Raising joists to board loft over insulation.

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As is common in many builds I have 4*2 joists and as on monday I will have 10inches of insulation.

The loft was partially boarded and I wish to fully board it once the insulation is installed and hence need to raise the joints.

My intial plan was to use lenghts of 3*2 timber (sawn softwood from BM) on blocks of the same, to get me my 10inchs (4+3+3=10) while not using an excessive amount of timber and saving a lot of cost over and above using 6*2, which also introduces a thermal break in the joists. Blocks at about 800 centers (say), holding the whole lot together with a load of 2inch screws driven downwards into the sides of the 2*3.

The loft is 7m (23') across, divided roughly into four with three brick and one partition wall. With additional an 3*5 timber running perpendicular to the joists further roughly dividing the rooms in half, which my joist extentions would have to stop for, although i would be aiming to tie into them some way or other.

The loft would make cracking fourth bedroom, but at the moment thats not something I wish to persue.

I have calculated i will need around 140 linear meters of timber, which at £1.20 a meter (with vat) from by local BM is £170. Plus around the same for 30 2*8 18mm chipboard boards assuming i dont reuse the existing and somewhat worn T&G for half of it.

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My question, does this sound a sensable and cost effective solution.

I do not wish to lay the joists perpendicular becuase firstly, all the insulation is to be fitted on a gov grant and hence on the same day (i currently have no inslatuion) and becuase it greatly reduces the abilty to get it out again even if not.

I've head mention of plastic spacers designed for the job, but have yet to find any comertially avilable and cannot imagine that they can compair with the cost of making my own.

To get it done before the insluation goes in, I have this weekend alone to get it done, which I think is achaviable with two of us, if a long weekends work.

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Daniel
 
I'm a little confused here, assuming you want to add on to your existing ceiling joists? The best way is to come off the internal walls and build it up from there with bigger joists without touching the ceiling joists
 

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