Loft FlooringSorry if this is stating the obvious but – your current loft flooring will not be adequate for your new conversion project. The joists in the roof space are ceiling joists so they are obviously not suitable to suddenly become floor joists when you convert your loft. Sometimes the existing joists can be utilised by ‘sistering’ with new joists – basically doubling up to add strength. Depending on the type of conversion and the strength of the supporting walls reinforced steel joists may be needed but your structural engineer will be able to advise on this. Steel beams which support the new joists must not bear into chimneys and they must be fire protected according to the thirty minute standard as laid down in the building regulations.
When installing new joists electrical cables and water pipes should be positioned before any insulation and floor covering is laid taking care to ensure they are in their designated place as shown on your plans. At this stage some useful advice is to ensure that cables and pipes are protected against accidental damage when laying the floor by adding a protective cover. Once the joists have been put in place it is important that they are checked with a spirit level to ensure they are level. If any joists are badly out of true because they are warped they will need replacing. Before laying the actual loft flooring the energy saving insulation must be put down along with any sound proofing materials - if needed. And, if your new loft conversion is going to a children’s playroom or teenagers chill-out room then, believe me, sound proofing is required. The loft insulation itself will act as a barrier but for better results sound reducing materials can be applied directly to the joists. The loft floor covering itself will usually be either chipboard sheets or timber floorboards. Chipboard sheeting is the usual solution in UK loft conversions and is quick and easy to use with the sheets also being available in a tongue & grove style. Putting the chipboard (or sometimes plywood) loft flooring down is a quick process with the only real note of caution being to ensure that when two sheets butt up against each other, they do so directly above the centre of a joist. A final point is to remember to treat any new timber against rot or insect damage before use. Failure to do so will cause horrendous problems in years to come. Related Articles
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Acknowledgement Photography on this page by Ian Webster
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