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Adding insulation to a loft is a fantastic way to improve energy efficiency. According to the Energy Saving Trust, a whopping 25% of our home’s heat is lost through uninsulated attic space, so by taking on this simple task you could be saving yourself on monthly bills, as well as lowering your carbon footprint.
Not only is it a job that a competent DIYer can take on, but by also boarding the loft at the same time more usable space can be created for storing Christmas decorations, bulky items and treasured memorabilia.
Take a look below to find out how best to insulate a loft in order to maximise storage space.
Plan your space before insulating
Before you begin, measure the space and work out how much material you will need to insulate a loft. The entire floor of the loft should be covered in the material of your choice. Building Regs dictate that loft insulation should be at least 270mm thick but the type of insulation and your desired R values (the measure of thermal resistance) might require for this to be deeper.
Find out how much loft insulation you need before starting the project to appropriately budget.
Board out the loft floor
Boarding out a loft floor means that users will be able to safely walk through the loft to maximise storage space. Loft boarding costs will need to be considered early on in the project if you want to make the loft a useful storage space.
Unfortunately, most joists are only about 100mm deep, while the minimum depth of insulation is 270mm. Pushing down or compressing insulation reduces its effectiveness by up to 50%. So, while learning how to board a loft, you will also need to build a raised floor above the insulation using timber or custom made plastic supports and chipboard.
Use shelving solutions for better storage
While you can store things directly on top of a boarded loft, creating additional storage space using shelving between trusses will further maximise the loft’s potential by utilising the wasted space above insulation under the eaves.
This is particularly useful for slightly heavier items where it might hurt your back to pick up in a cramped space like a loft, although check the product’s guidance on how much weight a shelf can hold before trying it out.
Buy storage boxes to better utilise space
Getting organised with good storage containers is essential when looking to maximise storage space in a loft. Plastic boxes will protect your belongings and help to keep them neat and tidy.
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