LOFT BOARDING & INSULATION

[Nicetoseeyoutoseeyounice]

My sons loft is very well insulated, no head height to make it into a room but great for storage. It has about a meter of boarding around the hatch which I'd like to add to.

My question is that if I add new timber tongue & groove planks can these simply go straight over the existing insulation. The insulation is quite high and 'fluffy', if I put the planks over it will be squashed a bit and therefore a bit more compact.

Would it be wrong to do this ???

Your answers would be greatly appreciated.

 

[pcaouolte]

Don't squash the insulation, this makes it less effective. It is normal to use T&G chipboard flooring in a loft. If you support it on loft legs they can be fitted without removing the existing insulation or squashing it.

 

[Nicetoseeyoutoseeyounice]

Thanks for your reply.

I wont be boarding right into the eaves just really down the middle to allow for some storage and a safe place to maneuver when putting some things up there, xmas tree etc etc.

 

[PolarNorth78]

I did this using loft legs in my own house.

Only the middle bit boarded for boxes and pretty much what youre looking to do. 11mm OSB with ceiling joists at 400mm centres and is surprisingly rigid. I certainly wouldn't jump and down on it (it's a low loft anyway) but for gentle moving it's plenty strong enough. 8x4 11mm OSB is about £10ish per sheet from a decent builders merchant and similar weight and strength to plywood. Personally I avoid chipboard but understand T&G is easier to lay.

Top tips, make sure you have plenty of loft legs so you can reinforce areas and lots of screws.

And of course, watch out for plasterboard...!