What are typical types of roof supports?
When planning a loft storage installation, understanding the structure of your roof is essential. UK properties generally feature one of two primary types of roof supports, each requiring a different approach to boarding.
1. Purlin-Style Roofs (Older Properties)
Purlin roofs are typically supported by large timber beams or steel RSJs that span across the rafters, often supported by central walls, outer walls, or party walls.
- Common Era: Commonly found in older Victorian, Edwardian, and pre-war properties.
- Structural Characteristics: Older ceiling joists in these homes were built to minimal specifications and relied on older rafter hangers. While adequate for holding up plaster ceilings, they were never designed to bear extra storage weight.
- Boarding Solution: Direct boarding or laying simple timber battens onto weak older joists is dangerous. These properties require an independent, self-supporting timber sub-frame (such as our LBNW system) to distribute storage weight safely away from the ceiling.
2. Trussed-Style Roofs (Modern Properties)
Trussed roofs are the most popular roof support found in standard modern new builds and properties built from around 1960 onwards.
- Structural Design: They feature an engineered web truss frame installed every 600mm or so, cleverly integrating the roof support and ceiling joists into a single unified structure.
- Insulation Integration: Modern trussed roofs accommodate deep insulation layers (typically 270mm) designed to meet energy efficiency guidelines.
- Boarding Solution: To board these spaces safely without compressing insulation, we utilize our heavy-duty LOFT-E raised storage floor system, which attaches securely to the truss framework while elevating the floor above the insulation level.
Not sure what type of roof support your home has? Book a free technical survey with UK Loft Boarding, and our experts will inspect your roof space and advise on the ideal safe storage solution.
