Reinforcing/boarding loft - trussed roof

[vtyr]

Hello,

I've been reading through the multitude of posts about reinforcing lofts and boarding out.

I hastily purchased a load of loft boards and XXL loft legs to board out my outbuilding, which is 6.8m x 8.4m, with a trussed roof and 70x30mm ceiling ties across in the 6.8m direction. Now, the loft was boarded prior to us purchasing the house, but they were nailed directly into the ceiling ties, which as far as I know, are not suitable for even storing light items (<25kg/m2).

I'm in the process of adding 400mm loft insulation as the space below is now habitable, and I was wondering what my options were for boarding the loft, as it's quite a large space and I wouldn't like to waste it (but would rather waste it and have a roof if that's the answer).

From how the trusses are laid out, I don't think I'm going to be able to lay fatter joists across the span of the building - the only supporting walls are the external ones - as the trusses are laid on top of the inner skin of the cavity wall.

Now - what weight can ceiling ties typically take - can I put loft legs down, boards on those and store a bag of feathers up there, or can I put joists going across the vertical uprights of the trusses just in the center and board that out?

I will of course get calculations before doing so, but just spitballing ideas that may be within our ever diminishing budget at the moment.

Thanks!

 

[Wayners]

Not my area of knowledge tbh.

You could fix timber going across to add strength, as will bridge multiple joists.
Then use your legs.

I've seen those thin joists that are widely spaced. Think the last lot I seen were 22inch centers.
Can flex a bit