Loft boarding transforms storage in Stratford-upon-Avon home

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From wasted space to room for storage, a recent loft boarding job in Stratford-upon-Avon has transformed the attic space for one Warwickshire homeowner.

Before loft boarding and loft ladder fitting

The photo below shows the original state of the loft, which like most that we board, is made unusable by rolls of insulation between joists and nowhere to walk, let alone store boxes.

After loft boarding and fitting an aluminium loft ladder

We boarded a central section of the loft space and fitted a sturdy, but lightweight, aluminium loft ladder.

Boarding a central section of the loft is a popular option as it uses the budget efficiently by only flooring the most useable space.

The customer was delighted and couldn’t wait to start using all the new storage space.

To find out more email us at stuart@stusloftladders.co.uk

Live in Stratford-upon-Avon and don’t have a loft ladder? Why you should be checking everything is ok up there!

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At Stu’s Loft Ladders, we think that every home would benefit from using the loft space for storage, however we are aware that not everyone does. Indeed, you may be a homeowner who never goes up into the loft. If that is the case, you should still be checking at regular intervals that everything is OK up there.

One of the main problems to check for in lofts is woodworm. Often, we have pointed this out to homeowners when carrying out loft boarding or fitting loft ladders to customers who were totally unaware.  The peak months for woodworm activity are between May and October when the weather is warmer. Tell-tale signs include tiny holes in the surface of the timbers and fine dust, called frass, around any holes. Left untreated, woodworm can lead to weakened timbers and cause structural problems.

Other unwanted loft visitors

Other visitors that can cause damage are rodents. Mice can go undetected in a loft space and can cause damage to electrical cables as they seem to have a taste for gnawing on the the plastic casings. Look for small, black droppings and shredded materials. Mice also leave a strong ammonia-like smell, which is a reliable indicator of their presence.

It’s not just mice that like to make a home in lofts. Squirrels and birds are also commonly found in loft spaces, so always check out any strange noises that seem to come from there. 

If you have a large number of wasps in your garden, there is likely to be a nest nearby. Wasps’ nests can often grow quite large (to the size of a football) before they are detected. If you discover a nest, never try to tackle it yourself – it is definitely a job for the professionals.

Checking for roof damage and damp

It can be hard to get a view from outside to see the health of all parts of your roof. Good practice is to check inside the loft from time to time to see that all is well. Turn the lights off and check for any daylight coming in to indicate any gaps. Also check for any changes in timbers that might indicated moisture.

Fit a fixed ladder

A fixed ladder makes going up to the loft safe and hassle free. Stu’s Loft Ladders offers a range of ladder to suit a variety of homes and budgets. See our services page for more details http://www.stusloftladders.co.uk/services/

Loft Boarding Installation

Demand for loft ladder fitting in Redditch led to creation of Stu’s Loft Ladders

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And it’s kept us in business for over a decade

It is over a decade since Stuart Dyson formed Stu’s Loft Ladders from his base in Studley, near Redditch.

Stuart was a carpenter working for house builders on new-builds when he saw a demand for value-for-money loft ladder installation.

Since that time, the business has expanded to fit loft boarding, but Stuart still runs the business with a small team covering Worcestershire and Warwickshire.

Stuart’s carpentry skills are central to the service the firm provides and enable them to offer customers made-to-measure extras such as loft shelving and safety rails.

Customer recommendation has ensured that the firm has remained busy boarding lofts and fitting loft ladders, even through the pandemic, as soon as restrictions were lifted.

To see what our customers think, check out our reviews or take a look at our Facebook page.

As house prices in Stratford-upon-Avon rise, invest in yours with loft boarding and a fixed ladder

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Despite the cost of living increasing, the cost of properties continues to surge in 2022, according to the latest figures from mortgage advisers and estate agents.

This means, that for those who can afford to do so, there is every reason to invest in their home. When looking at the best value for money, loft boarding is, in our opinion, right up there (pardon the pun). The reason being, that it enables homeowners to make the most of the space they have without the large-scale costs or upheaval of a building project.

It makes sense. By creating a new area for storage through loft boarding and proper access, via a safe and sturdy fixed ladder, it becomes possible to clear other areas in the home of items that you do not need every day. Suddenly, you can clear items into boxes, which when clearly labelled, can be easily retrieved and brought back down as needed.

Many customers find that they use their lofts to keep sentimental items that they do not want on display but cannot bear to part with. Knowing that they are safely stored in the loft enables them to free up previously cluttered space in the home.

The Stu’s Loft Ladder team is always busy in Warwickshire and Worcestershire but we can usually fit in customers in a time frame to suit and always on a day that is convenient.

Contact us to find out more at stuart@stusloftladders.co.uk

If you dread getting the suitcases from the loft, talk to us about bespoke shelving for Warwickshire customers

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Getting ready for a holiday should be exciting, but going up to the loft to look for suitcases can be a real drag, particularly if they are buried under other random items. It is easy to hastily shove belongings in the loft, after all out of sight is out of mind, but a little thought can make retrieving them, when we want them in a hurry, far easier.

