Happy New Year to all our loft boarding and loft ladder customers in Warwickshire and Worcestershire

Posted by Stu's Loft Ladders editorial team on

What a year! From lockdown straight after last Christmas into the new normal, we have carried on working in line with government guidance.

Despite the ongoing pandemic, we have boarded hundreds of lofts and fitted many loft ladders during 2021.

Throughout it all, it has been our customers who have kept us going. From making us cups of tea whilst we work, to leaving us rave reviews on Facebook and this website, our customers throughout Warwickshire and Worcestershire always astonish us with their friendliness.

So, whatever 2022 holds for you, we wish you a happy and prosperous new year!

To book a no-obligation consultation with our experienced team, contact us now.

What areas do we cover in the Midlands for loft ladders and loft boarding?

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We have spent the past decade fitting loft ladders and boarding lofts throughout Warwickshire and Worcestershire.

We work in approximately a 20-mile radius from our base in at Sambourne, near Studley in Warwickshire. This means that we work as far north as the southern parts of Birmingham and as far south as the Cotswolds.

Some of the towns/cities that we cover are:

  • Kidderminster
  • Bromsgrove
  • Worcester
  • Stratford-upon-Avon
  • Warwick
  • Leamington Spa
  • Droitwich Spa
  • Evesham
  • Broadway
  • Solihull
  • Alcester
  • Studley
  • Redditch

We are always happy to advise on whether we cover your area, so contact us to find out more at stuart@stusloftladders.co.uk

Still time to board your loft before Christmas in Stratford-upon-Avon and Alcester

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If the thought of putting the Halloween decorations away seems scary because it involves a trip up to an unboarded loft, then think about getting the professionals in.

With November about to start, there are eight weeks left to go until the big day. Although of course 2020 was an exception, we are usually busy in the run-up to Christmas as customers want to organise their space before guests arrive. This year, after last year’s restrictions, we expect to be busier than ever.

A stable loft floor means safe and easy storage

A boarded loft means no more wobbling around between joists as you try to retrieve boxes of decorations. With a stable base you can store and access items without taking your life in your hands.

Add in a fixed ladder and going up to the loft is a breeze. There is a ladder to suit your space and budget: we offer timber, folding aluminium ladders and telescopic ladders where space is tight.

Booking loft boarding jobs now for November and December

We are booking in jobs now for November and December, so contact us to arrange a no-obligation quote or take a look at our Facebook page to see photos of recent jobs and customer reviews.

Relocating a loft hatch – a guide for homeowners in Warwickshire and Worcestershire

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You don’t have to be stuck with a loft opening if its location doesn’t suit your needs. We routinely move loft hatches for customers as part of larger jobs when we install loft boarding or ladders.

So, what should you consider when relocating a loft hatch?

Avoid being close to stairs by changing the direction of the loft hatch

It sounds obvious, but we’ve seen plenty of older loft openings in dangerous spots over or very near to stairways. It is not just a question of having enough space at the bottom of the ladder – you really don’t want to be too near the stairs when exiting or entering the loft at height. If a landing is the only suitable spot for the loft opening, then there may be a simple solution in changing its orientation or making the hatch longer. This can make a big difference by allowing the ladder to run in another direction or at a different angle. 

Having a loft opening in a bedroom comes down to personal preference. If you have small children, then accessing the loft through their bedroom could be tricky past their bedtime. However, if you have a spare bedroom, and it is roomy enough to allow a loft ladder to come down unhindered by the furniture, then it could be ideal.

Bathrooms – this is not a popular option. Space tends to be at a premium in this room and if you have people in the household who hog the bathroom, waiting to gain access to the loft could be frustrating!

Consider head space when using loft ladders

Of course, you also need to consider the point at which the loft opening allows you to enter the loft space. We don’t recommend placing it too near an outside wall or you risk ascending under the eaves.

If you are unsure of what the options are in your home and how much space you will need to accommodate your choice of ladder, then we are happy to provide a no-obligation quote. Contact us now using our webform or on 07712 327889.

What do we advise homeowners in Stratford-upon-Avon against storing in their loft?

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We are big fans of loft storage. Every week we help homeowners in Warwickshire and Worcestershire to claim back space by boarding their lofts. Our customers generally have plans for what they want to store, but one of the questions they sometimes ask us is, are there any items that I shouldn’t keep in my loft?

