Relocating a loft hatch – a guide for homeowners in Warwickshire and Worcestershire

Posted by Brad on

You don’t have to be stuck with a loft opening if its location doesn’t suit your needs. We routinely move loft hatches for customers as part of larger jobs when we install loft boarding or ladders.

So, what should you consider when relocating a loft hatch?

Avoid being close to stairs by changing the direction of the loft hatch

It sounds obvious, but we’ve seen plenty of older loft openings in dangerous spots over or very near to stairways. It is not just a question of having enough space at the bottom of the ladder – you really don’t want to be too near the stairs when exiting or entering the loft at height. If a landing is the only suitable spot for the loft opening, then there may be a simple solution in changing its orientation or making the hatch longer. This can make a big difference by allowing the ladder to run in another direction or at a different angle. 

Having a loft opening in a bedroom comes down to personal preference. If you have small children, then accessing the loft through their bedroom could be tricky past their bedtime. However, if you have a spare bedroom, and it is roomy enough to allow a loft ladder to come down unhindered by the furniture, then it could be ideal.

Bathrooms – this is not a popular option. Space tends to be at a premium in this room and if you have people in the household who hog the bathroom, waiting to gain access to the loft could be frustrating!

Consider head space when using loft ladders

Of course, you also need to consider the point at which the loft opening allows you to enter the loft space. We don’t recommend placing it too near an outside wall or you risk ascending under the eaves.

If you are unsure of what the options are in your home and how much space you will need to accommodate your choice of ladder, then we are happy to provide a no-obligation quote. Contact us now using our webform or on 07712 327889.

What do we advise homeowners in Stratford-upon-Avon against storing in their loft?

Posted by Brad on

We are big fans of loft storage. Every week we help homeowners in Warwickshire and Worcestershire to claim back space by boarding their lofts. Our customers generally have plans for what they want to store, but one of the questions they sometimes ask us is, are there any items that I shouldn’t keep in my loft?

Lofts are subject to huge variations of temperature. Ever had to go up to the loft in a heatwave? If you have, then you’ll know that it gets rather hot up there. For that reason, if you have a precious collection of vinyl, it might be better off somewhere else. 

The same extreme of temperature applies during a cold snap – the loft gets pretty chilly. This variation of temperatures means that items made of wood, such as furniture, may warp or joints split. So, if you have any precious wooden items, think about keeping them elsewhere. When it comes to musical instruments, we would not recommend storing them in a loft space for this reason.

What can I store in a boarded loft?

There are plenty of items that you can store in a loft if you think about how you do it and provide protection.

The loft is home to insects like moths and silverfish, so that some items are best stored in plastic containers with lids. Tempting as it is to just sling into a bin liner any clothes you don’t wear or you are saving to hand down when a younger child grows, you may find that they are unwearable after a while. This problem is easily solved by vacuum packing which protects them from moths and mildew.  

Books should be kept in plastic boxes with lids so that silverfish do not get to the pages. Likewise for photographs in order to protect their finish and preserve the precious memories they show.

If you want to go one step further, you can ask your contractor to line the loft with a membrane that will prevent dust and grit falling on to your stored items.

There are many items that you can store in your loft and our customers do just that. With a little care, you can free up your living space and store belongings out of sight, confident that they will remain in good condition.

We board lofts in Stratford-upon-Avon and most of Warwickshire and Worcestershire

To find out more about loft boarding contact us now.

Looking to move your loft hatch in Stratford-upon-Avon? There’s no mess and dust with us

Posted by Brad on

One of the top reasons people often put off having a job done in their homes, even once they have the funds in place, is the worry about any mess and dust it might create.

We like to reassure anyone thinking about moving their loft opening or enlarging the loft hatch, that we take a particular pride in leaving our working area pristine.

Before and after photos from a job where we enlarged the loft opening and fitted a new hatch

What this means, is that we take away any debris and always use dust sheets to protect carpets. When cutting a new loft opening and plastering around the hatch, we make sure that there is no evidence of the work other than the new hatch itself. Take a look at this genuine customer Facebook review from a job last month,

Definitely recommend Stu & team. We had our old loft hatch in the bedroom boarded and painted like it was never there. They then relocated a new large loft hatch in to the hallway with new ladders and boarded the loft. We have plenty of space! Excellent job, reliable and so tidy. If you want a professional service these guys are it. 

