Boarding the loft

bluedrop

Hi all,
We live in a 1930s semi. Access to the loft is via a drop down ladder. We have LED spotlights upstairs. Is it ok to board up the loft and use it like a study? Do you see any problems with that?

Thanks
Bluedrop

Procrastinator333

Have you been up there in the summer? It will be roasting hot. Have you been up there in the winter? It will be ice cold. Not sure I would want to use a space like that as a study.

Plus the joists are were not designed to support it as a living space. So you really can't put too much weight up there.

If you board it, you can store some well wrapped boxes and other stuff up there. Alternative is to pay to get it converted properly to a loft conversion. Anything in between will not be good.

Horizon81

I share the sentiments of the poster above. The joists are not designed for you to overboard it then use it as a living space. You haven't even got a dedicated ladder to get up there. How safely and quickly could you get out if there was a fire?


See far too many of these stupid 'loft rooms' advertised on houses for sale. Either do it properly making a bona fide room or don't do it at all.

bluedrop

hmm...for us, its not worth the expense for just storage....may be i should drop the idea

Gordon_Hose

The loft of our Victorian end terrace was boarded out, fitted with power sockets and a Velux installed when we bought it.

I laid some carpet tiles put a desk up there and use it as my office (work from home). It's perfect because it frees up the 3rd bedroom.

I have a ceramic heater to keep it warm in the winter and the Velux for a breeze in the summer.

27col

The size of the joists will be your first problem to solve. It is a fairly major undertaking to up-size them.

Jimmy008

Wouldn't recommend using it as a room. Storage and ocassional access yes.