At this time of year, many of us are moving items in and out of loft spaces before spring arrives.
It’s a great opportunity to remind customers about the impact that storing items in loft spaces can have on the efficiency and health of your home.
We discourage loft storage for the following reasons:
Structural Concerns
Installing boarding or placing heavy boxes directly on loft floor joists can put undue stress on the roof structure, especially if boards are used to store heavy items.
Insulation Efficiency
Compressing insulation beneath boards and stored items can reduce its effectiveness by over 50 per cent. Loft insulation works by trapping air, and crushing the insulation prevents this, leading to higher energy consumption and increased heating costs.
Ventilation Issues
Proper ventilation is essential in allowing moisture-laden air to escape from around loft surfaces. Removing, thinning, or crushing loft insulation for storage purposes, disrupts airflow, which can cause condensation, mould growth, and even structural damage to your home.
In short: loft storage may seem convenient, but it can lead to higher bills, reduced energy efficiency, and potential damage to your home.
Increased fire risk
It introduces and accelerates potential fire sources in one of the most inaccessible, combustible, and hard-to-monitor parts of a home. Lofts are often used to store items like old clothing, cardboard boxes, papers, and furniture, which serve as fuel for a fire.