This customer loved the fact that we painted the ceiling, so you could not tell where the old loft hatch had been. We’ve even had one customer tell us that her husband did not notice that the loft hatch had been enlarged for a few days because it looked like it had always been that way. This is exactly as it should be – you do not want to make a feature of your loft hatch – you want it to blend into the ceiling. So we won’t take offence if your visitors don’t notice our work!

To find out more contact us for a no-obligation consultation.

Live in Warwickshire or Worcestershire and thinking of installing a boiler in your loft space? What you need to know about loft access

Posted by Brad on

If space is at a premium in your kitchen, or you don’t have a utility room, then you may be considering installing a boiler in your loft space. If this is the case, then you need to be aware of the regulations and issues regarding loft access.

Retractable loft ladder

In order to allow safe access for a heating engineer you will need a retractable ladder installed. You can talk to us about the options and there will be one to suit your budget. Aluminium is both light and sturdy, but we also supply timber ladders if your budget allows.

Aluminium Loft Ladder in Bidford

Loft boarding to create a safe walkway and working platform

You will need to create a walkway from the loft hatch to the boiler as well as an adequate working platform. *  We would add that the boards need to be safe and stable, by which we mean securely attached to the joists and laid flush so that there are no trip hazards.

Lighting

You must provide adequate lighting to allow an engineer to carry out the work and to enter and exit the loft safely.

Guard rail

There should be a guard rail at the exit of the loft. We can build this in easily as part of a loft improvement package. We are experienced carpenters and can create a bespoke handrail for you at a reasonable cost.

Size of loft hatch and location

Although not specifically covered by regulations, no heating engineer is going to want to access your boiler if the loft hatch is in a dangerous or difficult position. The same goes if the loft opening is very small. The good news is that enlarging, or even moving, the loft hatch is not a big job and we undertake this for customers as part of our regular work.

Always consult a qualified heating engineer about a boiler installation

*Please note this blog is only intended as a guideline to make you aware of some of the considerations and that regulations may change. There are other considerations regarding boiler installation in a loft space, so we advise you to always consult an appropriately qualified heating engineer. 

If you want to talk about loft boarding or fitting a ladder in readiness, then we would love you to get in touch.

Loft boarding rises in popularity in Worcestershire and Warwickshire

Posted by Brad on

We’ve been in the loft improvement business for more than a decade and, whilst we have always remained busy, we have seen the various aspects of our work rise and fall in popularity over that time. One general trend stands out and that is the increase in demand for loft boarding.

Up to a few years ago 75% of our work involved fitting fixed loft ladders and installing new hatches. Boarding loft spaces made up the other 25%. Throughout 2020 and 2021, our work has changed to consist of 50% boarding and 50% loft ladders.

Loft boarding creates a feeling of space

Talking with our customers reveals the reasons for the demand for loft boarding. Number one is the fact that we have all been spending so much more time at home during Covid 19. This increased time in the home has led customers to reassess the space they have and created a desire to free their living spaces of items that could be stowed in the loft out of sight. It is not just that customers have been working from home or were home-schooling children. As well as carving out specific areas for a home office or to exercise in, customers just simply wanted to create a feeling of space. 

Whereas before customers would fit a ladder and think about boarding the loft space themselves or getting us back at a later date to do it, loft boarding has become a priority.

“Customers are saying to us that what is the point of fitting a fixed ladder if they still have to be careful not to go through the floor when they are up in the loft,” explains Stuart Dyson, owner of Stu’s Loft Ladders. “Without boarding, it is almost impossible to effectively use the space in your loft.”

Take a look at our boarding page for more information or our Facebook page for examples of recent work and customer reviews.

Want to store away your summer items? Why autumn is a busy time for loft boarding in Warwickshire

Posted by Brad on

Dare we say it…there is an autumn chill in the air! Whilst we want to hang on to every last day of summer, the new season is approaching and, for most of us, so is a return to work and routine. If you have been enjoying summer past-times, such as camping or summer sports, now might be the time to pack away equipment ready for next year.  Or you might be swapping your summer wardrobe for your winter one. For these reasons this is a busy time of year for Stu’s Loft Ladders as people decide to have their loft boarded as a way of storing seasonal items.

