Mini Loft Conversions

Want something a little more special than just loft boarding?

Do you need some clean dry insulated safe to use extra space for storage instead of that dreary, dusty cobwebbed loft?

We can board out your loft space to create an area to use as a cleaner insulated more usable loft storage area.

Your loft space can contain as much as 3/4 of your downstairs area, why not utilise this wasted space for storage, hobby room, office, study area, chill-out room, etc.

We can open up your existing loft hatch to make it bigger by fitting a large timber fold away loft ladder which will be more accessible so you can use your loft properly.

01. PLAN

One of our surveyors will come and measure up the space. and make note of any special requirements or potential issues, then our planning team will plan out and create a personalised quote.

02. BUILD

Once you are happy with the quote. You can then arrange a date for installation. and our dedicated loft specialists will begin work. once the work is complete the room would be ready for painting and flooring.

03. ENJOY

Now you can enjoy your new space. An ideal escape from distractions.

How Much Does It Cost?

There is no set price as all houses and lofts can be different and customers also have different requirements.

A survey will be required to determine actual price.

Actual price is based on storage floor square metres and room cubic capacity

SMALL HOUSE (APPROX. 12m2) LIKE A SMALL TERRACED

£9,500 – £11,500

MEDIUM HOUSE (APPROX. 16m2) LIKE A SEMI-DETACHED

£11,500 – £13,500

LARGE HOUSE (APPROX. 20m2) LIKE A DETACHED

£13,500+

ACTUAL PRICE IS ALSO BASED ON:

FLOOR STRENGTHENING AND LEVELING REQUIREMENTS
THE AREA TO BE BOARDED
INSULATION TYPE
CUBIC CAPACITY OF THE ROOM
WHAT ELECTRICAL WORK IS REQUIRED LIKE LIGHTS, SOCKETS AND VENTILATION
HOW MANY ACCESS DOORS
TYPE OF LOFT HATCH
TYPE OF LADDER

ALL WALLS WILL BE BOARDED AND SKIMMED WITH SKIRTING BOARDS AND BASIC LED 4FT TUBE LIGHT SO AREA IS READY TO DECORATE AND CARPET

*** ELECTRICAL SOCKETS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE EXAMPLE PRICES ***

PLEASE ASK THE SURVEYOR TO PRICE THESE REQUIREMENTS INTO YOUR QUOTE

So what's the difference between just loft boarding and a mini loft conversion / luxury loft storage?

They are cleaner and practically dust free. Its a sealed storage area, ideal for people with allergy’s. Keeps out the spiders, flies and wasps and stops you walking in to cobwebs or in to unsafe un-boarded areas. You can use them as extra wardrobe space, study rooms, chill-out spaces, home office in fact many lightweight uses. (Not recommend to use as a bedroom, gym or exercise space)

The insulated roof and walls help control the extreme fluctuations of hot and cold temperature changes and makes it more stable for storing items that could be affected by extreme cold and heat changes. Approximate loft temperatures can go as low as 1°C and as high as 60°C a difference of 59° , double foil bubble insulation can reduce this difference to approximately 14° which is great for more temperature sensitive items.

The plaster boarded roof and walls keep everything in and prevents anything from falling out on to your ceiling and also you from falling into a none boarded area. A more suitable environment and comfortable temperature for browsing through your keep sakes and belongings and occasional use.

How long does it take to do?

Depending on how big your loft is to start with but for example 2/3 bed house can take around 6 days but this will be determined by the surveyor when he visits and he will advise on approximately how long it could take.

So what's the advantage of having a luxury storage room?

Well for one thing it keeps the spiders at bay, its clean and not as vulnerable to the elements that a roof void is exposed to such as extremely hot days and freezing cold days causes huge increases and decreases in loft temperature.

With the foil bubble thermal insulated shield we install behind the plasterboard it prevents the cold and heat getting through and keep the heat in the room to. Adding the required thermal insulation will ensure the energy efficiency of this room is at its best. Also adding this layer will help increase your overall homes energy efficiency.

If it gets a bit warm we can install an electrical air vent extractor.

How it's all done?

