Lofts · Birmingham and the West Midlands
A warmer house and a loft you can use
Insulation topped up to the recommended 270mm, then boarding raised on loft legs so you get storage without squashing the insulation flat. Most lofts are done in a day, and you'll feel the difference in the upstairs rooms the first cold week.
Insulation done to the right depth
About a quarter of a house's heat goes out through the roof if the loft isn't insulated properly. The UK recommendation is 270mm of mineral wool, and most lofts in Birmingham's older housing stock have half that or less. We lay 100mm between the joists and 170mm across them, keep it clear of the eaves so the roof can still breathe, and insulate the hatch too, because a bare hatch is a hole in the blanket.
Boarding that doesn't undo the insulation
This is the part most people get wrong. Boards screwed straight to the joists crush the insulation down to joist depth and you lose most of what you just paid for. We fit loft legs, which are plastic stilts screwed to the joists, and board on top of them so the full 270mm stays fluffy underneath. You get a solid, walkable storage deck with the insulation still working.
- Mineral wool insulation to 270mm, laid in two layers.
- Eaves ventilation kept clear, downlights protected with fire rated hoods.
- Loft legs and 18mm tongue and groove loft boards, screwed down.
- Board only the area you need. A landing around the hatch, or the whole loft.
- Hatch insulated and draught sealed. New drop down hatch and ladder if you want one.
- Pipes and tanks lagged while we're up there.
Typical jobs
Every loft is measured before we quote. Access, joist depth and what's already up there change the price.
If you're on certain benefits or in a lower energy rated home, government backed schemes may fund loft insulation. Check that before paying anyone, including us. Boarding is not covered by the schemes, and that's usually where we come in.
| Top up to 270mm | Half a day for an average three bed semi. Existing insulation kept and built on if it's dry and in good condition. |
|---|---|
| Storage landing | Around 10 to 15 square metres of raised boarding by the hatch. Half a day on top of the insulation. |
| Full loft boarding | Whole loft on loft legs. One to two days depending on size and how much has to come out first. |
| Hatch and ladder | Insulated drop down hatch with a folding aluminium ladder. Usually done the same day. |
| Clearance | Old insulation, rubbish and the previous owner's Christmas decorations removed and disposed of. |
Loft questions
How much loft insulation should I have?
The current UK recommendation is 270mm of mineral wool: 100mm between the joists and 170mm laid across them. Most houses built before the 2000s have 100mm or less, and a lot of older houses have almost none.
Can I board straight on top of the insulation?
No. Boards laid on the joists squash 270mm of insulation down to 100mm and it stops working. Boarding has to be raised on loft legs so there's a gap above the insulation. That's what we fit.
Will boarding my loft damage the ceiling?
Not if it's done properly. Loft legs screw to the joists, not the ceiling, and the boards sit on the legs. We only board the area you want for storage, keep weight off the ceiling below, and leave a clear route to the tank and the hatch.
Can I get loft insulation free through a grant?
Sometimes. Government backed schemes fund loft insulation for households on certain benefits or in lower energy rated homes. If you qualify, use it. If you don't, or you want the loft boarded as well, that's where we come in.
Is a boarded loft the same as a loft conversion?
No. Boarding gives you storage. A conversion makes a habitable room and needs structural work, building regulations and a proper staircase. We don't do full conversions, but if you have one done we can board and plaster it.
Cold upstairs? Loft full of nothing?