Boarding Out Loft (Storage) - narrow joists

[CNSam]

Hi folks,

Needing some help here, I stupidly mentioned to the Mrs about boarding the loft out for storage purposes and now she wants to get on with it.

I've just been up there to take measurements and all was going well until I saw the thickness of the joists, they are only 1inch thick x 5.5 inch in depth at 400 centres (or there abouts). I was looking to put some loft legs down and then fasten T&G however looking at it, this isn't going to be possible?

Can anyone point me in the right direction and how I could make this a reality please?

 

[JohnD]

New timbers, at 90 degrees to the old, on top and screwed down to them. This will also add more rigidity, and spread the load somewhat. If you floor it with ply, and screw that down to, it will give you quite a rigid deck.

Use the longest pieces you can to minimise joints.

I found Decking boards readily available.

 

[Tigercubrider]

I did something similar by having osb ripped down at b&q.
I used 2x1 screwed to the long side of the 8 foot strips, top and bottom.
Ran them at 90° and screwed to the original joist
Set the spacing so that the prepacked loft boards lined up

I think the strips were 8" and I added new insulation that's contained in polythene

 

[CNSam]

Thanks for the reply guys,

@JohnD - so if I was to go the decking board route, are you saying to lay them flat across the current joists? Would this impact insulation properties..or squashing insulation? Or are you suggesting, lay the boards, then the loft legs then boarding?

@Tigercubrider - can't visualise what you mean at all, haha, apologies so you did 8 foot strips of OSB topped and bottomed with 2x1?

 

[JohnD]

If you put them flat over the old joists, you will, have about 150mm of insulation, which is tolerable.

If you want 300mm of insulation, you will need extra joists on edge instead. Have you got enough headroom?

 

[CNSam]

Hi John,

Plenty of headroom, would make an awesome cinema room lol!

Will have a look at what decking planks I have left from the summer project, thanks for the help

Sam

 

[Tigercubrider]

Yes - I made sort of I beams as the osb was too narrow to screw into.