Loft storage...High temperatures....advice?..
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This isn't a deal topic, so I'm not sure if it's ok to post. But it feels a little relevant to saving money or finding a solution for the best value possible perhaps.
Last year I boarded my loft to create storage space.
I didn't realise how much hotter it gets in summer and humid (damp) in winter. The damp I can accommodate for with sealed storage boxes.
But the heat, in the latest heatwaves of 34 degrees outside I saw my loft getting upto 48 degrees C. This i fear will end up damaging most things and also end up making the storage boxes themselves fail by cracking etc. Hence meaning it is quite pointless during any items up there.
Has anyone encountered this and solved it and if so what did you do?
Ideally I would like to know products or providers that can keep the temperature on par with the ambient outside temperature or below, and not act like a greenhouse, but without paying/implementing what you would do for a full loft conversion (since it isn't a livable space in looking for).
I'm aware of superfoil but I'm not sure if would make the necessary difference.
I hope to hear from someone that has used there loft for storage and kept it cool (or cooler).
Any recommended products, companies that specialise in this (that you have experience of), discount codes or promotions etc.
Ps. My home is a rather typical new build.
Thanks.
Do you have windows in there? And I feel for you one of my kids rooms in the loft she hates it because of how hot it is or in the winter it's freezing
Leannexxx No loft windows. It's just a bog standard loft. Beams everywhere, and very thick insulation. I used loft stilts above the insulation and boarded the centre.
I would assume therefore that most new build houses are like it, but its strange that no loft boarding companies have solutions or ideas from whom I've contacted.
Leannexxx z heat inside livable areas certainly in cold weather. But the extremities of the roof structure has no insulation by design, hence ensuring what options there are when it's for storage to reduce extreme temperatures, but not being converted as a livable space.
Well you got a year to come up with something, summer is over, have you tried keeping loft hatch open, the cooler air will rise, keeping it a bit cooler, if you hatch closed heat will build up
martinlufc5637 Hmmm.. thanks for the reply. But I don't think any of it was rather scientific, sorry to say. Cool air falls, it doesn't rise. The loft hatch is supposed to keep warmth in the livable areas, opening it would not cool the loft as it is hotter than the 2nd floor. In winter however, opening the loft hatch would make the 2nd floor colder as cold air sinks downwards.
I want a solution to prevent the heat (UV) from the sun and outdoor heat penetrating the roof, to prevent the loft acting much like a greenhouse.
IronGlaive I actually find keeping mine open during the summer lowers is a couple of degrees. I've tried this over a few years and it's lower this way. Other than that I haven't yet found a solution to lowering it in the summer. Even in the winter it can get cold up there.
We store a lot of mixed stuff in our loft from suitcases, board games, toys, photographs in plastic boxes and we have never had any issues with anything being damaged from the cold or the heat. I would not be worried if it did as most stuff from the loft needs to go in the bin! Just such an awkward space to get around and clear out especially after my full knee replacement.
A quick look shows solar panels can significantly lower the temperature in the loft when there is a heat wave so you could check for grants etc if you own the home plus of course you get electricity on top which could save you money. My loft now has thick insulation in and it was never a tall loft anyway so if I was to put flooring in I would probably have to go about on my fours to move about.
Yes, solar panels help regulate and lower loft temperatures in summer by blocking direct sunlight and allowing airflow underneath. [1]
How Solar Panels Regulate Loft Heat
- Shading effect: Panels act as a physical shield, absorbing and converting solar radiation instead of letting it beat directly down onto your roof tiles. [1, 2]
- Ventilation gap: Mounting rails leave a small air gap beneath the panels. Natural air currents flow through this space and carry heat away before it can soak into the roof structure. [1, 2, 3, 4]
- Temperature reduction: Studies and household data show that a shaded roof can lower the temperature gap between the loft and the outside air by roughly 38% to 43%.
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