Smarter Storage Solutions for Your Loft
Essential to preserve your home and possessions: Adopting a hands-on approach to your loft storage methods is crucial.
Without the proper fundamentals, your loft transformation into a clutter haven is imminent. That's why it's essential to follow these seven loft storage expert recommendations to keep your belongings protected and your loft functional.
1. Assess Your LoftLike a Boss:
Make sure your loft is suitable for storage. Heating expert and CEO of LoftZone, Dave Raval, advises, "First, inspect the loft for dryness, pest-freedom, and structural soundness." If it's sturdy enough to support an average adult, along with additional storage, you're good to go! If concerns arise about structural integrity, consult a structural engineer without hesitation.
Now, about that insulation - strive for a minimum of 270mm to meet government standards. Inspect your loft floor, as well. Boards directly on joists can compromise insulation, and squished insulation hikes up heating bills.
2. Plan Your Storage Capers:
What items do you wish to store, and how frequently will you need to access them? List your items, consider your space usage, build practical elements into your plan, and ask yourself:
- Fits in loft hatch opening? Consider garage storage instead for oversized belongings.
- Suitable loft ladder for regular use, following building regulations?
- Sufficient headroom? You may need to only board part of the loft if headspace is limited.
- Water tank or boiler planned for the loft? Space allocation must account for those.
- Regular item access required, impacting the storage location and method?
3. Board Your Loft Right:
For the optimal use of space, you'll want to learn how to board a loft. A flat surface is crucial for safe storage. To preserve insulation effectiveness, create a raised floor above it using Loft Legs or LoftZone’s StoreFloor system. Compressing insulation reduces its thermal efficiency by up to 50%.
4. Build Higher:
Shelves in the roof trusses provide additional storage space without compromising insulation. Products like the Loft Ledge by Loft Leg Ltd offer a flexible storage solution, suited for trussed roofs.
5. Keep it Clean & Dry:
Down with old carrier bags and cardboard boxes! Use airtight, water-resistant storage containers to protect items from moisture, dust, and temperature fluctuations. Clear or color-coded containers allow easy viewing, and varying sizes facilitate efficient space utilization.
6. Wardrobe Style:
Want hanging room for extra clothes? Hanging rails or wardrobes in the eaves can work, but weight caution! For a flexible, lightweight wardrobe solution, consider LoftZone's breathable fabric wardrobe, which hangs between trusses or rafters.
7. Illuminate the Space:
Proper lighting is key. Choose a mains powered adjustable light to cast light in corners and opt for a rechargeable, removable option if mains power is unavailable. Keep a flashlight handy in case of power outages.
Prohibited Storage Items:
Heat-sensitive, perishable, or valuable items are best avoided for loft storage. Stay vigilant against storing items that are sensitive to humidity, dust, or temperature extremes. Keep your stored items as safe and secure as possible.
Permission & Costs:
Luckily, planning permission and building regulations usually aren't necessary for adding loft storage as long as the roof structure remains unaltered. Costs can be reasonable, with typical loft boarding or shelving projects costing hundreds of pounds, making it a wallet-friendly upgrade.
Organize & Simplify:
- Store frequently accessed items near the loft hatch.
- Label all containers for easy identification.
- Maintain an inventory of stored items.
- Group similar items together, such as seasonal decorations or sports equipment.
Transform your loft into a well-organized and functional storage haven - you deserve it! Keep these expert recommendations in mind, and your loft storage dreams will become a reality.
- Conduct a thorough inspection of your loft to ensure it is dry, pest-free, and structurally sound before starting your storage project.
- Carefully assess the items you wish to store, considering their size, frequency of use, and the space necessary for their storage.
- Adhere to building regulations when selecting a suitable loft ladder for regular use and to ensure sufficient headroom is available.
- To preserve insulation effectiveness, create a raised floor above it by using Loft Legs or LoftZone’s StoreFloor system when boarding your loft.
- Use airtight, water-resistant storage containers for all items to protect them from moisture, dust, and temperature fluctuations.
- Install shelves in the roof trusses to provide additional storage space without compromising insulation, using products like the Loft Ledge by Loft Leg Ltd.
- Lighting the space properly is essential; consider using a mains powered adjustable light, or a rechargeable, removable option if mains power is unavailable.
- Refrain from storing heat-sensitive, perishable, or valuable items in the loft to avoid damage from humidity, dust, or temperature extremes.
- Building permission and regulations may not be necessary for adding loft storage as long as the roof structure remains unaltered, making it a wallet-friendly upgrade.
- To maintain an organized and functional space, store frequently accessed items near the loft hatch, label all containers, and keep an inventory of stored items. Group similar items together, such as seasonal decorations or sports equipment.
