Advice
Is it worth boarding a loft?
Yes, for most homes. Boarding a loft is worth it if you need dry, safe storage and the insulation underneath stays at full depth. It is not proven to raise a home's price, but Rightmove found listings that mention storage space get more enquiries.
Does a boarded loft add value to a house?
No independent body puts a figure on it. The numbers you see online come from firms that sell boarding, so we leave them out.
What is published is about buyers' interest. In 2023 Rightmove looked at more than 600,000 listings to see which features drew the most enquiries to estate agents. Storage space came fourth for buyers, after a renovation project, a new boiler and a loft conversion.
"It may not seem important to mention that a property has storage space or a new boiler, but our study shows this could make a difference when prospective buyers and renters are deciding which homes to go and view."
Tim Bannister, Rightmove, 2023.
That is about enquiries, not price, and about storage in general, not boarded lofts.
Source: Rightmove, the most in demand features for buyers and renters. Read 21 October 2026.
Is it worth it just for the storage?
For most people, yes, and it is a good idea. This is where the real payoff is.
Suitcases, decorations and boxes come out of spare rooms, cupboards and the garage.
Paying for a storage unit? Compare the one-off price of boarding with what you pay each month, and see how soon it evens out.
The Planning Portal puts the limit plainly: "An excessive additional load, for example from storage, may mean that the joists are loaded beyond their design capacity." The free survey checks the joists. See is my loft strong enough to board.
Source: Planning Portal, is building regulations approval needed for a loft conversion. Read 21 October 2026.Will boarding make my house colder?
Only if the boards squash the insulation. Keep it at full depth and the house stays as warm as before.
The Energy Saving Trust says: "If you're using mineral wool, make sure you don't squash it: this will reduce its effectiveness as an insulator." Its fix is simple: "To increase performance, you can raise the floor slightly and add a second layer of insulation across the top of the joists. Then you can fit the boards."
That matters here. About 3 in 4 of the lofts measured in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough (75.5%) have less than the 270mm the Energy Saving Trust recommends. That is 127,175 of 168,519 homes with a recorded depth on their most recent certificate. In most local lofts, the insulation needs topping up before boards go down.
So we insulate to 270mm and fit the boards on raised legs above it. See can you board over loft insulation.
Leave a gap for air, too. LABC Front Door says: "It's important to leave a ventilated air gap between the insulation and the boards to prevent condensation on the underside of the boards." More in will loft boarding cause condensation.
Sources: Energy Saving Trust, roof and loft insulation, read 10 October 2026; LABC Front Door, roof insulation, read 22 October 2026; our own count from government energy certificate data, explained on how we work out our figures. Read October 2026.Want to know if it is worth it in your loft?
The survey is free and takes about twenty minutes. You get a written price before any work starts.
What are the downsides of boarding a loft?
Few, if it is done right. But some lofts need something else done first, and then boarding is not worth it yet.
- Damp in the loft. The Energy Saving Trust says: "If you do have damp in your loft, get professional advice before installing insulation." Find the cause before anything goes down.
- A roof that needs replacing soon. Do the roof first.
- Heavy storage. The joists may not be designed for it.
- A hatch you cannot get through. A loft you cannot reach does not get used. We measure the hatch at the survey and tell you which ladders fit, or whether a new hatch makes sense.
- You rent. The boards stay with the house, so ask your landlord first.
Short answers
How much does it cost to board a loft?
It depends on the size of the area you want boarded, how deep the insulation is and how easy the loft is to reach. Our guide to loft boarding costs sets out the prices. The free survey gives you a written price for your own loft.
Is it difficult to board a loft?
Laying boards is simple work. The hard parts are clearing deep insulation without squashing it and knowing what the joists can carry. That is why we check the joists at the survey and fit the boards on raised legs.
Is it worth insulating before boarding?
Yes. Once boards are down, the insulation is harder to reach. Approved Document L notes that where a loft is already boarded, "the practicality of insulation works needs to be considered". So we insulate to 270mm first, then fit the boards on raised legs.
Do I need permission to board a loft?
Not planning permission. The Planning Portal says: "Boarding out your loft for storage does not require planning permission." Laying boards over the joists "may require a building control application". See loft boarding regulations.
Is it worth boarding a loft in a new build?
Yes, if the boards sit on a raised frame and the vents stay clear. NHBC warns that if you store things up there, "you could restrict the air flow and the items may get damaged by condensation". More in can you board a loft in a new build.
More advice
Find out if it is worth it in your loft
Whether it is worth it depends on your loft. We board lofts across Cambridgeshire. Book the free survey: we check the joists, measure the hatch and give you a written price, so you can decide with the facts in front of you. Most lofts take one to two days, and for most jobs we take the waste away.
Complete Loft Services sorts out loft boarding and insulation across Cambridgeshire and the surrounding counties. The survey is free, and you get a written price before any work starts.
Written by Ben Criddle, who runs Complete Loft Services. Published . Facts checked on .