Loft boarding project started

[robjf]

That’s fantastic and inspired me to get our loft boarded out. We’ve got a massive loft space which is empty - we got the roof retiled recently so now have the perfect opportunity to do it properly.

 

[robjf]

That reminds me - one of the jobs we will need to do first is to buy a new loft hatch with integrated ladder, and move it over the landing. Some genius thought putting the loft hatch over the stairs was a good move. Tall ceilings mean I have to lug a big aluminium ladder into the house to get up there at present!

 

[Zefan]

Absolutely killer result. You should be proud of that!

 

[danlightbulb]

Im thinking of carrying on and doing this bit as well.

It has lower headroom here and obstructed by the cross members. But I could still slide boxes around.

I estimate a further £300-350 to do that section. £100 in timber, £150 in floor panels and £50-100 in hardware.

It would be a further 3.6m x 2.4m of floor area.

I would have to resin fix a ledger board to the gable wall at the back and then span 2x6's from there to the newly installed framework.

 

[MassiveJim]

Im thinking of carrying on and doing this bit as well.

It has lower headroom here and obstructed by the cross members. But I could still slide boxes around.

I estimate a further £300-350 to do that section. £100 in timber, £150 in floor panels and £50-100 in hardware.

It would be a further 3.6m x 2.4m of floor area.

I would have to resin fix a ledger board to the gable wall at the back and then span 2x6's from there to the newly installed framework.

Fill up the space you have created before you waste money on storage that you might never need
especially as its a lot of money for not a lot of storage

 

[danlightbulb]

Fill up the space you have created before you waste money on storage that you might never need
especially as its a lot of money for not a lot of storage

I see what you're saying but once the existing storage is filled it will be harder to do the work on the other section.

 

[Zefan]

100% do it.

 

[LuckyBenski]

I'd say do it while your head is in the game and all the tools are handy.

 

[danlightbulb]

Ive started removing the insulation and hoovering it out.

I think I have to do it in my mind otherwise I won't stop thinking about it. If nothing else I will do a proper job clearing up all the soot and debris, checking there's no dodgy wiring hiding under there, checking any tears in the felt etc.

 

[danlightbulb]

Im having second thoughts about this last section. Ive cleared it all and hoovered out another 4 Henry hoover bags full of soot and debris, found and disposed of another old wasp nest and found another small hole to patch in the roofing felt. The wiring is fine. So its been worthwhile clearing it to clear up and inspect it.

But Im not sure about framing and flooring it. I'd have to attach a ledger beam to that far wall in the picture (the green laser level line marks the position) and then span back to where Im sitting taking the photo.

7x2 attached to the wall with resin fixings (picked that size to ensure I cover 2 full bricks in height to make sure I can get the resin fixings central in the brick).

6x2 spanning back to my position.

And Im a bit concerned about it because that gable end wall isn't very straight or well built. The mortar is like dust. And it sits above a bay window opening that is probably supported by some wooden beams which I can't confirm the dimensions of. It can probably take the load, there must already be 2 ton of brick wall there. Its just whether I disturb things by trying to make the resin fixings and get the ledger in place.

I don't know why but Im more scared/nervous of this section than I was for the whole rest of it. Its a big ledger board (3.6m 7x2) and a big span back to me with 6x2 (also about 3.6m).

 

[DJ_Bucho]

Great updates these, and looks like you're doing a proper job as well, hoovering all the old rubbish up (exactly what I'd do). The new loft space looks fantastic, looking forward to future updates

 

[Mercenary Keyboard Warrior]

what about,
fully insulate it back to where it should be
add a layer of board to the higher section at the front (ie closest to you)

It looks like its very low anyway once you raise the floor so you need to limbo into it?

You get an area thats easy to use for say smaller items or xmas tree that sort of thing and you keep all the rest of the area you have for the larger and heavier stuff

 

[Zefan]

Can't you just loft legs the last bit? Saves you faffing with the wall/fixings question.

 

[danlightbulb]

fully insulate it back to where it should be
add a layer of board to the higher section at the front (ie closest to you)

It looks like its very low anyway once you raise the floor so you need to limbo into it?

You get an area thats easy to use for say smaller items or xmas tree that sort of thing and you keep all the rest of the area you have for the larger and heavier stuff

There's nothing to attach another row or two of boards to without spanning all the way to the back with joists.

Can't you just loft legs the last bit? Saves you faffing with the wall/fixings question.

No chance. The ceiling joists here are already dished over 2" lower in the middle compared to the sides. No way I can load it more and if I did the new floor would be dished too. Can't really see it from the room underneath but it's very noticable looking in the loft.

 

[Mysterae_]

If you need the loft space then do it now while you're prepared.

If you don't need the loft space then just put insulation over it, you've done a great job already!

 

[danlightbulb]

Timber delivery meant to be coming today. A 7x2 for the ledger beam and 8x 6x2s for my spans. Already have the joist hangers and resin fix hardware. As long as the ledger beam fixings go in ok the rest should be easy.