Adding additional attic insulation - any storage options?

DeanoCeltic

I'm looking at adding additional attic insulation, but like most people, I have boards across the crossbeams and store lots of stuff up there.

Problem is - if I add the additional insulation, is there any option for storage? Any novel suggestions??

cheers

Billy Davey

I assume you already have insulation between the ceiling joists?

If you want to place more insulation above this level and use the attic for storage you will need to use rigid insulation and lay plywood over it afterwards. It will be more expensive than the soft stuff that you roll out.

Your best bet if probably to buy in bulk from a building suppliers based on the area you need. Look up Xtratherm insulation or similar. You want the rigid sheets of it, about 50mm thick.

B&Q do a thing called Space Board. This would also be suitable. Comes in 1200x500mm sheets. €10.60 each.

DeanoCeltic

Thanks Billy - much appreciated. Just to confirm - this is Xtratherm stuff you were talking about? are you certain that you simply lay it down and can then walk on it??
http://www.chadwicks.ie/heating/xtratherm-insulation.html

Just did a quick search and Woodies do those Space Boards and they are slightly cheaper than B&Q. Still though, even to cover a section in the attic with this stuff and leave it for storage would be pretty costly. I'd definitly need to get the calculator out!
http://www.woodiesdiy.com/Product/Space-Board-1200mm-x-500mm-06m2/21242/6.3.0#.UlgCHCT0CGc

BryanF

DeanoCeltic wrote: »

are you certain that you simply lay it down and can then walk on it??

read his post again

Billy Davey wrote: »

you will need to use rigid insulation and lay plywood over it

Billy Davey

As far as I know, the likes of the Xtratherm rigid insulation is layed below concrete floors and concrete is poured on top of it. It has a high compressive strength. However, it is not recommended that you use it in attics without covering it will plywood. I think that's because it will get damaged and you will punch through the surface if loads become too concentrated.

I'm open to correction?

The option of buying the area you need from Woodies or B&Q is pricey alright. I want to do my attic which is about 45 square metres.

Works out at around €750!

There is always the option of just doing enough area you need for storage and topping up with the soft insulation outside this area.

FrClintPower

Billy Davey wrote: »

As far as I know, the likes of the Xtratherm rigid insulation is layed below concrete floors and concrete is poured on top of it. It has a high compressive strength. However, it is not recommended that you use it in attics without covering it will plywood. I think that's because it will get damaged and you will punch through the surface if loads become too concentrated.

I'm open to correction?

The option of buying the area you need from Woodies or B&Q is pricey alright. I want to do my attic which is about 45 square metres.

Works out at around €750!

There is always the option of just doing enough area you need for storage and topping up with the soft insulation outside this area.

That's what I did, total attic space is around 50 sq. metres but about half of that, where the roof is lowest, is insulated above the joist level with 300mm of Earthwool (which is really handy to roll out). For the rest of it I used insulated plasterboard which you'd usually use for walls, worked out well enough although the plaster dust gets everywhere when you have to cut it to shape.

DeanoCeltic

Billy Davey wrote: »

As far as I know, the likes of the Xtratherm rigid insulation is layed below concrete floors and concrete is poured on top of it. It has a high compressive strength. However, it is not recommended that you use it in attics without covering it will plywood. I think that's because it will get damaged and you will punch through the surface if loads become too concentrated.

I'm open to correction?

The option of buying the area you need from Woodies or B&Q is pricey alright. I want to do my attic which is about 45 square metres.

Works out at around €750!

There is always the option of just doing enough area you need for storage and topping up with the soft insulation outside this area.

Pretty much the same as I'm looking to do. I've a large attic so will definitely need to work this out first!

Markcheese

How good an idea is it to put weight or walk on insulated plaster board...
Would have thought rigid insulation topped with chipboard or osb a better bet..

DeanoCeltic

Markcheese wrote: »

How good an idea is it to put weight or walk on insulated plaster board...
Would have thought rigid insulation topped with chipboard or osb a better bet..

Definitly. I already have long borads put down. If insulated plasterboard was a goer then I'd take them up, lay the plasterboard then lay them down again.

Two quick questions -
1. Is insulated plasterboard good enough to top-up 150mm of insulation
2. Does in come in sheets small enoug to get into an attic?

