How do I turn the loft space into a warm room?

[evets]

I have searched the site for a few days and can't quite find all the answers my questions.

I have a 1920 mid terraced house with underfelted pitched roof. The loft is boarded out (2x2 timber placed on top of existing joists to strengthen) and a staircase will soon be in place. (Loft hatch sealed and new opening created)

What I would like know is how do I turn the loft space into a warm room?
What is the best insulation for the rafters and does it need an air gap? If it does need an air gap, does it need to be continuous as the main cross beam would stop the flow of air going up and down.

I also plan to insulate (rockwool)and plasterboard at the sides about 2 metres in from the eaves and dot and dab p/board at each end.

The insulation under the floorboards is shot and has not been topped up but the insulation out to the eaves has been increased to well over 200mm

Do I need to install a radiator or some form of heating device? Or will the hot air from the house be sufficient?

I would be grateful if someone could tell me the answers to my questions and comment on the project so far in respect of right or wrong.

Many Thanks

Steve

 

[mattylad]

I'm not sure that 2x2 will be sufficient, what size are the existing timbers?

How deep is the gap between the roofing felt & the inside edge of the rafters?

 

[Shytalkz]

I'd be ever so slightly concerned if I were you, that everything is structurally aok - once you put a fixed stairs in, your are in a totally different league and will cause yourself a world of pain in the future if/when you come to sell...

 

[evets]

Thanks for the replies......

Mattylad... The existing joists are 3x2 and the rafter depth is 3". Do I need to increase the rafter depth to incorporate an air gap. I e-mailed kingspan and they said maintain an air gap but did not recommend any type of insulation....?

Shytalk...... I think I understand the implications of a fixed staircase and am not stating it as fixed. The opening to the loft space will be not covered and will be a stairwell, will this constitute as a fixed staircase?

Soooooo........ Apart from the access and strength elements (for which I await your advice ) am I heading in the right direction for a warm room?
Are there any other considerations I need to know.

Many thanks for your input

 

[Shytalkz]

I'll start with your boarding on 2x2 on ex joists. It does not strengthen the existing joists (without a complicated fixing pattern, in any event); it cannot be proven by calculation. Like I said, if you have a visit from LABC, a world of pain awaits...

Regarding the fixed stairs v loft hatch options and whether there is any argument that one does represent a conversion and the other doesn't, there are differing views on this in other threads. Can't remember if it's this forum or building though.

 

[evets]

Shytalkz thanks for the reply.........

The room will not be classed as a conversion but only for storage.

I store all my tools, seasonal stuff in the loft and I got sick and tired of dropping the loft ladder everytime I needed something. So I partitioned a bedroom and created an open access to the loft through a walk-in wardrobe.

My main concern is to stop any heat loss upwards and drafts to downstairs, whilst not contributing to any possible causes of condensation, with the open loft access.

Cheers