Non Habitable Conversion

by Rob
(Cheshire)

I want to use my loft as a secure, insulated and dry storage area for valuables/cherished goods.

At the moment, it has standard ceiling joists and a small loft hatch.

It is a 1960's semi with a traditional cut hipped roof.

I would like to change the following.

1. A new floor with proper load bearing provision.
2. A new loft hatch with ladder.
3. Install knee walls and insulate/plasterboard throughout.
4. Build and insulate a stud wall at the party wall.

This room will definitely be non-habitable as I will not have heating, a window or mains sockets in there, just an electric light.

I did consider a full conversion but this would have involved a side dormer to accomodate the stairwell and also, the height of the loft after the new floor and insulation/boarding would be less than the recommended 2.3m.

My question is regarding building regs?

Assuming all work is carried out to current regs levels, is there still an obligation to involve my local BCO, even though the room will be designated as non-habitable?

I'm guessing yes, as this will involve structural changes with the new floor, but will they not insist that this is the beginnings of a "full" conversion and take me down the stairs/fire regs/escape regs route?

I want to definitely keep the right side of the law!

Any information would be appreciated.

Rgds, Rob

various issues around using loft for storage

by Chris Hughes
(Leicester)

1. I need a hole cutting in the landing ceiling for a hatch, to install a pull-down ladder.

(There's an existing hatch, but it's too small and in the wrong place.)

I've been told by 2 tradespeople that because the house is a Victorian/Edwardian terrace with lath and plaster ceilings, when the hole is cut, the whole landing ceiling is likely to come down, making an incredibly filthy mess through the whole house.

Is there any way to avoid this? Even if there's no way to avoid the risk of the celing coming down, could the dirt between the loft beams (joists?) be vaccumed up first?

2. All the upstairs ceilings (and some of the walls) have woodchip wallpaper that I was planning to remove.

But presumably doing that might also bring the ceiling down (and the lath and plaster on the walls). Would it be worth replacing the whole top floor ceiling (vaccuming the dirt first)?

(The walls presumably would be easier to clear, board and plaster than the ceiling, and presumably there'd be less dirt.)

2. I was thinking of boarding on top of the existing beams for loft storage, but I've read that such beams are not strong enough for anything other than very light storage, and even walking around might bring the ceiling down.

What would you recommend?

I'd be most grateful for any advice you can offer.

3. Do you know of a tradesperson or company in or near Leicester with good loft experience?

Loft conversion for storage

by John Spandler
(Norfolk UK)

Hi

I have boarded out my loft severalyears ago with 8" joists with interlock boards.

I would like to do the roof space know; can I do it with tounge & groove using the roof joists to nail to & do I need to insulate this & put in ventalation vents.

Loft To Storage

by Deb Greet
(Loughborough)

We have recently had work carried out to turn our loft in to a storage area.

We had a company in to strenghen the floor and board it,they also put in a velux window insulated the roof, put in a light fitting and two double sockets and a new loft hatch with pull down ladder.

We asked about planning permission and building regs and was told we didnt need either.We also had plasterboard fitted to the roof and had this plastered.We have since had a visit from the council and have been told we did need both and that we would need to take up two thirds of the floor, put in air vents,remove the sockets,and remove the plasterboard and plaster even though we have told them we are using it for storage.

Can you help resolve this issue because the company is saying one thing and the council another, so I need to know will I have to do all these things or just some of them.

Thanks

Deb Greet

Storage Loft Load

Dear Jeremy,

I would like to convert my loft space into storage for empty suitcases, paper boxes, etc (no furniture nor people).

I will hire a carpenter to install a ladder, flooring, and light.

However, is there anything I should check and see if the joist can support a storage conversion in the first place?

The joist size is 2"x4" and they are 12" o.c. apart. The size of the house is about 20' x 17', and the joist is running along the 20' side. I am not 100% sure about the joist span.

However, by check the wall downstairs and pretend(!) those are all supporting walls, some joists have to span about 13' for the room right below it. The worst case is it span 20' all by itself.

Is there anything I should check before getting the carpenter in?

It may sound silly, but 20 sq m of the loft flooring (medium density fibre board) weight almost 300 pound by itself.

That is the load on top of anything I want to store. Will it be too heavy for the existing structure?

Thank you very much

Regards,

Siegfried

Loft Storage - Floor Strength

by Nick
(Manchester, UK)

I live in a Victorain mid-terrace house in Manchester (ca. 1900).

I would like to get some use out of my loft space (purely for storage) and am looking at how to go about it.

The loft floor currently consists of ceiling joists approx 9cm x 3cm and spaced about 36cm apart running front to back across a central load bearing wall (dividing the bedrooms below) such that the maximum span is about 3.2m. The timbers seem in good condition.

If I screw down 2x2" battens at right angles across these joists and then screw down tongue and groove loft boards (ex B&Q)in the central part of the loft, will it be safe enough to walk on periodically?

Also will it hold a decent amount of junk, or just empty cardboard boxes?

Like I said I don't want another habitable room - just somewhere to hide stuff, but I'd need to be able to get at it safely.

Any advice gratefully received.

Paper Storage

I would like to store paper and books in the loft.

It is insulated and boarded but gets hot in summer and cold in winter.

What is the best way to store paper etc so I can use it again in a few years?

Is it better to use cardboard boxes or plastic boxes or anything else?

Many thanks

Pat Fernie