The Loftleg Loft Insulation Spacer is an essential product for homeowners looking to create usable storage space in their loft without compromising the thermal efficiency of their insulation. By preventing compression of up to 270mm of mineral wool insulation, these spacers maintain your home's energy performance while providing a sturdy platform for loft boards. However, optimal performance relies on correct installation onto existing joists.
Insulation Protection: Prevents compression of mineral wool/quilt insulation up to 270mm, safeguarding its thermal properties.
Maintains Thermal Performance: Helps achieve the recommended U-value of 0.16 W/m2K, aligning with government insulation guidelines.
Elevated Storage Platform: Provides a 175mm lift above 100mm trusses/joists, creating space for loft boards.
Strong & Lightweight Design: Engineered for durability and ease of handling during installation.
Easy Installation: Designed for a straightforward DIY setup.
Recycled Material: Manufactured from recycled polypropylene, contributing to environmental sustainability.
Quality Assured: Produced in the UK to ISO9001 standards and independently mechanically tested.
Preserves insulation effectiveness, saving on heating costs.
Creates safe and stable elevated storage in your loft.
Straightforward and quick DIY installation.
Environmentally conscious choice with recycled materials.
Durable and reliable construction.
Cost-effective solution compared to alternative storage methods.
Requires existing 100mm wide joists for optimal fit.
Installation involves working in loft spaces, which can be challenging.
May require cutting of existing insulation to fit around legs if not laid flat.
Not designed for extremely heavy point loads; distribute weight evenly.
Optimal insulation depth (270mm) is recommended for full benefit.
Preserves insulation effectiveness, saving on heating costs.
Creates safe and stable elevated storage in your loft.
Straightforward and quick DIY installation.
Environmentally conscious choice with recycled materials.
Durable and reliable construction.
Cost-effective solution compared to alternative storage methods.
Requires existing 100mm wide joists for optimal fit.
Installation involves working in loft spaces, which can be challenging.
May require cutting of existing insulation to fit around legs if not laid flat.
Not designed for extremely heavy point loads; distribute weight evenly.
Optimal insulation depth (270mm) is recommended for full benefit.
The Loftleg Loft Insulation Spacer is specifically engineered to address a critical issue: insulation compression. When you place loft boards directly onto insulation or compress it for storage, its thermal properties can be reduced by over 50%. The Loftleg system lifts your storage boards 175mm above your joists, allowing up to 270mm of insulation to remain uncompressed and fully effective. This maintains your loft's crucial role in heat retention, contributing to lower energy bills and a more comfortable home environment.
In real-world use, this means you can confidently store items like seasonal decorations, old clothes, holiday luggage, or rarely used appliances in your loft without compromising your home's energy efficiency. The spacers provide a stable, level base for standard loft boards, transforming an underutilized space into a practical storage area. For example, by installing a grid of Loftlegs and then screwing down loft boards, you create a robust floor above your insulation, ensuring your stored items are kept dry and your insulation functions as intended. This makes your loft a valuable extension of your home's storage capacity.
Preparation: Ensure your loft is well-lit and you have a stable working surface. Wear appropriate safety gear (gloves, dust mask, kneepads).
Locate Joists: Identify your existing loft joists. The Loftleg is designed to sit on top of 100mm wide joists.
Position Spacers: Place a Loftleg directly on top of a joist, ensuring it is aligned straight.
Secure: Use appropriate screws (not included, typically 40-50mm wood screws) to firmly attach the Loftleg to the joist through the designated holes at its base. Use at least two screws per leg.
Repeat: Continue placing Loftlegs at appropriate intervals to support your loft boards. For standard 600mm wide loft boards, space your Loftlegs approximately 600mm apart along the joists, and parallel lines of Loftlegs along adjacent joists.
Install Boards: Once all Loftlegs are securely in place, lay your chosen loft boards (e.g., 18mm or 22mm chipboard) on top of the spacers. Secure the boards to the top of the Loftlegs using shorter screws (e.g., 20-25mm wood screws), ensuring they are flush and stable.
Joist Size: Primarily designed for use with 100mm (4-inch) wide timber joists or trusses.
Insulation Depth: Accommodates up to 270mm of mineral wool or quilt insulation without compression.
Loft Boards: Compatible with standard loft boarding materials (e.g., chipboard, plywood).
The Loftleg Loft Insulation Spacer is a maintenance-free product. Once installed, it requires no ongoing attention.
Periodically inspect your loft storage area to ensure boards remain securely fastened and there are no signs of structural compromise to the boards or joists beneath.
Avoid overloading the boarded area. Distribute weight evenly across the boards to prevent excessive stress on the Loftlegs and underlying joists.
Always exercise caution when working in a loft. Ensure adequate lighting, use crawl boards to distribute your weight, and be aware of exposed wiring or pipes.