Boarding A Loft With Chipboard

Packs of flooring grade chipboard are readily available from most DIY stores or independent joinery shops and are usually supplied in lengths of approximately 8’x2’.

To work safely when boarding a loft use one or more of the lengths of chipboard as a mobile platform instead of trying, and inevitably failing, to balance on the joists.

The chipboard is fitted directly to the joists but, when boarding a loft, ensure that the lengths of chipboard are laid at right angles to the joists, i.e., across a number of joists and not laid astride two of the joists.

Laying the chipboard across the run of the joists will of course add plenty of strength.

Starting in one corner lay the first board onto the joists ensuring the tongue is nearest to you, i.e., furthest away from the wall.

Screw the boards into place making sure you are not driving the screw anywhere near to cabling or piping and that they are not closer than a couple of inches to the edge of the board.

Once the first board is secured run PVA clue into the end groove of the next board. Push the second board flush with the first ensuring the joint is tight by tapping with a hammer.

Complete the first row in this fashion, cutting the final board to length if required.

The next row of the loft flooring is begun by running the PVA into the full length of the groove on the first board before pushing the board flush into the already secured first row board.

Then simply carry on the same procedure with the rest of the boards remembering to run the PVA into the full length of the groove as well as the butt end of the board.

The final piece of boarding will probably need to be cut to size and forced into position with a prybar.

When boarding a loft in this fashion you may to consider cutting an access hole in one or more of the boards to allow easy access to cabling or piping.

For more info see the related pages below or complete the form at the bottom of the page for a free no obligation quote from tradesmen near you...

Loft Flooring

Loft Boarding

A DIY Loft Conversion

Dormer Windows

Bungalow Loft Conversion

Shell Loft Conversions

Loft Conversion