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Apologies in advance as I know this topic probably pops up a lot, but I've got a bit of a unique issue I haven't been able to find any information on.
We want to fully board out our loft for storage. There is also a lot of headroom (3 metres) and a pretty large wall, so we'd like to put a projector up there too and turn it into a bit of a cinema room. Just to note we won't be putting any furniture up there outside of a couple of bean bags, so it's primary use will still be for storage. We're not considering turning the room into a bedroom or anything like that (so it'll officially be for storage).
There are 12 4x2 joists on each side at 400mm spacings, which from what I've read is pretty standard. There is not a lot of spring in them which surprised me, as I'm a pretty heavy guy!
They span to an internal load bearing wall at 3.6 meters and 3.5 metres.
The internal wall has four diagonal supports coming off it (there are no other supports).
The strange part is there are two 6x2s at right angles to the joists, which are both attached to the wall internally with plates. I've stood on these and they feel rock solid. It looks like they're attached to the 4x2 joists below them, so is it possible these are to reduce the spans on the 4x2s which explains why there's hardly any spring on them already?
The spans between the external wall, 6x2 joists and internal wall are 1.96m | 1.65m on one side, and 1.65m | 1.83m on the other.
I've attached a crude diagram to show how the joists run.
I'm planning to run some additional 5x2s in between the 6x2s (above the existing 4x2s, so they won't be touching the existing 4x2s), then put some noggins in between these for some extra strength. At the external wall ends I'm planning on bolting the joists to the wall.
What do people think of this method, is it overkill (i.e. could I get away with 4x2s considering the spans are pretty short)? Does it sound safe? Am I barking up the wrong tree with it? Any advice would be highly appreciated, cheers.
We want to fully board out our loft for storage. There is also a lot of headroom (3 metres) and a pretty large wall, so we'd like to put a projector up there too and turn it into a bit of a cinema room. Just to note we won't be putting any furniture up there outside of a couple of bean bags, so it's primary use will still be for storage. We're not considering turning the room into a bedroom or anything like that (so it'll officially be for storage).
There are 12 4x2 joists on each side at 400mm spacings, which from what I've read is pretty standard. There is not a lot of spring in them which surprised me, as I'm a pretty heavy guy!
They span to an internal load bearing wall at 3.6 meters and 3.5 metres.
The internal wall has four diagonal supports coming off it (there are no other supports).
The strange part is there are two 6x2s at right angles to the joists, which are both attached to the wall internally with plates. I've stood on these and they feel rock solid. It looks like they're attached to the 4x2 joists below them, so is it possible these are to reduce the spans on the 4x2s which explains why there's hardly any spring on them already?
The spans between the external wall, 6x2 joists and internal wall are 1.96m | 1.65m on one side, and 1.65m | 1.83m on the other.
I've attached a crude diagram to show how the joists run.
I'm planning to run some additional 5x2s in between the 6x2s (above the existing 4x2s, so they won't be touching the existing 4x2s), then put some noggins in between these for some extra strength. At the external wall ends I'm planning on bolting the joists to the wall.
What do people think of this method, is it overkill (i.e. could I get away with 4x2s considering the spans are pretty short)? Does it sound safe? Am I barking up the wrong tree with it? Any advice would be highly appreciated, cheers.
