Loft Boarding and Keeping Roof Void Clean Re-generate an old or tired space and give it a fresh breath of life. Click here for answers, information and tips

[Slatz]

I'm trying to convert my loft into a clean, usable storage space and have begun boarding the floor. However, I live in a Victorian property which still has the original roof and no underfelt, so I get a lot of dust and dirt being blown into the roof void.

I don't want to go through the whole process of boarding the whole ceiling, so I want to put up some material that will prevent dirt getting in, but that will still allow adequate ventilation to prevent the build up of condensation.

Any ideas what I can use? Do I need to buy a breathable membrane, or will some simple weed control fabric stapled to the rafters do the trick?

[ALDA]

SLATZ,

DONT KNOW IF SUGGESTED MATERIALS ARE FIRE RATED IN THIS TYPE OF APPLICATION!!!

PUT SIMPLY, ARE THEY A FIRE HAZZARD?

HOW WOULD SUCH AN INSTALLATION AFFECT YOUR INSURANCE AND WOULD IT MEET WITH BUILDING REGULATIONS?

IF THE INSTALLATION OF SUCH MATERIALS WERE TO COMPROMISE THE VENTILATION OF THE ROOF SPACE YOU MIGHT WELL CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH CONDENSATION WHICH COULD RUN DOWN THE BACK OF SUCH MATERIALS TO LOFT FLOOR AND/OR AFFECT ROOF TIMBERS.

THIS PROBLEM COULD BE OVERCOME, IF YOU COULD INTRODUCE ADIQUATE ADDITIONAL VENTILATION AT THE EAVES SO AIR CAN FREELY CIRCULATE BOTH SIDES OF THE MATERIAL USED.

RESEARCH OTHER MATERIALS THAT CAN BE APPLIED IN THIS AREA, SUCH AS INSULATION SHEETING(SILVER STUFF, DONT KNOW ITS NAME) SOLD AT BIG WELL KNOWEN DIY STORE.
EXPENSIVE THOUGH!!!

BUT IF COST ISN'T AN ISSUE, YOU COULD HAVE THE TOTAL INNER ROOF SPRAY FOAM COATED BY PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION COMPANY OF WHICH THERE ARE MANY.

THIS WOULD PROVIDE GOOD INSULATION BUT WOULD BE MITIGATED IF VENTILATION HAD TO BE IMPROVED ALSO.

BY ASSOCIATION, VENTILATION WILL ALSO INTRODUCE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF DIRT INTO THE LOFT SPACE, ALL BE IT AT A MUCH MORE ACCEPTABLE LEVEL THAN YOU CURRENTLY EXPERIENCE.

HOPE THIS HAS HELPED YOU!

ALDA.

[Slatz]

Thanks for the information Alda. If I buy the silver insulation sheeting (Focus are selling Thermawrap at £25 a roll) and just staple this across the rafters, won't this affect the ventilation?

[ALDA]

SLATZ,

IN MY VIEW, YES, SO DO AS PREVIOUSLY SUGGESTED.

"IMPROVE VENTILATION FIRST"

ALDA.