Loft Boarding Installation
Even just boarding the centre section of a loft creates functional storage space

As September arrives, these are some of the seasonal items most commonly stored in a boarded loft:

  • Camping – great fun and an affordable means of gaining a much-needed change of scenery. However, camping comes with a lot of equipment. Not just the tent itself, but beds, cooking equipment, chairs and all the paraphernalia of an outdoor stay. If you don’t want to jam up your shed or garage, then the loft is the ideal space for storage. If gaining access is awkward, we can even enlarge the loft opening so that getting bulky items up there is a breeze. 
  • Summer clothes – as the nights draw in you may be reaching for your winter woollies and finding it tricky to see what clothes you have in an overstuffed wardrobe. By taking out your summer clothes and vacuum-packing them, they will be free from dust and moths, ready for the warmer weather in 2022. They can then sit happily in the loft out of the way until you need them again. The same goes for summer footwear which, can go into clear boxes with lids.
  • Summer sports – if you have a hobby that you enjoy in the warmer months with equipment that you won’t need until spring, making the most of your loft means keeping other areas in your home clear. Whether it’s cricket bats, paddles, wetsuits or body boards, having loft storage sorted frees up space in the rest of your home.

So, at the start of the new season, give us a call on 07712 327889 for a no-obligation quote for loft boarding, fixed loft ladders or a new hatch. See more about our services here.

Thinking of fitting solar panels with a battery in Warwickshire and Worcestershire? Why you’ll need loft boarding and good loft access

Posted by Brad on

Having solar PV panels fitted used to be a rarity, but these days it is a common step for people wanting to bring down their energy bills and take a positive step in tackling climate change. Increasing numbers of households are pairing a solar PV system with battery storage so that they can harness green energy during the day and power their homes in the evening.

If you are planning to house the system’s inverter or battery in your loft, it is essential that you ensure safe and easy loft access. A job this week by our team in Bidford-On-Avon, Warwickshire, illustrated this perfectly.

Loft boarding for Solar PV battery in Bidford-On-Avon

The customer was having solar PV panels installed on the roof of his 3-bedroom semi-detached property. With a plan to store excess energy via a battery in the loft, he needed to ensure a safe and stable walkway for taking meter readings and servicing the system. He booked Stu’s Loft Ladders to board the loft, ahead of installation to ensure that the job could be carried out safely. 

Before we boarded the loft

Creating a larger loft opening

As a further requirement, we were asked to move the existing loft hatch, which was too small to accommodate the battery. We boarded and plastered up the existing hatch and created a new, larger loft opening in one of the bedrooms.

Strengthening the loft structure

Concerned about the weight of the battery, the customer also requested that we increase the load bearing capacity in the loft, which we did by adding timbers to strengthen the structure. 

“If you are thinking about solar PV systems, then you will need to ensure good loft access, with a stable walkway and a fixed ladder,” explains Stuart Dyson of Stu’s Loft Ladders. “It is not a large cost compared to the system itself, but one that people need to factor in when thinking about the total project cost. You may also need to look at enlarging the loft opening itself.”

For advice and a no-obligation quote, contact us now through the website or call 07712 327889.

Can you board the loft of an older or period property? A popular question in Warwickshire and Worcestershire!

Posted by Brad on

New build to Victorian or even older, we have boarded properties from all these ages of construction. In fact, the oldest loft we have boarded was in a 300-year-old cottage for a customer who was delighted with the space we created for her.

Loft boarding must accommodate the quirks of an older property

Boarding an older property is not without its challenges. The older the property, the bigger the challenges, but they can all be overcome.

Visit a modern housing development and you will see rows of houses built to repeated designs. Older properties come in all shapes and sizes, with extensions and add-ons over the decades or centuries that have changed the shape of the roof space. Joists may be in awkward spaces and often there are water tanks, old pipes and other obstacles to work around. In these cases, boarding may take longer than usual as each board must be cut to accommodate the quirks and angles of the building.

