Loft insulation / boarding

duncan32

Hi,
We moved to our new house (1901 built) 5 weeks ago and one of the 1st things I did was get things going for the loft insulation to be sorted. It's a lovely (big) loft space, that I am hoping to get boarded out so we can use it properly for storage in a controlled manner rather than the usual shoving up what you can way!

I am concerned that once the insulation is down I won't be able to get it boarded out as we won't know where the existing joists are, so I could end up with a well insulated loft but essentially no loft space at all! :eek:


Does anyone have any suggestions / experience with this, please?

Thanks.

Duncan

Al1x

what insulation are you planning on using?

If you are using something like rockwall insulation you will still see the joists.

sk240

Fill in between the joists with the usual fibreglass type stuff and then put somthing similar to the link on top (if you want to put the recommended thickness in)
http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=10647753&fh_view_size=10&fh_eds=%3f&fh_location=%2f%2fcatal!!!1%2fen_GB%2fcategories%3c%7b9372016%7d%2fcategories%3c%7b9372050%7d%2fcategories%3c%7b9372230%7d&isSearch=false

Canucklehead

Good afternoon: excellent advice from the EST available here.

HTH

Canucklehead

duncan32

Al1x wrote: »

what insulation are you planning on using?

If you are using something like rockwall insulation you will still see the joists.

Er, not sure really (I'll check the info. they left when I get home tonight). It's a company called SIG Energy Management and it's costing £199.00 which seemed good to me (it's a big loft).

They sort of indicated that once the insulation was down I wouldn't know where to put boards!:eek:, so now I am actually wondering whether to leave a section without insulation maybe, so I can easily just board that bit?

My ideal scenario was to have it all boarded like I say, but maybe that just isn't going to be possible.

Thanks,

Duncan

ic

I used Knauff Spaceboard, with normal boards on top - worked a treat: http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=10647762&fh_view_size=10&fh_start_index=10&fh_location=%2f%2fcatal!!!1%2fen_GB%2fcategories%3C{9372016}%2fcategories%3C{9372050}%2fcategories%3C{9372230}&fh_eds=%C3%9F&isSearch=false

Gloomendoom

I increased the depths of the existing joists to 10 -12", filled the gap with glass wool insulation and boarded over the top with standard 8' chipboard flooring sheets. It's quite a bit of work but you do get a rock solid attic floor and a warm house.

I'd recommend that loft work is best left until the cooler months though.

27col

You will always be able to feel where the joists are. Whoever told you different is talking out of the top of his hat. It is not necessary to build up the joists with wood. TOOLSTATION sell plastic spacers that can be screwed to the top of the joist. Mind you, they might be a bit fiddly to fit. I do not have personal experience of using them. Maybe, someone who has, will be along shortly.

GlynD

I've just had mine done and I can tell you that, at the price you've been quoted, you're going to finish up with 14" insulation which means you won't be able to see the joist and boarding it to the joists, while possible, would only compress the insulation and reduce its capability. My opinion would be to pay more for a more efficient and space saving insulation which would allow you to board the joists afterwards. Don't take my word for it though because I have no qualifications on this subject. I'm only expressing an opinion.

duncan32

Ok, does it sound like it's cheap and nasty insulation that I am getting then?

Maybe I will postpone then, and get some more details and options before taking the plunge (it's not as if it is cold yet anyway!).

Ideally, I want the insulation and full boarding and I can get hold of boards myself I think (for nothing), so that will keep my costs down....

Sound a good plan?

Thanks.

Duncan

GlynD

I wouldn't say cheap and nasty, I'd say basic and functional. If you want to board the joists though, in the absence of any professional advice on this thread, I'd say you're going about it the right way.