A loft is the uppermost, often unfinished space in a house, directly beneath the ridge of the roof. The loft sits above the main attic floor and is usually only accessible via a loft ladder or hatch. Due to the sloping walls and limited headroom, the loft is rarely fitted out as a full living space.
Loft vs. attic
| Loft | Attic | |
|---|---|---|
| **Position** | Uppermost space, directly under the ridge | Below the roof, above the top floor |
| **Headroom** | Limited (often < 1.5 m at the centre) | Sufficient for habitation |
| **Finish** | Usually unfinished | Can be fully finished |
| **Access** | Loft ladder or hatch | Fixed staircase |
| **Use** | Storage, services space | Bedroom, study |
Uses of the loft
- Storage — seasonal clothing, suitcases, Christmas decorations
- Services space — ventilation unit (MVHR), solar water heater
- Water tank — in older houses, the expansion vessel sits in the loft
Insulation
An unused loft does not need to be insulated at the underside of the roof. In that case, insulate the loft floor instead: this is the boundary between the heated attic and the unheated loft.
| Insulation method | Suitable for |
|---|---|
| **Mineral wool between joists** | Timber loft floor |
| **PIR boards on the floor** | Concrete floor or as an additional layer |
| **Blown-in insulation** | Hard-to-reach corners |
Fitting a loft ladder
No fixed staircase to the loft? A loft ladder is the most practical solution:
- Determine the position of the hatch (minimum 60 x 120 cm)
- Cut an opening in the loft floor between two joists
- Fit the hatch frame and loft ladder according to the instructions
- Insulate the hatch to reduce heat loss
Related terms
- Attic
- Loft ladder
- Truss
- Ridge beam
- Roof decking
- PIR insulation