Hi. I would like to have a decent floor in my attic, at the moment its a load of random wood and old doors loosely put down by the previous owner (where there is boards). See the pics of my messy attic.
We use it a lot actually, as its all Easter, Halloween, Christmas decorations. Christmas presents. Travel suitcases. I am sick of walking around on the loose wood and doors, and on the beams, I want a decent floor.
But I am not sure how to proceed as I read mixed recommendations on the internet as follows:-
1) Loft boards (the right down on current beams) - easiest, I can do that
2) Raised legs, and loft boards on those - 2nd easiest, I could probably do that
3) Battens across the current beams, loft boards on those - 3rd easiest, getting harder now but could still do it.
4) New 8" x 2" or whatever it should be beams and boards on that (sounds like the proper way for attic conversion) - sounds like a huge job, needs roof opening up with scaffolding etc? Do beams go into the house side walls? Beyond my DIY expertise.
For 1 and 2 above other websites say this is only good for storage, but what confused is me is you'll obviously be walking around on it to access the storage. So does that mean it is actually suitable for storage AND walking around, or am I still going to be concerned about walking around on them. If I can walk around on them, then I assume its Ok for me to be up there a few hours, why not have a train or skeletrix set... at what point do activities up there not come under "suitable for storage" considering you have to walk around to access the storage.
I dont know if 3 is considered suitable for storage only or considered safe to walk around.
I would think 4 is the only one which will pass building regs if we wanted a proper attic conversion as a living space? I would like to do this, but the investment is probably too much now, hence going for something lower cost that will allow us to walk around in safely until we do invest in a proper conversion.
Current beams at 100mm high, approx. 1" wide (forgot to measure that), and are 14" to 16" apart. I do have these two other beams like battens running across them that dont seem to be supporting anything.
I am not bothered about having the recommended insulation, my house seems fine in terms of insulation so I am OK to keep the current 100mm insulation unless it really is worth it having more (so assume the option 2 legs approach would be good for this, but then we'll have less height in the attic).
Does anyone have any advice as to which one would be suitable?
Thanks
![](https://thumb.ibb.co/dO9V4b/IMG_3892.jpg)
We use it a lot actually, as its all Easter, Halloween, Christmas decorations. Christmas presents. Travel suitcases. I am sick of walking around on the loose wood and doors, and on the beams, I want a decent floor.
But I am not sure how to proceed as I read mixed recommendations on the internet as follows:-
1) Loft boards (the right down on current beams) - easiest, I can do that
2) Raised legs, and loft boards on those - 2nd easiest, I could probably do that
3) Battens across the current beams, loft boards on those - 3rd easiest, getting harder now but could still do it.
4) New 8" x 2" or whatever it should be beams and boards on that (sounds like the proper way for attic conversion) - sounds like a huge job, needs roof opening up with scaffolding etc? Do beams go into the house side walls? Beyond my DIY expertise.
For 1 and 2 above other websites say this is only good for storage, but what confused is me is you'll obviously be walking around on it to access the storage. So does that mean it is actually suitable for storage AND walking around, or am I still going to be concerned about walking around on them. If I can walk around on them, then I assume its Ok for me to be up there a few hours, why not have a train or skeletrix set... at what point do activities up there not come under "suitable for storage" considering you have to walk around to access the storage.
I dont know if 3 is considered suitable for storage only or considered safe to walk around.
I would think 4 is the only one which will pass building regs if we wanted a proper attic conversion as a living space? I would like to do this, but the investment is probably too much now, hence going for something lower cost that will allow us to walk around in safely until we do invest in a proper conversion.
Current beams at 100mm high, approx. 1" wide (forgot to measure that), and are 14" to 16" apart. I do have these two other beams like battens running across them that dont seem to be supporting anything.
I am not bothered about having the recommended insulation, my house seems fine in terms of insulation so I am OK to keep the current 100mm insulation unless it really is worth it having more (so assume the option 2 legs approach would be good for this, but then we'll have less height in the attic).
Does anyone have any advice as to which one would be suitable?
Thanks
![](https://thumb.ibb.co/cv76cw/IMG_3887.jpg)
![](https://thumb.ibb.co/knLRcw/IMG_3889.jpg)
![](https://thumb.ibb.co/nGdZVG/IMG_3896.jpg)
![](https://thumb.ibb.co/dO9V4b/IMG_3892.jpg)
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