I have read through the existing posts on loft flooring but have the following questions:
1) I've got a two section aluminium loft ladder which requires the loft hatch to be converted into a trap door. In the instructions it states that chipboard or MDF are not suitable materials for the door and that is what the existing one is made of. Hinges are to be attached to the trapdoor - if these were screwed and glued in, would this not be sufficiently strong or is chipboard just not suitable?
2) There are two layers of rigid insulation glued to the hatch cover which offer effective insulation - is it possible to leave this in place? If not can other insulation be fitted to the trapdoor without it interfering with the operation of the pulldown ladder?
3) I don't want to compress the loft insulation. At present there are two 100mm layers at right angles - one between the joists and one across them. The existing joist depth is 3.25" so I will have to fit 4.75" battens to ensure the floor will not be compressing the insulation. These will be quite heavy - will the existing joists and ceiling be able to take the weight? I intend to cut the insulation where it is covered by a new batten to allow it to expand - what is the best device to cut it with?
I am only flooring the middle section of the loft which is 22' long by 8'3" wide. The existing joists run crossways so I intend to attach battens at right angles to these and then lay chipboard sheets at right angles again to the new battens . This will eman that the boards are going across the loft which is convenient as the loft width is about the same as a board length. The existing joists are at 400mm centres - should I follow the same rule with the cross battens? What should the new screw centres be ?
Thanks in advance for any replies.
1) I've got a two section aluminium loft ladder which requires the loft hatch to be converted into a trap door. In the instructions it states that chipboard or MDF are not suitable materials for the door and that is what the existing one is made of. Hinges are to be attached to the trapdoor - if these were screwed and glued in, would this not be sufficiently strong or is chipboard just not suitable?
2) There are two layers of rigid insulation glued to the hatch cover which offer effective insulation - is it possible to leave this in place? If not can other insulation be fitted to the trapdoor without it interfering with the operation of the pulldown ladder?
3) I don't want to compress the loft insulation. At present there are two 100mm layers at right angles - one between the joists and one across them. The existing joist depth is 3.25" so I will have to fit 4.75" battens to ensure the floor will not be compressing the insulation. These will be quite heavy - will the existing joists and ceiling be able to take the weight? I intend to cut the insulation where it is covered by a new batten to allow it to expand - what is the best device to cut it with?
I am only flooring the middle section of the loft which is 22' long by 8'3" wide. The existing joists run crossways so I intend to attach battens at right angles to these and then lay chipboard sheets at right angles again to the new battens . This will eman that the boards are going across the loft which is convenient as the loft width is about the same as a board length. The existing joists are at 400mm centres - should I follow the same rule with the cross battens? What should the new screw centres be ?
Thanks in advance for any replies.
