Loft Office Suitability Query?

Doozergirl

EachPenny wrote: »

I had no idea where your loft was or how old it was.... that's largely irrelevant to the advice that you need to get a suitably competent person in to advise you.

As it happens, parts of Scotland do have increased requirements when it comes to roof structures because of the potential for greater depths of snow and higher winds. But then do either of us know whether the standards used in the design of your c1955 roof were higher or lower than the standards used today - given that we are told global warming is increasing the frequency of extreme weather events?

I also don't know whether your roof structure has rot, or woodworm, or if the nails holding it together have rusted through.

All of that means my response to your question is always going to be 'seek professional advice' if you are proposing to use the loft space for anything other than a few very light boxes (e.g. christmas decorations)

The way you're talking, one would think there are suitably qualified professionals that can answer questions, on site, about almost any given structure, even the OP's loft!

wolfmansgotnards

dunroving wrote: »

It sounds like you know what you are doing, so maybe just go ahead and do the loft conversion. Time will tell whether the loft is strong enough to bear the weight.

When you come to sell the house and the new buyers query about building warrants for work done in the loft, you can just tell them that houses in Scotland are tough and they don't need to worry about that kind of thing.

Maybe have a look through the conversation first before writing a sarcastic reply? I am not looking for advice on a loft conversion. And as mentioned before, I am not looking for sarcasm or to be spoken down to.

Doozergirl wrote: »

You are perfectly free to do whatever you like in your loft. Thankfully, none of us are going to sit up there with you.

No one is underestimating anything. If you really saw what most period houses are made of and how Victorian houses often have elements that literally defy gravity, you'd probably choose not to sit up there either.

Yeah, I wasn't being totally serious with the whole "older is stronger" theory. But I do believe the house is stronger than your average new build.

EachPenny wrote: »

I had no idea where your loft was or how old it was.... that's largely irrelevant to the advice that you need to get a suitably competent person in to advise you.

As it happens, parts of Scotland do have increased requirements when it comes to roof structures because of the potential for greater depths of snow and higher winds. But then do either of us know whether the standards used in the design of your c1955 roof were higher or lower than the standards used today - given that we are told global warming is increasing the frequency of extreme weather events?

I also don't know whether your roof structure has rot, or woodworm, or if the nails holding it together have rusted through.

All of that means my response to your question is always going to be 'seek professional advice' if you are proposing to use the loft space for anything other than a few very light boxes (e.g. christmas decorations)

Agreed completely.

dunroving

wolfmansgotnards wrote: »

Maybe have a look through the conversation first before writing a sarcastic reply? I am not looking for advice on a loft conversion. And as mentioned before, I am not looking for sarcasm or to be spoken down to.

I did read through the conversation (several times), and that was what led to my tongue in cheek reply.

You seem to discount any reasonable attempt at giving you advice by, for example, telling people they are "underestimating the strength of lofts in Scotland", when you haven't even told them your house is in Scotland! Maybe YOU need to read the whole conversation before being patronising to the knowledgeable people who are giving you sound advice.

Good luck with your loft conversion. (You are changing the use and structure of your loft, ergo you are converting it).

sevenhills

dunroving wrote: »

I did read through the conversation (several times), and that was what led to my tongue in cheek reply.

The OP needs to tell us what he is thinking about doing, instead of responding to personal remarks.
Is spending a few thousand on strengthening the joists an option?



Most would concider boarding the loft itself strenthen the joists, as instead of all the weight in one area, the weight is spread over all the joists - is that correct?

dunroving

sevenhills wrote: »

The OP needs to tell us what he is thinking about doing, instead of responding to personal remarks.
Is spending a few thousand on strengthening the joists an option?



Most would concider boarding the loft itself strenthen the joists, as instead of all the weight in one area, the weight is spread over all the joists - is that correct?

Not according to the structural engineer who I asked to look at similar questions to the OP's in my own loft. You are simply adding to the load on the existing structure.

sevenhills

dunroving wrote: »

Not according to the structural engineer who I asked to look at similar questions to the OP's in my own loft. You are simply adding to the load on the existing structure.

Some now recommend using loft legs wich adds zero strenth, but some use 2x4 beams to raise the boards above the insulation and adds strenth.
I am sure there will be different opinions.



https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/588541/building-up-joists-to-lay-down-loft-boarding

EachPenny

sevenhills wrote: »

Is spending a few thousand on strengthening the joists an option?

Most would concider boarding the loft itself strenthen the joists, as instead of all the weight in one area, the weight is spread over all the joists - is that correct?

No, the answer is in what you say. You spread the load over more members, but this in itself doesn't strengthen anything.

