How much is loft board installation?
Loft board installation can be a tempting home project with a relatively low cost compared to some more extensive renovations. Despite this, it can still be a great way of adding value to your property, while offering a convenient storage space.
While that might sound great, before you start, it’s essential to understand how much loft board installation will set you back so you can manage your expectations.
What affects the cost of boarding your loft?
- The size of the space you want to be boarded
- The type of loft board material
- Raised or standard loft boarding
- Hiring a professional loft board installer or DIY
The cost will differ significantly depending on how much of your loft you want to have boarded. The good thing about loft board installation is that there is no commitment to having the entire loft done. Some loft boarding kits are modular, meaning you can board only the sections you want and progressively add more when additional space is needed.
There is a wide range of different loft boards available. Chipboard is the most common style, but there are different variations to choose from, an environmentally-friendly choice, a lighter and narrower option and one that is of higher quality, with a more appealing smooth finish that is also stronger. The price for these can range from as little as £3-£10 per 1220x300x18mm panel, depending on your choice.
With standard loft board installation, you can screw the boards directly into the loft floor joists, whereas raised loft boards require a subframe system to elevate the boards above the insulation. These can be purchased as kits from £80-£800 depending on the size you’re after, or you can individually buy the supports from £2-5 and cross-beams for £5-8. After this, you’ll need screws to fit your choice of boards to the subframe. These can be purchased for as little as £5 for a box of 200. Despite this increased cost, a raised board system will help reduce your energy bills by allowing your insulation to work effectively, making it a cost-effective long-term investment.
You can buy the materials and DIY, but getting expert loft board installation will give you peace of mind and confidence that your loft flooring is up to a good standard. Comfortably able to withstand the weight of you navigating the loft looking for your belongings.
When you factor in all of the above, the average raised system costs about £1,200 for 15m2. At Instaloft, we offer a range of bespoke loft boarding packages that also come with ladders, lighting and more. With prices ranging from £350 to £3500+ based on your individual needs, we will work together with you to create your ideal loft storage solution.
Why Choose Raised Loft Boarding over Standard?
There are many benefits to loft board installation. But a raised boarding system has even more advantages than standard boarding, which might be worth the additional upfront cost.
While standard loft boarding is the fastest way to board a loft, it isn’t suitable for the majority of buildings, and we wouldn’t recommend it if you have insulation, wiring, or pipework installed. Boarding your loft in this way can squash or damage your property.
To avoid the problems presented by standard loft boarding, raised loft systems work to elevate the loft boards above the joists, allowing plenty of space for loft insulation to be laid at the recommended depth of 200mm. At Instaloft, we believe that LoftZone’s StoreFloor product is the strongest raised loft boarding system available, which is why we use it exclusively when doing loft board installation.
Insulation squashed flat has a much higher risk of becoming damp and resulting in mould or rot that could be costly to homeowners. Because of this, some loft board installers will remove the insulation entirely to install standard boards more easily. Doing so will reduce the thermal efficiency of your home a great deal. Raised loft boarding means the insulation in your loft not only doesn’t need to be removed but can actually be protected and enhanced because the boarding is raised well above it and doesn’t squash it flat. Because the insulation is not compressed under the weight of the loft boards laid directly on top, they can retain their depth and work effectively to reduce heat loss in the home, helping you save money on energy bills.
The boards are raised with a robust structure consisting of engineering-grade recycled plastic tri-and uni-supports that connect to a sturdy cross beam. The cross beam creates a strong and safe platform for the boards to be secured onto. The supporting structure can hold up to 500kg per square metre, easily meeting and exceeding the British Standard for minimum floor load requirements.
Get in touch for a loft board installation quote
If you’re interested, find out whether we can help you with loft board installation with a no-obligation quotation. Call us on 0800 046 3955 or reach out online to start your loft transformation today.