Lofts are subject to huge variations of temperature. Ever had to go up to the loft in a heatwave? If you have, then you’ll know that it gets rather hot up there. For that reason, if you have a precious collection of vinyl, it might be better off somewhere else. 

The same extreme of temperature applies during a cold snap – the loft gets pretty chilly. This variation of temperatures means that items made of wood, such as furniture, may warp or joints split. So, if you have any precious wooden items, think about keeping them elsewhere. When it comes to musical instruments, we would not recommend storing them in a loft space for this reason.

What can I store in a boarded loft?

There are plenty of items that you can store in a loft if you think about how you do it and provide protection.

The loft is home to insects like moths and silverfish, so that some items are best stored in plastic containers with lids. Tempting as it is to just sling into a bin liner any clothes you don’t wear or you are saving to hand down when a younger child grows, you may find that they are unwearable after a while. This problem is easily solved by vacuum packing which protects them from moths and mildew.  

Books should be kept in plastic boxes with lids so that silverfish do not get to the pages. Likewise for photographs in order to protect their finish and preserve the precious memories they show.

If you want to go one step further, you can ask your contractor to line the loft with a membrane that will prevent dust and grit falling on to your stored items.

There are many items that you can store in your loft and our customers do just that. With a little care, you can free up your living space and store belongings out of sight, confident that they will remain in good condition.

We board lofts in Stratford-upon-Avon and most of Warwickshire and Worcestershire

To find out more about loft boarding contact us now.

Thinking of fitting solar panels with a battery in Warwickshire and Worcestershire? Why you’ll need loft boarding and good loft access

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Having solar PV panels fitted used to be a rarity, but these days it is a common step for people wanting to bring down their energy bills and take a positive step in tackling climate change. Increasing numbers of households are pairing a solar PV system with battery storage so that they can harness green energy during the day and power their homes in the evening.

If you are planning to house the system’s inverter or battery in your loft, it is essential that you ensure safe and easy loft access. A job this week by our team in Bidford-On-Avon, Warwickshire, illustrated this perfectly.

Loft boarding for Solar PV battery in Bidford-On-Avon

The customer was having solar PV panels installed on the roof of his 3-bedroom semi-detached property. With a plan to store excess energy via a battery in the loft, he needed to ensure a safe and stable walkway for taking meter readings and servicing the system. He booked Stu’s Loft Ladders to board the loft, ahead of installation to ensure that the job could be carried out safely. 

Before we boarded the loft

Creating a larger loft opening

As a further requirement, we were asked to move the existing loft hatch, which was too small to accommodate the battery. We boarded and plastered up the existing hatch and created a new, larger loft opening in one of the bedrooms.

Strengthening the loft structure

Concerned about the weight of the battery, the customer also requested that we increase the load bearing capacity in the loft, which we did by adding timbers to strengthen the structure. 

“If you are thinking about solar PV systems, then you will need to ensure good loft access, with a stable walkway and a fixed ladder,” explains Stuart Dyson of Stu’s Loft Ladders. “It is not a large cost compared to the system itself, but one that people need to factor in when thinking about the total project cost. You may also need to look at enlarging the loft opening itself.”

For advice and a no-obligation quote, contact us now through the website or call 07712 327889.

5-star Reviews – Why You Can Trust Us For Your Loft Improvement Job Wherever You Live in Warwickshire and Worcestershire

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Have you looked at our review page? If you are thinking about having your loft boarded or a loft ladder fitted, then we suggest you do.  We have just had four new reviews posted – all genuine, all from very happy customers. And it means the world to us. Without customer recommendation we wouldn’t have a business. Word of mouth, whether literal or digital, is what keeps us in work – and we are very busy!

Trust, respect and quality in loft improvements

What the reviews mean for customers is a trust – that we will do what we say and that we will treat you and your home with respect. It also is a testament that the quality of our work is what you would expect and by that we mean nothing less than excellent!

