New build need loft storage

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I've bought a new build with deep insulation in the loft. I need to store some stuff up there.
Can anyone advise as to the cheapest. Simplest way to be able to do that please? I'm an absolute duffer at DIY.

We got a company in to put boards on the floor and roof joists boxing in the insulation if that makes sense - my DH is very handy but wouldn't tackle it! It gave us the floor space to store all the crap

You can get legs which fix to the joists and raise the boards above the level of the insulation.

Check your warranty first.
Our developer will not honour any claims for damp / condensation if anything is stored in the loft.

In some ways it is a shame as the loft-space in our new house is huge, far larger (and higher) than previous houses. In another way it isn't an issue as we had already decided that we weren't going to use it anyway. At our time of life (mid 50's) if we put "stuff" in the loft them we probably won't ever get it down again. Instead we have allocated one of the bedrooms as a box-room, much more convenient.

Why can't I just buy some light board and lie it on top of the insulation?

Have you checked the joists can take weight, in many new builds they can’t , so you couldn’t walk up there for example.

I definitely wouldn't walk up there. I just need to reach in and put boxes there. If I put the close to the hatch I wouldn't need to go right in

Because as soon as you put anything on it you will compress the insulation and reduce its insulating properties. The weight will be taken by the compressed insulation which will then press down on the plasterboard rather than the joists. Also it is unlikely to compress evenly meaning you will have an uneven platform.
More importantly cables, downlighters / hoods & extractor-fan ducts will be under the insulation and these need to be protected from damage.

Are you handy with DIY? You can get loft boards from Wickes that need screwing into place, you may need to trim some down too.

As others have said check your joists can withstand the additional weight.

We were going to do ours but have just never got around to it so we’re getting someone in, it’s costing £800 including getting a light installed.

In a new build you will have a 10 year NHBC warranty. You need to make sure any boarding of the loft is done in line with that warranty. If you do it yourself or just
put stuff up there without getting it properly boarded the warranty will be void.

Ok thanks everybody.

Honestly op don’t underestimate this. If this was even semi useable space the builder would have done it, as it costs nothing and adds value. I really would contact them first s d just ask what’s feasible as any extra weight up there can start to bow the joists and you will find the ceiling starting to lean inwards.

it would cost a fortune to fix, be difficult to sell and invalidated warranty .

many of these homes are built in such a way that the joists really can’t take any additional weight. Hence why they are not sold with usable loft space.

the issue is always you start off with one or two boxes then slowly pile them up .you need to be very careful here, just drop the builder an email and ask if they can be boarded at rhe hatch and what weight, if any, rhe joists can take.

We got Instaloft to board the loft in our new build - they have a system that doesn’t breach the NHBC warranty. The boards are on little legs so the insulation is not compressed.

Would totally recommend them, they were tidy and easy to work with.

I’ve read some crazy things on here but this one has got to be up there with the best of them 😂

“Bowing ceilings “. For gods sake she wants to put a few boxes up there not a couple of bulk bags of building sand 🙄. All you need op is some of the legs that lift the boards above the insulation……. Any handy person can do it.