Extra storage space is one of the most common reasons people think about their loft. And quite often, the first question isn’t about insulation at all — it’s about whether the floor can take the weight of some boxes. But the two things are more closely linked than most people realise, and getting it wrong can leave you with a loft that’s both unusable and colder than it was before.
The problem with boarding straight onto insulation
The standard recommendation for loft insulation depth is 270mm. The joists in most homes across Greater Manchester — whether you’re in Salford, Stockport, Oldham or out towards Rochdale — are typically around 100mm deep. That means if you fill the joist bays to the recommended depth, the insulation sits 170mm above the top of the joists.
Laying boards directly onto that insulation compresses it back down. Compressed mineral wool loses much of its insulating value — the air pockets that give it its thermal resistance get squeezed out. You end up with a loft that looks insulated but performs well below what it should.
If your existing loft boards sit flush with the top of the joists, it’s a strong sign that the insulation beneath is being compressed and underperforming.
The right way to do it
The answer is to raise the level of the boarding above the insulation using loft legs or a proprietary raised boarding system. These spacers sit on the joists and elevate the boards high enough to allow full-depth insulation to sit beneath them without compression. It costs more than simply screwing boards to the joists, but the result is a loft that’s usable for storage and properly insulated at the same time.
It’s worth noting that not every area of the loft needs to be boarded — often a defined storage zone of eight to twelve square metres is enough for most households’ needs, with insulation installed to full depth across the remaining area. This keeps costs sensible and thermal performance high.
What about existing boards with no insulation underneath?
A lot of older homes across Greater Manchester and Lancashire have boarded lofts with little or no insulation beneath the boards. In some cases the boards were laid decades ago, before the recommended depths were increased, and the insulation underneath has been there so long — and so compressed — that it’s delivering minimal benefit.
In these situations, the right approach is usually to lift the existing boards, remove or supplement the insulation beneath, lay insulation to the correct depth on a raised system, and then relay the boards on top. It’s more involved than a simple top-up, but it’s the only way to get both functions — storage and insulation — working properly at the same time.
What about loft hatches and the loft access point?
The loft hatch is one of the most commonly overlooked areas of heat loss in the entire house. A standard uninsulated hatch is essentially a hole in your ceiling with a thin piece of plywood covering it. Insulating the hatch itself — and draught-sealing the frame — makes a disproportionate difference relative to the cost and effort involved.
The loft ladder area is another spot worth thinking about. If you’re having boarding and insulation work done, it’s a good time to make sure the hatch insulation is addressed at the same time.
Getting a realistic assessment
The honest answer to “can I board my loft without ruining my insulation?” is: yes, you can — but only if it’s done the right way, with proper loft legs or a raised system, and with the insulation depth maintained rather than compromised. A loft that’s half-insulated because the boards are sitting on top of flattened mineral wool is costing you money every single day of the heating season.
Fylde Insulation works across Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria and can advise on the best approach for your specific loft — whether that’s starting from scratch, addressing existing boarding, or upgrading a loft that was done years ago and no longer meets current standards.
Give the team a call on 07912 439073, or visit fyldeinsulation.co.uk to find out more.
Thinking about loft storage or insulation in Greater Manchester?
Fylde Insulation will give you straight advice and a free survey. Call 07912 439073 or visit fyldeinsulation.co.uk
