I think I did a bad thing in the loft - please advise!!

anyone4beerdarts

Hello everyone.

Only just started reading this forum, wish I'd started a few months ago.

The problem is with my loft. I lift in a 1900's mid terrace. The loft only had a bit of insulation with some old boards chucked around. I wanted to put more insulation and properly board it, but the joists weren't very deep. Therefore, I "built the joists up" by laying lengths of timber on top of them, not at right angles, filled the gaps with insulation and then boarded the lot (up to the perlin).

It looks good and I'm happy with it, however, having read this forum I now realise I should have laid the timber at right angles to the joists. Now I'm worried that I've messed up and the ceiling will begin to sag.

Can anyone put my mind at ease??!

Thanks

big-all · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 4:21 pm Post Subject:

heeelllooo and welcome anyone4beerdarts

as long as you realise its for light storage then you should be ok

cross bracing the joists spreads the load better but the floor boarding will still spread the load but probably only half as good

have you left the gaps at the eaves for ventilation!!

__________________
big all
we are------------------ all still learning

anyone4beerdarts · Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2009 6:52 pm Post Subject:

Thanks.

To be honest, I didn't go beyond the purlins, so whatever gap was there is still there. However, I am planning on laying some more insulation over there when I get the chance.

Re light storage, yeah, it's only used for the christmas decorations and the usual rubbish, nothing too heavy. If my ceiling comes down, I'll let you know.

Ta for putting my mind at ease!