All our experience means that very little throws us on a job because we’ve seen in all. Loft access in an awkward place? No problem, we can change the orientation of the opening or even move it altogether. Roof is low where the loft ladder comes up – again we can easily solve this with the right ladder which will not require much stowage space.

We can easily enlarge the loft opening to make it a more practical size, as above, or even move it altogether

Not all quotes are equal

We pride ourselves on offering value for money. We work quickly and efficiently because we know our trade inside out, which means that our prices are competitive. As always, be aware of quotes that seem too good to be true. Some firms will quote low to get the work. Check what exactly is included in the quote. The price you get should be the most you will pay on the day without any hidden extras. You should also find out what kind of ladder you are getting.

There can be a huge difference in loft ladders in terms of their specification and what weight they can bear. We only source top quality ladders from a specialist trade supplier that we have been using for a decade. Our happy customers are testament to the reliability of the products.

We only fit the best quality ladders whether aluminium or timber such as this one

Bespoke details

You might want more than the standard loft package. We are trained carpenters and can add in bespoke items. Recently one customer with mobility issues asked for a custom-made railing around the loft opening so that she could use it safely. We can also build loft storage with shelves wide enough to take bulky boxes and suitcases. 

Above: this customer wanted a bespoke safety rail

We take out the hassle factor

We often share photos of the jobs that we do under the title of “what a difference a day makes.” Our experience means that we can complete most jobs in less than a day- leaving you free to start storing and organising your belongings in the new space we create. We use large dust sheets and take away any debris with us. We can even paint loft hatches so that you would think they had been there all along. 

Customer recommendations

The fact that we have been improving lofts for more than a decade means that we have lots of recent reviews from happy customers. Take a look at the reviews section of this website and see our Facebook page. We are proud to be called reliable, professional and friendly by our customers.

Contact us now for a no-obligation quote and find out why using a specialist is best!