Below you can see the process involved and most mini loft rooms can be completed in around 6 to 10 days so not long to wait to get your new room. We do almost everything required, so its ready for you to decorate. If you require sockets we have our own qualified electrician who can do all the work to BS7671 / Part P of the building regulations and give you an electrical works installation certificate for the sockets.

The process of creating a room in your loft requires first and foremost a safe strong supported sub-frame for the flooring. Just using 3×2 or battening is no good, its will not be anywhere near strong enough to take the load for the purpose of using as a room (Load: meaning total weight of wood, flooring, plasterboard & plaster, storage and people).

Installing one of our specialist floors adds strength and support for all your rooms requirements. We raise the floor up above your joists so as to give clearance for air circulation and so as not to bear any weight on to the existing ceiling joists. The sub-frame we build will level and support the room we are about to build.

Once the supported raised sub-frame is down we relay or top-up the insulation in between the new raised joists then we lay the 18mm high density floor panels.

So what's the process?

Here is a typical example of a mini loft conversion

FIRSTLY WE START BY INSTALLING A SAFE SUPPORTING RAISED FLOOR

THEN WE INSTALL THE STUD WALL FRAME WORK AND CEILING FRAME

THEN WE WILL ADD THE MICROFOIL INSULATION AS A THERMAL BARRIER

PLASTERBOARD THE WALLS AND CEILING AND SKIM OVER WITH FINISHING PLASTER

CONNECT UP THE LIGHTING, SOCKETS AND VENTILATION SYSTEM

SKIRTINGS AND ARC THEN THE ROOM IS READY TO DECORATE

Why is it important to put ventilation in?

We always recommend installing some kind of ventilation or extractor simply to keep the air flowing in your new loft room.

It can get very warm and stuffy without any air movement even if the loft hatch is open warm air rises and forms above the highest point in your loft and has nowhere to escape which is why we always install either mechanical vents or electric extractors to help pull round the air in the loft room.

Also its a good idea to allow air to flow around your loft room so that the remaining eaves and general areas can also have adequate ventilation to prevent any condensation build up.

The raised floor we use to board on to is also designed and installed in such away as to allow air to flow underneath your floor and around your insulation.

This is also very important as boarding directly on to your joists is not good practice and will cause major problems.

What is a sub-frame for?

Sub-frames are basically a supporting frame under the boarding to allow the boarded area to be raised or for adding better support and strength.

To get the strength you need to build a room in a loft, the sub-frame has to be done in a specific way as basic battening or some 3×2 will not be adequate to take the load.

Any lofts that have any insulation protruding above the joists will require a sub-frame building anyway before even boarding just for storage.

Boarding directly on to your joists by removing or squashing insulation is bad practice nowadays and may even affect your building insurance or building warranties. Today everything in the building trade has to be done in accordance with building regulations and the rules must not be broken.

A Sub-frame will not only add the extra support required it will also allow your insulation and loft to breathe. Stopping air circulation in lofts by boarding all of your loft or blocking eaves and roof soffit vents can cause problems like condensation build up which causes mould.

Your insulation should never be squashed down to get storage, and if a sub-frame is installed above your insulation do not box in the ends leave them so air can pass underneath your storage floor and through the insulation so it can work efficiently. This method of boarding is called energy efficient boarding.

What sort of access will I need?

There are various methods to get in and out of your loft but for loft rooms we recommend a wood folding wide tread ladder for maximum access space and to create a good entrance to your loft room.

These makes access even easier, especially those of us that are not so confident on standard metal rung ladders.

Specifications:

Made from solid spruce
FSC & PEFC certified
Draft sealed trap door
Rubber draught excluder around door frame
Handrail to aid safe climbing
Slip resistant treads & feet
Extension kit available for taller ceilings
Easy use; timber pull & push rod
Tested & certified to EN 14975:2006
Fits in UK standard 600mm joist centres
20mm thick trapdoor insulation reduces heat loss
Requires no arc of clearance or storage space in the loft
115cm L – 55cm W

The wood option has a wide tread step, so a lot like a solid pair of step ladders which are attached to the back of the loft door so they are easy to operate with a spring loaded assist on the door.