Practical Loft Conversion????

Lawbag_2

I am looking at converting my loft into a computer/gamesroom/storage area, so therefore lighting/window and heating are not issues that Im worried about

What I am looking to do is to board the floor out completly, re-insulate the floor and then cover it. Im also looking to "board" the roof.

What I would like it advice on what to do, what materials to use, and WHAT NOT to do. I understand that if the roof was designed to be used as a room, it would have been built that way from the start! And that the roof needs to "breathe".

Advice please.

We may, in a few years (after the kitchen and bathroom and the main bedroom has been decorated), decide to do it properly. So either way we are not looking at spending any real money. I would imagine that the most expensive component would be the stair/ladders.

Cheers

robnye

Lawbag wrote:

What I am looking to do is to board the floor out completly, re-insulate the floor and then cover it. Im also looking to "board" the roof.

be a careful...... the wooden joists you would be boarding over.... are only half the size of normal floor joists and are not designed to take a lot of weight....

I have just had my loft converted and hadnt realised that they would be putting in new larger joists so that the new floor didnt touch the celing joists of the floor below.....

I would imagine that the most expensive component would be the stair/ladders.

probably the simplest/cheapest way would be to have a stepladder that withdrew back into the loft.... I wouldnt go to the expense of stairs, especially if you might convert properly later on, then the stairs would almost certainly have to be changed.....

newfunk

Im in the process of pricing a job like this, basically the client wants to do excatly as yo do. Im boarding the floor with chipboard floooring, with normal loft insulation under, to a depth of 10inches....Velux window in the roof, boarding the roof, with celotex insulation board under! New loft hatch with integral wooden bi fold ladder!!
If you are not planning on putting abed and furniture in the loft, then you dont have to much to worry about as the flooring will help spread the weight! Should you wish to have a sleeping area, then you need to make it a fully habitual room, which will involve building regs, possibly planning, structural altering to the joists etc...

Filthy_Luka

A gamesroom/computer room IS a habitable room.

When you form a loft room without complying with Building Regulations you are breaking the law (be you builder or owner) and if discovered can be prosecuted (nosy neighbours will be useful to bring this to the attention o the council) and forced to reinstate the loft space or do it properly. Also if you needed to claim on your house insurance and have the assessors out and they spot your lofty it would be the ideal thing for them to use to wriggle out with.

Building Regulations are there to achieve MINIMUM health and safety standards - so failing to comply with even the minimum standards is putting the occupants at risk - 'hey kids, get up in the games room and play'

The roof structure is not normally desined to take regular loading from moving people and even sparse furnitue - the rest of the roof and the ceilings will feel the effect.

Loft conversions need upgrades in terms of protecting the staircase, firedoors and mains powered smoke detectors - early warning is essential to escape a fire - particularly if your on the second storey - unfortunately the papers often feature fatalities in domestic situations (if youre in a fire you who doesnt want at least the minimum fire precautions in place?)

Whats the point in creating a room thats going to damage the roof and cost more to repair and in the mean time put your safety and finances at risk - if you need to remortgage or sell the solicitors will notice the lofty hasnt had the required approvals - I think the best thin to do would be to get quotes to see what cost is involved - and try and price it for materials if your gonna DIY it.

newfunk

Actually. if you just want to board the room as the OP states, then there are no building regs to adhere to, as you are only flooring it for storage! I have been told this by the council! They wouldnt even know you've done it is what Ive been told! As for solicitors noticing it has been done, unless you have a staircase in place, tell me how they will know? Xray vision? Ive never known a solicitor to go into the loft!!

Filthy_Luka

Lawbag wrote:

I am looking at converting my loft into a computer/gamesroom/storage area, so therefore lighting/window and heating are not issues that Im worried about

Actually, the OP says they are looking to use it for computer room/games room - hence the habitable room statement.

As regards the solicitors identifying a lofty - i dont know any solicitors that physically visit the property - but hey do you think a surveyor might need access to do a survey and raise these comments in his report?

albalad

if you do decide to create an "area" in your loft, here are a couple of sites to help you diy - loft access and insulation,ventilation and conversion


Imo (for what it's worth) i think you have been given some very good advice above regarding health and safety issues which should always be taken into account when doing diy - you can't afford not to !
And by the sounds of it , it will be a habitable room of sorts



Ps costco have a good quality 3 section loft ladder for around £100