Advice on boarding loft

[Turn5]

In the process of getting organised to begin renovating my house and best place to start seems to be the loft.

The previous owners seemed to think carpet and bits of wallpaper where good for insulation. I've bought some new insulation for up there now though.

Question is though the beams in the loft are 1.25" by 4", now if I'm going to board the loft I think I'm going to have to deepen the beems. Also doubt they are going to be strong enough to support me (18 stone) either.

The beams run from front to back of the house which is about 26 foot and all walls in the house are stud walls.

Any advice?

 

[Chri5]

Go on a diet ?


If you have any doubt about the structural integrity I'd suggest a £100 or so would get you some on site advice via a specialist in loft conversions and floor strength.

Since you don't tend to get 26ft+ rafters are you sure these aren't supported centrally on the main middle 1st floor wall ?

 

[Turn5]

They don't appear to be supported by the main middle wall. You are right though they are not 26 foot rafters they are at least 2 rafters joined together.

Here's a pic of the loft