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Loft flooring to access solar PV inverters

The rise of renewables

Government targets are causing developers to incorporate renewables such as solar PV in their developments on an increasing scale. However, in the new-build homes we survey we almost never see adequate access platforms installed by developers to access this maintainable equipment. More often than not, developers are not providing any platform at all.

This can present a big problem for the homeowner. When a tradesman visits to access the equipment they may refuse to enter the loft on the grounds of health and safety. We have experienced this first hand, and have installed access platforms for customers after they have had a Gas or Solar technician visit them and refuse to enter the loft.

According to Which? magazine, nearly a quarter (23%) of solar panel owners have had a problem with their system, and problems with the inverter are the most common (40%).

Solar panels on roof
Source: Which.co.uk

Continue reading Loft flooring to access solar PV inverters

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Walker Homes Loft Sizes

We have experience of installing flooring in a number of different types of Walker homes without any issues. The build quality of Walker homes is something they are justifiably proud of – and we have seen this for ourselves. The lofts in Walker homes show very consistent spacing of their roof trusses and the laying of insulation to the right thickness.

Standard Loft Sizes

We have created standard prices for the following Walker homes based on our experience and floor plans available from Walker. Besides these packages, you can also choose a custom-sized area to perfectly suit your own requirements for storage space and budget.

Culdearn 5-bed

Walker Culdearn House Type
Walker Culdearn

The Culdearn is a substantial five-bedroom home with three large public rooms, a kitchen/diner, generous en-suite master bedroom and an integral double garage.  Continue reading Walker Homes Loft Sizes

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Does loft flooring affect my new home warranty? Part 4 – The BBA and LoftZone

This is the 4th and final article in a series about the factors related to your warranty when flooring your loft. Read the other articles here:

As you might know already, LoftZone is the only raised storage floor system which has certification from the BBA. You may not know much about the BBA or why their certification is important, so read on.

BBA Logo

The BBA (British Board of Agrément)

The British Board of Agrément is an independent non-profit distributing organisation whose aim is to help businesses and organisations supply the construction industry with products, systems and installers of the highest quality. Their technical teams are highly experienced, and their certification and inspection services are recognised by building control, local authorities, industry insurers and the key construction trade associations in the UK.  Continue reading Does loft flooring affect my new home warranty? Part 4 – The BBA and LoftZone

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Does loft flooring affect my new home warranty? Part 3 – Building Regulations

This is the 3rd article in a series about the factors related to your warranty when flooring your loft. Read the other articles here:

Building Regulations and Loft Flooring

In Scotland, Building Regulations are different from England and Wales, and are administered by the Scottish Building Standards Agency. They publish building regulations in the form of two ‘Technical Handbooks’ – one for domestic and one for commercial applications.

Wait, why do I need to know about building regulations?

Surely it is the builder’s responsibility to comply with the regulations and the habitation certificate already proves that the house does? This is true – but there is a good reason you should be aware of the regulations:  Continue reading Does loft flooring affect my new home warranty? Part 3 – Building Regulations

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Does loft flooring affect my new home warranty? Part 2 – NHBC Requirements

This is the second article in a series considering whether flooring your loft can affect your warranty. Read the other articles here:

NHBC Standards and Loft Flooring

The NHBC requirements are defined in the NHBC Standards they publish.

NHBC Standards 2017
NHBC Standards 2017

The current 2017 document applies to every new home registered with NHBC where foundations were begun on or after 1 January 2017. The 2018 standards are already available and will apply where foundations are begun on or after 1 January 2018.  Continue reading Does loft flooring affect my new home warranty? Part 2 – NHBC Requirements

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Does loft flooring affect my new home warranty? Part 1 – Your Warranty

So you’re getting the keys to your brand new home and starting to think about the task of moving all your things. You don’t have as much storage space as you used to so where will everything go? Perhaps all your grand plans for the garage gym/study/man-cave/Swedish sauna will need to go on hold while you move things there ‘temporarily for sorting later’. (We’ve all been there.) Your warranty might be the last thing on your mind.

Walker Homes New Home
Walker Homes New Build

“What about flooring the loft?” you innocently ask the salesman, gazing at the 900sqft of beautiful, open space. He rolls his eyes and tells you that using your loft for anything at all apart from fresh air will absolutely, definitely, completely invalidate your 10 year warranty. Don’t even go up there, don’t even look at it, I’m not sure why we even gave you an access hatch…  Continue reading Does loft flooring affect my new home warranty? Part 1 – Your Warranty

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Will loft flooring void my new home warranty?

How many people have been told this by their builder? I’m afraid it’s not quite true. The purpose of the NHBC Buildmark warranty is to hold the builder to account in case their work does not meet the NHBC requirements – a strict set of standards which are based on building regulations.  Continue reading Will loft flooring void my new home warranty?

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How to prepare your loft for a model railway

So for the vast majority of people, storage is the primary purpose for boarding their loft. But for those of us who are fortunate enough to either have an abundance of storage space, or somehow have managed to avoid accumulating an excessive amount of clutter, there may be other options available...

Model Railway Loft Layout

Although using your loft for building a model railway can present a number of challenges (read on for more...) there are a number of benefits which can make it an attractive option - mainly that it is out of the way and can potentially provide a large space. 

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