It is the equivalent of carrying one shopping bag in each hand rather than carrying two bags in one hand. Your arms don't become stronger because each one is only holding one bag, however as a system the load is easier to carry because the load is spread and balanced.

The boarding also cannot spread the load of one item across the whole area ("all the joists") of the loft - it will distribute the load across a small number (perhaps 3 or 4) of members, but unless it is very rigid (i.e. thick) then bending will mean that very little (if any) load will be transferred to other members. If you think about a sheet of chipboard supported at the one-third and two-thirds points along the length with you standing in the middle, the ends of the sheet will actually be lifting up, and thus couldn't be transferring a downward load.

Screwing sufficiently thick boards securely to the joists would have the effect of increasing the rigidity of the structure, but rigidity is not the same as load-bearing strength, and some people might be fooled into thinking that a more rigid loft floor had greater load capacity than one which was more flexible.

dunroving wrote: »

Not according to the structural engineer who I asked to look at similar questions to the OP's in my own loft. You are simply adding to the load on the existing structure.

^^^This, more or less. The weight of the boards themselves will counteract any benefit you might achieve.

sevenhills wrote: »

Some now recommend using loft legs wich adds zero strenth, but some use 2x4 beams to raise the boards above the insulation and adds strenth.
I am sure there will be different opinions.

It depends how you do it.

If you fix the 4x2s running at 90 degress to the joists they will have the effect of distributing the load across multiple joists (having the rigidity the boards don't have on their own) but ultimately they are transfering a load onto the existing roof structure which hasn't been strengthened. To keep things simple, if the existing joist (of say 3x2) is spanning from eave to eave with no support in the middle, then any load applied to any part of that joist is ultimately being carried by the 3x2 at either end where it bears on the walls of the house. All you are doing is making the floor more rigid... and adding more load.

To strengthen the joists the additional timber needs to be added to them and run from end bearing to end bearing. To be effective, this additional timber needs to be attached very securely to the existing. You will be getting into the territory of engineered timber and gluelam. This is not a DIY project.

The alternative is to add additional joists, which run from end bearing to end bearing, which need to be sufficiently deep to carry the imposed load. In effect you are creating a second structure to carry the floor loading, separate to the roof structure. But again, if you need to go here you are operating well beyond what a DIYer should be doing without professional advice.

wolfmansgotnards

wolfmansgotnards wrote: »

Hi guys. I bought a house that has a huge loft. I want to use the loft as a temporary office space if possible. The loft is already floored and insulated, but the walls of the loft and the ceiling (roof) of the loft is not lined or insulated. There is a nice large velux window in the loft, if this helps answer my question.

I am basically wanting to use the loft space for my office equipment and in it's current condition, I am aware that it is not possible. Is there any cheap/quick way of being able to use this space as an office? It will have lighting equipment, electricals etc.

Is it possible to just temporarily cover the beams with things like ThermAll Bubble Insulation? Or cheap insulation boards? And is there anything I would need to do in order for my equipment to remain safe while stored up there?

sevenhills wrote: »

The OP needs to tell us what he is thinking about doing, instead of responding to personal remarks.
Is spending a few thousand on strengthening the joists an option?



Most would concider boarding the loft itself strenthen the joists, as instead of all the weight in one area, the weight is spread over all the joists - is that correct?

Well, I thought I made it kind of clear....

But yes, with the loft already being floored when I bought it, I also assumed it had been strengthened with the weight spread over the joists.

wolfmansgotnards

dunroving wrote: »

I did read through the conversation (several times), and that was what led to my tongue in cheek reply.

You seem to discount any reasonable attempt at giving you advice by, for example, telling people they are "underestimating the strength of lofts in Scotland", when you haven't even told them your house is in Scotland! Maybe YOU need to read the whole conversation before being patronising to the knowledgeable people who are giving you sound advice.

Good luck with your loft conversion. (You are changing the use and structure of your loft, ergo you are converting it).

"underestimating the strength of lofts in Scotland". Now, THAT is what you call tongue in cheek. Clearly I wasn't basing the strength of my home on the place it was built.... And assuming all houses in the UK are built to a certain standard, I had no idea that the place of build would determine a different outcome. Nobody asked where my house was, therefore I had no idea it was relevant. Judging by your response, it sounds like it IS relevant?

And no, changing the use of the loft doesn't mean it's a conversion. You added the word "Structure", not me. I am not changing the structure at all. If you refer back to the OP, you will see this "in it's current condition" - Meaning, no structural changes. - Hope this helps?

Doozergirl

Bored now.