Loft Boarding/Ladder/Lighting

SavvySaver24 wrote: »

So logistically, if we were going to buy timber and chipboard, and board it ourselves (or partially board anyway), what should we do first?

Raise floor and board OR have the ladder, new loft hatch and lighting fitted. In order for the fitted ladder to fit in the loft properly when the hatch closes, I assume it has to be attached to the RAISED floor which would imply we have to raise floor and board first...

We got the loft hatch installed first. They made a box frame which was screwed into the joists. The loft ladder folds into the lid so it doesn't need to attach to the ceiling:


https://sunluxroofwindows.co.uk/loft-ladders/354-4-section-58cm-x-92cm-wooden-loft-ladder-hatch-h-up-to-280cm.html


It was then relatively easy for me to go up and down into the loft.

I got my cousin to enlarge the hatch, add a ladder, total cost about £250. I fitted loft legs and boards myself, total cost prob £300 or so? Can't remember.



I did it on my own, and I'm no DIY expert, borrowed a leccy screwdriver off my dad and wore a headtorch. It wasn't hard. Nastiest job is unrolling and re-rolling the insulation (my loft had double layer, cross-laid.


There was no way I was paying someone else to do it, so I just put on my big girl pants and did it myself. And if I can, you can especially if there's two of you!

Regarding the loft hatch. I made an insulated loft hatch myself. I used the little plastic joining blocks to fit the timber to the outer piece of board, filled it with insulation and then nailed the smaller piece of board to the timber. You'll notice bits cut out to accommodate the ladder.

Image link:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AnLlCLQU3MN9inUQTrfmBYZ655ks

stator wrote: »

You could always remove the soft insulation and replace it with solid insulation like PIR board. It takes up less space so you wouldn't need to raise the floor

Sorry to butt in but is this a viable option when there is already insulation down? Out attic is braced in a W shape [don't know what tha's called] and if exchanging PIR board for the current insulation is a viable option, it would be a lot easier to board the attic just for storage doing that instead of adding legs. The attic space is small so it's never going to be an option to make a room and adding more height by using legs etc willmake it totally unsuable.