No insulation under loft boards - problems?

NewBe

Just ventured into the loft in new house (1930's townhouse) and it is part boarded and the rest has insulation. The boarded area is near the loft hatch and is approx 1.5x2.5m - this is above first floor landing/stairs. However, there is no insulation under the boarded area.

I want to use the space for light storage, but will I need to add insulation under the boards, or is a small un-insulated area okay?

Thanks.

Avoriaz

Is the loft dry?

A small uninsualted area will keep the loft warmer than otherwise which might help prevent any damp getting into your stored items but it is costing your money.

However I never had damp problems with long term stored items in a fully insulated 1960s build house. If there is damp in your loft get it sorted out.

In your shoes I would be tempted to add insulation under the boards.

Maybe you will qualify for a partial or full grant to cover some or all of the costs. Check that out.

My inexpert opinion, others may disagree.

Yorkie1

Whilst I agree with Avoriaz in principle, I have the same issue in my loft and am happy to live with the uninsulated bit.

ed110220

Well the problem will be that you lose more heat through that area than you need to and therefore your bills will be higher. It's a fairly small area so probably not massively.

It shouldn't be difficult to lift the boards. Often they are not even screwed down (if they are not fixed down and you want to fix them, screw them down, don't nail them or you may damage the ceiling below).

Before putting boards down I put 100mm loft insulation between the joists, then Knauf Space Boards and then the boards on top. It is recommended to use two layers of Space Boards, but I only used one as two would have meant I had to raise the attachment of the loft ladder.