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Frequently Asked Questions
Does loft boarding affect my New Build Warranty?
The short answer is no, if installed correctly, it does not invalidate your NHBC warranty. Here’s why.
We are often asked ‘Does installing loft boarding our loft invalidate our NHBC warranty?’ We have discussed this issue at length with the NHBC Technical Department and consulted a Chartered Structural Engineer to ensure we can provide the best possible advice to our customers. It is also important to clarify that this statement applies to all raised loft storage systems.
The NHBC responded with….
‘If it is installed by the homeowner it does not invalidate our warranty, but any defects found to result from the installation of said system e.g. condensation or structural damage would not be covered by the warranty, therefore homeowners install it at their own risk. This applies to any changes made to the building after the warranty period has begun’
It is therefore imperative for our customer’s peace of mind that we confirm that installing loft boarding will not cause the defects mentioned above. The NHBC has confirmed that….
‘Where access to loft space is provided, structural design is required to take account of live loading on ceiling joists for the purposes of occasional entry and maintenance and a nominal live load allowance is included in acknowledgement that homeowners are liable to place light, miscellaneous and infrequently used items, such as might be suitable for spreading across widely-spaced joists, in the loft area’
Chartered Structural Engineers confirm the above is correct and that trusses in new homes that are fitted with a loft hatch should be designed to BS 6399-1:1996*. This states that the truss must be designed to carry a 25kg/m² loading for storage and a 90Kg load to account for a person accessing the loft.
Therefore we can confirm that a correctly installed and loaded raised loft storage system will not invalidate the NHBC warranty and that if the new house was constructed with a loft hatch then the trusses should have been designed to support a storage load of 25kg/m² and a 90kg person.
*Extract from BS 6399-1:1996
5.2 Ceiling Supports and similar structures
The following loads are appropriate for the design of frames and covering of access hatches (other than glazing), supports of ceilings and similar structures:
a) without access: no imposed load: or
b) with access: 0.25KN/m² uniformly distributed over the whole area and a concentrated load of 0.9KN so placed as to produce the maximum effect in the supporting members
Do i require planning permission?
You do not require planning permission to board a loft for storage. Planning permission is only required for major works or large attic/loft conversions for living extension purposes. However, in some homes the timber joists may not be adequate in strength to support a “load” or storage weight.
This is why we must do a survey to determine if your loft has adequate ceiling joists to allow the loft to be boarded. Most ceilings are only designed to take the weight of the plaster ceiling and any extra weight must not be put directly on to the existing ceiling joists.
In most cases with older properties approximately 50+ years, the ceiling joists must not be used to support extra weight, so a self-supporting sub-frame needs to be built above the existing ceiling joists.
In Most new houses, the joists may only require a simple raised sub-frame to be of a correct height to avoid loft insulation compression or removal.
Insulation has to comply to the relevant building regulations, both when installed and when fitted retrospectively.
Can you ''top up'' my insulation?
Yes we do, it’s important that your insulation is up to the latest standards as heat rises, and in a home with just half of today’s recommended levels of insulation, a quarter of your heat is lost through the roof.
Insulating your loft, attic or flat roof is a simple and effective way to save that waste and reduce your heating bill. Loft insulation is effective for at least 40 years, and it will pay for itself over and over again in that time. If your loft is already insulated, it’s worth checking that you’ve got enough insulation to get the maximum saving.
If everyone in the UK installed 270mm loft insulation, we could save nearly £210 million and almost 1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year, the equivalent of taking nearly 364,000 cars off the road. Installing 270mm of loft insulation will save the average household around £187 a year.
This is why we must do a survey to determine if your loft has adequate ceiling joists to allow the loft to be boarded. Most ceilings are only designed to take the weight of the plaster ceiling and any extra weight must not be put directly on to the existing ceiling joists.
In most cases with older properties approximately 50+ years, the ceiling joists must not be used to support extra weight, so a self-supporting sub-frame needs to be built above the existing ceiling joists.
In Most new houses, the joists may only require a simple raised sub-frame to be of a correct height to avoid loft insulation compression or removal.
Insulation has to comply to the relevant building regulations, both when installed and when fitted retrospectively.
Please contact us directly to request a top up of your insulation.
How strong is loft boarding?
Very strong because we use purpose made 18mm thick, tongue and groove particle board, which is made from various recyclable particle materials held together with super strong glue, this gives a strong secure fit. It’s safe to walk on and store on distributing weight evenly over the sub-frame (the frame work we build underneath the boards) surface allows really safe strong storage.
To help achieve a safer, stronger platform we build a supporting sub-frame above your existing joists using internal walls and purlins to strengthen the boarded area. Our timber framed self-supporting sub-frame does not rely upon your existing ceiling joists unlike other methods used by most companies who use inferior battening like 3×2 laid directly on to your existing ceiling joists which will weaken them. Your ceiling joists are only meant to hold up the plaster ceiling, it is not a floor and therefore a bespoke sub-frame must be built above the existing joists and self-supported to make it strong and safe to use for storage purposes.
