I’m sure you’ve been looking for a place to store all your things.
An ideal solution is to use the loft for storage. But if you are anything like me, the big question is “How can I make this happen?”
Safety and security are always high priorities for me, but when I took these two aspects of loft conversion into account, it’s a much more challenging prospect than I first thought.
The first thing that came to mind is how safe and secure it should be. It needed to be easy both for stacking things, as well as retrieving them later.
The six most important things for me to consider were:
1. Is the Loft Space Large Enough For Storage?
The loft space needs to be large enough for storage. Check ceiling height and where to position the stairs. Sketch a plan for where stairs will go and where joists and beams are located.
Loft ceilings are usually slanted and low, which can make it difficult to reach accumulated things over time. I solved this problem by installing an easily accessible loft ladder. I also used plywood to create a platform in the middle of my loft that makes it easier for me to reach items stored on either side.
2. Consider How Much Weight You Can Safely Store in the Converted Area
When converting a loft to storage, it is important to consider how much weight can be stored in the converted area. Loft conversion regulations require that the floor of your loft will support the loads demanded safely under maximum conditions for use and occupancy.
It is important to spread the weight out evenly to avoid the floor becoming unstable. If you have a heavy load on one side, it may cause the loft board under that area to give way and sag.
I soon worked out that the best way to avoid this is to build a structurally sound floor that can bear the weight of heavy and uneven loads.
3. Think About What Type of Items You Will Be Storing
As you start to plan for a loft conversion, the first thing that will come into question is what type of items are going to be stored in it.
After all, I soon realized that it was me who would have to lift my stuff into the loft, store it securely, and bring it back down again when needed.
And most importantly, I had to install a pull-down loft ladder between joists, and that determined the largest objects I could move into the loft. Even so, boxes of paper are heavy and awkward.
4. Make Sure There Is Enough Light and Ventilation
Make sure there is enough light for adequate visibility when accessing stored items from the loft level.
If it will be difficult to find things in storage, then this step should not be neglected. It can often mean that you need an extra bulb or two.
When converting a loft for storage, be aware of the need for ventilation, especially if you’re going to store combustible items up there. This is important because goods that are stored in a loft without sufficient ventilation can emit gases, which will build up and become toxic.
I looked at installing an exhaust fan to keep the air clean and dry. This has proven to be one of the best choices I have ever made.
5. Building the Loft Conversion
First, I checked out the building regulations to see if it was even possible to convert the loft. The good news is that in England, you do not need any special permission from your local council. However, there are a few things to consider before embarking on this project.
The first thing I did was make sure that the structure of my building would be able to support adding another floor.
Boarding a loft for storage is an important stage of loft storage conversion. The loft floor has to be structurally stable. The frame should be made from strong materials such as steel or wood and then covered with plywood boards, for example.
If you’re converting a loft space into storage, use thicker boards than if you were simply using it as an office to save weight on your roof.
When building stairs, there are two options: do-it-yourself or hire professionals. I decided against DIY storage stairs for the loft because safety is more important than saving money.
Be sure that all electrical wiring, water pipes, and other utilities are safe before proceeding with conversion.
This is a very important step, as many of these wires can be hidden away in floorboards or on the ceiling. This could lead to serious danger if they are not accounted for first. It may also be worth considering using an electrician to check out the wires.
6. Budget the Cost of a Loft Conversion
I looked at the costs and effort to do the work myself compared to having the professionals do the job for me.
What I found was that it would take me at least a week of solid work to do the stairs conversion and board the loft myself, costing roughly £3000. Hiring someone else to complete the job for me only took them one day, but it still came in at around £3500.
I decided to hire a professional loft conversion company.
I would recommend this option for anyone who is considering doing the work themselves or don’t have any experience with these sorts of projects.
Looking Back
After the conversion was finished, I had the pleasure of storing my stuff in my newly converted loft, complete with adequate lighting, ventilation, and structural integrity. Knowing everything was safe and secure in the loft allowed me to have peace of mind.
The living areas of my home were finally decluttered, so I could relax and enjoy the day. Usually, I try to DIY projects around my home, but on reflection, I am pleased I checked out the loft boarding cost to get the work done to professional and safe standards.
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