The best loft boarding system
A boarded loft should be a must-have in the 21st century. There are so many benefits to boarding your loft including adding storage space, enabling easy access to your roof, and increasing the value of your home – to name just a few!
But what is the best way to board your loft? If you don’t know where to start then leave it in the hands of loft services experts like us here at The Loft Doctor!
We use our own Loft Doctor raised floor loft boarding system to maximise the potential of your loft without sacrificing any of its insulating ability. Carry on reading to learn more!
How to insulate and board a loft
Simply throwing down some boards in your loft isn’t going to cut it. When boarding a loft, you need to make sure that you are following the right approach with regards to your insulation otherwise you may be doing more harm than good.
As per industry standards and regulations, loft floor insulation needs to have a depth of at least 270mm. Because this depth usually exceeds the height of loft joists, if you were to lay your loft boarding down onto your joists then this would squash the insulation and make it less effective.
At The Loft Doctor, we will follow one of two approaches when we board your loft. Either we can fully insulate and board your loft ourselves, or we can prepare your existing insulation for boarding. With either approach, we will first check for damp or other problems and make sure that your loft is eligible for boarding.
Best board for loft flooring
Loft boards are made of chipboard or plywood, and come with tongue and groove edges so that they can be easily and securely installed with no gaps.
OSB chipboard is an industry standard material and will be suitable for most as loft conversion floor boards. Treated chipboard, usually a green P5 board, can be used in environments where moisture may be a concern.
These chipboard sheets are cut to such a size that they can fit through standard loft hatches without needing to be cut again. Tongue and groove loft boards can then be installed while in the loft, where they will be strong enough to be used for storage or to walk on – and will also provide an additional barrier against heat loss.
The Loft Doctor loft boarding installers
If you are looking for loft boarding in the north west then look no further than our experienced, knowledgeable team at The loft Doctor.
We are a qualified loft boarding company and can measure, plan, and fit your loft flooring from step one to completion.
If you would like to transform your loft into a space for storage or a living area, contact us today.
Areas We Serve
We operate all over the North-West, including:
Accrington, Bangor, Beaumaris, Betws-y-Coed, Birkenhead, Blackburn, Bolton, Burnley, Bury, Caernarfon, Chester, Chorley, Conwy, Crewe, Ellesmere Port, Harlech, Knowsley, Liverpool, Llangollen, Llandudno, Lymm, Macclesfield, Malpas, Manchester, Mold, Nantwich, Neston, Northwich, Ormskirk, Porthmadog, Preston, Ribchester, Rochdale, Runcorn, Saint Asaph, Salford, Southport, Stoke, Wallasey, Warrington, Whitchurch, Widnes, Wirral, Wrexham
What our customers say
“Thank, you The Loft Doctor, great job on time and it’s transformed my storage and I feel I have a new room in the house that’s fully insulated against these crazy energy prices”
Mrs R Taylor, Knutsford Cheshire
“ After clearing out my old rubbish and installing the FloorRaise™ system and loft ladder and light its fantastic , we can store things and save money, super job lads thanks.“
Mrs P Jones, Preston
Frequently Asked Questions
How thick should loft flooring be?
The standard thickness for chipboard loft panels is 18mm. If the joists in your loft are more than 450mm apart then you may need chipboard loft panels that are 22mm thick.
18mm-22mm will be thick enough to provide a structurally stable surface in your loft and support the weight of what you are storing up there. If we feel that your solution may require thicker loft boards, then we will inform you of this.
Is it safe to board my loft?
Provided that your loft has been approved by a professional, it will be safe to insulate and board it.
It is important that your loft receives the attention of an industry professional because they can check for any common issues that may make boarding your loft dangerous such as damp, condensation, or structural issues.
That is why we carry out a Loft Healthcheck before we conduct any work on your property. This survey includes drawing up a plan of your loft, EPC assessment, an asbestos check, and more for your safety and peace of mind.
Will boarding my loft cause condensation?
Provided that you have left adequate room for ventilation, loft boarding will not cause condensation.
Condensation will only be an issue in lofts that are not properly ventilated. If there is not a suitable path for airflow, then any warm air that flows into the loft can cause a build up of condensation on any cold surfaces in the loft.
During our assessment, we will conclude whether ventilation will be a concern in your particular property and if there are any issues then we can work to remedy them before boarding your loft. One specific test that we will conduct will be an 8-point check with a damp meter, alerting us to the risk of condensation.
Can I board my loft in a new build?
Yes, you can board your loft if you live in a new build property without affecting your NHBC warranty.
Many new build homes are registered with the National House-Building Council, are built to their standards, and come with their 10-year NHBC Buildmark warranty.
Your warranty only covers structural faults as a result of work performed by the builders before construction was completed. So, if any faults arise as a result of your own new build loft boarding and you have not used NHBC approved loft flooring, then you are not covered for those faults and will be responsible for repairing them yourself. However, your warranty will remain valid for faults caused by the builders who constructed your property.
At The Loft Doctor, we are fully insured to a value of £2 million and our staff are trained to the highest standards to give our clients security when we conduct work on their property.
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Our Process
Thinking of a loft conversion in your home to add more space and value? To help get you started, we take it from the top with pointers on design, planning rules, building regulations and finding the right solutions to undertake your perfect loft conversion.
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01. Design
We understand that people have busy lives and our aim is to make the process of extending your home as hassle free as possible. As part of this drive to deliver a first class service we offer individually tailored designs, along with a fixed price quotation from your approved plans.
The price we quote is the price you pay.
02. Professional Build
We aim to work in partnership with our Customers. On their behalf we appoint and liaise with trusted professionals to ensure that the final plans mirror what we have discussed and agreed. We offer complete visibility at all stages of the process and would never commence work without customer sign off.
03. Friendly and Reliable Service
At The Loft Doctor we believe that our service is unparalleled. In a market where trust comes at a premium we strive to deliver a service that exceeds our customer’s expectations. Appointing The Loft Doctor will renew your faith in the personal, quality led service that is sadly lacking across our industry.