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Using the readily available boards from the DIY superstores enable you to turn your loft space into a useful, and large, storage area.
They can be purchased quite cheaply and are easy to work with. And, fitting them is not too difficult.
All you will need to fit the boards is a screwdriver, wood screws, a saw and if possible a drill.
The boarding comes in various sizes such as 4 x 1 metre, 4 x 2m, or 8 x 2m. These can be bought from DIY stores as a pack with the screws included.
The larger boards may work out cheaper to buy, but if you are wanting to carry out the job yourself, then the smaller boards will be easier to work with.
Before boarding your loft you need to look at it first. Check where the joists are.
If you live in an older house the joists are likely to be thicker and able to bear your weight as you check out the roof space.
Newer builds are likely to have less substantial joists and will not be able to hold as much weight.
These will have to be strengthened before boarding, with a layer of joists, usually 75mm by 38mm. These are set at ninety degrees to the originals.
When checking out the roof space it is important to see where any cables are. Do they run along the top of the joists. Or do they run through holes bored through the joists?
By checking where they are it will ensure that no cables are damaged when the boards are being fitted.
Your inspection of the roof area will allow you to decide which parts of your loft space can actually be boarded. Where the roof space is too low to allow you to stand upright it is not worth boarding those areas.
When laying the loft boards you should start at the loft hatch and work outwards. The boards are screwed into the joists, but care should be taken to avoid screwing into any pipes or cables.
It is possible to glue the boards together, but this could lead to difficulties should they ever have to be lifted.
The same concerns should apply if you are considering nailing the boards to the joists.
Not only will it make it difficult for the boards to be removed at a future date, the hammering could lead to plaster being dislodged from the ceiling directly under where the work is being performed.
For more info see the related pages below
More About Loft Boards And Storage Conversions
Loft Boarding & Flooring In Your Attic