Insulating old 3x2 roof space

FreeBear

ThisIsWeird said: IF the flat ceiling joists are well enough attached, then the same insulating procedure should see it sorted - snugly fitting rigid insul sheet between the joists, gaps filled with foam, ditto against the end walls - fill any gaps - and then overboard with another layer to make a full envelope. Should be transformative.

Keep the pics going - it'll be good to follow your progress :-)

Put a loft hatch in so that you can access the space should the need ever arise (rewiring or even more insulation). It need not be a big hatch - https://www.screwfix.com/p/manthorpe-gl260-push-up-loft-access-door-white-562-x-562mm/61794 - Could do with a bit more insulation with this one though...

And yes, keep the pictures coming. We likes pictures

CashStrappedTeen89

FreeBear said:

ThisIsWeird said: IF the flat ceiling joists are well enough attached, then the same insulating procedure should see it sorted - snugly fitting rigid insul sheet between the joists, gaps filled with foam, ditto against the end walls - fill any gaps - and then overboard with another layer to make a full envelope. Should be transformative.

Keep the pics going - it'll be good to follow your progress :-)

Put a loft hatch in so that you can access the space should the need ever arise (rewiring or even more insulation). It need not be a big hatch - https://www.screwfix.com/p/manthorpe-gl260-push-up-loft-access-door-white-562-x-562mm/61794 - Could do with a bit more insulation with this one though...

And yes, keep the pictures coming. We likes pictures

I was thinking about a loft hatch but thought it’d look a bit of an eye sore in the room so my plan was to add one on the landing that sits in between the bedroom and bathroom on the third floor.

little progress today as trying to source materials and feel like death but plan to have the ceiling framed by tonight.

ThisIsWeird

Ok, so you know what you are doing

You removed the flat ceiling joists? What reason - to make them more secure?

Well done for leaving a vent for that fireplace

And you've clearly shifted a ton of mess and rubble from that room

The last pic that shows the rafters and roof battens, there's no damp or rot on these?

Terrific work. You feeling poorly?

CashStrappedTeen89

ThisIsWeird said:

Ok, so you know what you are doing

You removed the flat ceiling joists? What reason - to make them more secure?

Well done for leaving a vent for that fireplace

And you've clearly shifted a ton of mess and rubble from that room

The last pic that shows the rafters and roof battens, there's no damp or rot on these?

Terrific work. You feeling poorly?

I do thanks to people such as yourself giving us DIY enthusiasts or people who literally have no choice but to have a go a fighting choice to do it some of the way correctly.

I did originally on one of the first photos when I took the flat roof down whoever installed has use minimal screws to hold the beam to the wall, also on the roof side they had gone on top of old lat/plaster and it had movement. There was also only 4 joist hangers of the wrong size so in the interest of the future I thought take it all down, re use what I can from the wood and start over.

I’ve fitted 10 joist hangers, got some rough but straight 3x2 and plan to anchor to the roof beams directly on each meaning nothing is attached to either wall (which both had nails in and just fell out). I’ve done half tonight as my main drill has given in so using the makita cordless which just can’t handle it.

I’ve put 200mm insurlation on top of the exisiting insulation which was really thin behind the wall and then on top of the landing (above the flat ceiling which is now exposed I’ve added a small section of 200mm across the length, even adding the 50mm fixed there will still be more than enough air flow.

Thank you, I’ve done a few before but have to admit this was a bit of a nightmare as the bricks in side behind the box in section had been stood up so had to level it out with a chisel, lay a new layer on top and let dry and then stack the rest, I was fair tempted to take down the old support as it was a little loose but managed to get some off cut bricks in enough with a ton of cement which I expect will hold it, it’s being boarded so doesn’t have to look fantastic just strong.

all good, surprisingly as I think there was a leak in there for a LONG time, all the wood so far albeit covered in mould (which I’ve masked up and cleaned what I can) has survived, I expect as not a lot is touching the wall or in directly path of we’re the leak went, it just affected supports like the ceiling and wall which weren’t load bearing so have been replaced or repaired.

Just run down I expect, currently taking a business through an MBO, normal daily activities and then doing this, had a few days off to cracked on but think it’s just caught up with me. 😂

GDB2222

The triangular shape wall paint or paper in one of the photos - do you know anything about that? How it got there? 

CashStrappedTeen89

GDB2222 said:

The triangular shape wall paint or paper in one of the photos - do you know anything about that? How it got there? 

I do, my other half did it. She white costed the wall, used frog tape and then used tester pots on each section. Took quite a few days but was well worth it, it’s actually quite gutting as this room as only been decorated for less than a year before all this started.

CashStrappedTeen89

That’s it for this weekend, had today off as felt like death and back at work tomorrow but glad I got the ceiling done and level.
put a few bits of insulation in so will continue in week. Just need plumber and plasterer and we’ll have a room again.

CashStrappedTeen89

Just a query if anyone can offer input, on the previous photos we have a big wooden beam going through the bedroom for support, looking inside from the top or bottom of it there is wood noggin through them all which basically seals the top of the angled rafters from the bottom I assume by design. I just wanted to make sure this is ok as effectively it cuts free airflow throughout the rafters.

For the moment I have just installed insulation (badly in my opinion as the rafters are wonky) top and bottom and cut were it meets the main beam.

second question is we’re it meets the new flat ceiling I have allowed for a little extra insulation going upwards, I’m then going to butt my 50mm insulation at both the low flat ceiling and the older beams as well, I assume this is ok?
once all is done I’ll fill every single gap with expanding foam in the insulation, cut down the excess and cover with aluminium tape.

ThisIsWeird

Explain more clearly, please.

That 'jazzy' wall - is it open above it, in the ceiling void? So that air can flow up from the lower eaves, across above the new flat ceiling, and into/out the eaves on t'other side? If so, that's great.

Butting Celotex? Yes, no problem - cut it as accurately as possible, and join with a bead of foam - quickly... :-)

But I'm not sure I follow what you are asking.

CashStrappedTeen89

ThisIsWeird said:

Explain more clearly, please.

That 'jazzy' wall - is it open above it, in the ceiling void? So that air can flow up from the lower eaves, across above the new flat ceiling, and into/out the eaves on t'other side? If so, that's great.

Butting Celotex? Yes, no problem - cut it as accurately as possible, and join with a bead of foam - quickly... :-)

But I'm not sure I follow what you are asking.

Let me explain with photos. Below is a picture from above the main white beam in the room you can see the fixed insulation below but on most there is a piece of wood in the way.

Mind my drawing but basically I want to butt up my 50mm against the 25mm but have 2 layers in the new and old beams shown below.

Below is as far as I’ve got, everything is quite tight bar we’re it meets the roof beams now as I plan to fill around the beam with expanding foam and also but my 50mm up to them as well. I don’t believe I have to take the insulation all the way up do I?

I’ve added rock wool above the landing which is up through the flat ceiling and over the top (yes it’s open) the other side is a bathroom which will be done in a similar way one this is done in that I’ll take the plaster all off and insulate but that’s not suffering damp like this room “was”.