loft boarded over - do I need a suspended floor?

[charlotte81]

Hi

I live in a 1920/30 house. We bought it last year and have done up two of the bedrooms. We've had them both re-plastered (one with plasterboard due to the condition of the ceiling).

We want more storage space and are getting quotes to have our loft boarded over. One quote is nearly double the others as they recommend a suspended floor so that the ceiling has no weight on it at all. The other companies all reinforce the joists and raise them over the insulation and board on top of that.

My question is: Is it necessary to have the suspended floor when the loft will only be used for storing christmas decs, old clothes, my son's car seat etc?

I don't want to skimp on cost now and then be constantly paying for new plaster (or having to redo the recent plaster work we've had done) but I also don't want to pay for work that is unnecessary. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

 

[foxhole]

You can simply overboard, but this will limit the depth you have for any insulation hence the suggestion of raising the floor.

 

[JohnD]

what size are the loft timbers, and how long is their span between walls?

is the roof slate or tile?

photos would be nice.

 

[bernardgreen]

one with plasterboard due to the condition of the ceiling.

That could suggest the joists are already at their limit and any extra load could deflect them enough to start cracking the ceiling.

Boarding over will suffice for light loads and is often a quick buck for workmen who will not be living under the ceiling.

I have seen a ceiling that cracked several years after the loft was boarded because the amount of stored items increased over the years.

 

[charlotte81]

Thank you all for the replies. I'll try and get up this evening into the loft to take a picture. The workman who wanted to do the suspension floor hadn't seen the property when he advised to do it that way, that is just how he does it.

I'm sure it is the better way but as no-one else who quoted me did it that way unless it's an actual conversion and a room that is gong to be lived in.

 

[charlotte81]

I have seen a ceiling that cracked several years after the loft was boarded because the amount of stored items increased over the years.

ha ha I'm sure that is true!!

 

[ahuman1]

Don't let anyone compress the existing insulation if you go for the "light loads" method.
I did, then when i screwed the boards down it cracked 3 ceilings... lesson learnt!