So, we are not blowing our own trumpet – we will let our customers do that for us! http://www.stusloftladders.co.uk/Reviews/

How to make the most of loft storage – our top tips for Stratford-upon-Avon homeowners

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There is no doubt about it – boarding the loft and fitting a fixed loft ladder is a sure-fire way to create useable storage in your home, whilst freeing up living areas. For customers who have recently had their loft boarded by our team, or those thinking about it, these are our top tips for making the most of all that new storage space:

Box clever

Cardboard boxes may be a cheap and light option, but there is nothing more frustrating whilst searching for an item than to rummage to the bottom of a box to find it is not there. Instead, we recommend buying a set of clear, stackable boxes. Most DIY stores sell them and often have offers when buying more than one. We are all trying to avoid buying plastic, so make sure they last – the cheap, brittle kind can be a false economy and may crack and need replacing. 

If you do opt for cardboard or recycled plastic (which won’t be transparent), label the contents clearly. Group similar items together and write or tape a list of the contents on more than one side so that you can see the list easily, whichever way the box is facing.

Keep a lid on it

A certain amount of dust will fall onto whatever you store in the loft, so we recommend boxes with lids. Lids will not only keep the dust and grit out, but also provide a barrier to spiders and moths.

Honey, I’ve shrunk the clothes

If you haven’t tried vacuum packing clothing, then it is a revelation. Belongings that would fill an entire box, shrink down to a tiny size and, best of all, moths and dust mites can’t get in! Think of the space you could create in your wardrobe if you could take out some of your bulky winter items.

Shine a light

Searching around a loft with the torch on your phone is a tricky business. LED lighting options are now far more powerful than they once were. Look for battery operated lights that can be angled and attached easily where you need them. LED lights with a sensor will make life easier.

Bespoke options

You could consider having shelving built as part of your loft build or retro fitting some. We are often asked to build-in shelving to accommodate suitcases or sporting equipment.

If you would like a quote to board your loft or fit a fixed ladder, contact us now. You can see photos from some of our recent jobs on our Facebook page.

For Stratford-upon-Avon homeowners, loft boarding can be the first step to regaining control of the clutter

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The Bank Holiday weekend is the perfect time to have a clear out and to take control of your possessions.

Often we can feel overwhelmed by the amount of stuff we hang on to. Most of us have it – a dumping ground, whether that be the garage, utility room, cupboard under the stairs or spare bedroom. The place where we shove things that we may need later or don’t want to look at. Over time, that area can become overwhelming and we just shove things in and quickly shut the door.

If you don’t have loft storage, boarding the loft can be a positive first step in reorganising your home and sorting out the mess. Starting with a clean slate is an opportunity to tackle the problem areas in our homes. With a little organisation, the loft storage can be really functional. Think labelled boxes, shelving and enough boarded area to move around in between boxes so that items can be retrieved and returned easily.

Truss shelving is an inexpensive addition that creates an area for neatly storing boxes at the sides of the loft, leaving the floor area free to move around in. We can even build bespoke shelves so that items such as suitcases are off the floor and neatly stored.

If the mess in your home can make you scream, boarding the loft can be a positive first step to regaining control through proper storage

So, if you would like to create a little more order in your home, give us a call on 07712 327889 for a free, no-obligation quote. We cover Warwickshire and Worcestershire from our base near Redditch.

Can you board lofts in new build properties being constructed in Warwickshire and Worcestershire?

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This is a question that we are asked a lot and we’ve talked about it on this blog before. Mainly we’ve addressed issues around insulation, which we can protect by building up the level of the floor to ensure that insulation is not compressed and retains its efficiency.

Some homeowners have concerns about the extra weight and whether they would invalidate their NHBC warranty by boarding the loft. They may have been told or heard that the trusses in modern houses are fabricated to hold only the materials in the house plus snowfall on the roof.

We are experienced in boarding new builds

Obviously protecting your 10 year warranty is of paramount importance – that is why you should call in a professional company who specialises in loft improvements. As proprietor of Stu’s Loft Ladders, I gained my experience working on new build properties for house builders as a carpenter so I understand well the details of their construction.

We always come out to quote on a job so we can see for ourself the construction of the property. By looking at the design and the way the trusses are constructed we can recommend how, or if, to board. 

The photo with this blog was taken at a new-build property in Chipping Campden. We boarded just the middle section of the loft for the owners.

It is our experience that in nearly all the new builds we have visited to quote, it is safe to board.  We never recommend storing heavy furniture, as much for the safety implications of carrying it up to the loft as load bearing concerns. However, for the weights of the boards we use and the items most will want to store such as suitcases, seasonal clothes and boxes of Christmas decorations, it is nearly always possible.

So, if you are unsure, give us a call. We will come out to look and advise.