Loft boarding (with pics)

[odav96]

Hi,

First Post here so go easy!

I need to get my loft space boarded for storage. Currently it's full of rubbish which I need to remove but after going up there a few times there are a lot of vertical timbers that I can't really see the function of as they seem too flimsy to be for support? Not sure if there was a tank up there or something and maybe that's why they are there, but the general question is can I remove them? Clearly there are some large 6/8" timbers but a lot of smaller ones less than 1" thick (almost like floorboards) sat vertically.

I've got a load of 50x75 CLS for cross joists and roof board packs, but before starting clearing up I need to know about these verticals. From the pic you will see what looks like a piece of old worktop sat on top of part of the frame, not sure why that is there either, been in the house about 9 months and not properly looked into boarding the loft until recently.

Thanks in advance!

 

[foxhole]

Pics rather poor but the platform was probably for a water tank now removed .

 

[HERTS P&D]

That is a nice height in that loft, I would be looking at a loft conversion.

Andy

 

[odav96]

That is a nice height in that loft, I would be looking at a loft conversion.

Andy

Cheers for the reply. I know this is a 'how long is a piece of string' question, but what sort of cost would you put on something like that? We have room for the stairs without using up loads of another room, but are we talking 20k, 30k, 40k,etc? I'm considering it but depends on cost vs value added of course

 

[odav96]

Pics rather poor but the platform was probably for a water tank now removed .

Thanks for the reply. I did think that and I think why we have those supports generally to give more support to the tank weight. The area where that frame is is above 3 walls joining so structurally sound, so wondering if I can take the timbers down to open it out?

 

[HERTS P&D]

The stairs would go above you staircase, all depends on what you wanted, I would say £25-£30k.

Andy

 

[odav96]

Pics above aren't great so here are a few more

 

[odav96]

The stairs would go above you staircase, all depends on what you wanted, I would say £25-£30k.

Andy

Thanks mate, I was thinking 30k-ish. Could easily get a big bedroom, en suite and still have storage in the eaves

 

[foxhole]

You could save money just getting the structural work done then finish yourself.But getting insulation etc in after the roofs on can be a challenge.

 

[gonch69]

The 3x1 timber you refer too are too help reduce sag for the ceiling joists are you're joists 3x2

 

[odav96]

The 3x1 timber you refer too are too help reduce sag for the ceiling joists are you're joists 3x2

Does this mean I can't board for light storage? I guess I will need to leave them if that's what they're for

 

[JohnD]

How old is the house? are you in an area where it was originally roofed with slate (which is very light)?

What has it been re-roofed with?

 

[odav96]

How old is the house? are you in an area where it was originally roofed with slate (which is very light)?

What has it been re-roofed with?

Built 1917 - not sure on the roof but I would expect the original was slate yes. Currently it is standard terracotta tiles (not sure if there is another name for that)

 

[JohnD]

OK, that's what I was thinking. I have seen Victorian and similar slate-roofed houses with very spindly little roof timbers, and I surmise yours was built with efficiency and economy in mind, to use the minimum amount of timber.

If you want to walk about up there, or use the joists to support anything heavier than a plaster ceiling, you are going to need a more substantial construction. You might be able to put new joists bearing on walls below, and build a floor on that.

I see your refroof included some kind of felt, membrane or building paper, so it should stay reasonably clean if you hoover it out now.

BTW the tiles are pretty sure to be quite a lot heavier than the original slate, and it looks to me like the roof was reinforced in modern times. If not, it may be liable to sag.

 

[odav96]

OK, that's what I was thinking. I have seen Victorian and similar slate-roofed houses with very spindly little roof timbers, and I surmise yours was built with efficiency and economy in mind, to use the minimum amount of timber.

If you want to walk about up there, or use the joists to support anything heavier than a plaster ceiling, you are going to need a more substantial construction. You might be able to put new joists bearing on walls below, and build a floor on that.

I see your refroof included some kind of felt, membrane or building paper, so it should stay reasonably clean if you hoover it out now.

BTW the tiles are pretty sure to be quite a lot heavier than the original slate, and it looks to me like the roof was reinforced in modern times. If not, it may be liable to sag.

Thanks for the response. The roof has definitely been re-done at least once, as most of the old parging or 'back-pointing' mortar from the tiles is sat in between the joists as it has been left there.

I am honestly not sure what to do. I thought I would be able to cross-joist with CLS, board with loft boards and then store some old camping kit, boxes etc, but from what you've said perhaps not. Might need to get someone in to look at it and price it. How would they even put bigger timbers in currently without ripping out the ceiling/loft floor?