Raised loft boarding can protect timbers and allow for increased insulation

Whilst owners of new-build properties are very cautious about any boarding method that might invalidate their NHBC warranty, owners of period properties should also think about protecting roof timbers. Condensation may be an issue, and we might suggest raising the level of the boarding to protect the timbers or allow for additional insulation. Insulation is important as older buildings may not be as heat efficient and existing insulation may not meet current regulations. When quoting, we would look at the head room in the loft. If this were an issue, and we needed to raise the boarding, we might advise sticking to boarding a central section.

Fitting a new loft hatch can radically improve heat retention

In an older property, the loft opening might not be in the right position, possibly under the shallowest part of the roof line.  We can move the loft opening entirely or change its orientation. In addition, fitting a new loft hatch can radically reduce draughts and improve heat retention on the floor below.

This is where you will get the benefit of employing a professional loft improvement company. We have been boarding lofts and fitting loft ladders for more than a decade in Warwickshire and Worcestershire, and in that time have boarded thousands of older and period properties. We are always happy to talk through the installation when quoting. Contact us now or visit our Facebook page to see photos of our recent work.

Loft Boarding Installation

5 reasons homeowners in Stratford-upon-Avon and Alcester should board their loft

Posted by Brad on

We are rather biased, but we think that everyone who can, should board their loft. So here are the five reasons why you should get on with this home improvement job.

  1. Space – this is the big one. We all want more space in our homes. More than ever, our homes are multitasking spaces, where we balance home working or study with family, hobbies, home exercise and pets. And that’s without all the stuff we accumulate! With the cost of homes per square metre rising quickly, you could add 50% more space to your home through loft boarding if you already live in a double-storey building. 
  2. Proper Storage – we all have items that we need, or want to hang on to, but don’t want to look at every day. Not just the Christmas tree decorations, but sports equipment for a hobby we don’t have time for at the moment, or sentimental boxes of photos. Unless you are Marie Kondo, then the chances are that you have items you don’t want to let go of. Putting them in the loft means that you can keep your living areas clutter free.
From this…
To this!
  1.  Safety – believe it or not, every week we see people who have already been storing items in their loft without boarding. That means they have been wobbling about up there, running the risk of coming through the ceiling. It does happen and not just in sit-coms! If you are already storing items without boarding, then do the sensible thing and get it boarded.
  2. Organisation – Creating a dedicated storage space means an opportunity to get organised. We are talking about clear stacking boxes with lids and labels that will mean no more rooting around for that travel plug, airbed pump or whatever item is needed in a hurry, but could be in any of tens of places!
  3. Time – the other precious commodity in our lives! Stu’s Loft Ladders has the tools, supply contacts and, most importantly, the expertise to board your loft in half a day in most instances. If you are thinking that you will get around to DIY loft improvements, save yourself the time and hassle by calling in the professionals. It is not only a question of time, when you factor in the cost of materials and hiring or purchasing the right tools, then professional loft boarding becomes cost-effective too. 

Stu’s Loft Ladders works in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick, Alcester, Redditch, Studley and most of Warwickshire and Worcestershire. We are always happy to provide a quote for your loft boarding job with no-obligation. You can see examples of our recent work on our Facebook page

When it comes to loft hatches bigger is better in Stratford-upon-Avon and Redditch

Posted by Brad on

Do you struggle to get larger items into your loft? It’s frustrating – all that loft space that you could use to get awkward items out of sight in your home, but the loft opening itself is too small.

Don’t panic – give us a call. Enlarging loft openings and fitting new hatches is our bread and butter!

We can fit a new loft hatch

Some houses were built with a small loft opening and many new builds still are. We can remove the old hatch door and surround, open a larger space and fit a new surround. 

We offer maintenance-free, white plastic as well as timber that you can stain or paint to the colour you want. Depending on the loft ladder you choose, we offer hatch options up to one metre in length.

Larger loft hatch means less hassle

It might be that you don’t need to store larger items, but you find it awkward carrying items of any size up a ladder and into the loft. The larger the opening, the more space you have to manoeuvre – the whole process feels easier and you are less likely to injure yourself.

So take a look at our loft hatches page or give us a call straight away on 07712 327889.