loft storage problems Information, help, tips and advice on cavity walls, ceilings and lofts etc....

[davediy]

Hello I was wandering if you could clarify some confusion for me about classing an attic void as habitable use when using plasterboard which would require building control consent. :?:
Is the use of plasterboard an outright NO or can it be used in certain circumstances?
The reason I ask is I’ve just purchased my new (old) home and the attic is already floored out, with insulation already installed between the ceiling joists and floor. I have since added more insulation into the attic between the roof joists using 50mm mineral bats leaving 50mm behind them and the tile felt underlay for air flow and another 50mm gap at the top of the insulation edge and top roof joist to also allow for airflow. The reason I did this is mainly because of condensation dripping from the tile underlay and getting my boxes wet and keeping more heat in the house. But the space up in the void is very small and It’s not possible to stand up inside only kneel and crawl around. It is about 1.5 meters high, 3mtr long by 2.5 meter wide.
I would like to put plasterboard on the joists
1 To help keep the insulation bats in place and from being displaced.
2 When moving around up there if you brush against them you end up covered in insulation material.
3 Provide some level of protection to the insulation and under felt from the junk stored.
The plasterboard would only be put up to about 50mm from the top joist and down to the lower trimmer joist and also between the trimmer and floor and an air grate installed along at the top beam edge.
I only use this space for storage and there is not enough room to use it for anything else, but if I use plasterboard will I get into trouble.
Yours
Dave

[aceone]

hi...why not use a roll of poly to cover and secure the insulation.....

[the specialist]

You can use what you want if its only storage.

[davediy]

Hi thanks for the reply. I thought of using something like poly sheeting but it tears and dos'nt protect the insulation bats from being pushed up against the roofing felt closing the gap for ventalation. also i think theres a possability of increasing the humidity in the joist or causing it to sweat using poly sheeting. Plaster board by its nature will allow moisture to pass through and is cheap.
I did consider using the insulation ally rolls as a barrier but its very expensive and prone to tearing so not offering much in the way of physical protection.
The lack of space for me means I need to have somthing there to act as a physical barrier.