Bespoke shelving to fit suitcases and more

As part of a loft boarding or loft ladder installation, we can build made-to-measure timber shelving to your requirements. Shelving to accommodate suitcases is a popular option, as is shelving to fit camping and sports equipment.

The Stu’s Loft Ladder team includes an experienced carpenter, so that we produce a high-quality finish on shelving that meets your requirements.

We are always happy to talk through the options as part of a no-obligation quote. Contact us to find out more at stuart@stusloftladders.co.uk

How to choose a company to fit a loft ladder and board your loft in Stratford-upon-Avon

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Maybe you are seeing adverts or posts appear in your social media feeds to fit loft ladders and board lofts in Stratford-upon-Avon and the surrounding area. How do you select a firm and make sure it’s the right choice?

We always say it, but check out recent reviews and ask around. Local forums such as those on social media are a good place to start. The Stratford on Avon Forum will usually yield a good response from homeowners who can recommend a firm they have used.

Check that the team that is quoting for your business is the team that will actually carry out the work. Find out how experienced they are. If you are having someone cut into your ceiling joists to enlarge or move a loft opening, then you want to make sure that they have done the job successfully for happy customers.

We are biased as an independent trader, but we really think it is the best option. Being independent means that we are not trying to sell you a fixed package. We will simply visit to see what you want to achieve, and what budget you have, and make recommendations accordingly.

If you want to find out what Stu’s Loft Ladders can offer, get in touch by calling 07712 327 889 or emailing stuart@stusloftladders.co.uk

Bespoke extras make loft storage easy in Redditch

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As trained carpenters, we are able to build in bespoke details for our customers depending on their needs. This may be a safety rail around the opening in the loft or shelving units to accommodate larger items such as suitcases.

Truss shelving

Truss shelving is one of the most popular add-ons that we create for customers.

This shelving sits in the V of the roof trusses and creates a raised platform for boxes. As it uses space that would otherwise be wasted, it is an excellent way of maximising the storage potential in a loft. It also makes it easier to access the contents of the boxes as they are raised off floor level.

We always like to visit before providing a quote and this visit provides a good opportunity for potential customers to ask us about any add ons that they might need.

If you would like to arrange such a visit, with no-obligation or pressure from our friendly team, then contact us on 07712 327 889.

Alcester home owner opts for part-boarding of loft

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Boarding just a central section of your loft is a cost-effective way to create effective storage in your home.

This photo shows how Stu’s Loft Ladders did just that for a homeowner in Alcester.

As you can see, there is ample storage space easily accessed by a newly-installed timber ladder.

In most lofts, it is not necessary to board right up to the eaves as the most useable space is in the centre. This is particularly true if you are planning to store larger items that would not fit at the edges of your loft where the roof line is lower.

When we visit to provide a quote, we advise on where is best to board to meet your needs and the quirks of the property such as where the loft opening is or can be be moved to.

To find out more, email stuart@stusloftladders.co.uk

New build loft boarding in Warwick

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Warwick District needs to build over 900 new build homes a year to keep up with local housing needs. With more owners taking possession of new build homes, our team is kept busy improving loft access, as these properties do not come with lofts boarded as standard.

In fact, the default loft opening in a new build is often not large enough to be convenient when taking items up to be stored. Enlarging a loft opening is a job that we are happy to undertake, most often as part of a package involving fitting a fixed loft ladder and boarding.

Which leads us to the most frequently asked question to our team – can you board the lofts in new build properties?

The answer is yes – definitely, but call in the professionals to ensure you are protecting the insulation in your loft and, in turn, your NHBC warranty. An experienced loft company, such as Stu’s Loft Ladders, will first recommend raising the level of the loft floor to accommodate the insulation and protect the timbers. What’s even better, the boards we use will add further insulation, making your house more energy efficient.

Bidford loft boarding creates spacious storage

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A picture speaks a thousand words, at least it does when it comes to loft boarding. Most customers come to us through word of mouth, however, they still want to see photos of recent work so that they can see for themselves the professional finish we create.

If you haven’t checked out our Facebook page, take a look. We regularly post photos from recent jobs that show the amount of storage you can create through loft boarding.

One such recent job was at a property in Bidford on Avon where we boarded the loft for one happy customer. As you can see in the photos, the finished boarding created a spacious area for storage.

For this particular job, we combined boarding with a top quality timber loft ladder. Top of our loft ladder range, the timber ladder provides sturdy wide treads, ideal if you want peace of mind going up to the loft or if you will be carrying heavier items. The timber ladders we supply still offer easy folding and are simple to use and store away.

Our wooden loft ladders also come with a loft hatch up to 1.2m long, which makes taking bulkier items up and down a doddle. No more squeezing through a loft hatch that is too small!

For further details, you can email us at stuart@stusloftladders.co.uk