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- 17 Sep 2003
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OK, so what I really need is a proper loft conversion, but just cant afford it right now (but maybe in a 5+ years time ?)
So, with that in mind; heres what I want to do:
I have a 1950's house with a big spacious loft. Not sure what the truss 'system' is, but its not W - most of them look like inverted V's, with a couple of them being like inverted A's. Therefore, there is a load of room up there just asking to be used !
The joists are quite shallow - I've not measured but I guess 3". The insulation is old and not adequate depth.
I want to increase the insulation, and board the entire area to use as storage and possibly play area for my boy (ideal for Scalextrix etc !). And as I want to use it for 'living' space (well, play space), I would like to put in a Velux roof light or two.
My original thoughts were to fix additional joists over the existing ones at right angles to increase the height, lay new insualtion in between the new joists (over the existing), then board over the top.
But having read some threads on here, I'm now not too sure.
Presumably, the loft will be v.cold in winter and v.hot in summer - not really what I want.
So, my current thinking is to strip out all the old insulation, board over the joists (thus leaving a gap between ceiling and new floor). Then insulate the slopped part of the roof (ie. directly below the felt/tiles) and plaster board over the top.
Will this be a better solution ?
How easy is it to fit Velux windows ? Can I do this myself, or should I get it done professionally ?
Am I wasting effort / money etc given that in 5+ years time we might be in a position to have a proper loft conversion ?
So, with that in mind; heres what I want to do:
I have a 1950's house with a big spacious loft. Not sure what the truss 'system' is, but its not W - most of them look like inverted V's, with a couple of them being like inverted A's. Therefore, there is a load of room up there just asking to be used !
The joists are quite shallow - I've not measured but I guess 3". The insulation is old and not adequate depth.
I want to increase the insulation, and board the entire area to use as storage and possibly play area for my boy (ideal for Scalextrix etc !). And as I want to use it for 'living' space (well, play space), I would like to put in a Velux roof light or two.
My original thoughts were to fix additional joists over the existing ones at right angles to increase the height, lay new insualtion in between the new joists (over the existing), then board over the top.
But having read some threads on here, I'm now not too sure.
Presumably, the loft will be v.cold in winter and v.hot in summer - not really what I want.
So, my current thinking is to strip out all the old insulation, board over the joists (thus leaving a gap between ceiling and new floor). Then insulate the slopped part of the roof (ie. directly below the felt/tiles) and plaster board over the top.
Will this be a better solution ?
How easy is it to fit Velux windows ? Can I do this myself, or should I get it done professionally ?
Am I wasting effort / money etc given that in 5+ years time we might be in a position to have a proper loft conversion ?
