Pigeon Lofts

Fresh air and good ventilation are the foremost requirements for a healthy loft environment. Our designs, developed with specialist consultants, ensure optimum, draught-free movement of air.

Ventilation is controllable rather than fixed: 18" louvres with internal shutters let you open the loft up or close it down as the weather and the birds require, and a 6' x 3' roof light is included per section. The Clydesdale sliding ceiling system, with removable panels, gives further control of light and ventilation, simplifies cleaning and allows access into the roof space.

We have our own unique designs for dowel-fronted corridors. Fronts are Ramin dowel with a sliding door and a maximum 1½" gap between bars, and the integral sliding door that partitions the corridor retracts neatly within the compartment wall rather than taking up floor space.

Stud wall partitions are sheathed with a double skin of hardwood ply. Trapping is designed around how you work your birds — through the door, through the windows, or through top-hung opening windows — and we are happy to advise on layout and trapping for any type of loft.

Cladding is heavy duty 6" x 1" nominal Redwood, 1" thick and V-jointed with a deep tongue-and-groove interlocking profile — traditional vertical cladding that is attractive, very strong and highly resistant to driving rain. It is joinery-grade timber, pressure treated with preservative and given a secondary coat of preservative stain. Framing is sturdy 3" x 2" planed and eased Redwood, the edges eased to minimise the risk of splinters.

Roofs are carried on rugged 3" x 2" trusses with 3" x 2" battens. The standard Onduline roof carries a 15 year manufacturer guarantee, with a Double Roman tiled roof with cloak verges and clear tiles available as an option. Walls are fully lined with 6mm exterior hardwood ply and insulation is available.

The standard floor is 18mm exterior hardwood ply on 3" x 2" lateral joists, with an optional 6" x 1" tongue and groove Redwood floor sheathed in 6mm exterior ply. Sections are joined with 3/8" steel bolts, and a 1ft overhanging canopy, deep barge boards, protective cappings and an under-eaves soffit protect both the birds and the building — the soffit also helping to keep vermin out.

The unfortunate incidence of theft and vandalism is largely due to the ease with which flimsy, lower specification lofts can be forcibly entered. Clydesdale lofts are extremely strong and resistant to entry, with joinery quality mortice and tenon sliding doors, heavy duty fully galvanised fittings and a strong galvanised hasp and staple as standard.

Where a fancier wants more, lofts can be further reinforced for extra protection. It is worth weighing that against the value of the birds inside.

We manufacture many loft styles and designs, to any size or configuration, with a choice of corridors, partitions, ceiling systems and roof materials. Over the years that has covered everything from compact two-section lofts for exhibition birds and piano style lofts with front aviaries to full 72ft racing lofts.

Your loft may represent a substantial investment, and we would encourage you to compare our buildings first-hand against any other manufacturer you are considering. We can usually co-ordinate a visit to view a Clydesdale loft in your own area — many of our customers are happy to show theirs, and a good number of our new orders come by recommendation from existing owners.