Billy Davey

I don't think it comes in small enough sheets. Would have to be cut.

Don't use insulated plasterboard unless you have loads of it to spare or can get it for dirt cheap.

Anyone else got any smart tips for a cheap way of insulating and retaining storage possibility.

DeanoCeltic

I'm thinking - would it be possible to just lay some new joists down at right angels to the existing joists and lay down the additional insulation as per normal? I'm only looking to use 1500mm insulation so if I could get beams this thick then this would do the trick.

Thing is - how to attach the beams to each other?

ravendude

DeanoCeltic wrote: »

I'm thinking - would it be possible to just lay some new joists down at right angels to the existing joists and lay down the additional insulation as per normal? I'm only looking to use 1500mm insulation so if I could get beams this thick then this would do the trick.

Thing is - how to attach the beams to each other?

In had an insulation company in, and that's pretty much what they did. ie. They "raised" the floored area and put down mineral wool underneath.

Heroditas

Alternatively, you can get loft storage stilts in B&Q.

STORAGE STILTS

jonnybravo

Thinking of doing the same thing.

Anyone know where to get the space boards cheaper? Woodies and B&Q are around €10 per 0.6 m2. You also need to have two layers of them which makes them expensive. Works out at around €330 per 10 m2. Installations instructions for the B&Q ones are at http://www.space-insulation.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Space_Board-Installation.pdf.

DeanoCeltic

jonnybravo wrote: »

Thinking of doing the same thing.

Anyone know where to get the space boards cheaper? Woodies and B&Q are around €10 per 0.6 m2. You also need to have two layers of them which makes them expensive. Works out at around €330 per 10 m2. Installations instructions for the B&Q ones are at http://www.space-insulation.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Space_Board-Installation.pdf.

2?? Holy Crap!! :eek:

I have 1500mm of insulation. Surely 1 would be enough on top of that? This would definitely be the easiest option but just looks too expensive.

What might balance this out for me though is the deal on in Chadwicks - €19 for 10 rolls of 1500mm insulation with another on free.

DeanoCeltic

Heroditas wrote: »

Alternatively, you can get loft storage stilts in B&Q.

STORAGE STILTS

Thanks for the post - these look good and would allow you to roll cheap insulation underneath. Just as an FYI - I found similar on ebay as well.

Thing is though, there seems to be no way to attach the boards to these stilts? Would they be stable\safe??

jonnybravo

DeanoCeltic wrote: »

2?? Holy Crap!! :eek:

I have 1500mm of insulation. Surely 1 would be enough on top of that? This would definitely be the easiest option but just looks too expensive.

What might balance this out for me though is the deal on in Chadwicks - €19 for 10 rolls of 1500mm insulation with another on free.

Yeah from reading online you should be aiming for an R value of over 6. These boards give an R value of 1.8 so two would be 3.6 with 100mm of rolled insulation under it giving another 2.25 that would be a total of 5.85. I'm no expert in it so open to correction.

Just noticed you have 150m of insulation. Not sure of the R value of this.

Heroditas

DeanoCeltic wrote: »

Thanks for the post - these look good and would allow you to roll cheap insulation underneath. Just as an FYI - I found similar on ebay as well.

Thing is though, there seems to be no way to attach the boards to these stilts? Would they be stable\safe??

I used wood screws. It takes a good bit of careful planning. You have to put the stilts onto the joists without securing them, then place all the boards on top of them to make sure everything lines up, use the good old trustworthy pencil to mark everything and then start securing everything.

I had already insulated my attic with 300mm (100mm between the joists, 200mm across them) before I did the boards.

First I had to roll back the 200mm of insulation.
Next I put the stilts on the joists and made sure they were placed apart the correct distance.
Then I placed the boards on top of the stilts and made sure everything fitted snugly together and marked the baords with a pencil (to make sure I remembered which side was which etc).
Then I removed all the boards and fixed the stilts to the joists - drill and electric screwdriver are vital!!!
After that, I rolled the insulation back into place.
Finally, I fitted the boards back on top of the stilts and using the drill and electric screwdriver, fixed the boards back on top.

I did this for 12 boards - took me and my friend about 2.5 hours to do it.
The trickiest bit was the two of us crawling around trying not to put our feet through the ceiling!