Chipboard (IKEA Cupboard) as loft sheets?

paperclap

Hi all,

Got this old IKEA wardrobe dismantled in the shed. Made up of the typical chipboard stuff (I think?). Would this stuff be strong enough to use as loft sheets, to store stuff on? Sitting on the joists.

Subjective I know, as the weight placed on it could vary massively… but just how strong (or weak) is this stuff?

Thanks!

justwhat

yes ...just be careful of weight load and roof joist spacing . i have used in the past Sometimes they sag a little when you walk on them lol

paperclap

Good shout!

What I may do is, after placing them down, whack some masking tape down where the joists run… so to be mindful as to where to step (placing most of the weight)!

ThisIsWeird

If it's 18mm thick, it'll probably be ok. If 15mm, then I'd be very wary of walking in the middle of the support joists.

Marking where the joists are is a good idea!

Why not try one out - support it between a couple of timber battens spaced - what is it, 600mm? - apart, and try walking on it? Then gentle jumps, then...

chris_n

If it is from a relatively recent wardrobe it could be hollow, mine are. They are only solid round the edges and where the holes for the rails / shelves are.

paperclap

Tested outside with dud joists at 600mm centres. Flexed a little, but think it should be okay!

moneysaver1978

ThisIsWeird said:

If it's 18mm thick, it'll probably be ok. If 15mm, then I'd be very wary of walking in the middle of the support joists.

Marking where the joists are is a good idea!

Why not try one out - support it between a couple of timber battens spaced - what is it, 600mm? - apart, and try walking on it? Then gentle jumps, then...

Maybe test the strength and longevity first in the garage by laying on a couple of risers (wood or whatever), and put your stuff on top of it.

You wouldn't want to go the trouble of bringing the wood up to the loft, fix it in, only to find that it bends or even worse breaks and falling through the ceiling!

ThisIsWeird

paperclap said:

Tested outside with dud joists at 600mm centres. Flexed a little, but think it should be okay!

It'll almost certainly be ok for storage, as stuff tends to be in boxes, so weight more spread out. But obviously you need to take this into consideration in your plans. 

I wouldn't walk on any part other than over the joists.

And don't do either until you have completed the alcove units...

paperclap

Haha, you sound like my other half! "Get those units done!" 

Not procrastinating on the units... just trying to clear some space to actually work properly. Before yesterday, the shed was a complete bombsite (now organised), and the carport was filled with asbestos downpipes and soffit boards (bagged these up yesterday, ready to take to the tip). Wanting to get the loft insulation done, and then I can pop some boards up there and whack some stuff up there!

benson1980

The risks versus cost I’m not sure is worth it. Loft boards designed for this purpose are £16 a pack from wickes- then you can walk on them should you need to, and you can also then expand the storage area later if you need with more of the same boards.

They’ll be easier to get up in your loft and install as well presumably. 

Our loft boarding was previously made up of offcuts, and old wardrobe panels. Firstly as above it was an unsettling experience walking on them and putting anything heavy up there, and secondly I wondered why it was worth the hassle from the previous owner taking all these massive boards up there and then trying to fashion them together. The total cost of reboarding that area with tongue and groove boards designed for this purpose was just over £100 from memory.

ThisIsWeird

paperclap said:

Haha, you sound like my other half! "Get those units done!" 

Not procrastinating on the units... just trying to clear some space to actually work properly. Before yesterday, the shed was a complete bombsite (now organised), and the carport was filled with asbestos downpipes and soffit boards (bagged these up yesterday, ready to take to the tip). Wanting to get the loft insulation done, and then I can pop some boards up there and whack some stuff up there!

My concern wasn't procrastination, but purely the practical concern of not being able to build alcove units sporting a couple of broken legs.