Boarding loft

[edofbristol]

Hi all

I have found your knowledge invaluable in the past.

I am thinking of boarding my loft for a bit of extra storage, nothing more no lights, sockets etc.

I am a little worried about the strength of the joists, they look very sturdy and it is a solid 1930s built house. The reason I am a little concerned is because I plasterboarded over the existing lathe and plaster ceilings throughout the upstairs. (It was too messy at the time to take them down.)

In peoples rough approximation is this an ok thing to do? It will just be for old books, clothes, christmas decorations.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Burnerman]

I'm sure your proposals will be fine, Ed - use 18mm loft boards (tongue and groove are best) and screw them down. Any nailing could upset your new plaster!
John

 

[jc69817]

hi all (go easy first time poster)

following on from above
what would be the best way to strengthen the existing 4x2 joists to enable use of the loft for more than storage

was thinking of re-joisting in 4x2 at right angles to the existing as i read on a web-site but cant see how this would lighten the load, or do you think it would be ok to screw 2x2 on top of the existing 4x2 making it 6x2 ???

many thanks all

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Adding 2x2's to your existing joists will not magically make them 6x2's. Just board your existing joists and go easy with what you store up there and spread it round. Its not really worth adding anything unless you're storing some heavy gear up there.

 

[jc69817]

yes i understand it wont make it 6x2 but if screwed together would it be as strong to take the extra weight loading ??

thanks

 

[Mike44]

Hi all
I dont want to hijack this thread but my question my be of interest to the OP
I am about to start boarding my loft with the B&Q loft boards
Do I need to lay these "Brick work style" or can they be laid in straight lines
Thx