Loft project-insulation/flooring-advice req

[keith666]

hi, i'm moving house next month to a 7 year old "standard" new build and am planning to insulate and floor the loft, with a view to possibly using the space in future as habitable.
I'm pretty able at most things but would need some guidance on a couple of items:
1: Inslating the loft, if I insulate the roof joists is there something on the market to create a space between the roof and the insulation? and whats the best kind of insulation to use?
2: Flooring, not seen the floor joist sizes yet but at what point should I be thinking of strengthening the joists?

Any advice appreciated on this, sorry if there is a lack of detail.

cheers

 

[masona]

hi, i'm moving house next month to a 7 year old "standard" new build and am planning to insulate and floor the loft, with a view to possibly using the space in future as habitable.

I'm afraid you will need building permission

1: Inslating the loft, if I insulate the roof joists is there something on the market to create a space between the roof and the insulation? and whats the best kind of insulation to use?

Yes there is and must also have a 50mm air flow at the back of the roof tiles.

2: Flooring, not seen the floor joist sizes yet but at what point should I be thinking of strengthening the joists?

Depending on the span and many ways of doing this.

 

[keith666]

Thanks for the reply, I was looking for some detail on what product(s) are available to create the air gap between the roof and insulation and what experience members have had with different types of insulation.

Thanks

 

[jamiedl]

Hi,

Kingspan insulation boards or similar - check website for between rafters.
You may need to deepen existing rafters to achieve 50mm airgap.
Fix 2x2 battens on the side of the existing rafters to maintain the airgap from the inulation to the existing sarking.

Hope this helps

 

[keith666]

Thanks for the info, trying to plan ahead for all work to be done. Will post when I get more detail on property and i may be looking for advice on flooring also.........


cheers

 

[jamiedl]

Np. Flooring we tend to stick to Glasswool insulation packed between. Cheaper and achieves required u-values.
As for strengthening, for a rough guide would need to know the sizes, spaces between, loadbearing wall positions, etc. All which your S.E should know before calcs are worked out.