Choosing the right size and thickness of loft boards is crucial if you want to avoid buckling. This guide will give you some tips for laying loft boarding, including how to place it on joists and remove it later. Using the proper tools, installing loft boards is a simple project. Listed below are some steps that you should follow to ensure that the job goes as smoothly as possible. Once you’ve decided on your loft board, the next step is to measure the room and make sure that all boards are the same length.
Installing loft boarding
Before you can install loft boarding, you should know the condition of your loft space. Do you have any air handling units or ductwork? What is the shape of your roof? Is it trussed or does it have rafters? Then, you must plan your boarding installation carefully. Listed below are some tips to install loft boarding. Once you have planned your boarding installation, you’re ready to begin.
First, make sure you wear protective clothing and use a face mask. A good brand to go with is 3M. If you don’t have one, a search for ‘Dust Masks and Respirators’ will give you many options. Also, you may need knee pads and gloves to protect your hands from splinters. Remember to wear gloves when working in a loft, too. You should also take the time to consider how you will access your light fittings and other electrical wiring.
Another important step in the loft boarding process is assessing the condition of your insulation. Different types of insulation have different pros and cons, so you must do some research to decide which one is best for your home. For instance, blanket and loose-fill insulation are simple to install, while blown fiberglass requires special equipment and will add to the cost of your loft boarding project. If you’re not sure which type of insulation to use, don’t forget to get an estimate of your overall project square footage and ask a neighbour for help.
One of the greatest advantages of installing loft boarding is that it can create more usable space. Aside from saving space, you can also use the extra space to de-clutter other areas of your home. After all, the average American moves 11 times in their lifetime and nine times by the time they’re 18.
When installing loft boarding, you’ll want to pay attention to the support spacing between boards. The space between boards is narrower if your house has a trussed roof. You should install every 320mm, but you may want to double the distance. Also, make sure you get plywood decking from a company that manufactures these systems. Typically, tongue and groove joints are used to ensure that there won’t be any gaps or unevenness.
Choosing the right size of board
You should decide how much insulation you need, and how thick it is, before you start boarding your loft. For most houses, 270mm is the recommended amount. It is best to pile the insulation over the joists, as squashing it will reduce its efficiency. You can use nails or twine to secure the board to the roof. It is also helpful to use plastic storage crates to keep your loft items out of the dust.
Once you have decided how much space you need to board, you should measure the area in your loft. Many people board the entire central portion of the loft, as the sides are not practical. The edges are unusable for large boxes, since the roof is often angled. Make sure to choose a size that will fit through the loft hatch. If you do not have enough space for your loft board, you should consider storing your possessions in storage.
You should also take into consideration the joists themselves. Older houses may have a combination of roof joists and ceiling joists. These could cause problems fixing your board. It may be a better option to use raised floor boards instead. Often, wiring runs directly across the floor of a loft, which makes it difficult to work with. Using a circular saw can speed up the process and make it more convenient.
The standard loft boards come in 18mm and 22mm thickness. If you plan to board the entire loft, you can purchase larger boards from a local timber merchant. Smaller boards are readily available from DIY stores. They are typically 1,220 x 320mm and cover about one square metre. When calculating the square metre you need, add a 20% contingency in case the board doesn’t cover the full surface area.
As a rule of thumb, a 40m2 board should cover the majority of the loft. If you plan to access your loft regularly, a 40m2 package will be sufficient. It also provides you with a generous area for boarding. It is important to keep in mind that you will need a trapdoor and lighting. If you want to use the loft as a work space, you should also consider adding a pull-down ladder.
Placing it on joists
When installing new loft floors, you need to carefully measure the floor area and the distance from the loft hatch. You’ll need to use this measurement to determine the length and width of your loft boards. You can also buy purpose-built loft boards, which have tongue and groove fittings and are shorter. They’re also much easier to fit through the loft hatch, so they’re a good choice if your loft floor is uninsulated.
When putting up new loft floorboards, remember to cut the boards so they finish in the middle of the joist. You’ll also need to remove the tongue and groove that attaches the boards to the joists. This won’t affect the strength of the joint, but it will cause the boards to sag and cause a weak spot in the floor. You can find more instructions for joist spacing on the website of Loftboards UK.
If you’re installing loft boards, you should use protective clothing when working with electricity or other electric wiring. Place a board between the joists and the ceiling. If the board is large, stagger it by a few inches to avoid putting the joists in too close of a space. Be careful not to crush the insulation, and remember to cut the boards so that they don’t get caught on wires. Also, cut them in a way that they’ll be easy to access light fittings.
Before you start boarding the loft, you need to double-check your measurements. The wrong measurements will cost you money and time. Make sure to check everything to make sure you’re not missing any joists. If the joists are at least 16 inches apart, you can use a thinner 3/4-inch plywood for the floor. Next, you need to place chipboard flooring on the joists, which you must secure with screws at the tongue and groove joints. If you don’t have enough space to lay the boards, get a neighbour to help you.
Boarding your loft can be a great way to increase the storage capacity of your home. It also helps to make it safer and more stable, which is particularly useful if you’re short on space. Many people don’t have the money to make a loft conversion. But if you’re able to find the money to hire a professional, this can be a great storage solution.
Removing it
There are several reasons why you should avoid boarding directly on the joists. Doing so can lead to interstitial condensation, which results in damp. By raising the boards, airflow can be facilitated between the insulation and boards. Alternatively, you could install raised floor boards. However, if you’re unsure whether boarding directly on joists is the best option, read on. Here are a few tips that will help you remove loft boards safely and successfully.
Before you start removing loft boards, ensure that you have sufficient lighting. Also, wear protective clothing. Dust masks are highly recommended and available in many shops. You may also need knee pads and gloves. As well as a face mask, you’ll need knee pads, goggles and gloves for protection. Be sure to keep your hands clean to avoid splinters and other hazards. After all, you’re working in an enclosed space.
When it comes to loft insulation, you can either opt for glass or mineral wool. Both are readily available, but the latter is more expensive. Glass insulation is ideal for do-it-yourselfers unless you’re experiencing damp or condensation problems. Before getting started, you should calculate the area of your loft in m2. Also, make sure that the insulation rolls are sufficient for that size. Remember to factor in the distance of ceiling joists when you calculate the amount of insulation you need.
Once the insulation is in place, you should board the part of the loft where you plan to use the space. It’s recommended to install 270mm of insulation, but be careful not to squash the insulation as this can reduce the insulation’s performance. Then, you can use twine or nails to fix the insulation to the roof. Alternatively, you can use plastic storage crates to store your items. Remember to put the plastic crates in the loft, because dust can accumulate on the boards.
Removing loft boards is a straightforward task that can increase the usable space of your home. If you know how to board your loft properly, it can increase the value of your home. Just remember to measure the loft before you start, and don’t forget to take care to protect yourself and your belongings from injury. You can find the right tools at a DIY store. It’s an excellent idea to hire a professional if you’re not confident enough.