Can loft boards be re-used for a proper loft conversion floor?

I really want a proper loft conversion, but with so much else going on the house I don't think it will be anytime soon due to the cost of it all. BUT I really want a floor up there I can walk around on instead of delicately balancing on the beams, or the old thin doors the previous owner has strewn across!

But long term I also want to do a proper loft conversion. So whatever I do to the floow now I don't want it wasted for when we come to a proper loft conversion.

Due to cost I was thinking of doing it in phases, so do a floor now so we can safely walk around up there, then in a few years maybe move to boarding walls, then few years maybe ceiling/dormer. That kind of stepped approach over time.

So my main question is... if I board the loft now on the current joists, for storage purposes and not a liveable room to regs, could we then re-use those boards in future when we do put a "proper" floor on new joists? I may want to do a proper floor in a years time say, but dont want to waste all the money on loft boards I want to put in now.

If we cant re-use boards (maybe I would need special flooring boards for the new joists you see) then I should do the whole floor to regs, but it wont be for some time due to cost. But if we can re-use boards, then I could do the boards myself now, then get the floor properly done in a year or two. I just want to do something as soon as possible so we can walk around and have organised storage.

Thanks a lot

P.S. I get worried the boards themselves add so much extra weight, is it really that safe to board the whole attic on the ceiling joists? Should I cross beam just be sure (which adds more weight again). I am not that bothered about cracks in ceilings for the moment as I would eventually like the artex ceiling replaced, so if its just cracks then fine but I dont want joists snapping and falling through of course. Due to so many boards spanning the joists maybe that wont happen?

Thanks !

Couple of images attached to give you an idea of the attic now.

You could potentially re-use them, assuming you use 18mm boards. Maybe just use minimal screws for now.

But really, your only looking at saving a few hundred quid at most, and you may waste more time faffing around re-fitting later than just buying new. And you would need to store them somewhere, without damaging the corners, whilst the steels or similar went in and the new timbers.

Maybe you are looking at the likes of B&Q, you can probably save a load by going to a builders merchant, and then be OK with writing off the cost of the boards.

Yes I have used standard chipboard tongue and groove from B&Q or similar in the past, so just wondered if these can be used as regulations compliant loft flooring in which case saving a few hundred is still good. If they are in a good condition like you say. It will probable save more than that. I dont know how many I need exactly but its probably about 75m2 square up there if I do the whole thing and at £7.18 per m2 pack from B&Q its £538. So if I board it now, then in say 12 months do the proper floor with these boards, I dont feel like I have wasted over £500. If I cross batten then I would have wasted those as I wont need those on new joists anymore I guess.

If it is any help 18mm t and g flooring chipboard needs joists to be maximum 400mm spacing ,otherwise 22mm thickness required for up to 600mm spacing.

Leofric said:

If it is any help 18mm t and g flooring chipboard needs joists to be maximum 400mm spacing ,otherwise 22mm thickness required for up to 600mm spacing.

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Is that when the proper regs flooring is down so not needed if it’s just flooring on ceiling joists for storage?

although I think I’ll put cross battens in so will bear this in mind to make sure it’s safe. Thanks a lot.

lozcozard said:

Is that when the proper regs flooring is down so not needed if it’s just flooring on ceiling joists for storage?

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I thought the question was ' Can loft boards be re-used for a proper loft conversion floor?' -

Leofric said:

I thought the question was ' Can loft boards be re-used for a proper loft conversion floor?' -

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It is. But because I said I’m boarding the loft on ceiling joists first, then wanted to know if I can reuse them later for a proper floor, then it would be useful to know which one the widths referred to. I assume a regs floor but just checking before I board on the ceiling joists.

It depends on how bouncy you want to floor to be. The shorter the boards the less stiffness of the floor, and the more need for strutting to compensate - doing away with your cost saving.

If things are that tight for a few pieces of chipboard in a £20k loft conversion, I'll organise a whip-round.

^woody^ said:

If things are that tight for a few pieces of chipboard in a £20k loft conversion, I'll organise a whip-round.

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Thanks, but I am trying to avoid a £20k loft conversion, and labour in getting all boards up (and the recently added boards back down) thats the point. I think I can do nearly everything except the proper flooring, and a window/dormer. If someone else puts the beams in I can transfer the boards myself. I wont have the cash to do it using a company and not in one go.

I think whats the point replacing the floor once its all up there already, seems stupid pulling it all out, getting it down and in a skip, then buying more of the exact same boards back up, so not just cost but labour. May aswell put a floor up there now that can be re-used if I get proper joists in for a new room.

lozcozard said:

It is. But because I said I’m boarding the loft on ceiling joists first, then wanted to know if I can reuse them later for a proper floor, then it would be useful to know which one the widths referred to. I assume a regs floor but just checking before I board on the ceiling joists.

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Don't understand . 18mm thick chipboard for 400mm joists spacing, 22mm thick up to 600mm spacing. If the joists are at 600mm centres you would need to use 22mm thick if you want to reuse it in future in a proper loft conversion. Doesn't that answer the query
ps or are you thinking about new joists at 400mm centres