Loft Staircase & Structural Design Nationwide
It's late on a Sunday evening and the house is quiet. You're in the living room, looking up at the loft hatch. You know that space has potential. We design and build loft staircases and reinforce lofts so the space can be converted into a habitable room. We work across the UK - if your project is suitable, we'll tell you.
What we actually do about it
Our initial site survey starts with a thorough inspection of the existing loft space. We assess rafters, purlins and joists for structural integrity, using a tape measure and spirit level to check for signs of sagging or twisting. We examine the soil stack for any leaks, then walk around the house to check that the roof is square and the walls are plumb. We explain the loft staircase design options and structural reinforcements needed before we leave.
What to do before we arrive
- 1 Write down the date and time you last accessed the loft hatch
- 2 Check all the skirting boards on the landing for signs of cracks or movement
- 3 Test the consumer unit to confirm that all the circuit breakers are functioning
- 4 Measure the height of the ceiling in the largest downstairs room
- 5 Turn off the water at the stopcock and check for leaks in the kitchen
Watch out for
- ✓ Previous roof work may hide structural issues
- ✓ A leaking soil stack can rot joists unseen
- ✓ The roof may have moved out of true
- ✓ Check the underside of the roof for nests
- ✓ A sloping ceiling may indicate sagging rafters