Advice Needed Attic / Loft Flooring

Journey · Dec 20, 2014

Ok, it's not exactly satellite related but i know there are a lot of hands on members on here so thought why not ask

I am wanting to make the atic space properly useable, i cannot afford anything like a loft conversion and as always will be attempting to get this done on the cheap

I am thinking of getting in a carpenter, i want the current atic entry point made wider and longer for easier access and a solid and wider ladder installed (the kind that drops down when you open the hatch), then i am wanting flooring put down in the atic space above so that we can use the area for storing things properly and removing much clutter from the rest of our small house, obviously want a nice bright light up there as well

I was in a local Wickes store back in the summer and and they had a massive pallet of these tongue and groove atic flooring boards, to me they seemed really cheap (this is not a job i would do myself anyway and would get someone in)

Has anyone any experience in this sort of thing? Any suggestions, what to do or what not to do? The sort of costings i would be looking at? The type of boards to shop for or boards to avoid?

Thanks in advance, any positive advice greatly accepted

Lazarus · Dec 20, 2014

Yes, I've used those loft boards before. Once screwed down they are very solid indeed and it's an easy DiY job.

But if you really do get someone in, as the labour will form by far the biggest part of the cost, ask them what they recommend - Just in case there's some materials that might be more expensive but would make an even better end result.

Topper · Dec 20, 2014

Whatever you decide I would recommend either ensuring your bedroom lights cabling is sound and not in need of immediate replacement, I would hate to see you spend time and money boarding only to have to rip up part of it to recable a bedroom ceiling rose, you could of course ensure the floor is able to be lifted easily should damage occur to cables or roses during installation of the flooring.

Terryl · Dec 20, 2014

If you have a Home Depot around you then look into these.

Code:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Attic-Dek-16-in-x-24-in-Attic-Flooring-Panels-10-Pack-3509/100482718

I used them and they work great, if you need solid flooring you can overlay them with 3/8" plywood, (or other stuff) but these still let the ceiling below breath.

As for the access ladder I used one of these.

Code:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Werner-8-ft-10-ft-25-in-x-54-in-Aluminum-Attic-Ladder-with-375-lb-Maximum-Load-Capacity-AH2510B/203009110?N=5yc1vZaqfh

PaulR · Dec 20, 2014

The rafters used for a ceiling are not as heavy duty as those used for floors so when a loft conversion is done these are either replaced or supplemented. For intermittent use simply screwing those boards on will add stiffness and probably be enough.

If you're worried about the wiring then take the opportunity to run the wires through some conduit which then make replacement later on easier.

Journey · Dec 20, 2014

Thanks to you all lads for the comments, some interesting thoughts there for me to consider, i will ask for a couple of quotes once christmas is over with

I will let you know how i get on

Thanks again !!

Channel Hopper · Dec 20, 2014

Topper said:
Whatever you decide I would recommend either ensuring your bedroom lights cabling is sound and not in need of immediate replacement, I would hate to see you spend time and money boarding only to have to rip up part of it to recable a bedroom ceiling rose, you could of course ensure the floor is able to be lifted easily should damage occur to cables or roses during installation of the flooring.

Not
hing stopping you from pulling the ceiling plaster off and working from below.

2cvbloke · Dec 20, 2014

Terryl said:
If you have a Home Depot around

The nearest one's a few thousand miles away...

Terryl · Dec 20, 2014

2cvbloke said:
The nearest one's a few thousand miles away...

They deliver :-lol

2cvbloke · Dec 20, 2014

Terryl said:
They deliver

Do they do steak & kidney too?

purplemarina · Dec 20, 2014

if you screw boards to the rafters it will compress the insulation to the thickness of the rafter, this will reduce its insulating properties. it may be worth raising the boards, i have seen plastic brackets to do this or you could use wood.

Topper · Dec 20, 2014

Channel Hopper said:
Nothing stopping you from pulling the ceiling plaster off and working from below.

That is always an option unless of course you have previous experience of taking down a plaster lath ceiling to get to the cabling I have and even with a plasterboard one the process creates dust for weeks to come throughout the whole house. Well worth as Paul suggests using cheap conduit to allow cables to be pulled through

Terryl · Dec 21, 2014

2cvbloke said:
Do they do steak & kidney too?

Nahh...Us rednecks do pork&beans............Well sometimes the pork gets away so it's mostly beans.....If they soak long enough...Otherwise they may be a bit hard to chew..................Sorry ..................................My fault.

Archived-1 · Dec 21, 2014

Journey said:
I am wanting to make the atic space properly useable

This is the best option if you just want storage

.

Journey · Dec 21, 2014

martin-f said:
This is the best option if you just want storage .

Great video and a great idea, thanks Martin

Archived-1 · Dec 21, 2014

You could install them yourself, but I would be careful with the loft hatch, get someone in for that if your unsure, its hard to say what's entailed without a quick look at supporting walls etc

sonnetpete · Dec 21, 2014

martin-f said:
I would be careful with the loft hatch

Sadly, getting access to my loft to do the same would be (personally) difficult. The opening is only 55cm X 30cm (22" X 12") and my waist is a little larger than that. (I suspect it was made like that to accomodate the space between the joists......that's the opening......not my waist)

bim · Dec 21, 2014

Another option for heavier use or loads (as the ceiling rafters will only be 4 x 2 approx ) would be to install 6 x 2 's spanning from wall plate to wall plate but with a section of ply say 3/4inch underneath the new rafter and on top of the wall plate. This method allows movement from the new floor not being transmitting to the ceiling rafters, as you would have an inch gap. It allows you to reposition cables as these will be laying over the top of the existing ceiling rafters as you can't notch them in the 4 x 2 's (it would weaken them). Also it will prevent your existing ceilings one day landing on you in bed if larth and plaster. If plaster board it will stop the nails from popping ( doesn't matter how much you fill these it keeps popping!). I know it is more expensive to do this but less hassel in the long run.

PaulR · Dec 21, 2014

Those loft stilts are an interesting idea. How much are they? How many do you need for, say, 5m x 4m? And do you HAVE to buy from B&Q?

Archived-1 · Dec 21, 2014

Just shop round Paul, the last time I was in arnold lavers they had the large ones on offer at around £100, the smaller ones will be cheaper,

Edit, lots on ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/3307...1=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108&ff19=0

Just one tip when fitting the stilts are fitting any boards. keep a close eye where your cables run some times they will run through a hole in the joists.

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