What we found
Like most modern homes, this loft is built with trussed rafters: a lattice of thinner timbers running diagonally across the roof space. That leaves less open floor than an older cut roof, and the obvious place for storage is the strip down the middle, between the trusses and around the hatch.
The homeowners wanted somewhere safe to store boxes without kneeling on joists or pressing down the insulation.
What we did
- Laid chipboard loft panels down the centre of the loft, running from the hatch along the length of the roof.
- Built the boarded area up so it sits above the insulation, rather than laying boards straight onto the joists and flattening the wool.
- Boarded neatly around the hatch opening so it's easy and safe to step off the ladder onto the floor.
- Left the insulation at full depth in the bays either side of the walkway, where nothing will be stored.
The result
The loft now has a solid, usable storage strip that's easy to reach from the hatch, and the insulation underneath still works as it should. Squashed insulation loses much of its value, which is why we always build boarding up rather than laying it flat. There's more on that in our guide to boarding a loft without crushing the insulation.
Thinking about the same for your loft? See our loft boarding service, or ask about adding a metal loft ladder at the same time.
