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General: Loft insulation, materials advice

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  1.  
    • CommentAuthorPulpdiction
    • CommentTimeMar 16th 2008 edited
     
    Hi,

    firstly I need to make it clear I am only a d-i-y-er, not a builder and therefore please be kind and keep it simple as I struggle to follow a lot of the technical terms used on here.

    The loft in my house is currently under-utilised and I would like to turn it into a usable space (new arrival on the way), now the floor is boarded but I need advice on insulation, under the loft floor is standard rolled insulation but I want to insulate the underside of the roof, currently there is nothing but felt and the tiles on the outside, I ideally want to insulate, then batton over and then plasterbard, put a couple of velux windows etc. this is not a loft conversion and will not be used for sleeping but it may become an office and in time I may wish to swap out the loft ladder for some stairs or a spiral stair case etc (any suggestions on this would also be useful). It is a 3 bedroom terraced house built in 1950, it is very stirdy and the house is of a resonable size, the usable loft space is approx 20ft x 12ft andf then there is the part under the eaves (hope this terminology is correct) which I can use for cupboard space.

    I don't want to spend a fortune but want to do a good job, any suggestions on materials etc, one of my mates suggested 'space blanket' but I'm not sure this is sufficient on it's own and would appreciate some advice.

    Links to products would be appreciated along with any advice.

    Thanks in advance. :bigsmile:
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeMar 16th 2008
     
    You may find that you are liable to a heavy fine if you do not get building regulation approval for the above project.

    There is a big debate as to whether "space blanket" works as advertised see

    http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=125&page=5#Item_17

    You will likely finish up using a rigid insulation board both between and across the existing rafters. total 120mm thick + internal lining and leaving a 50mm ventilation gap between this and your sarking felt
  3.  
    If you asked the local authority they would definitely require you get building regulations approval... but if you have to you might not be able to afford what you want to do... however when it comes to remortgage / resale you might have a problem... also don't rule out the possibility of a neighbour 'shopping' you to the LA, this is increased depending on how apparent your Veluxs are...

    As Tony says, if you insulate what is presently a dirty great big ventilation zone above the insulation a 1st floor ceiling level you have to incorporate a ventilation layer above the new in-the-roof-plan-insulation. Also, think about the strength ceiling you are now using as a floor... and how you'd get out in a fire...

    It would be worth making sure that any work you did could easily be 'upgraded' to a compliant job when required,

    J
  4.  
    Liable for a fine?....I thought that if the imact on neighbours was zero then you could do what you wanted, I've never heard of anyone being fined for this type of thing, and I have viewed many houses which have similar things but have been advertised with this space as a possble bedroom if planning permission/upgrade works were done. This space will initially be used as extra storage space, with the possiblity of it becoming an 'office' and no one would sleep up there - not sur eI understand the issue, perhaps I should speak to the local authority?
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeMar 16th 2008
     
    Building control
    • CommentAuthorAlbert
    • CommentTimeMar 16th 2008
     
    I'm not a builder either, but I have had a fair bit of experience of DIY home improvement. Tony's somewhat laconic statement refers to what we mere mortals call 'the building inspectors'. It's their job to make sure that building work, including extensions and conversions, meet government building regulations. These regulations are not always sensible, but they do have the force of law.

    If you are making a room in your lofy with a solid floor, windows and sufficient headroom to walk around then it doesn't matter if you don't intend to have anyone sleep there -- it's a habitable room. From your description you could be clobbered for:

    Not having a strong enough floor -- ceiling joists are not designed to take loads like people & furniture.

    Not having a safe access -- a ladder is not really acceptable as an emergency exit.

    Not having a fully isolated staircase -- a three storey building (your 'study' being the third storey) has to have its staircase separated from all the rest of the house by 30 minute fireproof walls and doors.

    Possibly weakening the whole roof structure by removing timbers without proper replacement or reinforcement -- was your loft completely free of diagonal timbers before you started?

    One of the professionals may well point out errors and omissions in what I've written, but it's close enough for a start.

    By the way, having such a loft extension could also affect your council tax band.

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