Items such as old children’s toys, old clothes, or even your Christmas decorations can all be safely tucked away in the loft and kept out of sight. Boarding your loft is a surprisingly easy task, it is also affordable and you won’t have to get planning permission either. All you need are the right tools and this helpful blog to talk you through all the steps. So, read on if you are looking to upgrade your loft into an area of storage.

Tools Needed 

Before you start, the tools you’ll need will be: a jisaw and workbench, a hammer, screwdrivers, a drill, tape measure and a pencil. It is best to work within the loft itself so everything you need is close at hand and any dust and mess is contained within that area. However, because a loft can be quite a small and enclosed environment, it is advisable you wear a mask to protect yourself from the dust that can be turned up from working up there.

Boards 

Once you have all your tools ready, it is time to begin. The first step is working out the area that you need the boards to cover. Due to the shape of most lofts, it is not really efficient to board the entire space as the edges are often so sloped that they won’t be useful for storage anyway. You can buy loft boards from your local hardware store: here at Haldane Fisher, we stock a couple of different sizes which range in thickness, so you can select the option that works best for you. If you need help choosing, feel free to speak to one of our instore experts who will be more than happy to answer any of your questions. You will also need to assess the insulation in your loft before you begin. The government recommended depth of insulation is 270mm and by squashing it down you can significantly reduce its effectiveness, meaning not only wasted energy but higher bills to pay. So, it is important when you are installing the boards in your loft that you are not removing any insulation or trying to fit your boards by pushing down on the insulation. Rather, make sure you are keeping your boards higher than the insulating foam.

Once you have purchased your boards (and ensured they are small enough to get through your loft door!) it is time to start work. Have your work station set up so if you need to cut any boards you have all the tools at hand. Also make sure that you have the loft door open for ample ventilation as things may start to get dusty. Wearing a mask is advisable at this stage. Start by putting the boards in place in the loft by laying them horizontally in place. It is best to stagger them so the joints don’t all line up and create a weak spot. Make sure to also cut the boards to avoid any wires, fittings or other items that you will still need access to.

Board Lofts 

When you’re happy with how your boards look and where they’re placed, it’s time to make the look permanent. Drill 2 or 3 holes along the edge of each board, lining up the with the centre of the joist below. You will then screw into each of these holes to secure them in place, thus providing a safe area to store your things on. While you are working in your attic, it may be worthwhile to take a look at your insulation while you are up there. A lot of homes don’t make full use of their loft insulation, so make sure not only that your new boards haven’t impacted your existing insulation, but if there is now room for fitting additional insulation.

Once your loft is boarded, you may find yourself going into the loft much more often than you did before. For this reason, if you haven’t already, it is a worthwhile investment to fit a loft ladder for easy access to the loft and so you can come and go at any time without having to look for your ladder and carry it through your home.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about boarding your loft, the tools you may require or what type of boards will work best for your home, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We’d be happy to help you measure the space you are fitting and recommend the options available to you. If you need help boarding your loft, we’ll also be able to help you find an expert who can professionally help you with your boarding. So, no matter your query, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. You can find us either instore at your local branch, or online via our Haldane Fisher website.