Raised loft boarding is a cost-effective home improvement that benefits a homeowner in a number of different ways. It’s no wonder many property owners are considering the raised alternative to traditional loft boarding.
But do raised loft boards meet standard loft boarding regulations, or do you need additional permission to do the work?
What regulations does Raised Boarding require?
Contrary to popular belief, you can board your loft without building consent, including both raised and standard systems.
Planning permission is not required for having loft boarding installed and is only needed for larger projects or if you’re looking to convert your loft into a living space.
At Instaloft, we do not facilitate full loft conversions and only do loft boarding installation for storage purposes and not as a functional living space such as an additional bedroom, office or similar.
If this is what you’re after, the project will be a much more complex ordeal as you must ensure that the work being done meets the Government’s building regulations. Including the space being accessible via a permanent staircase and having the proper fire regulations.
We use LoftZone’s award-winning StoreFloor, which is the only loft decking product that is BBA certified for both domestic and commercial construction. This certification is recognised by industry insurers, local authorities and building control, meaning there are no issues with using it.
Not only will the raised system meet boarding regulations, but it is also the only approved method that will not invalidate the warranty of a new build. Being able to transform your loft without voiding your new build warranty means there is no worry about how it affects your recent investment.
Other benefits of Raised Loft Boarding
From increasing the floor space available to accommodate additional storage to reducing heat loss and adding value to your home.
Reduce the risk of property damage
Standard loft boarding has a high chance of damaging your property by being placed directly onto your insulation rather than raised well above it.
The lack of an air gap between your insulation and the flooring will prevent it from breathing and lead to a build-up of condensation. If this damp goes unnoticed and is allowed to spread to your roof or boarding, you could be looking at hefty repair costs in the thousands to replace the rotten wood.
Saves you money on your energy bills
Not only can standard loft boarding cause additional costs in fixing resulting damages, but because of the compressed insulation, it stops working as intended and reduces your home’s energy efficiency by 50%.
Instead, having a raised loft boarding system will save you money by protecting and enhancing your insulation’s effectiveness to help reduce heat loss and lower energy bills.
Increases your property’s value
A home that has raised loft boarding is also a much more lucrative and appealing offer to would-be buyers interested in purchasing your home.
The benefits listed can not only add additional selling points to your property but also allow you to increase the asking price due to the increase in storage space at no cost to the home’s energy efficiency.
Board your loft with a raised system!
If you want to benefit from all the advantages that a raised loft boarding solution provides you and your property – get in touch today and book an initial survey; it’s quick and easy, with no regulatory hurdles to understand or tackle.
With a team of trained and approved installers, we take pride in our professional yet friendly service, providing strong, safe and long-lasting raised loft board systems that will revolutionise the way you use your loft.