eaves cupboard Information, help and advice on many architecture, self build and design problems and issues

[misky]

I want to change the eaves cupboard in a bedroom into something else for a few reasons.

-damp. pillows stored in there got mould on. Usually got a smell about it.
-cold in winter.
-doesn't seem very sound-proofed comparitive to the rest of the structure.
-not good storage space really, would probably be better open, at least partly.


So I'm looking for advice on how to bring the structure up to scratch before I try to turn it into something useful.
There is fibre glass insulation and plastic sheeting and then hardboard held up with a couple of (3) horizontal columns of 2 by 1 and the joints taped with what looks like masking tape.
I'm guessing I need a vent somewhere to start with.
The ends of the cupbards are bare block and brick, one end to stairs (above) and one end to outside.

Should I just start with a vent and maybe board the ends and see how that goes before ripping out and replacing the insulation?
If so, any tips on type and where to buy and how to install?
I imagine sound-proofing might be quite an expensive issue so I might well let that go, and I might just be imagining that the cupboard is less sound proof anyway.

Thanks for looking, nick.

[Perry525]

First of all you need to sort out the damp.
The damp is probably coming from inside the home, from breathing, sweating, cooking, washing and drying clothes.
The damp will probably disappear during the warm summer months and return with the cold of winter.
Damp is the result of warm wet air meeting a a colder object, like the back wall of a badly insulated cupboard.
What you must not do is open up a hole to make the cupboard and home colder and more expensive to heat.
One way to solve the damp problem is to raise the temperature inside the cupboard to the point where somewhere else is colder and the damp goes there. (like the bedroom window)
Another is to use extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom to expel the humidity outside and to stop drying clothes indoors.
The last is to insulate the inside of the cupboard from the cold outside air by lining the back, sides, top and bottom with two inches or more of polystyrene, making sure there are no holes in the lining.
Final point, while insulating or heating the cupboard will keep it warm and stop the damp. The water vapour in the air will just condense somewhere else that is cold and move the damp problem.
Using extractor fans and stop making the water vapour in the first place is best.