Millions of UK homeowners are overlooking what may be the most undervalued space in their homes – the loft.
Despite typically spanning nearly a third of a three-bedroom semi’s footprint, lofts are routinely left off floorplans, excluded from listings and ignored by buyers.
According to LoftZone, a British manufacturer of raised loft flooring systems, the omission is costing households thousands in missed property value and wasted energy.
Most lofts cover 30–40 square metres – the size of a double bedroom and ensuite – yet they are often uninsulated, inaccessible, or filled with clutter.
ADD £10K IN VALUE
Properly boarded and insulated, the space can add up to £10,000 to a home’s value and cut energy bills by protecting insulation from being compressed.
Dave Raval, Chief Executive of LoftZone, says: “The loft is one of the great blind spots in British housing – absent from floorplans, undervalued in listings, and wasted in ways that cost homeowners both space and energy.
“In a typical three-bed semi, it’s roughly the size of a double bedroom. Ignoring it is like throwing away a room of potential and a chunk of your home’s value.”
SAFE STORAGE
Research by LoftZone found that more than a quarter (26%) of homeowners say their property’s floorplan does not include the loft, and 41% were not shown it when viewing their home.
Yet 55% of buyers say a usable loft is a high priority or even a non-negotiable, while 88% rank storage as essential when house-hunting.
Developers are starting to respond. Shanly Homes, the South East-based housebuilder, has announced plans to install LoftZone StoreFloor systems in all new builds, ensuring safe, accessible loft storage and preserving insulation performance from day one.
A Shanly Homes spokesperson says: “By working with LoftZone, we’re providing safe storage and energy efficiency immediately – a simple step that adds comfort and long-term value for our customers.”
With 70% of households storing items directly on insulation – a mistake that can halve its effectiveness – experts say it’s time to reframe the loft as Britain’s “hidden floor”: a space that saves energy, reduces clutter, and quietly boosts property value.
