Creating space in a loft!

BWZN93

Hi all

Currently, only part of the loft has floorboarding type stuff down and I dont really know what that stuff is, or where to buy it. I want to put a few more boards up (around 10m) to create some more space.

Does anyone know what to buy and from where??

Jo x

polybear

It's usually done with packs of loft flooring chipboard, available from all the large DIY stores (B&Q etc.). A few points:
1. Make sure the ends of the board are always above a joist (the boards are usually laid at right-angles to the joist, and have tongue-and-groove interlocking edges to secure the boards to one another). You may have to cut the boards to achieve this.

2. Be careful if the loft insulation is very thick and significantly (i.e. inches) above the top surface of the joists - laying the boards can compress it to such a degree that the ceiling may crack. Also be careful of mains cables - don't squash any.

3. If you want to secure the boards (it isn't always necessary) then DO NOT NAIL THEM! This can crack the ceiling. Use screws instead, and again be careful of mains cables - they sometimes go thru' the joist so may be hidden by the insulation.

4. Have a good look at the boards when you buy them - the machined edges are often damaged if they've been handled badly. They're heavy too, so getting help to get them into the loft is a good idea.

5. If you have a very large area to cover then using full-size chipboard flooring (as used for bedrooms etc.; I think it come in two thicknesses - 12mm and 18mm; for lofts 12mm is fine) works out cheaper. But it comes in sheets 8ft long by 2ft wide, so getting it home and handling it is a lot harder.

Hope the above doesn't frighten you - it's very easy and makes so much difference.

Polybear.